I am knitting a sweater incorporating a double moss stitch. The pattern itself is multiple of 4+2 and is four rows in total. The pattern calls for an increase in the double stitch pattern every six rows. The challenge is that the last two rows of the six are the first two rows of the set. What is the best way to keep track of the correct P2, k2 pattern in a situation like this? This is Interweave’s Red Moss Pullover.
You can chart this out or rewrite the pattern but the best way is also the easiest. You don’t need anything but your knitting.
After you make the increase, determine how to work the next stitch by looking at the previous rows. If you need to knit to continue the pattern correctly, knit the next stitch and continue across the row. Same if you need to purl the next stitch to stay in pattern.
I am not certain I know how to determine that I am staying “in pattern”. Like, am I supposed to always “knit the knit and purl the purl”, for example. I am feeling dumb here, but really need to figure this out because I did the first 11 sets incorrectly anyway due to mis-reading the pattern :). I do so appreciate your help with this!
Can you give us the 4 row pattern stitch? There are different moss stitch patterns and I want to make sure of the one your pattern is using.
Not the whole pattern please but just those 4 rows. Large portions of patterns cause copyright problems here.
Row 1: (RS) P2, K2, repeat between * ending with P2
Row 2 and 3: K2, P2, repeat between * ending with K2
Row 4 (WS) P2, K2, repeat between * ending with P2
But the challenge is that the pattern calls for increasing the double moss pattern every 6th row, so in the double moss pattern itself you are using Row 1 and Row 2 instructions for row 5 and 6.
And I forgot to say, on the increase row, you are decreasing the stockinette stitches by the same amount you are increasing the double moss.
OK, dealing with the double moss, If your increase falls on a row 1, work the increase as a knit stitch and then continue with the row. If it falls on a row 2, work the increase as a purl and continue with the pattern as written. Subsequent increases are of course going to be affected by the previous increase stitch. Also, since the increases are every 6 rows, the row with the increases is going to change.
It may help to work a swatch in the double moss. Make some increases at the edges and see what happens with the pattern. You should be able to tell almost immediately when the pattern is off. This will help you learn to read the previous rows.
Thank you!