Hello, I'm new to all this

How-to Questions
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I’m Al and started knitting about 3 months ago and find it really relaxing. I am so glad to have found a forum like this with load of helpful information.

I challenged myself to knit a jumper. It’s a “Raglan sweater with round collar”. After starting it, and re-starting it about 5 times and lots of YouTube videos, I now have a fairly decent half of the back section. I was so proud of myself until I got to the section called “Raglan”. I’m a bit stumped. I am really hoping that somebody can help me interpret what I have to do next.

The pattern says :
“Cast off 6 stiches at the beginning of the next 2 rows, then decrease at each end, 2 stiches in from edge every 6th row 2 stiches twice, then every 4th row 2 stitches 13 times”

I have cast off the 6 stiches at the beginning of the next 2 rows and not sure what to do next. Do I knit 5 rows as normal then on the 6th row, decrease 2 stiches at both ends and repeat this once? Then do I knit 3 rows and on the 4th row, decrease 2 stiches at both ends and repeat this 13 times?
On the pattern, the decreases are done using a cable needle . Can the decreasing be done without using the cable needle with just a left decrease and right decrease?
I have attached a picture of the pattern. I am knitting the XXL version which is the biggest version of the pattern.

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Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Al

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Welcome to KH and to knitting!
Glad that you are enjoying knitting so much.
You’ve got the decrease spacing. Knit 5 rows, dec on the 6th (repeat once more) or knit 3 rows, dec on the 4th (repeat 13 times total).
The decrease with the cable needle (or dpn or any small straight needle) is a neat one but you could also use another double decrease. A slip one, k2tog, pass slipped stitch over will work at one end of a row with a k3tog at the other end. Often the slip k2tog pass is used at the beginning of a knit row and the k3tog at the end but you could also reverse the placement as you wish. Try them out along with the cable needle option used in the pattern on a small swatch to see which you prefer.
Classic pullover. Have fun with it.
https://www.bergeredefrance.co.uk/pull-raglan-col-rond-2873263.html

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Thank you so much for getting back to me [salmonmac] and for the tips :slightly_smiling_face:. Much appreciated.

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4

Hi AliJack! Just wanted to welcome you! I just started knitting this year and this place has been unbelievably helpful. Can’t wait to see your finished jumper!

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:blush: Thanks for the welcome NayPo. I was really stuck and then found this site. Within a short space of time, someone had got back to me with an answer. So good
Hopefully I’ll get the jumper done before the winter is over.

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Hello
Great to hear you are enjoying your new hobby and have taken on a sweater challenge.
I just wanted to add, about the decreases, another option which I quite like when a cable needle is called for, I like to use a removable stitch marker instead. I slip however many stitches on to the marker instead of cable needle, work however many needed, then jnstead of working off a cable needles, I slip the stutches from the marker back onto my left needle, and work them. I found I prefer this for cables too. Just different ways of oing things.

Looking forward to seeing your sweater progress.

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Thanks so much for the tip :+1: Will try it

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Al,
Welcome to the forum! I have been knitting regularly for the past 10 years (give or take) and discovered these fabulous friends at the beginning of the adventure. They have saved me (and my sanity) too many times to count. Have fun with your sweater and don’t hesitate to ask multiple questions; these folks have the patience of saints!

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9

Thank you too for the kind welcome Claudia.
I’ve just finished the first piece of the sweater - the back. A huge milestone :slightly_smiling_face: Thanks for the encouragement.

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Hey Al,
Isn’t it exciting?! I look forward to seeing your progress and the finished sweater!

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Part of how we can be so patient is there are so many of us! Sometimes, the solution is a slightly different wording that makes the lightbulb moment happen, or an alternate approach. Having a lot of people engaged is a huge bonus–SOMEONE will have the right combo to be able to help.

I’ve learned a lot by simply reading other people’s posts. When I hit a snag in my own knitting, I sometimes remember a posted solution, or at least that there WAS a solution. It’s a real time-saver.

@AliJack–welcome to a lovely community, and just know that there are no stupid questions here! We were all beginners once too. So ask away whenever you need to!

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Thanks @ColoCro for the welcome and for the tips.

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Hi there,
Thanks for the assistance so far - I’m back and need some more help please. I have finished the back of my jumper and nearly done with the front but I have now got stuck on the shaping of the neck.
The pattern reads as follows under the section “FRONT Raglan and neck” : “…meanwhile when the work is … 156 rows in total, for neck cast off 22 centre stiches (I’m knitting the biggest size), continue each side separately and cast off on neck side every 2nd row 3 stiches once, 2 stitches once, 1 stitch 3 times and the remaining 6 stitches.”
I’m not sure what to do when I get to row 157. Do I start knitting the row, then cast off 22 stitches and then knit to the end of the row? How do you knit each side separately - really not sure how to attack this at all? :crazy_face:
Any help would be greatly appreciated. There is a reference to the pattern in the earlier messages.

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14

Yes, exactly. You’ll work back and forth on the first shoulder until it’s all cast off, then cut the yarn and re-attach for the opposite shoulder. The cast offs happen at the neck edge, which come on the right side (RS) rows for the first shoulder, and on the wrong side (WS) rows for the 2nd shoulder.

1st shoulder:
Start the row, cast off 22 stitches, knit to end of row, turn.
Work the WS row back to where you’ll run out of stitches at the neck edge, turn.
Cast off 3 stitches, work across row, turn.
WS–work across row, turn.
Cast off 2 stitches, work across row, turn.
WS–work across row, turn.
Cast off 1 stitch, work across row, turn.
WS–work across row, turn.
Cast off 1 stitch, work across row, turn.
WS–work across row, turn.
Cast off 1 stitch, work across row, turn.
WS–work across row, turn.
Cast off last 6 stitches, cut yarn.

2nd shoulder:
Reattach yarn at the neck cast off.
Cast off 3 stitches, work across row, turn.
RS–work across row, turn.
Cast off 2 stitches, work across row, turn.
RS–work across row, turn.
Cast off 1 stitch, work across row, turn.
RS–work across row, turn.
Cast off 1 stitch, work across row, turn.
RS–work across row, turn.
Cast off 1 stitch, work across row, turn.
RS–work across row, turn.
Cast off last 6 stitches, cut yarn.

Hope that helps!

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15

Thank you so much @ColoCro! I do appreciate your help. I have now finished the back and front of the jumper and have started the first sleeve.

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16

Great progress!
Sleeves can feel like they are as big as the front and back, don’t get disheartened if part way through it feels like they go on for ever.
Also my tip is to check the length carefully, see what length the pattern says and check with yourself that you’re happy with that length (check your other sweaters, what length sleeve do they have and do you like it that length). I always extend sleeves for myself and my son as I find patterns are often short in the arm.
There are 2 main places where it is really easy to extend without having to get over involved with altering the pattern.
If you need help let us know.

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So good to hear! I hope you’ll share a pic when you’re done!

In addition to @Creations suggestions, I like to work both sleeves at the same time. If you have a 2nd set of needles the same size, that is. It helps me be sure they both come out the same length. I do a few rows on one, then the same rows on the other. Usually, I work through a section of repeats, then switch to the other sleeve while I have that pattern in my head. Instead of decreasing every other row x4, then decreasing every 4th row x6, then casting off (or whatever your pattern says), I’ll do all of the “every other row” part for BOTH sleeves. Then go on to the next section.

For example, cast on Sleeve A and work the cuff ribbing. Cast on B and work cuff ribbing, then the first set of increases, which might be every 4th row. Go back to A and work those same increases. Maybe then it’s a straight section on A, then the same on B. At the sleeve cap, do the cast-off rows on B, then on A. Etc.

Maybe you don’t have 2 sets of needles right now, but you can file this idea away for your next sweater!

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Thanks @ColoCro and @Creations for the suggestions and support. Much appreciated.

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Thanks @Creations
1 sleeve done, just one more and the collar. The sleeve seems to be the correct length. I just want it to be finished :grinning:

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