Help figuring cast on please?

[Woofens]

@GrumpyGramma

I’m thinking, what would I do. I’d probably cast on 96 sts as salmonmac suggests for that size, plus border sts if I decided to do one, maybe an edge st on each end in case I wanted to pu&k a border later (gotta have those options!) and just start the pattern. A few rows will show you an approximate size and you can decide if it’s close enough (blankets don’t have to be exact after all and an edge stitch would allow a little bit of size increase later if you wanted it just a smidge bigger). That yarn will knit up quickly. If you’re doing an actual gauge swatch, I’d do it in pattern. Others who are good knitters can tell you the right way. I tend to live dangerously and just wing it. :shrug:

I was pretty much thinking the same thing about the gauge. That it’s just a blanket… I’m gonna be like you I’m sure, winging it a lot. I’m bad about that, if I understand the basics I’ll go off on a wild hair!

[Woofens]

@salmonmac

I do a swatch for everything! If I thought I needed a swatch before making a swatch, I’d probably do that.
I guess I hate the idea of working all those sts and then finding out I needed to rip it out and re-do. If you decide to do a swatch, do it in the pattern stitch especially since this is going to have a bit of give to it.

I really need to get into the habit of doing a swatch. I bought 4 skeins of the yarn (all they had). So how many would you cast on for the swatch? Thanks!

[salmonmac]

@Woofens

I really need to get into the habit of doing a swatch. I bought 4 skeins of the yarn (all they had). So how many would you cast on for the swatch? Thanks!

Oh especially if you have a limited amount of yarn.
Cast on 18 +2 edge sts or 21 +2 edge sts. You may want to go down to 36 inches wide for an infant’s blanket, more for an older child’s. Measure the number of sts across the middle 4 inches when you slightly stretch the swatch.

[Woofens]

@salmonmac

Oh especially if you have a limited amount of yarn.
Cast on 18 +2 edge sts or 21 +2 edge sts. You may want to go down to 36 inches wide for an infant’s blanket, more for an older child’s. Measure the number of sts across the middle 4 inches when you slightly stretch the swatch.

Thanks so much! I have to run into town (a few hours gone), then I have to make 2 pans of home made lasagna (one for us, one for next door. Our neighbor had surgery so I’m trying to help them out), and then I can get started on the blanket. Will post about my progress.

[GrumpyGramma]

@salmonmac

I do a swatch for everything! If I thought I needed a swatch before making a swatch, I’d probably do that.
I guess I hate the idea of working all those sts and then finding out I needed to rip it out and re-do. If you decide to do a swatch, do it in the pattern stitch especially since this is going to have a bit of give to it.

that! I bet you do do a swatch before making the swatch, sort of. You start with one size needles and then see if you need to change. Swatching is good, don’t get me wrong, I do swatches then do more swatches with the same yarn with different needles and try different stitches to see how they work. Sometimes I just figure the number of stitches in a swatch is not that different from a few rows, specially if they work up quickly and the gauge isn’t critical. Maybe that’s why I’ve learned to dishcloths, the project is the swatch and the swatch is the project, and I know what to expect if I use that pattern for something else. It follows that the dishcloth is the swatch before making the swatch. :mrgreen:

[jinxnit55]

@Woofens

Thanks GG. What did you make with it?? Its so soft but the K2, P1 isn’t working so well with it. :tap:

I often find that the first row of something looks wonky and terrible, but as the rows pile on, it starts looking better.

[Woofens]

@jinxnit55

I often find that the first row of something looks wonky and terrible, but as the rows pile on, it starts looking better.

I’ve noticed it a little, but this seemed really bad. I was on about the 3rd row, but I had cast on too many stitches and it was too wide anyway. I haven’t had a chance to do the swatch yet, either. WWE starts in 30 minutes, Jeff will be watching it, so maybe I can cast on then!

[GrumpyGramma]

Thinking back, I might have decided on garter stitch because I didn’t like the way other patterns were working out in this yarn. That could be the reason I ended up doing the dishcloth pattern on a larger scale. I’m not sure.

[Woofens]

I’ve done my swatch, and I’m getting 10 stitches and 12 rows per 4 inches. I’m going to cast on 92. I’m gonna cast on tomorrow, barring any occurrences. Keeping my fingers crossed.

[salmonmac]

Do you like the feel of the knit swatch at 10sts/4inches? If not, you could try going to larger needles to give you something closer to 8sts/4inches. But if you like the feel and drape of the swatch, then you’re good to go. Have fun knitting!