Hi I am a very new knitter and trying to knit this scarf I found on Ravelry…which led me to a link on Craftsy to download the free pattern. Unfortunately, I’m having problems with it…After doing four rows, I seen I had gained about 3 or 4 stitches…so I stopped and pulled it all back out…I’m doing the YO correctly and the PSSO right as I watched several videos…so, not sure what’s going on. Is the pattern correct?? I copied and pasted everything as shown… Row 3 was a bit confusing for me since there was no stars…just parentheses. Also, why does it say to K2, K5…why doesnt it just say to K7?? Can anyone shed light on this? Thought it would be an easy project! Thanks.
Directions:
Row 1 K5, K1, YO, K3, YO, K1, K5 Repeat from * to * to end.
Row 2 Purl across
Row 3 K5, (K2, S/1, K2, PSSO last two knit stitches, K2, K5) Repeat from * to * to end.
There’s a mistake in the pattern. Row 3 could be written as follows:
Row 3 - K5, [B]K2tog[/B], Sl1, K2, PSSO last 2 knit stitches, K2, K5 Repeat from * to * to end.
It could also be that the K2 after the slip sts should be the K2tog but the pattern is so careful to state “PSSO last 2 knit stitches” that I think that interpretation is less likely. Try the above row out and see if it gives you the pattern you want.
The K2, K5 may be to emphasize that the edge sts are K5 on each end. I don’t see any helpful comments on Rav. It’s a very pretty scarf.
Having looked at the scarf and the orginal pattern I agree with Salmonmac that there should be a k2tog in the 3rd row. My hunch is that it should be K5, K2, Sl1, K2, PSSO last 2 knit stitches, [B]K2tog[/B], K5 Repeat from * to * to end which would also resolve the question of why the pattern doesn’t say k7.
If you wanted to make this a little wider…would you go with a bigger needle and yarn? I want it to be a shawl/scarf for my mom and I sooo love the one in the pic…It’s called Jewell’s Pea Coat Scarf but she says to use sz 3 needles and fingerling yarn. I would like it to be a little wider but not mess with how pretty it looks. Could use some advice. Would a worsted, 4 weight, work out with a bigger needle? Would it change the pattern??:happydance:
Thanks Julie. I don’t have needles available now but a swatch should help figure out the placement of that dec.
Changing needles and yarn will work although the look will be a slightly bulkier version. You would still preserve the pattern. Alternatively, you could add in an extra repeat where it says to rep from * to *. It’s your choice depending on the needle size and yarn weight you’d like to use.
It’s going to be a lovely scarf and wonderful gift.
@Declutterchique…Unfortunately, that didnt work…thanks for trying though…going to try the other way now…I’m also having problems with the whole thing curling as I’m getting to the third row…
Yes GG, I agree. When I first saw the written pattern I assumed that the first 5sts and the last 5sts were knit on all rows for garter sttich. It’s clear that they’re not from the instructions for the alternate rows (all purl) and the photos. There must have been some severe blocking with perhaps artful help in taking the pictures to avoid curling.
Always knitting the first and last 5sts, on both odd and even rows will help prevent some of the curling. You could also use seed stitch here which may give a more deiicate edging and will also lie flat.
After doing row 3 I had the correct number of sts left! Yayyy! I am still having extreme curling tho and I’m not seeing that silky smoothness that I see in the pic so at this point I’m wondering if I should just look for a dif pattern to use…really getting frustrated. If I switch to the fingerling type yarn, would that work? It sure doesnt look that small in the picture…I really didnt want to take forever making a scarf and have never used yarn that small…
Row 3 - K5, K2, Sl1, K2TOG, PSSO last 2 knit stitches, K2, K5 Repeat from * to * to end.
I see the issue, please see the bold above.
The yarn is silky in the photo because I steam blocked it. It is part acrylic and that shines when steam block. Just be careful while doing that.
I decided this is to much of a challenge for a new knitter so I’m going with an easier shawl I just found online…but thanks for everyones advice. This one was just to frustrating from the beginning!
You’re most welcome. Sometimes it helps to consult at your local yarn store or use the yarn specified in the pattern to get the exact look of the pattern you fell in love with.
I think it was just bad luck that you happened on a pattern with a big error. Good of you to write to the designer who, we hope will correct the pattern.
Good luck with the new pattern. We’d love to see it when you finish if you’d like to post a photo.
I did start to do a sample last night and ended up with an extra stitich. As I was also watching TV I wasn’t sure if I’d failed to follow my amended instructions correctly, or if they were wrong, so I left it to try today.
So Salmonmac’s theory as to the position of the K2tog was on the money!
After doing row 3 I had the correct number of sts left! Yayyy! I am still having extreme curling tho and I’m not seeing that silky smoothness that I see in the pic so at this point I’m wondering if I should just look for a dif pattern to use…really getting frustrated. If I switch to the fingerling type yarn, would that work? It sure doesnt look that small in the picture…I really didnt want to take forever making a scarf and have never used yarn that small…