Help with Vintage Cabled Sweater

#1

I am working on a sweater for my mom for Christmas. It is a vintage cabled sweater. The pattern says to knit in rib stitch for 1.5 inches and then start the pattern chart. I started the pattern on a right side row but the problem is that the pattern is in 13 rows so each time you restart the pattern you will be alternating starting on a right or a wrong side row. You are instructed to continue to repeat the pattern until the piece measures 9 inches. I finished one pattern section and now am starting the 2nd repeat on a wrong side row. Should I always be alternating what row side I start on, or is there something off with the pattern? I purchased the pattern on Etsy and tried contacting the seller but she hasn’t responded. The link to the pattern sale page is here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/913971750/knitting-pattern-vintage-cabled-sweater

Thank you everyone!

#2

Hi
Looks like this pattern was written by the seller so I think waiting for a response might be the best option.
Or knit up a swatch and try out the repeat starting on the right side and then the wrong side as you’ve described and see how it looks to check the stitches flow well.

#3

Don’t alternate the pattern sections right side then wrong side.
For these patterns the right side rows are often the pattern stitch (cables, etc.) and the wrong side rows are “knit the sts as they appear” or “knit the knits and purl the purls”. It’s likely that your pattern has these kind of instructions for the wrong side rows so work row 14 in this manner. Then you can start the pattern repeat on a right side row.

1 Like
#4

I looked everywhere in the pattern and if doesn’t say anything about the row after row 14, just repeat the chart until piece measures 9 inch. I have attached copies of the chart and the first page of the pattern.

Screenshot_20211127-193507_Drive.jpg
Screenshot_20211127-193507_Drive.jpg1080Ă—2280 409 KB

Screenshot_20211127-193436_Drive.jpg
Screenshot_20211127-193436_Drive.jpg1080Ă—2280 705 KB

#5

Think of the rows in the middle section (sts 27-60) as occurring in pairs. Where there’s a cable row on the right side it’s followed by a purl row on the wrong side. I see that the pattern says that the chart repeats every 13 rows but you can’t work the cable pattern (Aran honeycomb) that the photo shows that way. There has to be a wrong side row between rows 13 and row 1. It’ll be a repeat of row 2 (or 6 or 10).

1 Like
#6

Thank you!

#7

I think it looks more complicated than that cos the middle section is really a 16 row repeat rather than a 13 or 14. As there are three straight rows between the shaping in the middle section, if you work row 14 as row 2 and then go back to row 1, this will disrupt the honeycomb Aran pattern. It may be easier to see this as a 12 row repeat and adjust the direction of the shaping in the middle section to maintain pattern. Alternatively, draw out an extended chart to a 24 pattern repeat when all the shaping direction will be back on track!!

#8

Just to clarify my ramblings above (!). The first motif is a 6 row repeat, the second is a 4 row repeat, and the middle section is an 8 row repeat. So the most straightforward chart is one with a row number divisible by 4, 6 and 8.

1 Like
#9

Yes, I pretty much agree, Mel61 but in order to complete the honeycomb pattern you need row 13. Think of rows 1 and 5 as forming the honeycomb and then rows 9 and 13 completing a repeat of the honeycomb.

So you could either add rows similar to rows 2,3 and 4 after row 13
or
think of this as an 8 row repeat.

Thanks for picking that up @Mel61 and pointing out the rows needed.

#10

Yes agree, you need row 13 for the shaping of the middle section because the designer has charted this section as 1.5 pattern repeats. This complicates things for the knitter because at the same time as working row 13, she needs to be working row 1 of the other motifs. As she then moves through the chart, she needs to reverse the direction of cables on the middle section for the second repeat of the chart. That’s why it may be easier to draw a 24 row chart so that each different motif repeat can be charted in accurate alignment. It’s ok if you’re good at reading your knitting but if you follow this chart as described, you could get in a terrible muddle. She could just paste a repeat of motif. 1 and 2 on top of the 12 row repeat, and then rows 2 -12 of the middle section on top of the 13th row

#11

Yes, the repeats on either side of the honeycomb should be charted separately or incorporated into a revised master chart. Those side cables and chevrons are a problem as charted because of the uneven and incorrect spacing between the end of the chart and the first row.

The Ravelry page isn’t a help since there’s only one project with no notes. Even that one is hibernating and we can see why.

I like your idea of making a couple of copies of the chart and cutting and pasting the correct rows for each motif. Maybe by the time the first repeat is finished the original poster will be able to read the knitting and see that as a way to complete the sweater.

#12

My goodness this sounds so complicated! Thanks for your help everyone. I messaged the seller and she still hasn’t responded. I dont want to leave a bad review but I want people to know what they are buying. If she doesn’t respond to me in the next few days I might have to leave a bad review.

#13

Haha, just realised that my copying suggestions are wrong for the middle as I’d not recognised the shaping alternates across the rows!! The middle section would need to copy rows 1-8 into a space 3 rows above row 13, ie starting where row 17 corresponds on the other charts. A bit of photocopying and sellotape may be in order!! :rofl::rofl::rofl:

#14

Be of good cheer. I’m sure we can help you with the chart. You’re right to message the seller as she should certainly support a pattern she’s selling.

#15

Just super frustrating because I spent hours yesterday figuring out the first 13 rows and I had to pay for the pattern and the seller isn’t responding. At least it was only $5.50. I might just do a different pattern. Christmas is fast approaching! Any suggestions on an easier to follow sweater pattern in a similar style?

#16

Sorry, @hoeftam, I think I’m making it sound more complicated than it is.
There are three separate patterns in the chart. You’ll notice that the first one repeats every 6 rows, the second pattern repeats every 4 rows, and the middle section pattern repeats every 8 rows. So the 12 row chart shows two repeats of pattern 1, three repeats of pattern 2, and one and a half repeats of the middle pattern.
If you extend this to a 24 row chart, you will have all the patterns aligned throughout your knitting. Patterns one and two are easy because you just repeat rows 1-12 again. But in the middle, in order to keep the pattern lined up, you need the other half of the repeat (the designer only charted 1.5 repeats) . Hence, she has added row 13 to show what direction the shaping should follow in row one of the second time through the chart. The subsequent rows in the middle section only of the chart will also need the shaping reversed, and then it will be back to how it is charted for the third time through the chart, and so on.
So if you copy the chart and paste it together to keep the patterns aligned, that may be easier.

1 Like
#17

@hoeftam I feel your pain!
If you email me a PDF scan of the chart, I’ll cut and paste it and send back a scan of a 24 row chart that might help? I’m on mel.conway@btinternet.com

#18

Thanks so much! I will do that. I am going to try a different pattern for Christmas and come back to this one after Christmas. I appreciate everyone’s help! Thank you!

#19

I’ve just emailed you a 24 row chart! Hopefully all smooth sailing from here! Good luck

1 Like
#20

Many thanks for going above and beyond, Mel61. Would you please post a photo of your corrected chart in this thread on the forum? Sooner or later someone else is going to have questions about this pattern and it will help out in the future.

Also, I have a question about the underlined V symbol at stitches 19 and 24 on some of the rows. What does that stand for in this pattern? Sometimes it’s a slip stitch but I wonder why it isn’t mirrored on the same motif on the other side of the chart (sts 63 and 68).