How to avoid the gap?

When I am knitting and using a stitch marker to mark where my decreases need to be, I always end up with a gap in that spot. I have used various sizes of stitch markers from standard size to very tiny and slender, I have also used scrap yarn to mark this spot. Yet I still end up with the gap in my project. What can I do to lose this gap?

Use a thin marker, maybe a yarn one (my husband experimented with a lot of different stitch markers and his favorites were made of a fairly oversize loop of embroidery floss) so it is flexible. Then be sure to pull your next stitch up so that it is just as close to the one before the marker as any other stitch. I don’t know what else to say. You may also find that you don’t need every marker you are instructed to use. If you can tell what is going on without it don’t use it. I try to use them as little as possible because I’m lazy about slipping them, nuisance. I hope that helps some.

Are you sure the gap is created by the marker rather than the decrease?

Well the decrease is ssk and knit 2 tog (or sssk and knit 3 tog latter in the pattern) in the center of the pattern. Is this type of decrease supposed to cause a gap?

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Um, don’t take the tubes/underground when you are in England.

Yeah, That’s the ticket!
:roflhard: :roflhard:

If you’re not looking for British humor, then I’m betting on Ingrid to answer this question. :wink:
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Well the decrease is ssk and knit 2 tog (or sssk and knit 3 tog latter in the pattern) in the center of the pattern. Is this type of decrease supposed to cause a gap?

If they’re next to each other, yes, that makes a little bit of a gap. But it should even out when you wash or block the item.

They are next to each other and the stich marker helps you to know where your center is. its ssk (sssk) pm k2tog (k3tog) knit t end.

Are you sure the gap is created by the marker rather than the decrease?

Duh. Why didn’t I think of that. LOL Yes, the decreases can cause a little gap. No fault of yours, just happens.

OK, is there a way to minimize this gap. I am working on a knit bikini top that will be transformed into a Coin Bra for Belly Dance, and would like to minimize that gap as much as possible.

What fiber is your yarn? They may even out when you block or wash the item.

The pattern calls for a cotton elastic blend, but I am making some practice runs for sizing (its always so hard to size bikini tops to my breasts LOL) and using the same size in acrylic. I am sure this is playing a part in this problem, but I just wanna make sure there is no other reason for this happening.

Doing those decreases right next to each other happens in wool yarn too. And the gap will even out when you wash the top.

Well then I guess I will have to make sure I wash each piece before I start the embellishments on my coin bras then. Once all the coins, shells, pendants, chains and so forth are added, you can’t really just wash them anymore LOL. I will have to try that before I start the rest of the work on them.

And sewing on the extras will cover up the gaps too.

Yeah I am sure it will. That and i will be lining them as well to make them more supportive, so that can help make it less noticeable. I was just wondering if it was something I was doing that was causing this.

Nope, it’s not a missed technique, just normal.

Well at least I know now its nothing I am doing wrong, and I can just think of ways of minimizing it when I am done. I have some really neat ideas for Knitted and Crocheted Coin Bras for Belly Dance, and well want them to come out right LOL. Don’t need any wardrobe malfunctions while I am dancing LOL.