Keeping track of multiple Increases and decreases

Anyone have a sure fire way of keeping track of multiple increases and decreases? This pattern is blowing my mind. :exploding_head: I have the knit companion app and have tried to imagine using smart markers but, so far, I just remain confused.

I work my way through the wording setting up a table with increases, decreases and short rows across the top and rows listed along the side. I can mark which procedure goes in which row and then I can check them off as I go.

The only other way I can think of it to have 5 friends knit with me. Each one keeps track of increases, decreases, short rows, the coffee supply and my sanity. There’s a lot going on in this pattern. It reminds me of an Ankestrick or Isabel Kramer pattern.

3 Likes

Wowsers! Which pattern is that?

I would be tempted to write out the instructions for my size on a notepad. I usually draw a bunch of straight lines, one for each row, like little soldiers. For the rows that have a particular action, such as a decrease, I put a little circle on the top of the line. I cross them off one by one.

If it’s something I have to do twice, like a sleeve or a back and front, I cross off the soldiers in two colours, red for the left and and black for the right.

In the future, archeologists may puzzle over my knitting notes!

2 Likes

Thank you so much for your quick response and…BINGO, you are correct, it’s an AnkeStrick pattern. I’ve struggled with her instructions throughout this project but the cardigan is so beautiful I could not resist. The photo is click bait for very complicated knitting. LOL. I believe you’ve saved my bacon with this pattern before…And your five friends knitting together made me laugh out loud. Happy New Year to you and yours although…you may be hearing from me again before 2021 is out. :smiling_face_with_three_hearts:

1 Like

@salmonmac was correct. This is the AnkeStrick pattern called,Diary Pattern (https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/diary). I’m making the short version for my daughter…AnkeStrick’s methods are quite complicated and I know I bit off more than I can chew with this project, but…can’t quit now! I am determined to get through it and the resulting cardigan be both wearable and (hopefully) beautiful. Love your ideas and think yours and salmonmac are the best way to go. Believe me, I have a very firm lifeline laid down at the beginning of this section, Will make charts and notes today and…hopefully go forward with less confusion. Thank you so much for all your help and I hope you have a very happy New Year.

1 Like

Ooh, nice one! I love her patterns although getting through the yoke or shoulder and sleeve shaping is always a challenge. Can’t wait to see this. You can do it.

2 Likes

I use Jen Arnall Cullifords technique of a ‘swinging thread’ at each shaping point to both count the rows, number of spaces, and as a visual reminder that I might have to do something at that point! She can explain it better than I!!

3 Likes

@Mel61 OMG! BRILLIANT! Definitely incorporating this into the mix for those “repeat every 4 and 8 rows.” Thank you for this! Very helpful.

1 Like

It is so great isn’t it! I use it all the time for sleeves where I inevitably miss the odd shaping interval, but at least I always get two sleeves that match!

1 Like

That will be a lovely garment for your daughter, with the curved fronts. I am sure you can do it!

1 Like