Hi everyone. I am struggling with my stitch numbers - they aren’t working out, so I am doing something wrong. The pattern says:
K7, K3 tog, yon, K1,(M1, K1) twice, y.fwd, yrn, K3 tog, K13 repeat from to last 16 sts. I have watched videos on yon, yfwd and yrn and all make a new stitch using the yarn. M1 is the yarn between 2 stitches and then knitted through the back and then I knit one x two. In * to * I make 5 new stitches? What could I be doing wrong? Many thanks
Leaf shaped pattern struggle
Hello
What’s the name or number of the pattern you’re making?
Do you have a stitch count given before and after this row which would indicate whether you’re expected to have more, less or an equal number of stitches?
It’s a bit confusing that 3 different terms have been used for a yarn over, often the different terms are used for going between say 2 purl stitches or a purl and knit but you have all knits here.
I’m sure some one can help with this, it will be easier if there is a stitch count and pattern name.
Hi there. The pattern is a “Little French Knits”, 53/leaves cardigan. Its a bit complicated in that the whole body was knitted as one, then the sleeves separately. The sleeves are added to their correct place with the body on 1 circular needle. Then the yolk is knitted as one. The total stitches are 243 but there isn’t a separate stitch amount before ans after each row. Yes, you are correct, the y.fwd and yrn and yon are confusing too. Many thanks
Welcome to the forum!
I’ve had this pattern in my favorites just waiting for the next baby to knit for.
The stitch count could stay the same or increase by one each repeat depending on what happens to the double yarn over in the next row (bolded below).
K7, * K3 tog, yon, K1,(M1, K1) twice, y.fwd, yrn, K3 tog, K13 * repeat from to last 16 sts
There are 2 decreases of 2 sts each for a decrease of 4 sts.
The first yarn over (the yon) increases 1 stitch.
The M1 increase in the parentheses is repeated twice for an increase of 2sts.
If the double yarn over (yfwd, yrn) is worked as 2sts in the next row (say a knit then a purl) then that’s an increase of 2sts. You would have 4sts decreased and 5sts increased.
But if the double yarn over is worked in the next row as one elongated stitch then you would have 4sts decreased and 4sts increased.
I feel better now, knowing that I am reading the instructions correctly (I think ). The problem comes in when you get to the last 16 stitches, you do the pattern and then I don’t have 7 stitches left, I think I had 3 or 4. This would affect the pattern overall on the next plain row. I have done this twice and had to undo all 243 stitches both times
. I have even marked out each pattern block and still can’t come up with why my count is out. Is the M1, K1 two different stitches ie: make one by picking up the thread between the two stitches and knitting through the back and then knitting another stitch? Or is the make one the one I knit? I know it sounds so basic but I am desperate to figure this out. I love this pattern
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When things don’t work out, especially stitch number, going back to basics is a good approach.
The M1 is different from the K1. There is one stitch in the parentheses before you work the row. Work the M1 between sts then K1. That makes 2sts within the parentheses after that small repeat is worked.
I count 22sts in the repeat before and after the section within the asterisks is worked if the double yarn over is counted as 1stitch. If it counts as 2sts then the asterisked repeat counts as 23sts.
Marking off the repeats is just what I would recommend. There are 22sts in each repeat after the first 7sts. Make sure that division of sts works with 16sts left at the end of row.
What are the instructions for the last 16sts?
Look at the first paragraph of pattern notes from this Ravelry project.
https://www.ravelry.com/projects/GemJam/53---leaves
It seems that the yfwd, yrn is best worked as a simple yarn over (that is, one stitch). That means that the stitch count stays the same after working the asterisked repeat. That also makes sense with a total stitch count of 243sts. There’s 7sts, a repeat of 22x10 repeats, 16sts which total 243.
Thank you so much. I will work out the 22 st and make sure my numbers add up in the end. The last 16 sts are a repeat of the pattern and then knit 7. I will go and look at the Ravelry reference too. I am going to work a row with your numbers and with the yfwd and yrn as 1 stitch and see how it works out. I am so grateful for your help
Let us know how it goes. I hope we get to see a photo when you finish!
I will post an update
Sadly and frustratingly my numbers still done work I am not advanced enough to alter the leaves pattern to fit the way they are meant to (the leaves centre lining up with the sleeve seams) and for the leaf edges to touch. I will give it some thought. Such a waste of knitting
That is certainly frustrating! When I have to center a design or match up seams I go to markers again rather than trying to knit the pattern. Can you put a different color marker or a loop of yarn on the center leaf stitch? Even if the leaf center doesn’t line up in the center of the sleeve it would still be ok as long as the total stitch count works out.
I did it!! I went back to the joining row, where I had to join the body and sleeves all on 1 circular needle. Due to me having to undo the leaf pattern row a few times, I didn’t take into account the increases on the joining row at the back. Unfortunately the pattern maker doesn’t give stitch numbers after increases, so I kept going back to the original back st count, which was obviously less than after the increases! So I started again and added the increases in, measure out the 22 stitches for each pattern block and came up the a perfect measurement
It only works out because of your advice on the yfwd and yrn being 1 and not 2. I will update if I finally manage to finish the leaves
I don’t think you are necessarily doing anything wrong. You have the 7 stitches either side of the opening for the cardigan and this makes all the leaf pattern repeats central and symmetrical all the way around the yoke. The symmetry here is what is needed to make the pattern look balanced and as it is a cardigan with an opening it kind of forces you to get it central by the stitch count alone (where as with a sweater there’s a chance of being off-centre getting the leaf pattern in the wrong place if the markers were not worked out centrally).
I think what you are focusing on is the center of the leaf lining up with the seam of the sleeve at the 2 fronts because it does look, very neat and pretty like that
But
If you look at the photos on ravelry there are lots where the centre of the leaf does not align with the sleeve seam and yet the leaf repeats are still fully symmetrical on the cardigan fronts and around the yoke.
I think this could be linked to sizing rather than you doing something wrong. On a certain size with a cetertain stitch count the number of leaf repeats may be different and fit the stitch count differently meaning that leaf and seam alignment is naturally produced whilst on other sizes the leaf pattern is repeated a different number of times and therefore does not align with the sleeve seam.
These 2 examples do not align with the sleeve seam
This example aligns in the way I think you are hoping for
The first 2 are largest size the last image is the 6 to 12 month size.
If this is not what the problem is and I’m totally off track please forgive me. I just thought I’d mention this in case you feel you’re going all wrong but actually are getting it right.
What you have made so far looks lovely by the way. Very neat and I love the effect of the garter and the bottom edging. What sort of cast on is that, it’s beautiful?!
Excellent! Your patience and persistence are paying off. It’s going to be an heirloom sweater.
Thank you for sharing these pics and your thoughts. This does make me feel more relaxed about the leave pattern and the sleeve seams. It’s good to see it on other sizes too
Everyone asks why I knit so much but they don’t realise that every new pattern is part of me learning how to do different stitches and designs. Some are a steeper learning curve than others I’ll post a pic when I’m done. Thank you again…
We’re all happy to help. Part of the fun of knitting is the challenge that some patterns represent. It’s good be able to succeed and produce a lovely result. Looking forward to the photo!
We just have been posting at the same time as I’ve only just seen your success post which is just before my post.
Great news!
I also like the challenge of new patterns and the learning. I learn a lot reading other people’s posts here too.