I’ve decided to start on the sleeves so I don’t burn myself out with something giant, and I figured I’d be able to tell gauge being right on or not quicker. I do have one small question, though. For the stitch pattern, the instructions say repeat from * until * then K_. For rows 3 and 5 it was k2. Anyway, For row 3 I had to knit 5 like the beginning of the repeated part says, before I knit 2 because 7 stitches were left over after finishing the repeat part. On row 5 I had to knit 6 because that’s how many were left. So, basically I’m going through the repeat until I have 2 stitches left then knitting them. Even if I end up in the middle of the repeat. Is that right? The clovers seem to be lining up, but it was worrying me a bit.
Other than that, I’m getting gauge and all looks okay. I actually cast on 76 for the sleeve because they are going to be shorter. I skipped the decreases. I’m working about 4 inches of the lace pattern then I’m going to start shaping the raglan cap.
By the by, what’s the issue with the neckband? Is it just a lot to seam, or is it looking funny when people do it per the instructions?
I don’t think there are really issues with the neckband except for figuring out how to seam it on so that there is enough leftover at the end for the tie, and so that it has the right amount of ‘gather’, for lack of a better term, to give it a nice v-neck shape. There are great tips on this person’s blog: http://guavaseeds.blogspot.com/2005_04_01_guavaseeds_archive.html
Down just a ways on the page you will see her completely Lucky Wrap and her tips for seaming the neckband.
I HATE knitting big long strips that go on and on and on so that’s why I decided to try picking up stitches instead. I’ll let you know how it goes. It’s a lot of stitches!!!
And your question about the lace pattern. What I discovered was that as long as you had the lace pattern properly lined up at the beginning of your row, just keep repeating it until you run out of stitches by the end of the row.
My neckline idea totally worked!! It fits so perfectly now :happydance: . This is what I did: I started by casting on 60sts for the front part of the tie, then continued on the same needle picking up stitches from the lower neck edge of the right front piece, picking up one stitch for every stitch until I got to about 2" from where the sleeve is seamed to the front right piece. From there I picked up every second stitch all the way across the sleeve, back top edge, and down the other sleeve until 2" below where the sleeve is seamed to the front left piece, then back to picking up one stitch for every stitch down the front left edge. Then I did the rows as follows:
Purl 1 row
Knit 1 row
Purl 2 rows
Knit 2 rows
Bind off purlwise.
It formed a bit of a vertical rib type pattern and gave just enough ‘gather’ around the sleeves and back to make the fit perfect. Now I have to make the second half of the tie to attach to the side and then it will be pretty much finished. Also, I think I might put a few little buttons on the inside edge of the wrap (the part that’s not seen) because I think it’s going to curl inwards and not look so nice there. Anyone else notice on the photo in the book of the model wearing the wrap that it looks like it’s pinned kinda funny on the lower front corner??
Sorry, no pics yet, I want it to be 100% done but just had to share my excitement and success!! :happydance:
I found the back piece to take forever too! Once you start decreasing it zips along nicely, and then you know that you have the biggest piece of the project finished.
I really like the look with cap sleeves, really great job.
I’m still kntting the sleeves. I am possibly the slowest knitter in existence. I am slightly worrying about the ladders that are forming above the clovers, but I think they’ll be fine… I hope.
Do you mean on the upper right of each clover there is a slight gap between stitches? I had that too and it looks like the one in the picture in the book has it too. Once finished, it’s not noticeable.
I just finished the back :happydance: !! I’m thrilled since I know I have the biggest piece out of the way now . No pictures tonight, though, since it’s getting dark here. I’ll try to post them tomorrow.
:happydance: :cheering: