Need Help on closing a hole in knitting a circular pattern

I am knitting a shrug pattern from Fall 2005 issue of Vogue knitting magazine. The patterns started with casting on 8 stitches on dp needles and I am probably 3/4 of the way done with the circular pattern but there is a gaping hole at the center. The directions say that I can join the stitches on some extra yarn or darning. When I attempt to lay it flat, it buckles in the middle. I have two questions, how do I close this little opening, and how do I get rid of the ripples in the center of my knitting? I really don’t want to start all over… :?? Would appreicate some help!

I found my issue of this magazine, and I now I see what you mean. There’s a hole in her’s too. It looks like it’s supposed to be there.

As for the buckling, depending on your yarn, you should be able to block it flat. What are you using?

Pattern called for casting on 8 stitches; then increased to 16 in row 1. Row 2 called for increasing to 24; row 3 increased to 36, row 4 increased to 48; row 5 increased to 56. From there, the pattern increases every other row 8 stitches. The hole is in the middle of the knitting. Picture a bulleye and the middle round circle is open right now.

I deleted my first post after I saw the magazine. :shrug: You got back to me too soon. :teehee:

Grace Boucle and Shepherd Worsted - exact same yarn as pattern. I will have to try blocking after I am done with the body part of the shrug. I hope that it will go away…someone knitted this shrug for a needlecraft show and the hole was closed up. So, I think I need to try to do it too…

You might be able to sew a strand through those stitches and pull it closed like a drawstring bag, maybe.

Thanks - I will try it and let you know how it goes… xxx