Hi there
I’m not a beginner but I’m not highly experienced and I’m knitting something using techniques for the first time: Judy’s Magic cast-on, magic loop and half fisherman’s rib with yarn over.
I’ve practised these and feel like I can perhaps start the pattern. It’s a Paula M “nomad hood” knitted with the above techniques on a 3.5 inch circular needle. I haven’t got past the halfway through the second row and I’m in trouble! The instructions for the first and second rows are (with 34 sts on each needle):
Row 1 (WS): 1st needle: k1, *p1, sl 1 st purlwise with yo, rep from * throughout, end with p1
2nd needle: *sl 1 st purlwise with yo, p1, rep from * to 2 sts before end of row, sl 1 st purlwise with yo, kfb into next st (kl, k1 tbl) = 69 sts
Row 2 (RS): 1st needle: k1, *k1, ptog the st with its yo from previous row, rep from * to 2 sts before end of first needle, pM, k1, ptog the st with its yo from previous row.
I haven’t bothered with instructions for the second needle as this is where I had the problem. At the end of row 2 first needle, the last two sts left on the needle are the stitch with the yo followed by a single stitch. This fits with the last two stitches of the first needle on the first row, which was a yo stitch followed by a purl stitch. So I’m not sure how I can “k1, ptog the st with its yo from previous row”. This doesn’t fit with the stitches knitted in the previous row.
I have practised this a few times and it’s turned out the same way each time. I’m wondering if I’m reading this wrongly. Also I assume pM just means to place a stitch marker?
If anyone understands what I have written and knows where I went wrong, I’d be most grateful!
I’m trying to upload a photo but can’t seem to. I’ll try again later.
Hello
Could it be that you’ve confused needle 1 and 2?
In my mind you work first needle then seond needle of row 1. Then you turn to work row 2, the first needle of row 2 is what was called “second needle” of row 1.
This means that the end of row 2 first needle aligns with the beginning of row 1 second needle.
Rather than a yo stitch follow by a purl (which you said ends first needle of previous row) you’d be looking at a purl and a stitch with its yo (these are the first 2 stitchs and a yo from beginning of row 1 needle 2)
This is all a bit confusing in writing.
Maybe makes sense if its bolded to show where these 2 sts and yo are?
Row 1 (WS): 1st needle: k1, *p1, sl 1 st purlwise with yo, rep from * throughout, end with p1
2nd needle: *sl 1 st purlwise with yo, p1, rep from * to 2 sts before end of row, sl 1 st purlwise with yo, kfb into next st (kl, k1 tbl) = 69 sts
Row 2 (RS): 1st needle: k1, *k1, ptog the st with its yo from previous row, rep from * to 2 sts before end of first needle, pM, k1, ptog the st with its yo from previous row.
Are you working in the round, or turning your work?
I’m confused by “first needle, second needle”, as to me Magic Loop is all one needle, just with a longer cord. But maybe it’s just a way of talking about the first and second half of the looped cord.
Would a video for Nomad Hood: rows 1-6 help? I finally understand the reference to ‘rows’ when using JMCO. I read the OP this morning before coffee. I’ve used this cast on to start a hood this way before, but not in fisherman’s rib.
I didn’t watch the entire video, just the beginning until she says she’ll be working in fisherman’s rib. I’d want to the lose the loop after a few rows.
The pattern specifies the first needle second needle thing, and that the garment is not knitted in the round but rather in rows on a circular needle. Confusing! But my daughter asked for this so I’m determined.
I think the video @GrumpyGramma posted should be helpful. I now understand the first / second needle thing relates to JMCO. I’ve heard of that cast on but never done it, although it looks similar to the Turkish cast on I’ve used for slippers.
Turkish cast on would work, as would a figure 8 cast on. A provisional cast on then grafting or three needle bind off would do the job. An ordinary cast on and then seam cold also work. I’m sure there are other ways to start a hood to work top down. I wanted to mention that to you before but was concerned about confusing the issue.