The entire sweater is ribbed with repeat (p2,k,sl1yib,k) using DK yarn and 4mm needles. Gauge in pattern is 25 stitches /4 inches. After casting on according to pattern and knitting a couple rows I compared the width to a store bought sweater and all was good.
After completing the back, front, and 2/3 of both sleeves I realized all pieces were too small. The ribbing, in the larger piece, pulls the stitches together and the gauge of the relaxed piece is 45 stitches / 4 inches and one only sees stockinette curled over the purls. When I stretch the piece, and see both stockinette and purl stitches, I get the pattern gauge. The sweater in the pattern’s picture shows it worn in a relaxed, non-stretched, state.
What am i missing? How could I have gone so wrong? Did the pattern offer a gauge that to my (probably wrong) way of thinking can not be achieved with the specified yarn and needles, taking into account the affects of ribbing?
This is most likely a rhetorical question and a way for me to vent. I have over a 100 hours invested in this sweater and am willing to start over, but I’m not sure how other than doubling the needle size.
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cricket-6
Have you washed and blocked the pieces? Blocking will make quite a difference to the size of them.
Are you sure that the gauge given (25 stitches /4 inches) is for the ribbed pattern?
Might the gauge listed be for the yarn itself and therefore, is the gauge in stockinette, NOT the gauge of the ribbing.
I think blocking to size as butlers suggested, is a good idea espacially if this is wool yarn. It looksl like the gauge is 25sts/4 inches for the sweater (gauge for the yarn is 22sts/4"). Does the pattern specify that this is in the rib stitch? Usually it would be with the rib slightly stretched.
It’s never very accurate to measure gauge over ribbing but it will be closer than the difference between 25 or 45sts/4 inches.
Try blocking to the expected size and see if that helps.
This is the instruction from the pattern. “Tension: 25 sts and 32 rows to 10 x10cm in patt used 4mm needles.”
The instruction said in pattern. It seems to me that if you gauge in stockinette then use ribbing in the pattern, the curling of the ribbing would make the width shorter, which is what happened.
I did not do a whole swatch to test gauge but merely a couple of complete rows past cast on and the tension was ok. Curling of the full ribbed piece apparently shortened it quite significantly.
Two questions:
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Will blocking of a 11 inch piece double it in width? That is the increase I need.
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I’m puzzled how the tension in the pattern can work given the large amount of compression due to curling in the 17.5 inch piece I knitted.
I sent the designer a note on my problem but have not yet gotten a response.
Then it seems to be that the gauge is for the ribbing.
Curling of the full ribbed piece apparently shortened it quite significantly.
Curling? Knitters usually talk about stockinette curling, but not ribbing. Ribbing PULLS IN from the sides and is very stretchy when pulled from the sides. Semantics, I know, but I just want to make sure we understand you correctly.
- Will blocking of a 11 inch piece double it in width? That is the increase I need.
Doubt it.
I’m puzzled how the tension in the pattern can work given the large amount of compression due to curling in the 17.5 inch piece I knitted.
Are you sure you are using a 4MM needle (US6) NOT a US4 (3.5mm) needle?
What size are you trying to make? and are you sure you followed the approprate directions for THAT size? i.e. you didn’t accidently make a S instead of a L.
Unfortunately there are no completed projects for this pattern on Ravelry so, no notes.
You’re right about the gauge in stockinette vs gauge in ribbing. Definitely need to do the gauge swatch in ribbing and probably a good 4 inches of it. Ribbing pulls in (or curls in), for sure.
Blocking is going to help especially if you used wool. You may well get close to a 2x increase in width. Wet blocking or a heavy spritzing with water will relax the yarn too and that’s all to the good. Try stretching the sweater out now to get an idea of what the ribbed pattern will look like. i do think that you can see some of the purl columns in the photo.
As far as the tension given in the pattern, I suspect that your gauge swatch led you astray. Ribbing pulls in and you only see just how much it will do that after knitting several inches. Four-five rows of ribbing are still quited pliable whereas 25-30 rows aren’t as stretchy.
Sending a note to the designer is a good idea. I’ll be interested in her take on this.