Picked up stitches too tight

#1

I’ve been working on the Simple Knitted Bodice (for, like, ever) and have finally gotten to the last part, the trim around the neckline - I’ve picked up stitches all the way around using a 24" #4 Options circular needle - and they’re so tight to the skinny cable that I’m finding it impossible to slide them up onto the needle. :gah: Does anyone have any sage advice for what to do now (everything I read about tight stitches is about preventing them)?

I suspect I’ll have to start over again and pick up the stitches using another needle (which I’ll have to buy)… but any advice would be appreciated.

#2

I would say just don’t pull so tight on the yarn when you pick them up. They say using a smaller needle makes them less noticeable, but you may not want to do that.

#3

What a gorgeous top ! Let me preface my advice with the fact that I have never knit a sweater…however, anything I make that requires picking up stitches I always pick-up and knit and then slide it along the needle.

#4

Thanks… but does anyone have any advice as to what to do to make it possible to slip the stitches I’ve already picked up along the needle? Or is it a lost cause and I should just give up and pull them out and start again? (I suspect I know the answer to this…:cry: )

#5

You might be able to see if you can start from the yarn end and put some slack into the sts, but that’s probably as much work as redoing it.

#6

Hi,

Last week I learned that I had to pick up stitches with a smaller needle then what I used. I had the same problem with the border for a neckwarmer. I used a 10.5 to make it then used a size 8 to pick up the stitches. Strange.

Heather

#7

I think now that’s it’s a day later I have enough distance that I can rip out the picked up stitches and start again! (I usually need a while to adjust to the concept of frogging…) I’m thinking I’ll pick up the stitches with a Denise needle (and a large size) and then start the actual purling and knitting with the #4 (Options - my Denise set doesn’t have a #4) the pattern calls for.

Thanks for your comments, everyone!