Picking up Stitches

I am working on the Stornoway Throw and am at the point of doing the edging. The middle part has been knitted and to get the edging started I have to pick up stitches along the two sides and bottom after knitting across the top 143 stitches. I know how to pick up stitches just not sure about turning a corner from the top and then picking up the other three sides for a total of 680 stitches (what was I thinking?!!!). Do I pick them up with the circular needle I just finished knitting the top row? Hope this is clear. Yikes!!! I’m including a link to the project (which I have avoided because of the edge but really do like it) and a picture of where i have started picking up stitches. Just seems like the corner will pucker. Than you all for any suggestions!

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https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/stornoway-throw

This looks intriguing! It looks like the border is shallow and the cable part is then knit sideways and applied as you knit?
Firstly, if you are picking up stitches from 3 closed edges ( the cast on and two sides) I would be inclined to cast off the top side and then pick up stitches from this edge. The reason is that the closed edges will be firmer, and the open stitches will be stretchier, maybe allowing those one side to flare.
In general, picking up stitches around a corner, you would pick up three in the corner to stop the puckering. However, this whole construction looks more complex.
After a bit of googling, I came across this blog with detailed information about this wrap! I haven’t read it all but it looks very precise and like it will give you better advice than my guesswork!!

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Heya another video

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Loving @Mel61 tip to bind off that 4th edge and then pickup on it so all the edges have a firm foundation. It also means if you mess up on the border and need to rip out you know the rest of the throw is totally safe and won’t undo.

Does it give a direction of how many to pick up on each side? Or a ratio for the sts per row?
If not, maybe try this:

143 top bind off edge
1 in corner
195 left edge
1 in corner
143 bottom cast on edge
1 in corner
195 right edge
1 in corner
That’s a total of 680 sts

The top and bottom will be pick up 1 in each stitch.
The left and right depends on the number of rows you have in which to fit the 195 sts.

Another possibility (mentioend by mel61) is that you are not to pick up in the corner due to the complexity of the cable border and mitred corners which could make a single stitch in the corner confusing (ie which edge does it belong to?) in which case the numbers could be
143
197
143
197

It’s a fabulously difficult and impressive looking throw.

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There’s some helpful information on picking up the border sts from the designer in the Comments section on Ravelry. Most significant is the reminder of the change in gauge between the body and the border patterns.

“The border and body of the throw have different gauges, therefore you will not get a good result if picking up one stitch per edge stitch. If you knit to the advised length, and then pick up all around, you will need to pick up more than one stitch per edge stitch.
You can do that by picking up and knitting from one, and then both legs of the edge stitch.
There is more discussion about this in the Q+A thread for this pattern HERE
Good luck!”

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Hopefully this reply goes to everyone and thank you so much for all the good suggestions. I just found the Q&A section Salmonmac mentions and think it will be helpful. I am sending the instructions regarding the border. I like @Mel61 idea of binding off that last row and then picking up all around the center rectangle. I think that will help the corner I am having trouble with. And yes, I agree, the border seems shallow and the cable part is knitted sideways. You might understand why I have postponed this project. Ha! I know if I just jump in it will hopefully work out. I tend to over think patterns wanting to do it correctly from the get go and not having to take knitting out if I can avoid it and this one is really challenging me. I absolutely love this forum and truly appreciate all of the help and support.

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Your last sentence sums up this pattern! “It’s a fabulously difficult and impressive looking throw.” Ha! That edging is so beautiful its hard to resist. Thank You!

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Thinking out patterns and planning ahead is always a good idea. This needs more thinking and planning than many but it’ll all pay off in a gorgeous finished blanket. Can’t wait to see it!

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It’ll look great! I love applied edges. Even if they’re complicated patterns, there are so few stitches that mistakes are easier to spot and correct!

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Hopefully it will be finished before the summer! Thank you.

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This is my first time working with an applied edge. Hopefully I will be successful.
Thank you!

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