I’m swatching with KFI Cashmereno yarn for Bad Penny. The neck is 1x1 rib and the pattern says to pick up and knit. Me being me, I prefer to avoid such things when I reasonably can. I think in this case the neckline would be more stable with a pick up and knit. I was hoping for insights and input.
I really like this pattern because it actually starts out in the round. I hope I like it as much after I’ve used it.
I find that picking up using a crochet hook, then transferring to a knitting needle when there are 5 or 6 stitches…
Do you crochet too?
Yes, the neck will be more stable and lay better when pick up and knit I think. At least it’s not too many stitches. A crochet hook is a good idea.
Thanks, Woodi and Jan. You’ve confirmed what I was thinking. Yes, I do crochet. I crocheted for many a year before I finally got the knack for knitting. I’ve stuck with knitting in large part because it’s easier on my hands. Not only does a crochet hook work well, I actually got a couple of the Tunisian hooks from Knit Picks that I can put on a cable and then just switch back to a needle after picking up the stitches. I like to pick up the stitches with a smaller needle or hook because for me it comes out neater.
It’s taken me months to finally swatch with this yarn, a wonderful gift I received, and I want to get this top right. I’m thinking of some texture-y stitch to work into the front of it. Nothing very complicated, no cables with rows to count, just something to add a little interest to the stockinette. When I’m OK with my gauge I’m going to start looking for a stitch pattern to try. I think it’s Knitting Fool that has such a fantastic stitchonary online and there are others too.
ETA Jan, I trust you noticed I included the pattern link in my original post. :teehee: Isn’t it frustrating when you need to see what’s being knitted and can’t? I don’t like that at all.
I did see that! 
Cute sweater! Is it for yourself?
Thanks. Yeah, it’s for me. I have 12 balls in red (1,177 yds.) and 1 in gray (147 yds.) I thought by starting at the top and going down I can get the best results for fit and using every last bit of the yarn that I can. I’ll be able to adjust the length and maybe make the sleeves a little longer. I’ll use the gray to pick up and knit around the neckline and depending on the sleeve length and how far the yarn goes I may add some on the cuffs. I may get brave and try for short-row shirt tails at the bottom. I’ve knit enough to be OK with the gauge, it’s not crucial for this to be absolutely exact, and I’m going to look at stitch patterns. I’m not at all sure what I want, I hope something screams, “Use me!”
Beautiful sweater GG!
What about duplicating the V lace pattern from the waistline ribbing across the bodice of the sweater at about armpit level to avoid LAB (lace across boobs) syndrome?
Excellent idea, Charlotte, but alas! not on me. I’m avoiding horizontal anything as much as possible, I won’t do the bottom in gray because of that. That’s one reason I’m considering the shirttail style bottom on it, it seems somewhat more flattering on me or at least less honest. I haven’t even started and I’m already dreading the short rows I know I’ll have to have to accommodate my…ah heck, figger it out yourself…
I’ve just about decided to stick with stockinette forever on this one. If I decide to do anything it will be a vertical effect. I’m wondering how a rib variation on the front might work. There was a hat pattern posted with elongated stitches that I’m considering using the elongated stitch rib part of. I’ll try it on my swatch.
Yeah, I’ve got those too, GG! :teehee:
I’ve just about decided to stick with stockinette forever on this one. If I decide to do anything it will be a vertical effect. I’m wondering how a rib variation on the front might work. There was a hat pattern posted with elongated stitches that I’m considering using the elongated stitch rib part of. I’ll try it on my swatch.
Have you seen the book Big Girl Knits? It’s a really well done pattern book for plus size women and is chock full of design ideas for artful camouflage. We can’t hide it but we can misdirect everyone’s attention away from our, ah, you can figure it outs. 
Here’s another thought since you’re going vertical. A centered ribbed column front and back about 4" wide with a bit of smocking just beneath the necklines on both sides to draw the eyes up…
:noway:
But, Charlotte, I won’t see the back. :roflhard:
Smocking. Never done that before. Will have to think on this. I like the idea, front and back. I like this too. Empty Seashells I think I could manage counting to 6 for the rows.
I think I’ll make my daughter tell me what she thinks. She’s artsy, I’m just fartsy. :teehee:
That’s a really, really pretty stitch pattern!
I’m glad I helped give you something to think about. Best thing about the smocking is it can be done while knitting with a yo, k2 or whatever, pass yo over the knits. Look ma! No sewing!:teehee: