The shrug pattern that I am using calls for ribbing, then decrease the total amt. of stitches by 50% and knit the body in a pattern stitch, finishing up with increasing back to the original number of stitches and knitting an equal amt of ribbing. I have completed the shrug. The ribbings are seamed, and the arms go through the openings left open by the pattern stitch. There isn’t a correct top or bottom - it’s reversible. The ribbing acts as a collar and also a bottom edge. My question is in regards to fit. On the back side of each armhole, it pouches out a little over an inch - otherwise the fit is fine. Any suggestions as to how to fix this? I don’t have the option of trying it on the person and then making adjustments since she is many miles from me. So I would like to be able to fix the problem area, mail it, and move onto the next project. I have definitely decided that I need to shorten both ribbing sections by 1 1/2 inches as they are a bit deep. I was also wondering if I decreased the length of the pattern stitch area by a couple of inches would this take care of my problem? That would be the simplest solution. And yes, I have ripped back a completely knitted shrug back to the first ribbing area - so I would like to get it right on this go round. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
the pouchiness is the nature of the design.
if you want to redesign --well that’s a lot of work.
making it smaller will make the pouch(es) smaller, but it will make its tighter, and harder to put on.
Red hot lava (a knitty.com pattern) has a similar problem… (the back rides up and makes a pouch) many shrug patterns are not fitted, and not fitted means a pouch somewhere.
there are fitted patterns (about 4 years ago in Knitting there was a shrug… 4 peices, 2 arms, a back shaped sort off like this --) ( and a neck band to hold it all together…
it fit like a dream… but it was a complex pattern…
them’s the choices… easy, shapeless, (and pouchy in places)
or complex, seamed, and tailored… (and a perfect fit!)