I am (still) working on my Summer in A Box Tee shirt and have found myself needing to tink back after discovering that I either missed a YO or included a SSK when I shouldn’t have (or some variation thereof). I am finding it VERY stressful to tink these rows as I come to ssk, or p2tog - does anyone have helpful hints regarding this? I find I need to count stitches for every single row and if I am missing one or have one two many, needing to tink back and fix or (worse yet) cowboy my way by adding a M1 or knitting two together and hoping the error doesn’t grow like a science experiment!
Summer In A Box - tinking help
Maybe this one?
That’s a beautiful detail in the shoulder, I love it.
Are you using markers across the row?
Although the pattern repeat is probably too few sttches to want a marker for every repeat, I would probably use a marker every 10 or 20 stitches or some number that fits, so that whilst working I’d know, I could count between those markers and know how many it should be so a mistake can be caught much sooner. Having markers also just makes counting easier, there is something for your eyes and fingers to latch onto.
When tinking I find if I draw up the working yarn with good tension (I have mine in my right hand and pull up and behind) it opens up the stich to tink into and if there is a p2tog or ssk it is pretty much already aligned to pick up both as I enter the stitch. A slip knit passover I have to remount the passed over stitch before tinking so those take a bit more effort and I have to look out for them.
I usually tink with the yarn in front or back as per the stitch being tinked (purl or knit) but have found this unnecessary in most cases as the stitch opens with good tension either way. I discover this with extra fine yarn in black, I actually can’t see if it’s a purl or knit by looking at the stitch!
I hope other also have tips for you and that you are able to return to the project with less frustration.
That’s such a pretty, delicate pattern.
When I work lace, I count every row. It’s a bit tedious but it saves time in the end. If the count is off, markers help identify where the mistake is.
Picking up the missed yarn over is relatively simple because you can pick up the strand between sts on the previous row to add in the yo. The missed decrease can also be fixed on the next row by working over to the spot and dropping two sts down to the previous row and working them together.
It may also help if the mistake is many rows back to take the knitting off the needles, lay it flat on a table and pull out rows up to one row before the error. Then you can insert a needle as you pull the yarn out of each stitch, one by one.
And of course lifelines every 5 rows if necessary save a lot of worry about dropping more sts or making things worse than the original mistake. They can be a life saver.
It can all be frustrating but it’ll be worth it in the end. You can do this!
I’m just going to keep going, just more methodically. Thank you, salmonmac!
Creations,
I really appreciate the thoughtful response. I think, in addition to the lace pattern, part of my issue is that I am using a cotton yarn, which is definitely “splittier” and I am having to be more mindful of every stitch. I am going to proceed more carefully and slowly and work on my attitude; that should help!
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Yes, it’s important to remember that it’s not a race! Sometimes we impose needless deadlines on ourselves (I want this done so I can wear it to…), and that brings added stress.
I second the use of more markers. It’s so much easier to count 20 stitches 10 times than to count 200 stitches! And when you suddenly have 19, or 21, you know exactly where the mistake happened. It helps you catch it early, when you can do as @salmonmac says and fix the error as you knit the next row, rather than tinking or ripping back.
Happy knitting, and remember to breathe!
I have another question: I am now increasing on every row (RS & WS) and the increase on the RS goes like this: K2 [k1tbl, k1] into yo from previous row, yo, ssk, k2, yo, ssk to last 2 stitches, k2.
I really don’t understand how the k1 into the yo from the previous row creates a 1 stitch increase on the current row - can you point me to a video of how that’s supposed to work? (this is where I got into trouble the first time I tried this increase and had to MacGyver a work around)
I don’t have a video, sorry.
The [ktbl, k1] is all into the single yarn over.
Do you know how to do a knit front back increase? If you do it’s a bit like that but the other way around.
For ktbl k1 into the yo: enter the yo through the back loop and draw the new stitch through but do not let the yo drop off the left needle, keep it on there with your finger. Bring the working needle around to the front of the yarn over and enter knit wise, draw a second stitch through. You now have 2 loops/sts on the right needle. Now let the yo drop off the left needle.
The brackets around the instruction means do all that into the yarn over.
Splitty yarn can be a pain. I refused to use some yarn I was gifted as it was too thin and too splitty… but in the end worked a baggy sweater and then a fitted tshirt. And woukd you believe I just order more of the same yarn as I now love it! I can’t do tricky stitches with it but I have become accustomed to it over time and for simple stitches I can work t, the feel of the fabric is just so lovely I am willing to go slow and simple.
One more thing about tinking. If your yarn is dar or if you wear a similar colour to your knitting, lay a contrasting colour fabric on your lap whilst you knit so that the stitches and the splits are easier to see. I find it makes a big difference with my thin spotty yarn. I wear dark clothes (often black) and I’m knitting with black yarn so I now have a pale unbleached muslin square I lay on my lap. Just thought I’d mention in case it could help.
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Creations,
Thank you for your really helpful explanation! I will try it and report back-
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In case you still would like to see a video, it’s basically the same as this one. In the video the knit front and through the back loop is into a stitch where you will be working this into a yarn over.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNX7BBMgE_I
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salmonmac,
I used Creations’ explanation and it finally made sense - I just watched the video you provided and see that I did do it correctly - thank you to both of you!
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Good to hear your worked it out. This pattern is so pretty!
Well, my version will NOT be perfect, but it WILL be unique!
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