Tip of the day!

#1

I’m going to be starting another cardigan soon, the [B]EADON[/B], which has lots of K3-P2 ribbing throughout the body.

Plus, I am currently knitting another [B]HALLETT’S LEDGE[/B], in blue this time, which has a lot of K3-P3 ribbing for the bottom half of the cardigan.

Here’s something that has always IRKED ME about miles of ribbing like this: the last knit stitch (in the KNITS COLUMN) that sits right next to the PURL COLUMN tends to be too big. Misshapen. I’m forever using a tapestry needle to tweak it…to coax the extra yarn out of it and onto the other knits sitting beside it. Those of you who are also OCD knitters like me…you know what I’m talking about.

Anyway, in reading others notes for the EADON, I stumbled upon a gal who read about a CURE for this!

[B]Here is what she wrote in her notes for the EADON:[/B]
[COLOR=DarkSlateBlue]“I am also using this pattern as an opportunity to try a technique I read about recently: When switching from knit to purl: the first purl is wrapped clockwise rather than counter and it really does the trick to give a uniform stitch size on the edge of the SS columns! That stitch will straddle the needle backwards, so you need to pay attention and treat it appropriately on the flip side.”[/COLOR]

I knew immediately what she was talking about!

[B]Here is a diagram/summary of the issue:[/B]
The knit stitch just before the purl stitch in K3-P2 ribbing is always a little off, a little biggish. PP-[B]K[/B]KK-PP-[B]K[/B]KK-PP-[B]K[/B]KK (the bolded [B]K[/B] is the knit stitch that seems to come out kinda biggish, loose-ish!)\

Anyway, I used the technique for my blue HALLETT’S LEDGE, and it worked!!!

Oh, BTW, where she says: [COLOR=DarkSlateBlue]"…That stitch will straddle the needle backwards, so you need to pay attention and treat it appropriately on the flip side."[/COLOR]…what she means is the stitch will be turned around…and what you do is [U]knit it tbl[/U] to “right the stitch” as it goes onto the right needle.

Anyway, here is my HALLETT’S LEDGE progress. See those miles and miles of K3-P3 ribbing for the ‘skirt’ of the cardigan?? :eyes:


BTW: the T-pins are marking where I made my decreases in the purl ditch, reducing the P3 to P2 for the side shaping, a modification that I developed to make an [U]invisible[/U] decreases path.

This photo is BEFORE blocking of course, and I’m already happy with my K3 columns! What a great tip to stumble upon in that girl’s notes!

It pays to read all the notes that others have posted over at Rav before you cast on for your project. You can learn the neatest things from other knitters! :thumbsup:

#2

Thanks for the tip. I was just reading several solutions to this problem, none as neat as this one.

#3

Yup, that works fabulous. Here’s what I wrote about it clear back in 2007! My comments were for knitting in the round specifically, but I link to another old post that uses the technique for flat knitting.

Beautiful sweater btw! Can’t wait to see it done! I think I’m going to make another Circumnavigated Cardigan…I"m not as stylish as you. :teehee:

#4

I guess reading knitting notes is just not my thing. When I have a problem, I’ll go looking for a solution (if I think there is one).

And this is an instance when I thought the problem was just my crummy knitting. Although the other stuff I’ve knitted seems to come out fairly even, my ribbing never has (no matter what combination of stitches I’ve used). To make this less obvious, on one recent garment I decided to use a more decorative rib stitch where the stitches naturally curve and the ribbing has holes in it. This at least partially detracts from the wonky stitches. I suppose if I get desperate, I’ll switch to this other method . . . if I can keep things straight, that is!!

Thanks for posting.

#5

Jan, the Ravelry knitter’s EADON notes (blue ink in post 1) prolly referred to nonnaknits notes, the knitter you linked in your blog!

What nonnaknits wrote is exactly what the Ravelry knitter referred to, and is exactly what I’ve been doing on my blue sweater! I appreciated nonna’s explanation why the knit stitch just preceding the purl stitch becomes messy or loose!

#6

And this is an instance when I thought the problem was just my crummy knitting

I’m not the only one!!! :woohoo: So far when I’ve found a solution to a problem, it also meant recognizing the problem. :teehee: That’s why I love these forums, so much to learn, so much experience to call upon.

I hope when I need to know this tip, I actually remember there is a way to do it. Thanks, ArtLady. I love the photos you post too. :thumbsup:

#7

Thanks for the wonderful tip, ArtLady.

#8

Thanks for the tip! Always on the lookout for something new! :slight_smile:

Just asking a nosy newbie question here about tightening up ribbing: I saw a video where the knitter knitted all of her knit stitches through the back loop, and purled as normal to tighten up the rib. She was working in the round though, would the same apply while knitting flat?

#9

These posts were about tightening the ribbing. If you look at mine you’ll see that I gave a link to my old blog that does have info for knitting in the round and there is a link on mine as well to instructions for doing it flat.

#10

Great-looking sweater Artlady! Thank you for sharing. I like k2p2 or 3’s ribbing for scarves.

but I’m not sure i understand how to wrap a purl stitch clockwise rather than counter-clockwise. Does it mean that you leave the yarn at back of needle, as if you’re going to knit? or do you actually wrap the yarn around the right needle somehow.

<sorry if this is a dumb question>

Now on a slightly concerned note, I have to tell you that I once owned a sweater with big ribs like this over the belly, and it made my belly look twice as big as it was (and I was much thinner back then)…so you might want to figure that before completing the entire sweater only to find out that it makes your belly look enormous (even if it isn’t).

#11

but I’m not sure i understand how to wrap a purl stitch clockwise rather than counter-clockwise. Does it mean that you leave the yarn at back of needle, as if you’re going to knit? or do you actually wrap the yarn around the right needle somehow.

No you leave your yarn in front when purling. Instead of putting it over the needle and pulling it through you put the yarn under the needle and pull it through. The simplest way to help you understand is cast on a few stitches and purl normally for a few and see how you wrap your stitch. Then purl with the yarn going the other way around the needle. This isn’t done on every purl only on the first one after a knit when ribbing.

#12

Woodi!

This sweater is amazingly flattering, even on queen-size ladies such as myself…no longer a size 2!

My first Hallett’s Ledge (chestnut brown) is a size 43…not exactly ‘petite’!

Here is a photo of me in the bathroom mirror:

Not exactly skinny-minny! But I was happy with the fit on my figure type!

#13

Beautiful! You did an awesome job!

:cheering: :woot: :yay:

Well done, indeed!

#14

Artlady you are size beautiful, size 2 is the size of a broom stick. Women should have curves and not be able to hide behind sign poles.

And thankd for resurfacing this trick.

#15

Few of us are a size 2 anymore, Dollyce! You look great and that sweater is beautiful!

#16

Hooray for ribs! That sweater is beautiful and you look fantastic in it. Thanks very much for the pictures.

#17

cool thanks!

#18

Art Lady you look beautiful in that Sweater. I agree with you no one is a size two anymore.

#19

I have never had that problem with my ribbing since I switched to Eastern, which is just Continental in a mirror. It’s straightened my stitches and I’m happy with it. I’ll have to pay closer attention on my next projects. I do wash everything I knit before I judge them, because usually everything has come out in the wash.

Now I will notice.

#20

WOW, you’re right, artlady!..that sweater is slimming!

and thank you for sharing your self-photo. Very kind (and brave) of you. Few of us over 50 would do that online. :cheering: