V neck cardigan pattern confusion

How-to Questions
1

General introduction: “this cardigan is knit in one piece from the top down with raglan style increases made on every right side row to accommodate referenced measurements. At the same time, neckline increases are worked on every alternate right side row to create the V neck.”

I’ve done the basic set up row and positioned the markers as indicated which gives the piece 4 markers with stitch distribution of 4-26 [front bodice]-54 [back bodice]-w6 [front bodice]-4. Note: Once the stitches for the sleeves are separated, the 2 smaller sections are not subject to increase much later in the pattern.

The following are the next instructions:

Next row (row 1- neckline increase AND raglan increase row): all weights: k1, m1L, [k to 2 sts before m, m1R, k2, sl m, k2, m1L] 4 times, k to 1 st before EOR, m1R, k1

Next row (row 2): all weights: purl

Next row (row 3- raglan increase row): all weights: [k to 2 sts before m, m1R, k2, sl m, k2, m1L] 4 times, k to EOR

Next row (row 4): all weights: purl Work rows 1 through 4 a total of fingering: 21 times.

The total number of stitches is supposed to be 138 for the back bodice and 67 for each of the 2 front bodices.

When I follow the pattern exactly as written I am coming out with too many stitches and what seems to be not the correct distribution. I have communicated with the pattern designer and we seem to have a communication issue–she references the total number of stitches but no suggestions as to what I may be doing wrong. I’ve done the 4 row repetition 8 times & the math just doesn’t make sense. HELP! I’ve restarted 4 times now.

2

Hello
It’s a shame the communication with the designer hasnt led to an answer.
I’m sure we’ll be able to help you get past this bit and continue on with the pattern.
Im not really a raglan knitter myself but i can see you will end up with many more stitches than given jn the stitch count there. I am guessing that the ‘extra’ stitches will be the top of the sleeve and your fronts and back will be fine.

The back numbers looks good.
The front numbers look to me like
26 + 21 neck + 42 raglan = 89 each side
Total 89 + 89 + 138 = 316
Is this what you have?
Then perhaps this division
Front 67, sleeve 22 , back 138, sleeve 22, front 67

This is a guess, I’m just saying that you might not have done anything wrong.
Can you tell us the name of the pattern and designer or publisher, or a link to where it can be found please?
Can you look ahead and see if there is a stitch count for the sleeve?

Don’t panic, there are knitters here who do know raglan increases and will be able to help out better than me. But maybe don’t undo all your knitting just yet.

3

Cleome Smith via Etsy, Basic V neck Cardigan. She’s Canadian so no sure if there’s a French-English language misunderstanding in my communication. Pattern is in English as were her responses though so just think I’m misinterpreting the directions in some way

4

Thanks.
Is it this one?
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/basic-v-neck-cardigan-2?buy=1

Did you look ahead to see what the stitch counts after the raglan are?

5

Yes, that is the one. I’m doing the size L. One of the comments the designer made in our communications:(you are only working the neckline increase row every 4th row so that it creates a deep V) so what does that mean? Do you alternate doing the neckline increase vs raglan for row 1 every other 4 rows or every 4 rows.

Stitch counts after the raglan is completed is 160 sts on needle, then it’s stockinette for 18 3/4 inches to lower end before doing increases for bottom ribbing.

6

The neck increase is only row 1 out of the 4 rows, this means it is repeated every 4 rows when you just follow as written with neckand raglan on row 1, and just raglan on row 3.
The stitch count works for the back section starting with 54 and adding in the raglan increase which is 2 on row 1, 2 on row 3 (as the back has a raglan each side) total of 4 increases for every 4 row repeat, these are done 21 times
4 × 21 = 84 increases
84 increases + initial 54 back panel = 138 which is what you’ve been given in the pattern.

The other raglan lines also have these increases.

How many stitches are there between the front and back raglan when you first place the markers?
I see a “4” in your first post (4, 26, 54, 26, 4) but i thought this might be part of the front maybe denoting the v but is it actually the stitch count for between front and back? Is it the sleeve top? Can you check where it says the markers for the raglans should go?

The stitch count you have given in the first post is 138 + 67 + 67 = 272
Stitch count in your last post is 160, can you see a part where some stitches are put on hold for the sleeves and where cast on is added for the underarm?

Whilst i might not be able to solve this, i think these numbers will help others to help you figure this out.

7

There are 2 rows w/ increases: row 1 increases 10 while row 3 increases 8 with each set of 4 rows.

If you follow that you increase 18 st every 4 rows, if repeated 21 times= 378 rather than the stated 272. That is what I’m struggling with

8

It looks like the 4sts on each side are the front (circled in red) and 26sts each side are the sleeves.

KH2
KH2242×296 28.4 KB

I can’t reconcile the numbers at this point either. Can you read further and see if there is any point where the repeats of the 4 rows changes before the split which puts the sleeves on hold? Maybe only the raglan increases continue while the V-neck increases stop?

2 Likes
9

Ah, the Front is just the 4 sts. The wording with the stitch count threw me on that.

Can you check the wording for the stitch counts in each part when you begin the increases.
I assumed a typo in the first post “26”, “w6” but perhaps i have assumed incorrectly.
What are the numbers in the pattern?

How many stitches go on hold for the sleeves? (110?)
How many stitches are cast on under the arm when the sleeves go on hold?
How many do you work for the body?

10

The sweater starts for the front, sleeve, back, sleeve, front with 4/26/54/26/4.
Neglecting the fronts, increasing 21 x the 4 row pattern for the raglans gives you 110/138/110 (sleeve/back/sleeve), a total of 358sts. (The sleeves and back are increasing at the same rate.)
For the fronts raglan the increase is 2 stitches per 4 row repeat x 21 repeats or 42sts. Plus a one stitch increase for the V-neck every 4 rows x 21 or 21sts. That’s a total of 67sts for each front.
67/110/138/110/67 or 492sts total before the sleeves are split off.
When you put the sleeve sts on hold, that’s 492-220=272sts.
That would be the stitch count for the body. I’m not sure how the 160sts figure in for the body.
What weight yarn are you using and what stitch gauge are you getting. You can check how many sts would be needed at the pattern gauge to get the body measurement (about 44inches) given in the pattern.

1 Like
11

Those are the numbers i had in mind after realising the front begins with 4, it’s reassuring to see yours written out.

My other thought is that the 160 mentioned might be following underarm cast ons which is why i ask for the number given for these. Maybe 11 each side 138 + 11 + 11 = 160?
Resulting in 67/160/67 (with the 110 and 110 sleeves on hold)??

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12

Could be, thank you.
The other approach is to work this sweater top down with the increases every RS row at the raglans and every other RS row at the front neck edge for the V. Try it on and stop when a comfortable fit is reached. Just keep track of the neck edge increases.
The sleeves are wide or “very generous” as one project knitter stated but that’s in the pattern. It could be adjusted if necessary. More frequent stitch counts would have been helpful as also noted in the projects.
@Cahager It’s going to be a very lovely cardigan, worth puzzling over but not so much as to stop the knitting.

2 Likes
13

Thank you, will try this out this evening

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14

Received a message via Etsy, that did, finally clarify. Sorry for wasting everyone’s time.

This was response, I assume designer follows this site:

Once you have finished working rows 1 through 4 a total of 21 times, you should have 138 stitches for the back bodice, 67 each for left and right front bodice plus 114 stitches for each sleeve. The sleeve stitch amount is mentioned in the specific instructions for fingering weight size L on page 5 : )

Thank you everyone, will keep you posted!

1 Like
15

Thanks very much for keeping us updated. Have fun working the cardigan and please do let us see a photo when you finish!