Trouble on Sleeve Island…
I need words of wisdom from you guys!
For the sleeve the pattern (from spring 2005 IK, Wear-Everywhere Pullover) says to CO with smaller needles and knit for 2.5 inches, then switch to the larger needles while increasing a stitch on either side of the beginning of round marker, working the increased stitches into the pattern.
There are no notes on the suggested increases to work or the manner in which to work the increased stiches into the pattern.
The pattern is a variant off of a P2, K3 rib - rnds 1 and 2 are like that and rnd 3 and 4 are a variant on P2, K1, P1, K1. The beginning of round marker lands between the two purl stitches. So, for the first increase round I just purled into the front and back of the stitch on each side of the marker. That seems to have worked just fine. However, the next increase round lands such that I need to add knit stitches. What is the best way to add a knit stitch (even better if it is twisted) to both sides of that marker in the midst of a field of 4 purl stitches?? I’m not having luck so far. I can end up with the proper number of stitches but I seemed to be getting holes with them. I don’t normally have troubles with increases so I’m guessing my problem is that fact that I’m trying to add knit stiches to a field of purl stitches?? And, with the spacing of the increases, they will always land on a round 1 or 3 of the stitch pattern.
Please share with me your favorite way to perform these increases, I’m in desperate need of help!
Have you tried picking up the bar between stitches, putting it onto your left needle,and then knitting it twisted?
Comment by Snow — 9/23/2005 @ 10:55 am
When I’m increasing in ribbing, I prefer to use some variant of the knit-and-purl-in-the-same-stitch increase. You can do either the knit or the purl first, whichever best matches the pattern.
When planning increase points in ribbing, you can either increase on the edges of a knit rib or in the purl valley. Putting your increases at the edges of the knit ribs gives you a bolder pattern, with new ribs branching off from the central one. Increasing in the purl valley is more subtle, which some people prefer.
Comment by Heather Madrone — 9/23/2005 @ 11:25 am
Hi Kristi — I agree with Snow, I’d use a M1K, make 1 knitwise, stitch here. I’m not sure what I’d do otherwise…
Comment by Jenifer — 9/25/2005 @ 9:28 pm
I tend to knit (or purl) into the stitch below. Snow’s suggestion will also avoid a hole though. The two methods will look different. Snow’s will have a funny little stitch below your new stitch while my method will have a sitch with one longer leg (off balance stitch) below the newly created one.
Comment by amanda — 9/26/2005 @ 10:25 am