So, I’ve been knitting (slowly) along on my new cardigan this week.
The rows are long. The slip stitch pattern requires that I pay attention.
But I remain enthusiastic about the project, and eager to finish it so I can wear it.
The slip stitch pattern is super easy to memorize; easy to “read” too, so I haven’t needed to refer to the instructions in a long time. Just . . . continue knitting in pattern until I reach 13 1/2 inches from the cast-on edge. I did my gauge swatch. I had the maths all figured out. I knew just where in the easy-to-count rows pattern I’d be when I hit the magical 13 1/2 inch mark.
But.
I started to panic a little bit when . . . the maths and my measurements weren’t working out. (I’m always secretly worried that I don’t have enough yarn to finish the project. . .) I’d knit a few more rows. Measure again. Not. Working. I was confused and becoming more seriously alarmed.
I mean . . . it looked like I was getting the gauge I wanted. But I was definitely . . . off . . . from where I thought I should be. So I took the stitches off the needles, ran some yarn through the live stitches, and blocked what I’d knit so far. Just to . . . y’know . . . be sure.
I measured the heck out of that piece! Everything was just what I expected. But it appeared I was going to have to knit an entire extra “swath” of flowers than I had projected. What was UP with this???
As a last resort, I decided to consult the pattern again.
Ah.
There’s my problem!
What I had recalled as 13 1/2 inches . . . was actually 12 1/2 inches.
Oh.
Brother.
It works out perfectly. (Of course.) Just like I had figured from the start. (Of course.)
Lesson learned? When things don’t seem right, refer to the damn pattern.
(At least I know it blocks nicely. . . )
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How about you? What are you making this week?
I’m glad you had a happy ending to something we’ve all done (and that cardigan is beautiful and beautifully blocked)!
Phew! I do things like this all the time and give myself unnecessary anxiety. You’d think we’d all have learned by now to actually read the pattern any time there’s uncertainty! Hope it’s all smooth sailing from here.
I think we’ve all made a similar mistake and it should be a listen to us to consult the pattern FIRST. But will we learn that lesson? Of course not! I’m glad you’re right where you thought you’d be after all.
Oh I know the feeling you are talking about. While I don’t knit (it’s a dream to learn one day) I sew and I’ve been there when you think the project has to be redone. So glad it worked out for you and the sweater is looking beautiful.
Glad it was a false alarm! (But sorry for the frustrating fretting.)
If I can ask… When you put those stitches back on your needle, how do you avoid getting that ‘lumpier’ row? Whenever I have to take stitches off my needles–which is more often I’d rather admit–I end up with what I can only describe as a lumpy row. It sticks out like a sore thumb on the FO. It’s not twisted stitches…I can feel when they’re twisted and I fix those. It just…never looks right after I put them back on.
So pretty and good news! I’m at the very end of my epic green cable sweater with a final instruction I’m not sure about! Urghhh! I’m sure I’ll get it but really…I’m like 10 rows from the finish. May your good fortune come my way!
Trying very hard not to feel any schadenfreude here. But it is always a bit reassuring when another knitter, one known to be a Very.Good.Knitter., has a bit of bad luck. That sweater will be lovely!
Glad it all worked out.
This has been my doctor week, so I’ve been working on STRESS!!! One down, went well. Tomorrow #2! As a reward I booked a haircut in the afternoon.
It’s gonna be beautiful! I started my Eye Dazzler sweater – though I’m still mulling over my color choices – I may add another color to the yoke. Or not.
Whew! (but that blocked bit… oh my, LOVELY!) That is a dreamy knit and it looks like it would be a joy to knit however many inches required!
I am at the I don’t want to knit anything I am knitting currently stage. Yeah, not a good thing, lol.
Your knitting is beautiful as always. I remember my nightmare with slipped stitches. All that paying attention. I could never get it right. These days I look for mostly stockinette projects with ribbed or eyelet trim. There’s actually a lot out there. Can’t wait to see how your sweater turns out!
Whew! and wow does it block beautifully!! somehow that pattern slipped by me completely- thank you for bringing that “new kid” to my attention 😊
My heart was in my throat thinking you were going to have to retreat, but the way the sweater blocks out is most excellent! That’s going to be a lovely when finished.
Kym, I have done the same thing many times. Sailing along and then reality sits down beside me. I too am often worried about running out of yarn. This is why I have so many single skeins sitting around in my stash. The blocked piece is very pretty.