« There's nothing to see here | Main | It's my birthday.....but it sure doesn't feel like it yet. »
Creeping along....Plus new Yarn!
May 06, 2005
Well! I have done a teeny bit more on Gemma, and run into a small problem. The tension over the pattern stitch is supposed to be 21 sts, 32 rows to 10 cm. My stitch gauge is off a tiny bit (it's 22 sts instead), because I didn't swatch for the pattern st, I just swatched for st st (which is meant to be 21 sts and 30 rows to 10cm), and then assumed that the needles that worked for that would also work for the pattern stitch, and it appears they don't! Well, as I was saying, my stitch gauge is a teeny bit off (so little I don't care) but my row gauge is WAY off. It's 36 sts to 10 cm. It doesn't make sense! I'm supposed to work until the back measures 36cm, and that should mean doing 19 pattern repeats, if my gauge was the same as theirs. But with my gauge I should be doing more like 21. I have looked at the photo in the magazine and counted, and their jumper has the the exact right number of repeats. So what should I do? I find things often stretch a bit and measure more than you originally thought anyway, so maybe I should just do it exactly like theirs and just block it at the end? I am well aware that only the most patient souls will have read this entire paragraph and know what I'm on about, but any help would be appreciated :)
Here's where I am now anyway - either at the armhole shaping or 2 pattern repeats away from it:
Also! I decided to show the yarn I bought last weekend. I'm designing a cardigan with it, and it's more of a warmer weather cardigan so I'm not sure anyone will want it if I submit it anyway - the upcoming deadlines for Magknits and Knitty are both cold weather. Although I think maybe it could pass for an evening cardigan, so that might do? Especially as it will be made from Rowan Wool Cotton and that's an all seasonsy kind of yarn. Anyway, I'll give it a shot and if not I will put the pattern on this site.
Here's the yarn:
And that's all your getting probably until it's finished!
Posted by jen at May 6, 2005 08:07 AM
Comments
I would work until the measurements are correct and not worry about the number of repeats. I think!
Posted by: kerrie at May 6, 2005 09:36 AM
How long do you want the top to be? Are you tall, or short? Measure from where you would expect the bottom of the armhole to be down 36cm. Do you like that length, or would you prefer a couple of repeats shorter? I'd say that, for the main body, it doesn't matter so much - do whatever you feel like. You're probably going to have to go by the intended measurements for the armhole-length, though, or you might end up with armholes you can't use!
Good luck!
Posted by: Alison at May 6, 2005 11:35 AM
I like your choice of wool - looking forward to seeing the results!
Posted by: Ali at May 6, 2005 12:25 PM
Row gauge is rarely on. I say keep on knitting until it's the right length. Go for the two more repeats. There's nothing worse than a sweater that you finish with and then don't LOVE because of something like this. Take the extra time now and it will get the extra love later!
Posted by: Johanna at May 6, 2005 01:06 PM
no words of wisdom here except to say that the Calmer does shrink/get much more 'springy'/resistant when it's blocked. my washed/blocked guage is very different to my knitting guage with it.
Posted by: anna at May 6, 2005 02:31 PM
Don't worry about the row gauge.Just knit it the length you want.Above the armholes knit to the required measurements so the sleeve cap fits.
It looks nice,as does your new yarn.
Posted by: Emma at May 7, 2005 12:04 AM
I would say to knit it to fit you. I've always found that I have to lengthen sleeves and torso to make the sweater wearable. Go with your gut--you make beautiful things, you know what's what.
Posted by: aubree at May 8, 2005 01:37 AM