Jali Cardigan update
One thing about knitting is that it keeps you humble. I cast on the stitches and knit the first 5 rows and discovered that I should have used the smaller sized needles. So, I pulled it all off the needles and unraveled. By then it was after midnight last night.
Today I finally found the size 5 needles right where they were supposed to be after searching there, missing them and searching the rest of the house. I find that if I can’t find something it will show up in plain sight once I give up after a couple of hours. Once again this held true. So, with needles in hand I cast on again and knit the first 5 rows. Then I had to change to the size 6 needles. This took a while because I wanted to move the size 6 to a new length cord and found that they wouldn’t go on that one but they did go back on the shorter cord no problem. I’m flexible. So, the shorter cord it was and the sweater still fit.
The body of the sweater is knit all in one piece up to the armholes. So the first row is the set up row where you place the markers for the front edge, front panel, underarm panel, back, other underarm panel, front panel, and front edge. That part went really well.
Next is the first pattern row. Front panel — no problem. Get to the back panel and I ended up knitting in and pulling it out four time. The problem was that somehow I forgot to check the chart for the size I was knitting and make sure I stayed within the right colors. Evidently, I have a very short attention span, can’t distinguish colors, and/or can’t remember the size I’m knitting. Finally on try number 4 — I managed to get the right section of the chart done the correct number of time to fit the stitches available. Then I breezed through the other sections.
Now that the first row of the charts are done it should be much easier to keep track as I can read the knitting to make sure I find the right place on the charts. Yeah, I know I’ve probably set myself up for a zap from the knitting hubris goddess but a girl’s gotta dream.
August 19th, 2010 at 8:33 pm
Question: when working the pattern what size did you use? I’m knitting the 39-3/4″, but am confused at what to do when there are 50 stitches on the needle for the front, and only 47 stitches on the pattern beginning row 13. Did you have that problem? And, if so, what did you do about it?
August 20th, 2010 at 4:30 pm
I’m using the suggested yarn (Lion Brand LB Collection Cotton Bamboo) and I got gauge with the suggested needles so — needle sizes 6 for the body.
On the charts, this took me several trips to the frog pond to figure out but. the 39 1/2 size is the red line on the charts. Where the charts goes in and you have extra stitches left — it’s because those extra stitches (usually the same number extra on the right and the left side are knit on the knit side and purled on the purl side.
If you read your knitting once you get the first 11 rows done (the part before it indents on the chart, you should be able to see where the pattern is and using that as a guide on the beginning and ending of the chart just knit the extra stitches. Hope that helps.