April 11, 2004

HELP!

Hi everyone. Just looking for a little advice...

I got my new calmer (in calmer) and dutifully swatched. Unlike some, I got the gauge after 3 tries. BUT. I have made two attempts now at knitting the back of Audrey, and it looks terrible! I think I am having trouble with how stretchy the calmer is. It just looks, well, unprofessional, like the "v"s that are my knit stitches are sometimes too big or too small, the purling looks bumpy and uneven... ugh!

I have knit for 25 years, and mostly I am pleased with the results of what I make, but this time I don't know what to do. I have tried denise, bamboo, metal, addi-turbos, and even the "combined knitting," and nothing seems to help.

Interestingly, at least to me, I had started a similar sweater last fall with a 2x2 rib and IT looked funny too, like all the Vs of the knit stitches looked pulled apart down the middle...

I'd show a picture but I'm not that html-savvy...

I knit left-handed, btw. any thoughts you guys???!!! Thanks in ADVANCE. And Happy Easter, to those who celebrate it.

Posted by JennyW at April 11, 2004 01:49 PM
Comments

Combined knitting wouldn't work to even out ribbing...it only works for stockinette stitch.

The trick with Calmer is to not knit it tightly because it contains elastic that causes it to hug the needles more than other yarns. That's why Rowan recommends knitting it with size 5mm needles as a means of getting us to knit loosely. Knitting it tightly will probably cause the knit stitches to be smaller than the purl stitches, which may give the ribbing uneven appearance. If you knit Continental, chances are your purl stitches (knit stitches on the RS of the work) will come out even looser than usual because of this. Unfortunately, blocking probably won't fix this.

I recommend trying Tiffany's tip to knit into the back of your loose knit stitches before the purl stitches, and then purl that stitch on the WS by wrapping the yarn under. If that doesn't work, why not try knitting LOOSELY using a needle that is one size smaller than that recommended?

Posted by: Becky at April 13, 2004 10:11 AM

You can also try picking the surface on which you get the least drag, when you are picking a needle to knit more loosely on. I found that when I was using my Addis I got a lot more drag on the stitches than I did with the Denise needles. The more smoothly your stitches move across the needle surface, the more even they seem to come out (at least for me...)

Posted by: Theresa at April 13, 2004 02:37 PM

Thanks to everyone for their help! I really appreciate it! I am working on it as we speak. (type. :-))

Posted by: JennyW. at April 13, 2004 03:01 PM