Okay, I'm on my fourth try on Audrey, and I haven't gotten past row 15 yet! First it was way too big, then it was closer, but I decided to knit the front and back circularly, then it was still too big (because swatching in stockinette when you're knitting in 2x2 ribbing just doesn't really help!), and now I'm on my fourth (fifth?) try, a couple rows past the first set of decreases and . . . I'm not satisfied with the way it looks.
My BIG question is--the decreases come in the middle of a purl-purl column, but the decrease is a K3tog . . . how should I work that stitch on the next row? As a purl, in which case there are 6 purl stitches in a row? Or as a knit so that there’s a single knit column between the double-purl columns? (I’m trying to explain this as clearly as possible!) And of course, 8 rows later, the purl columns will be decreased . . .
I’ve tried this both knit and purl, and am not satisfied with either. I also tried Tiffany’s Dart but was unsure with that one, too . . .
What do YOU do with the ribbing while decreasing/increasing?? It could obviously be different for everyone, but, opinions?
Deb—I’m going to work on my niece’s birthday socks for a while, Audrey is being just a little too diva-ish and tempermental! (grin)
Hi Deb, Believe me, I'm no expert, but I finally did make it through the decreases, and if you think they're hard, wait 'til you get to the INcreases afterward. I'm still pulling my hair out on them. BUT, on the decreases, it does work if you do the single purl column for the next row. It's sometimes tricky to see what that stitch is SUPPOSED to be, but if you pay attention to knitting the knit stitches (regardless of how many are left) and purling the purl stitches, it will come out great. Now, it should theoretically be the same theory on the increases, but I haven't found that to be the case -- at least not yet, on my first -- I don't know -- it seems like 25 tries! I've ripped it out umpteen times already (see my blog entry for the day before yesterday) and it's now actually sitting on my desk OFF the needles completely. I'm going to get it back on the needles tonight and try YET AGAIN. Let's stick with this together, ok? I'm determined not to be an Audrey Flunk-Along. ;-)
Posted by: Norma at April 20, 2004 04:58 PMJust to add to Norma's description, because sometimes more descriptions help. I presume you are doing the instructions for the decreases like the pattern calls for (not Tiffany's). Let's use for example the medium, in which the decrease comes just before the 29th stitch (the first time).
as you are knitting on the 1st decrease row, you will have p2, k2, p2, k2... etc. then purl 1 (stitch #25). Then stitches #26, 27, 28 will all be knit together. This brings a purl, knit and knit together to become a knit stitch. Then purl #29 (the marked stitch), purl #30, knit #31 and 32, and continue in ribbing. Do the opposite at the other end.
On the next (wrong side) row, the stitch that was a k3tog (front or back loop) will be purled. As you do the next 7 rows, on the right side you will have p2, k2, etc, then (at the previous decrease) k2, p1, k1, p2 (first of these is the marked stitch), k2, p2, etc. then the opposite on the other end.
The next set of decreases brings the ribbing back to normal (so for the 7 work-even rows it'll be just p2, k2, p2 etc.) The next set go back to the pattern as for the first time, then the last set of decreases become plain ribbing again, until you are ready to increase.
I hope this helps...
Norma; don't give up! I have frogged four times too, but I am finally liking what the fabric looks like... ;-)
Posted by: JennyW. at April 20, 2004 05:19 PMThanks to you both. Jenny, as of the second set of decreases, I do NOT have a normal K2 P2 rib. It's a K2, P2, K3, P1, K2, P2 . . . The marker is between (originally) two purl stitches, so that when I do the K3tog and the P1, I end up with a little mini-rib of a K1, P1, surrounded by K2, P2 ribbing. I am now (hurray!) on row #20--two sets of decreases completed. I'm just hoping that--when it's longer--I'll still like the way all of this looks! (grin)