I started knitting Audrey several months ago, but found myself terribly frustrated over the uneven stitches with my ribbing. Feeling defeated, I decided to try to find some other project for which I could use my Calmer yarn--one which didn't involve any ribbing. This meant more swatching and testing out different needles.
Something happened while I was knitting swatch after swatch. I gradually became comfortable knitting with this very elastic and slippery yarn. My stitches evened out and I began to enjoy myself. From all the rave reviews I had heard about the yarn, I knew this had to be possible and I'm glad that my persistance has paid off.
Because I've finally got into the groove with this yarn, I'm going to resume knitting Audrey. I'm feeling really inspired by all the photos of the beautiful sweaters you have been posting here!
Unfortunately, I've run into a bit of a problem. I'm just now starting to work the increases on the back piece and I keep ending up with huge holes in my fabric. I'm just doing the standard right- and left-leaning M1 increases where you pick up the strand of yarn between two stitches and twist it when working it so you theoretically prevent any holes from forming.
Has anyone else had this problem? What did you do to correct it?
Posted by AmyS at July 25, 2004 10:38 PMI noticed the holes as well. If you keep your tension nice and loose, the hole won't be noticeable in the final piece. I tried on the front and back pinned together last night, and was pleasantly surprised when I didn't have big visible holes at the increases.
Posted by: Dawn at July 26, 2004 10:41 AMIf you have a big gaping hole, you may not be twisting the picked up stitch the right way - Vogue Knitting has great illustrations on the left and right leaning make one, so you might want to check. That said, even the correct make ones are going to create smaller holes. These should get lost in the knitting as you keep going and only be noticeable with scrutiny. If you look at your previous "wonky" stitches, those took place on decrease rows, too. I think its because the whole row gets thrown off when you pull the strand up from below and cram another stitch in there. It should all come out in the blocking.
Posted by: Julia at July 26, 2004 12:03 PMI was having a heck of a time with the same kind of increases, but on the sleeves. I checked and doublechecked that I was twisting the stitches right and eventually I came to the conclusion that the holes were the result of overcompensating and pulling the stitches too tightly. When I started to relax my tension around the M1s, the holes went away.
Posted by: Christina at July 26, 2004 12:35 PMThank you for your suggestions! I'm going to try loosening up. I'm notorious for knitting too tightly ;)
Posted by: Amy at July 26, 2004 01:24 PM