Gauge is a funny little thing and often hard to measure. After I wrote yesterday's post, I nearly ripped this piece out to retry with a smaller needle. I was sure I was knitting a monstrous sized square. Prior to beginning the cables, the width was 13 inches-a full inch wider than the 12 inch square was supposed to measure. I had a change of heart though and told myself I'd knit a back to match and call it a pillow. I'm glad I did. Once I began the cables, the width shrunk to 12 inches. Since gauge is supposed to be measured on the stockinette portions of these squares, I'm a little hard pressed to find spots to measure it, but without trying, I seem to be spot on. Better yet, I have row gauge too and that NEVER happens. Smaller needles would have led to catastrophe. Now I wish this was the yarn I was supposed to be using all along and not the practice yarn.
The pictures represents the border, one full pattern repeat and then some. So far, so good. It took me hours to get to this point and although it's going slowly, I'm at least memorizing the cables. I can advise though that this is not something one could knit while enjoying a glass of wine-it requires way too much attention. Since I'm a third of the way through and going blind already, I'm thinking of writing out the pattern on index cards with each row having its own card. I can attach the cards with a ring and flip through the pattern that way. It's either that or go buy a monocle.
22 comments:
So happy you have found the groove with this. Hope it all goes well with the proper yarn
You're brilliant, funny, and nimble, too. Some people just have all the luck!
That looks great! And thanks for the information about my foot. I think the shot has kicked in, I'm using ice more often, and my husband is getting a golf ball for me!
this looks way way way too hard.
I always had problems with the tension on aran knits. It's a pain that they give the size measured on a piece of plain knitting. I used to stitch a square first but I'm not sure it worked once I started the pattern.
That's not your gorgeous blue eyed mate is it?
I'm amazed that anyone can create such a complicated pattern. Way to go.
Winifred-I agree. I can only measure this piece on the wrong side where I can see at least 4 stitches in stockinette. I'm surprised how much the cables pulled the yarn in-just wish I could wear something that would pull my fat in like that!
The cat picture is not my friend though it does sort of look like him.
Joanna-I'm only recreating this. I did not and probably could not design this. I'm amazed designers can even think like this.
Miss- since it's the same yarn, I'm hoping all goes well with the actual square that I need to make. It is all going a bit faster now and since the pattern has been established, it's easier to see which stitch should come next.
It's lovely! I use a magnetic board (the kind you use for counted cross stitch) when I'm following a complex pattern. The metal bar keeps me on track. You are so right about the wine or other distractions. Sometimes I actually say the stitches out loud and pray the phone doesn't ring.
That's a beautiful patch! That would have been neat if I'd learned to knit years ago. Your work is beautiful
It's beautiful. Brings me back many years ago to my knitting days.Really, stick with it and it'll get easier, you get used to Aran knitting. I used to knit those from my head, and without a cable needle, just hold the stitches with my fingers while knitting the others, then shove them back on and knit them!Just this week I was showing my 17year old daughter how to do blackberry!
The Afghan looks magnificent, I so wish I could be part of it, but living in Ireland is too far away. Good luck with it, I'm new to your blog but will come back to see how you're getting on, mimi
Rudee, I've written out patterns on index cards although haven't gone as far as putting them on a ring. It's a great idea though and works well. I have an absolute awful time with charts and will rarely knit something that is charted without writing it out first. Your square looks lovely, I love cables...ciao
Holy Moly, that looks gorgeous ~ and challenging.
I haven't graduated to anything more complex than socks. Currently attempting to learn how to knit socks on circular needles, but the initial results were ummmmm sock barf. NOT good.
Kudos to you!
Thank you Mimi. I can send you some yarn and the patterns...;-)
J'Ollie-sock barf...LOL I've knit some of that myself. I didn't like the circulars. I'm strictly a double point girl. It gives me comfort to knit them that way.
Well done! The last time I knitted was during my last pregancy( 36 years ago)- it was my thing that I always had to do whilst I was pregnant! As soon as I gave birth-I stopped! Even if I was only half-way through the matinee jacket ( or whatever) aren't human beings funny creatures! Or is it just me!
So glad you figured it out. You are very persistent! Thank God, because it looks so lovely.
Enjoy your weekend!
XXXX
Good to see you're persevering..it will get easier. I'm wondering what any of my knitting would look like if I were enjoying wine, too LOL
Rudeek, Knew you were up for the tough stuff. I started my second square and struggled a bit with keeping my place and seeing the pattern emerge. Most geologists can only think and see patterns with color --- so I colored the patterns and the legend and even the "in other words". It really helped the pattern come to life and now instead of trying to translate their symbols - you just look at the color and know what to do. If you have access to a copier that enlarges patterns - that would be even easier. Love you, Mareseatoats
That is a gorgeous pattern you are working on. Love the header.
I might not know what the heck you're talking about when you say, cables, row gauge, stockinette, etc, but I know soft, cuddly, scrunchy and cozy when I see it. And this ain't it. Yes, it is, it is, I'm kidding. Looks like something I'd snuggle up with and that's not too many things:))
Rudee, I would love to get yarn and pattern for one square, but would the postage to Ireland not be prohibitive? On second thoughts,we are going to Florida on holiday in June??mimi
Mimi-that's a thought now, isn't it?
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