Right about now, I'm feeling like I need to have my head examined. Why in the world did I think it was a good idea to choose such BIG gifts to knit. What ever happened to hats and mittens????
Actually, I do know why I chose them.....BIG gifts like blankets are fun to give and fun to receive. The next question is why did I start so late.....why ask why???
I digress..... Time to share.
Actually making some good progress on the cabled sweater. Especially since I missed more than 2 days of knitting thanks to the flu. Ugh!
I have completed the knitting of the back and front of the sweater and have blocked both pieces, as seen above on the blocking board.
I realized I could have done both of these pieces at the same time, once I was about 3 inches into the project. (Note to self: Next time I will read ahead to check out this possibility.)
Now its time for the sleeves and I always recommend doing both sleeves at the same time. Its a great way to make sure that increases and decreases are done in exactly the same place.
It can be tricky keeping things straight when knitting two at a time.
Here are some TIPS to keep your two at a time knitting effortless:
- if possible cast on each sleeve using a separate ball of yarn on a circular needle. (personally, I'm not a fan of pulling from the inside and outside of the same ball)
- mark each right side edge with a different color locking stitch marker. In this case, I have used an aqua and orange markers. I have also used the same color markers to mark my cable pattern. This is helpful to know that I always begin my right side rows with aqua and my wrong side rows with coral.
- use a row counter to keep track of the number of rows of the pattern, if you have one and it is also a good way to keep track of when its time to work any increases.
- mark each beginning of row edge with a third color of locking stitch marker. In this case, I have marked my sleeves on the outer edges with green stitch markers. This also indicates the beginning of a row, making sure that the row prior was completed.
- one rule I make for myself is to always complete a row before setting down the project. This is not always possible, which is why I use the combination of row counter and stitch markers to keep me on track.
- lastly, I chart out what happens by row, at least thru the designated increases. (see chart below)
This chart may look a little more complicated than it needs to be, but I am using it to keep track of:
- three different types of cables, indicated in two different columns for O outside cables and C center cable and whether is a C cable or a T twist row.
- a 24 row cable pattern, indicated only odd number rows. Even rows are the wrong side, where I am knitting the knits and purling the purls. All rows can easily be added to a chart.
- the increases, indicated by a ++, reminding me that I have to increase at the beginning and end of each row of the sleeve. I also have added a small number close to the ++, i.e. row 13 has a ++9. This is a check for me that I started and ended the row with initially 7 purl stitches and now on row 13 the purl stitches should be increased to 9 purl stitches.
- I check off each right side row after both sleeves have been completed.
- at the top of the page, I made some general notes for myself
- the number of stitches after the increases are completed
- the length of the sleeve before beginning the next set of instructions.
This is really not nearly as complicated as it may sound.
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Want a good chuckle. This is a doozy....
My dear Xander (the recipient of the Red Cabled Sweater) just reminded me that I promised to latch hook him a rug for Christmas that he can place beside his bed. This latch hook rug is to have a wolf design.
I absolutely cringed when he so sweetly reminded me of this. Midnight oil here I come.
Until next time......
Happy Knitting!