Finally
getting around to working on ‘Sydney’ – I did make another swatch at one number
higher, (T9, 24 sts and 48 rows to final washed swatch) and tested out my hem –
I like the simplicity of a full needle
rib hem, especially when working with a wide fabric like this and on my swatch,
I did a racked cast-on {http://knitwords.blogspot.ca/2016/07/aran-look-scarf.html}
but after the laundering, I could see that it was rather wavy and messy looking
so I opted for 6 rows of circular graded tension, followed by 8 rows FNR at
T6/6 for the hem.
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| hand knit ravel cord |
 |
hang cast-on worm
|
At the
point where you need to begin increasing for the underarm/sleeve, to make it a
nice, smooth seamline, set it up to reverse shortrow. With this stitch pattern
and shape, I need to cast on over #72Left to #12Right of 0 – and there is
fabric hanging on #13Right to #72Right – I don’t want to mess with having to
re-read or download the pattern again. Here’s how: end with carriage at left
and move the carriage over to the left side. Take the main yarn out and set it
to the right out of the way. Bring the new needles to work and remember those
waste yarn worms I told you about {http://knitwords.blogspot.ca/2017/01/confessions-of-waste-yarnaholic.html}?
Take a long one and from the cast-on side of it, press it over the new, empty
needles – no tool needed, just hold the edge up and push the needles through –
you’re trying to hook the straight thread from the weaving cast-on over the
needle and if there’s an extra stitch here or here, no big deal – it doesn’t
matter, you’re just making something to hang the weights for the tuck
patterning.
When you have that hung, bring the needles out and hang some bar
weights on the waste yarn. Now, hand knit a ravel cord through – so you will be
able, later, to pull this out to separate the waste yarn. After the ravel cord,
bring the main yarn back into work and wrap the needles – same as the e-wrap,
but this time, going from right to left.
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| e-wrap with main yarn |
Put the yarn into the feeder and knit
the row - the patterning will continue on the right-side portion and you will
get a nice row of stockinette on the new e-wrapped needles. With the carriage
at the right side, place the left side (#72L to #11R) to hold (and set carriage
to hold), knit, wrap, knit.
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| reverse shortrow new stitches |
Return the next two needles (#9, 10R) to upper
working position, knit, wrap, knit etc, shaping and bringing the new needles
back as required. The carriage has been set to tuck throughout, the pattern is
continuing and there are no extra ends to darn in from the cast-on or anything!
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| shortrowed underarm/sleeve |
Oh, and
at the end of the top of the shoulder-line (which is shortrowed also), normally
I would say to knit a row of stockinette over all and remove on waste yarn so
you have a full line of open stitches to make the seam with the front piece later
but because this bouclé yarn is really quite fine and bubbly, I decided to cast
it off rather than worrying about having to re-hang it from the waste yarn and
the seam will be stronger because of it – and I’m doing reverse (outside) seaming
on most of the pieces.
Notice
in the photo of the two backs – the one on the right looks a bit smaller – that’s
because I made it yesterday and the ‘rest’ overnight allows the yarn to relax
and regain some elasticity. Both pieces are still much bigger than they will be after the final assembly and laundering to shrink to size.
Today is
cool, rainy and yucky! I was supposed to be going on a nice, long hike but that isn't going to happen. No better day to spend at the knitting machine!;-)
