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From: bridesmom
Date: 12-07-2005, 12:56 AM (1 of 4)
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I'm finding I have a problem when trying to get my gauge when knitting. If it calls for 4" swatch, 4.5mm needles = 20 stitches, 26 rows, then I have no problem getting the 20 stitches ok, but I am finding that I am out on the row part. So a 4" square on the above gauge would work at 20 stitches, 20 rows for me. What am I doing wrong?? I know I am a loose knitter, so I mostly end up going down one size in the needles, but I am still out on my row length.
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: Magot
Date: 12-07-2005, 09:43 AM (2 of 4)
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If you go down a size is your stitch width still OK? ( ie 20sts for 4") I take it you are still short on the row numbers. A knitted stitch is supposed to be rectangular ( that's why all those intarsia pictures look stretched) If yours is coming out square I would work so that you get the width right and it looks like you will ahve to do maths to get therow count right. It is only going to make a big difference at places where you are shaping. If it works out at a matter of 5 rows short over the whole of an armhole or whatever than I wouldn't bother to adapt the pattern. If it looks like the shaping will be accomplished far too quickly because your row count is smaller than it should be you may well need to insert some "dummy" rows - Say for example decreasing on a raglam armhole every knit row will make you armskye too small - t hen you may need to add an extra non shaping knit row every 8 rows or so. Does any of this make sense at all? I'm typing through a migraine - I prefer to be occupied.... love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626 
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From: bridesmom
Date: 12-09-2005, 05:20 AM (3 of 4)
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Makes sense all right. My swatches are usually tall rectangles rather than squares. I'll try what you said on the little sweater I am working on now. I'm really trying to knit tighter and its 100% cotton so I find it is knitting up tighter so far. Sometimes I think its the patterns and not me, cause I seem to be on gauge but they still turn out way wider than they are supposed to be, or else the people they are knitting for are all short and wide??
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: Magot
Date: 12-09-2005, 12:56 PM (4 of 4)
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I find cotton hard to knit with as it has litle 'give' - makes my hands ache. Trying to knit tight with it must be a real bummer.
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626
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