Thursday, September 11, 2008

Knitting advice needed please!

I've just started a tank top for Noah's birthday (yarn and pattern bought from Sew In in Buxton, but I know I haven't blogged about Greenbelt and going away yet!) but I'm not pleased with how it's going.

The pattern is a Sirdar one, and I'm using Rico Baby cotton soft DK.

but on my ribbing the last knit stitch before each purl looks kind of wobbly. You can sort of see it here.

and see how it's a lot worse here.

and here.



and then I saw Abrazo in the latest Knitty, and it appears to have the same thing going on, although not quite as wobbly as mine. So, any ideas about what to do about it?!?! On the ribbing at the bottom it doesn't appear to be happening...

14 comments:

scarletprincess said...

twisting that stitch would help i.e. Knit in back of the loop. Plus, when its all washed and blocked it tends to even out. Hope that helps.

Anonymous said...

I suspect it's related to the problem with the lace panel down the back of the reverse psockology socks. It's to do with the distance round the needle to the next stitch for the knit stitch as opposed to the purl stitch.

The only suggestion I could come up with is the same as scarletprincess - knit into the back of the loop.

You might want to do some swatching to see the effect.

(I don't think you were really at Greenbelt - we didn't see you... :-p)

Anonymous said...

It is questions like this that make me realise how much more advanced you are in knitting than I am. I think cable might be my next challenge.

I can however confirm that you were at Greenbelt. I saw you with my own eyes.

littlelixie said...

Was going to suggest knitting into back of loop a la others. Apart form that a good block can cure most ills!

Bianca said...

Tip: Before starting the pattern, work one row in Stockinette. (if on wrong side, you have to purl 1 row to start the pattern on the right side.) The flow from ribbing to pattern will go more smooth this way, and not so wobbly.

Anonymous said...

I have this problem, too. I understand that it's partly due to the twist of the yarn, but I can correct it a bit if I knit Continental, i.e. holding yarn in my left hand rather than in my right. That is a bit a pain in the arse, though, and makes me knit slower. Good luck - it does look lovely.

Nic said...

I love the pattern. I would give ita good blocking and knit in thge back of the stitch. Other than that, a stern talking to ;)
xxx

Ally Jay said...

Knitting continental would help eliminate the looseness.

Anonymous said...

Hi, try purling through the back loop, AND wrapping the yarn the short way round at the same time.

On the back, knit through the back loop.

This really, really works, ptbl really tighten the stitch, and wrapping shortways tightens it even more.

Your 2x2 ribbing at the start is lovely though btw!!

Anonymous said...

Btw you ptbl on the first purl after the rib stitches.

Kat said...

wow! never seen that happen before, I'm sure it will work out, its such a lovely pattern!

dreamcatcher said...

Catching up, and had no idea that you'd been poorly - really glad you're feeling so much better now. I know the weird flatmate situation wasn't ideal but had no idea it had got so bad. Sounds like you have a nice new place with a ton of wool LOL.

It's so many years since I saw Savill Garden, Burnham Beeches etc, lovely to see the photos here.

Re the wobbly stitches, I've tried the purling through the back loop thing before and I wasn't 100% sure it made that much difference! I do tend to try to tug the yarn quite firmly on knit/purl transitions as I often have a slightly gape-y column of stitches otherwise. I think blocking does help too.

blog-blethers said...

I'm a tugger like dreamcatcher;o) I pull the yarn more tightly - in the same way you do to avoid ladders forming socks. It's a lovely pattern and am sure it'll be much loved (rightly so!) by the recipient.

acrylik said...

The pattern is beautiful, and I have nothing to add to all of the suggestions here! Hope you're doing well.