BEFORE YOU BEGIN
Leave a tail from your cast-on; this can be used for sewing later.
Make sure cast-on and bind-off rows are firm but not tight.
If you have trouble with this, it's helpful to use a larger needle for casting on.
Always make sure you have enough yarn to complete a project. If you are unsure, knit the front or back and one sleeve first. This should be the approximate halfway point in your consumption of yarn (take into account any neck ribbing, etc.) If you have used more than half of your supply and you need to purchase more of a different dye lot, you can work it into the ribbing, perhaps using the two-row stripe method (alternate knitting two rows each of the two dye lots).
Start a new ball of yarn at the end of a row. You can use the following method to determine whether or not you will have enough yarn to complete an entire row: When you have approx. 4-5 yards of yarn remaining, find the halfway point. Tie a slipknot at the halfway point. If you reach the knot before completing the next row, you won't have enough for another row, begin the new skein. If you do not reach the knot, you have enough for at least one more row. Repeat the process until you reach the knot. If your pattern has bobbles or any other yarn-consuming stitch, this method will not take into account the extra yarn so judge accordingly.
Measure your pieces on a flat, hard surface such as a table. Be sure to double-check your measurements once you have bound off.
INCREASE/DECREASE CHART
NOTE: It is much easier to weave seams together if the increases and decreases are not worked
on the edge stitches. Increases and decreases are worked on right side rows, unless otherwise specified
| |
at the beginning of a row
|
at the end of a row |
| increase |
k1, inc in next stitch |
work to last 3 stitches,
inc in next stitch, k2 |
| single decrease |
k1, ssk (see abbreviations) |
work to last 3 stitches, k2tog, k1 |
| double decrease |
k1, ssk (see abbreviations) |
work to last 4 stitches, k3tog, k1 |
| All wrong side rows |
p2 work to last 2 stitches and p2 |
| NOTE: After all the decreases or increases are completed continue to work the first 2 stitches and the last 2stitches in stockinette stitch; working the stitches between in pattern stitch. |
COUNT ROWS for accurate knitting and measuring, it is necessary to count the rows of each section. If the first piece measures the required length and the rows are counted, the corresponding pieces will be exactly the same length.
YARN MARKERS make counting rows easy. To use a yarn marker: knit a thin piece of cotton along with the regular yarn for about 6 to 8 stitches. Always knit on row one (right side) of the section you are counting. Have one marker above another. When the sweater is complete a strong tug will remove it. |
