Sunday, July 29, 2012

Optimal Outcome Part 2



I hope everyone is enjoying their summers.  It is so hot around here, and I am still pulling out my shawl from time to time- in the air conditioning, not outside. :)
I just wanted to share another tip that I recently started to implement.  Anything to make our finished work look better!

As I mentioned in this post, I am a row counter.  I also am a locking stitch marker addict (more on that later!) and use them religiously to keep track of increases and decreases. 
Clover Markers

Knit PicksMarkers


 Does that seem like too much effort?  Maybe, but nothing is worse than trying to backtrack and figure out how to  make 2 pieces match later. Trying to count rows to match shaping on dark or intricate fabric is so hard.
I used to place my markers at the beginning of an increase or decrease row. 
The more shaping, the further in you need to go to find an unbroken column of stitches
If you look at a piece that has shaping elements- decreases, bind offs, or increases, such as a waist, underarm or collar, you will notice that it is jagged or slanted and hard to tell later where the adjoining row begins.
 
I now place my row marker about 10 sts in from the edge, on each shaping row. This way, as I continue to shape the piece, I can isolate a column of stitches far enough away from the edge that I can keep track of rows easily. 
   See how the straight line of markers is easier to count.
So simple, but  such a time saver later.  What do you do to make sure your pieces match?

8 comments:

  1. Truth be told, I haven't knitted in eons. I used to do it A LOT when I was a teenager and then in my 20s, but then I stopped. I would love to start again and recreate a sweater in the honeycomb stitch I knitted out of mohair once.

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    1. Rose,
      Go to www. Ravelry.com
      Sign up. It is free and beyond amazing. Chances are , you can find the sweater pattern you knit in your teens in their vast data base. And pictures of every sweater made just like it. I love mohair.

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    2. Thanks for the tip. I found it! :)

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  2. That is awesome- I'd love to see your progress. I am northeastknitter on ravelry, you can leave me a message there.

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  3. I wish I could knit, I'd love to be more self sufficient.

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  4. What a great idea! These would also help for counting stitches in crocheting. Thanks for posting this, I love finding new ways to use things to make projects easier :) Thank you for visiting my blog! Good luck with your knitting deadlines :D

    Tasia

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for stopping by. I have to take time from my current project to post on this site. It is a little neglected this month! Are you on Ravelry? www.ravelry.com
      It is free and the best site for knitters/crocheters on the planet. I love to see everyone's finished projects on their site. I'll check out your blog again. I am jealous of your header!

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  5. I tried tucking the collar of that jacket underneath but it made the shoulders look so odd, I think I lumbered with it a while longer as I paid so much for it years ago, I loathe making bad buys like that.

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