by Danielle | July 20, 2008
Hello, all,
Welcome to Day Two of our knitalong! My Central Park Hoodie (rav lnk) is coming along nicely, especially since I am now using the correct size needles to knit the ribbing, rather than the US8s with which I started.
In case you’re still swatching, I thought I’d give a few hints about measuring your gauge swatch.
First off, if you can possibly get a Susan Bates “Knit-Chek” like the one in the picture, do so. These are more readily available in some parts of the country than others. I got all the way to upstate New York without mine a few years ago, and not only did the LYS not have one, they looked at me like I had three noses when I described it.
But having something like this will help you measure one row (or column) of stitches, and that row only. Line the inside edge up with a row/column of stitches in your swatch that look pretty uniform.
Second, use something to point at the stitches. This feels a little elementary, but it keeps me from getting confused by stitch legs. I use one of my blocking needles and trace the little vee of each knit stitch as I count.
Third, and this is certainly important with the CPH, pay attention to partial stitches. The gauge for our pattern is 17 stitches to every four inches, which means 8 1/2 stitches to two inches and 4 1/4 to one inch. Those partial stitches in your measured area definitely make a difference to your gauge.
Finally, I’m at St. Elmo’s this morning and early afternoon, knitting. Stop by if you like! And I suggest we try to meet up next Wednesday (July 30) at Knit Happens late night to show off our progress.
- 13 Comments
- Filed under: Events
On July 20, 2008 at 10:22pm, Amanda said...
So due to traveling, I have not made much progress. I did knit and block two swatches, and decided to use size 8 needles with my malabrigo worsted. And I just went through my pattern and highlighted the right directions for my size. Unfortunately, this week is going to be a bit light on the knitting side for me. But I promise to catch up with everyone else over next weekend. And Kathleen, thank you for being the guest blogger while Danielle is in Montana. I will see everyone hopefully on June 30th.
On July 21, 2008 at 1:29am, Cameronne Taillon said...
Ok so I cheated and started a few days early. I have about 10 inches of the back done…but only b/c I sat on my butt all weekend and knitted. I was wondering why the pattern makes us place stitch markers??? It’s easy to tell where you are in the pattern when you’re knitting. I decided to ditch them after about 8 inches. Hope that wasn’t a big mistake.
I won’t be able to make it on Weds b/c I have dinner plans but I hope that we can all meet up on another weds late night to show progress.
On July 21, 2008 at 2:50am, Eileen said...
I don’t have a lot to comment on the size of any needles, but if I WERE into knitting, I think this would be the site I would check out. In any case, I’m going to refer it to lots of my knitting friends. And I oddly have many!
On July 21, 2008 at 1:41pm, Kathleen said...
Hello, both of you!
Amanda, looking forward to meeting you on the 30th; Cameronne, any and all cheating is certainly ok in my knitting book. I, too, may ditch the stitch markers after a few inches…the designer was probably just trying to make the pattern as easy as possible.
I’m about to start cabling but have to (wait for it) find my cable needle. I know it’s around here somewhere…
On July 21, 2008 at 4:51pm, nigelmoose said...
My Wool of the Andes just arrived about 10 minutes ago, so I’ll try to knit my gauge swatches tonight and cast on very soon…only a few days late, right?
On July 21, 2008 at 6:41pm, Kathleen said...
Welcome! Hurrah for the yarn and for swatching! And your few days late cancels out Cameronne’s few days early. All is right with the knitting universe.
Have you worked with Wool of the Andes before? I’d be interested to know how you like it.
On July 21, 2008 at 8:10pm, Cameronne said...
Hi everyone! One more reason to love knitting: there is no cheating! Well unless you go buy a sweater and then tell people you knit it yourself. I spose that might be bad!! I’ve used wool of the andes before and I think it’s great. What colors is everyone one doing? I’m use ella rae classic in sort of a light turquoise w/ some flecks of green in it. I won’t be knitting for the next two nights b/c I have to finish my book for bookclub so I’m sure everyone will gain on me!
On July 22, 2008 at 12:42pm, Christy said...
OK, I think that I’m ready to cast on. I finally got my gauge swatch measuring the right number of stitches. If I’ve got anything to show off I’ll head to Knit Happens tomorrow night.
On July 22, 2008 at 1:35pm, Kathleen said...
Congratulations! Just to clarify – we’re meeting up NEXT Wednesday, not this Wednesday.
On July 22, 2008 at 3:42pm, Christy said...
Right, right. Thanks for pointing that out — I need to read more carefully! Next Wednesday it is.
On July 22, 2008 at 4:38pm, Cameronne said...
Oh NEXT weds…I missed that too. I can def. try to make next Weds.
On July 22, 2008 at 4:55pm, kathleen said...
Yay! See you then.
On July 23, 2008 at 5:22pm, kathleen said...
…and a belated welcome to Eileen, who came to a Knit-A-Gogo party Danielle threw last October.