Dear Knitters,
I’ve never done this before but I was hoping you’d be willing to help me out. You see, I started knitting a Blustery last night for Vestvember. Most projects seem to be really happy with the pattern, but I just can’t figure out how it’s supposed to work right.
Here it is, looking all right. First I wonder, if a pattern says “work decrease row, then rpt each following 6th row” does that mean to work a decrease row, then start counting from the next row to the sixth row? Or do you start counting from the first decrease row? I seem to get enough length by starting counting from the first decrease row, so that’s what I did.
Then the real problem spot:
Here the direction is to “Cont with decreases at neck edge until 14 sts rem.” Then: “Cont without shaping until armhole meas 8.25 inches.” Okay, the decreases occur at the neck edge every 4 rows and I’m starting with (I think) 27 stitches. 27 – 14 = 13 stitches to decrease, in 13×4 rows = 52 rows. 52 rows? Doesn’t that seem like a lot for 8.25″? That’s about 7 inches in itself at the stated gauge, and I already knit about three inches of armhole with the previous direction. Am I missing something? What am I missing? Am I really supposed to decrease at the neck edge every 4 rows? And only at the neck edge?
Hoping this can get solved so I can keep knitting,
Stephanie
8.25″ is a very usual number for an arm hole – I would just knit on 14 until I hit that measurement. As for “only at the neck edge” – this is where I’d check the pattern schematic to see how the thing should look. Do the arm hole decreases end before or commensurate with the neck shaping starting? This, in my experience is also a fairly common direction which would mean, yes, finish with the arm hole and work that edge straight as you then shape for the neck. That’s my free advice – worth about what you pay for it!;) Good Luck!
For the every 6th row:
You have a repeat of 6 rows. You decrease on row 1. You then count to 6 again, and decrease again on row 1.
OR
You have a repeat of 6 rows. You decrease on row 6, and start your repeat at row 6. You then start over at 1, and then decrease on row 6 again.
Have you checked Ravelry for other people’s comments on the pattern? I’m not sure about the arm holes. I would say put it away for a few hours at least, then look at it again, reading over ALL the directions again. I have started a pattern, then screwed it up because I didn’t read it right.
I can’t help you with this at all, I just want to say: vestvember? socktoberfest? this makes me want to start knitting just so I can say these things.
Did you check for errata for this pattern? Maybe email the designer or look on ravelry? Take it to the local yarn shop? (this might not work so well if you didn’t buy the yarn there, however….) I have to admit I am thoroughly confused by this pattern. If it were me, I would probably just muddle through it….I’m not a perfectionist even with my knitting.
I can only agree with the advice above … is there a schematic? That might help you figure out how the arm/neck edges are supposed to look. And you’re probably not the only one with a question, so Ravelry might have something. If you’re worried about the arm hole turning out too long … you could decrease the interval between the decreases on the neck shaping … it would change the shape of the neck, but might give you the arm hole measurement you’re looking for.