Instruments of torture? |
This
past weekend, I tried to knit a sweater in the round using Elizabeth Zimmermann’s
EPS method (Elizabeth’s Percentage System). Basically this entails multiplying
your body measurement by your knitting gauge (stitches per inch) to determine
the number of stitches needed. Success rests on determining the gauge
accurately.
Which
is how I fell into the blackest hole of Knitting Hell. Twice I managed to resurface
and make another attempt, only to be sucked back down again.
Let
me tell you the sad, sad tale.
After
knitting about 6” of Version 1, the instructions said to measure the garment to
make sure the width was what I expected, so I did. The measurement indicated I
was short 3”.
Disappointing,
but not fatal. I recalibrated my gauge, using the 6” of the first version to
count stitches. According to this count, my original gauge was off by 1 stitch
per inch. So for Version 2, I increased the number of stitches and added
another inch of width for good luck. As I knitted round and round, it occurred to
me this version seemed a little big. At the designated 6” mark, I measured
again, and discovered I was wrong. It wasn’t a little big, it was w-a-y too
big.
Once
again, I checked and rechecked my gauge. Crazy as it seemed, Version 1’s gauge was
correct. What!?! How could Version 1’s gauge be right if the garment measured
too small?
When
I’d abandoned Version 1, I’d cut the wool off the ball instead of unravelling
it and reusing it. So I still had the original 6” of knitting intact (sadly,
not still on the needles). I pulled the unfinished mess over my head, only to
discover it fit perfectly.
Unfortunately too many stitches had come undone for me to simply slide it back
on my needles and continue on.
I
was stumped. How could I have goofed so badly?
My
best guess is the 2x2 ribbing on the bottom of the sweater must’ve pulled it in
nicely (as it is supposed to) which affected the measurement when I checked at
6”. I figure the pull of the ribbing had
also affected the gauge count.
Frustrating but the solution was obvious. I
would simply begin – again – using the
original number of stitches. After all, Version 1’s mini-sweater fit
nicely. So I unravelled Versions 1 & 2, and rewound the wool on the ball, ready to
be used in Version 3.
The twist that keeps on twisting |
When
knitting in the round, you must be careful to straighten the cast-on stitches
and make sure they are not twisted before knitting them.
Yep,
you guessed it....
Even
though I’d straightened and restraightened that cast-on row, one little twist
must’ve snuck in. Trying to fix a twist is like trying to straighten a moebius strip
– you can follow the twist round and round forever, but it will never lay flat.
ARGHHHHHHH!
Which leads me to another puzzle, dear readers. Why is the Devil depicted carrying a pitch fork? After
my visit to Knitting Hell, I know those sharp prongs are really knitting
needles.
Keep trying, Lady T! You can do it! Baby T likes his blanket a lot.
ReplyDeleteI thought knitting was supposed to be relaxing!!! :)
ReplyDeleteOh no!! :D
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the comment on my dress... the skirt is cut separately :)