Picking up stitches

k2p263 · 08-30-2010, 07:22 PM

Hi - I have just finished a cardigan for my granddaughter. The pattern is now asking me to pick up 6 stitches from the welt & 53 stitches up the front for the button hole border. The problem is the length of the front measures 11 1/2" & I'm trying to gauge how many stitches I need to have every inch & it seems that 53 is a very small number. Can anyone help.

Many thanks

suzeeq · 08-31-2010, 12:53 AM

Sometimes you just have to pick up what seems reasonable, like 2 sts for every 3 or 3 for every 4. The 53 sts divided into the 11�" come out to about 4.6 every inch or 18 every 4".

k2p263 · 08-31-2010, 05:52 PM

Thank you for your suggestion. Often when picking up stitches around the neck you find yourself struggling to find enough stitches; this is the first time I seem to have more available than I need. I have to get this right the first time because it's down the front. I'll give it a try. Thanks again

MerigoldinWA · 08-31-2010, 07:30 PM

I used to struggle and sweat over trying to pick up the number of stitches a pattern gives. Then I went to a good finishing class and the teacher said forget that and pick up the number that want to be picked up. That is what Sue was saying.

I find if I use a needle 2 sizes smaller than the gauge needle for the bands that I usually need to pick up (up the front) 1,2,3, skip. Recently I did a sweater where I used my gauge needle and I did 1,2 skip and that worked. Doing it this way usually makes it pretty easy to get the same number on each side (sometimes I have to fudge 1 or 2 stitches on the second band). This sure is freeing after trying to force a certain number that didn't seem to be working.

This also works for the neckband. I like to pick up the same number on each side, but I let my first side determine how many that is by doing the same way Sue gave. Anything that is straight up and down or slanted use the skipping rule and if there are live stitches or bound off stitches (back neck) pick up stitch (or knit across- for live stitches) for stitch. Occasionally they will want you to dec in the back neck a st or 2.

suzeeq · 08-31-2010, 10:10 PM

Quote:

I have to get this right the first time because it's down the front.

What makes you say that? You can always take it out and do it over again. I've had to pick up a couple times on an adult cardigan that was up the front around the neck and down the other front in order to get it to look right. There is no 'get it right the first time' in knitting because you can always rip back and redo. You may not want to, but it's allowed...