Branching Out w Kitchener

Skylark · 10-29-2007, 02:42 PM

Setting the scene:
Ok, I want to knit Branching Out ( http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring05/PATTbranchingout.html ) but with both finished designs pointing leaf tip down. (rather than like the picture with one side stem down and other side leaf tip down)

I have an idea, but not a lot of experience so please let me know if with the following plan I'll run into issues I might regret/frog.

[First of all I'm thinking of using my Sleeping Dragon Mossy Frog fingering weight and size 3.75 mm needles.]

The ideas and concerns/questions:

1. start knitting 2 scarves separately on same needles just as pattern starts.
Question: can I use both the north and south ends of the yarn or do I need to cut skein/ball in half and cast each on with two south ends?

2. put the beginning stitches (which will become the center/neck) on a holder to be ready to slide needles in for Kitchener stitching to graft later ?

3. cast off my lengths with x rows of knitting per pattern. Now, please assure me that I can return to the other ends slide needles into stitches on holders and then Kitchener the beginnings of the scarf to become the center/neck. I have trouble with spatial imagining stuff. (and possibly describing what I'm thinking of too.

)

signed, challenged and unsure

suzeeq · 10-29-2007, 07:51 PM

Or maybe you could knit from the beginning for half the length twice and kitchener the needle ends together rather than the CO ends. And if you have only one skein of yarn and you're sure it will be enough, I would start each side with the inside and outside ends of the yarn. If you cut it, you can never be absolutely certain you've cut exactly in half unless you measure out the whole thing.

Skylark · 10-29-2007, 08:11 PM

ah-ha. Read/knit the chart/pattern notes in reverse order? the stitches will come out right?? told you I was spatially challenged/and inexperienced. Thanks, I would never have thought of reversing the order of knitting as I would have been afraid the pattern would be screwed.

suzeeq · 10-30-2007, 02:52 AM

I don't understand reading the chart in reverse... Charts are read from the bottom up, though maybe that one has the leaf tips going up where you want them going down.

redwitch · 10-30-2007, 01:22 PM

I am not sure about reading the pattern backwards? but if you want to graft two halves together, cast on provisionally.

suzeeq · 10-30-2007, 03:42 PM

After looking at the pattern, I think if you work the chart and use a regular CO you would get the effect you want by making 2 `starts' and grafting the them together. I don't see grafting the CO edges together, I think that would be upside down.

Skylark · 10-31-2007, 05:34 AM

Ok, I just jumped in knitting the pattern as it starts and am really enjoying my first lacey knitting. Only trouble I'm having is that with the 3 earthquakes we've had this evening I keep loosing my place as I run for the doorway. smiles - we're ok so far. I'll be sure to post a picture when it becomes a FO. Thanks for your help!

suzeeq · 10-31-2007, 05:43 AM

Hey, they're only 5s I hear....

aslangirl · 11-01-2007, 05:56 PM

Originally Posted by suzeeq

Or maybe you could knit from the beginning for half the length twice and kitchener the needle ends together rather than the CO ends.

THis is exactly how the Knitty Hearts scarf is done, and it works really well!