Saturday, January 17, 2009

How the Stitches Work



While the individual stitches for My So Called Scarf (horizontal herringbone stitch) are not difficult, their sequence might be confusing, at least they were for me. So I’ve tried to break the sequence down into mini steps with the help of Hermi taking the pictures as I knit and purled the two rows of the pattern.

To repeat the pattern again in a longer form:
*Cast on an even number of stitches.
* Row 1(Right Side) Knit the first stitch, *(Start the pattern sequence)
Sl 1 (slip the next stitch as if to purl it),
K1 (Knit the next stitch),
psso (pass the slipped stitch back over the knitted stitch),
But before dropping the slipped stitch off of the left needle Knit into the
back of the slipped stitch.* (End of pattern sequence)
Continue this sequence until there is only one stitch left. End the row with
Knit 1.

[You have decreased a stitch by the psso, but then you have increased a stitch by knitting into the back of the slipped stitch before transferring it to the right knitting needle. Therefore the number of total stitches remains the same at the end of the row as when you cast on!]

*Row 2 (Wrong Side) *(Start the pattern sequence) P2tog (Purl 2 stitches
together),
Do not slip the combined stitches off the left needle, Purl the first stitch
again, then slip both stitches off the needle.* (End of the pattern
sequence)
Continue this pattern to the end of the row.

[Again you’re decreasing a stitch by purling 2 stitches together, then you’re increasing a stitch by purling into the first purl stitch for a second time. So the stitch count for the row remains the same.]

*Repeat these 2 rows until you run out of yarn, or you obtain the desired length.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Starting the directions again with the photos, not every concept will have a photo.
*Cast on an even number of stitches.
*Row 1. K 1, *[Fig. 1 Slip first stitch as if to purl]


[Fig. 2 Knit second stitch]


[Fig. 3 psso=pass slipped stitch over knitted stitch],


But before slipping stitch off the left needle...
[Fig. 4 Knitting into back of slipped stitch]


[Fig. 5 Completing stitch in back of Knit stitch]


[Fig. 6 Slipping 2 stitches off the left needle]*
continue pattern until there is only one stitch left in the row. K1. Turn.




*Row 2 *P2tog=Purl 2 stitches together [Fig. 7 Inserting needle into 2 purl stitches]


[Fig. 8 Throwing yarn for purling 2 stitches together]


[Fig. 9 Completing purling 2 stitches together]


Do not slip the stitches off the needle, Purl the first stitch again
[Fig. 10 Going back into the loop of the first purl stitch on the left needle again]


[Fig. 11 Throwing the yarn for purling the first stitch again]


[Fig. 12 Completed stitch, taking 2 stitches off the needle]


[Fig. 13 Stitches are off the needle]* Complete the row with this pattern.

6 comments:

Sandra Rude said...

What a cool pattern! Just about the limits of my knitting ability, though. Thanks for visiting my blog - I figured it was fair if I visit yours! Cheers - Sandra

mjsmg said...

I too think this is a neat scarf pattern. It will certainly tax my knitting ability but I do think I will give it a try. What weight yarn do you suggest Barb? Wonder if a cotton yarn would work?
Totally unrelated to the scarf...I am going to see if I can learn to use a loom for a beading project. They have had some nice loom projects in one of my bead magazines.
Mary Jo

mjsmg said...

It is a neat scarf and it will realy tax my knitting ability but I think that I will give it a try. Any suggestion on the yarn weight? Was wondering if a cotton yarn would work. Any thoughts?
I am also looking at learning to use a loom for my beading.... There have been some neat patterns in my beading magazine. Have to find a class and/or teacher.
Tried to post this last nite, but looks like it did not take.
We are hovering around zero right now burrr
Love
Mary Jo

mjsmg said...

This is the third time I have tried to put a post....this is a really neat pattern and it will definately tax my meger knitting abilities, but I like it. Do you think that a cotton yarn would work? Also, what weight yarn are you using?
Totally un related to the scarf...I am looking to learn how to use a loom for my beading as there have been some nice paterns in my bead magazine. Now I just have to find a class &/or teacher.
Keep warm... it is like 14 here right now
Mary Jo

mjsmg said...

Hi Barb
Just thought I would try again tonight and see if the post shows up
Mary Jo

Cedar City weaver said...

Mary Jo--We have found out what the error is! It is me! I haven't checked my blog and updated until tonight. I am so sorry that you thought that it was your fault, when it was lazy ole me. I guess I learned a good lesson on that one. I will try to do better from now on!

To answer your question I am happier with the thicker yarns as the scarf goes faster, ha, and it it is easier to see if I have to rip out stitches, which happens when I get lost in a TV show. I have about 2ft on the scarf with the thickest yarn--Berroco's Hip Hop on a #15 needle doing 30 st. It's a bit wide for my taste at 7.5in, especially for Vegas's climate. Might be pretty good for covering your face in WI in Jan. though.

I used to do Indian beading when I was in high school and had a bead loom. I made a few bracelets, but lost them in a house break in. Good Luck with your projects. Mom took classes at a Tech school on the west side of GB before she move to FL. That's where she learned rosemaling, the Scandinavian painting that she did. Maybe they have beading classes there as it is so popular now. Are there beading shops there that offer classes? It might be too far to commute to LV for classes, but the weather is warmer here. Have a good weekend. Barb