I have a pattern that requires 25 stitches by 35 rows with a given yarn. Being a cow, yes I’m using the debbie bliss baby cashmarino so here’s my problem. I can not under any circumstances get gauge with knitting right handed. I’ve tried 4 different needle sizes and variations. I always come up with too many stitches across or if I get that right, I’m off on the rows.
I can, however, manage it dead on if I knit left handed, because I suck at it and have no tension on the yarn at all. I can not do this right handed no matter how I try. So, do I suck it up and look at it as an opportunity to practice continental stitching or just scream and ignore it all for a bit? My concern is that if I manage to get it right while knitting English, that I will change my tension at some point and make a Dr. Seuss dress instead of a cute little girl dress.
1. Comment by Deah
14/May/2009 at 7:16 pm
Does your knitting come out absolutely horrid when you try continental? If not, I say go for it.
2. Comment by Stepford Mom
14/May/2009 at 8:49 pm
It looks fine, it just takes me a bazillion years to get it done
3. Comment by Kat
15/May/2009 at 6:53 am
How many needle sizes did you go up English? Was it ruining the entire effect? If it was, go for the continental. You generally have decent control of your tension on your version. Just check it when you get to certain points.
4. Comment by Stepford Mom
15/May/2009 at 8:08 am
I had to go up 2 sizes to get the stitch count right, but in doing that the rows were off by several stitches…so, I’m plugging away continental. I’m looking at it as chance to build up some speed. The knitting end of it doesn’t bother me and goes really fast, I can see why people say it’s much faster than English. However, my purling is really…fricken…slow. So much for speed knitting. But everything looks to be on track now.
When I said 4 different needles in the original post, I actually was shifting between straight and circular as well because sometimes it makes a noticeable difference for me. No go this round.
5. Comment by Kat
16/May/2009 at 8:02 pm
This would be why I say Debbie Bliss is some sort of demonic creature.. If you used *any* other yarn, it would have been spot on in English, but noooo! She’s gotta be *special*!
6. Comment by Stepford Mom
16/May/2009 at 10:02 pm
actually I’m working on two different things from her, and the adult one I subbed yarn and it’s dead on first try with recommended needles. It’s the one I’m using her yarn that I can’t get right lol