gil
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knitting tension square questionThe jumper pattern finally arrived, and I have knitted a tension square.
However, while it is just about OK heightwise for the number of rows, mine is a lot wider than it should be - 5.5" instead of 4" for the specified number of stitches.
What's the solution in terms of knitting the garment ?
Cast on fewer stitches ?
Knit the next chest size down ?
Use smaller needles ? I really can't see using even smaller needles as a good idea, though I'll give it a try doing another test square, but I don't think my knitting's that loose.
Advice appreciated
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toggle
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it may not be your knitting that is that loose, the knitter may have been a tight knitter. try a smaller needle and see if you like the fabric.
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gil
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Thanks, toggle.
How close a knit is too close ? Presumably a jumper does not need to be so closely knitted as to stand up on its own ? It's going to be an aran, BTW, so an outdoor item.
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toggle
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have you got one you can feel to compare?
the vintage aran i have is quite tightly knitted,
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maryf
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If it's for a child I would knit as per pattern as the child will grow. If it was for me I would also knit as per pattern as then I could wear it over other clothes, also all the arans I have made have shrunk a bit on washing!! (could be my washing technique or maybe the yarn) If I was knitting it for someone who was expecting it their size I would knit a size smaller but keep the length - difficult to just knock a few stitches off rows on an aran pattern.
Good Luck - post a photo of work in progress and finished please!
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wellington womble
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Actually, that's a good point - have you washed it? Sometimes things go a completely different size when you do!
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gil
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| maryf wrote: | - difficult to just knock a few stitches off rows on an aran pattern.
Good Luck - post a photo of work in progress and finished please! |
Not so difficult in this case, as it's an aran with a centre panel and sides of broken rib [am thinking of substituting moss stitch, which i prefer]
pics in about a decade, then  .....
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Midland Spinner
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check the pattern to see what stitch the tension square should be in - sometimes it says x sts & y rows over 10cm in stocking stitch, but other times it will specify "in pattern" which can make a lot of difference.
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mochyn
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I'd be tempted to knit a smaller size. It's easier to adapt a pattern fr length than for width: that is you can always knit a few extra rows before shaping the sleeves, for example, whereas if you want to make something narrower you have to omit stitches while keeping in pattern.
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gil
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Are you supposed to wash the tension square before you measure it ?
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alice
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This is why my hand knitted jumpers are always Frankenstein creations 
You would think, wouldn't you, in this day and age, there would be such a thing as a fool proof knitting pattern.
*Sigh*
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mochyn
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| gil wrote: | | Are you supposed to wash the tension square before you measure it ? |
I don't.
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Midland Spinner
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| mochyn wrote: | | gil wrote: | | Are you supposed to wash the tension square before you measure it ? |
I don't. |
It can make quite a bit of difference but I don't usually!
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mochyn
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Indeed it can, but did the pattern writer wash the square before measuring it? Hmmm...
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sally_in_wales
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have you tried calculating your gauge measurement into the chest measurement of the pattern to see what its likely to come out as? It does sound like you need to be planning on making a smaller chest size and adding length if it needs it, or you could end up with a jumper so wide you could fit yourself into it twice.
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gil
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Well, I cast on and started knitting the rib for the smallest size [allegedly chest 32-34], on the needles smaller than the pattern stated [3s instead of 3.25s], and at the moment, it's looking too wide - almost as wide as my big guernsey.
I don't understand. I thought the whole point of a knitting pattern was that you could just follow it, and knit.
If it turns out huge, I'll do the back slightly smaller. Or maybe I won't bother increasing stitiches when I change from rib to the main part.
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judith
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I have the opposite problem. My tension is very tight, so everything turns out smaller than I expect.
Perhaps we should swap knitting.
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gil
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I'm knitting as tight as I can.
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