Monday, October 4, 2010

A question of gauge and stitch definition...

The swatch is done.

There's a couple of complications though. Any advice that knitterly types might be able to offer would be greatly appreciated!

The first issue: unfortunately I get 27 stitches in 10cm rather than the required 22. I figure this means increasing my needle size - this swatch is knitted on 3.5mm needles. Do you think increasing to 4mm needles will make a big enough difference? Or will I be likely to need to go up to 4.5mm?
The second issue: I seem to have managed to get an odd stitch definition in the swatch. See those vertical lines running down the swatch? Rather than getting nice uniform v's in my stockinette, each stitch has one side that's vertical and the other side is on an angle. Do I have some kind of weird knitting technique that makes this happen, or is it some weird feature of the yarn (Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino)? I have a little cardi that my MIL knitted out of the same yarn that also has the vertical line thing happening, which isn't particularly obvious in the cardi she knitted for my other daughter out of BWM Luxury. Any ideas?

P.S. Blogtoberfest day 4 meanderings are somewhat affected by severe sleep deprivation due to normal nocturnal infant behaviour combined with a sick toddler who kept all the adults in the house up late then up early (from 4am). Brain blur.

6 comments:

Tania said...

It's all to do with how the yarn is put together. Apparently. Once I read a post on (I think, but damned if I can find it) Craftapalooza, explaining the differences in weave and what not and the effect it has. All I can really remember is that yarn which looks woven or braided or whatever does give you the V-look. Absolutely no help whatsoever really - but at least IT'S NOT YOU!

Sue said...

I would have to agree with Tania I think! Perhaps go up to 4.5mm and see how you go with it otherwise you might have a very tight fabric. My mum used to knit with a little twist in her knitting too but that was because she used to knit into the back of the stitch and not the front of the stitch!

Ange Moore said...

I have no idea about what needle size to go up to but I recall reading an explaination of the different "pattern" in your knitting depending on how the yarn is made. But I can't for the life of me recall where I saw it - Fox's Lane or Haby Goddess? I don't know? Love the colour though!

Leonie said...

I would have thought that you'd need to go up to 4.5mm needles if you are that far out in gauge. Best bit about knitting is that if you're wrong you just pull it out and do it again :-)

Tina said...

I think your lines are the result of twisting your knitting-I used to do it because I perled in the back of my stitches. Take your knitting into a shop an ask them...I had no clue what the deal was but took my knitting in and the lady helped me rip it all out and retaught me how to knit. the good news is that if you are twisting fixing the problem will save you yarn (twisting takes up more).

Anonymous said...

I get exactly the same effect from Cashmerino - and it gave me a fright too!

It's probably too late to give you advice on your gauge swatch, but I'd be wary of going up to 4.5mm unless your fabric is really tight - you might end up with fabric that's too loose. The alternative is to change the yarn.