DK: TCJ pattern advice archive

May 30, 2018

DEAR KNITTER: I want to make the Deep Vee Tee but I am modest and prefer to make the back Vee not so deep.  Can we modify it?  If so, how.  – TAKING THE PLUNGE

DEAR TAKING THE PLUNGE: Yes, of course, modifying my designs is a solid yes; I always encourage knitters to make the projects their own. Here are some tips on how to modify the Deep Vee Tee:

  1. IMPORTANT: In the end, it is imperative to have the front & back the same length and to have the same amount of shoulder stitches, so keep track of everything you do, especially row count!
  2. If you want a high back, and forget the plunge all together, follow the front side making two fronts.
  3. If you want the back to have a lower neck, but not as low as the pattern, again, I would follow the front directions & shaping but start the shaping/split sooner than the front suggests. Once you finish the shaping, you will need to add extra non-shaping rows to match the length.
  4. TIP: It might be a good idea to knit the front as is, first. After, knit the back using the front as a reference/guide to where you want to start the Vee shaping and how many extra rows you need to match the front length.

 

May 16, 2018

DEAR KNITTER: I purchased your Bandana Love pattern and want to make one using the colorwork add-on chart.  Do you recommend catching the floats between stitches? Or, carrying them across all stitches freely? – IT’S A STRETCH

DEAR IT’S A STRETCH: Either technique is totally fine.  As a rule, I used to never carry a float further than 3 stitches without catching it; however, I recently decided I really love the look of NOT catching the floats and carrying them across all the stitches no matter the stitch count.  I find the look to be quite beautiful and almost a reverse of the “good side” pattern.  When I used to catch the floats, the contrast color sometimes came through the front and the back never looked as pretty. 

TIP: with either technique, be sure to carry your floats loosely across all stitches; you can always tighten them but can never loosen them after.  A good soak in lanolin is also a great way to even out your stitches.  Here are 2 images of the backside of Bandana Love Cowl, add-on #1 & #2.  In both cases, I carried the floats across all stitches and did not catch them between.

 

 

January 02, 2016

DEAR KNITTER: I want to make Arrows & Sparrows Cowl,  but as a long scarf (I'm tall). How many balls of Extra should I buy? -- MODIFYING KNITS

DEAR MODIFYING KNITS: If you wanted to make Arrows & Sparrows as a scarf (great idea!) I would get an extra ball each of colors A & C (the larger color block stripes).  As is, blocked the "scarf" would be about 52"  The rule of thumb, for the perfect scarf/shawl length to double around your neck, is the scarf should be as tall as you or as long as your arm span (which is your height).  Example:  I am 5'10" so my perfect shawl/scarf length is 70"

 

January 01, 2016

DEAR KNITTER: I have completed the body of the Feathering Shawl #1 (with lace edging) and am now ready to do the edging. I am having trouble understanding the pattern from here. Can you please advise? -- BORDER TROUBLE

DEAR BORDER TROUBLE: You're so close and this last lace boarder can be confusing!  For the lace edging you will just be working on the 7 st, 4 row lace edging pattern and 1 st from the lace body every other row.  You will not be working all the way to the end of the 293 sts each row rather, the 293 sts will be worked one at a time on rows 2 & 4 only with an SSK.