I’ve cast on a new sock and am trying to decide where I want to go with it. Here’s my quandary…I’m thinking of using a 12 stitch pattern for the new sock with a cast on of 52 stitches. I’d like to use 4 repeats of the stitch pattern. I’ll be working them on one circular so I’ll have 26 stitches on each needle. About half way through the 12 row pattern there is a cable twist at the beginning of the stitch pattern. Since I’ll have 2 extra stitches for each needle should I:
1. Knit those 2 stitches at the beginning of each needle so I don’t have to start with an awkward cable twist at the beginning of the needle?
2. Knit 1 stitch at the beginning of each 12 stitch repeat?
3. Purl the 2 stitches in the middle of the 12 stitch repeat to separate each repeat?
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25 comments:
I would go with solution #3. I believe it would make a more interesting pattern.
I would try it several ways to see which one you like. I have done them where there is a cable starting the round, it is a little fiddley, but not bad at all. I would do it that way so I am not confusing myself as to where the real start of the pattern is. (I do that a lot!)
I would go with option 1. my reason is that the more knit stitches you have at the start of a new needle before a pattern the better.
One kinit stitch might be enough but purling on new needles is asking for ladders or gaps in my experience.
To purl stitches in the middle of the pattern repeat is a good way to break up the pattern but not on the start of a new needle.
I think that you might want to jog your stitches over a few stitches so that you have knitted stitches at the start of the new needles, when you get to your heel flap you can always move the stitches around just a bit so that the rest of your pattern lines up straight down the front of your sock.
Lorrie in Brighton Michigan
Assuming the cable is made of crossed knit sts, I'd go with option 3. A knit stitch right before a cable won't compliment the cable like one or 2 purl sts. The purl sts will add to the "field", making the cable stand out.
Reposition your stitches on your needles before starting the heel so the st pattern is centered--you could either have 2 complete repeats on the instep, or you could have the pattern centered on the instep. For a centered design, I'm assuming that the pattern lends itself to 1/2 repeats for either side of the instep.
If you don't want to start a needle with a purl st, you could separate repeats with k1, p1. That solution would look best if each row of your st pattern ended in a purl.
I have a hard time visualizing what things will look like when done a certain way. I normally end up doing up a swatch to see which way is going to work up better.
If it were me I would probably start with option 3 and purl the 2 stitches in the middle of the repeat. I think it will make the pattern stand out better.
If that didn't look good I would try option 2 next.
I'm with the gals above and think that #3 would be the best. Good luck with it.
I roughly sketched your options and like the idea of 2 purls between the pattern repeat which is option #3. You might move your stitches around so you don't have to start with a cable pattern because I find it a bit of a challenge myself. Happy knitting.
Donna
After completeing the 52 st. ribbing, I would decrease evenly to 48 sts. and proceed with the 12 stitch pattern. When the leg section is complete, I would evenly increase back to 52 sts. and knit one more row before respositioning the stitches to do the heel flap.
If you are going to carry on with the 12 st. pattern down the instep, add the extra sts. to the sole.
I hate trying to figure out where to put stitches for magic loop~~
From what I've read I think I'd go with your third choice. You know the ole saying??? You can always start over!!lol~~
Good luck!
I think #3 would be really pretty! good luck!!
i would choose either #2 or #3 depending on what your cables looks like.
if the cable pattern already bordered by p sts, then i would go with #2.
if the cable pattern already bordered by k sts; then i would purl 1 st between each repeat..if you do two, you will end up with 56 sts. of course, if this makes it ribbing, then it probably doesn't matter. so i guess the answer may not be #3.
I would go with a purl st to seperate the pattern (p1, pattern 12) x 4 = 52 st.
Well, everyone else starts with option #3, so I'm going to be contrary and go with option #2. I like that one best. You can always do what I've done with my husband's Stupid Dang Hat: knit the stupid dang thing three times. Knit, rip, knit, rip, knit. That should cover it! {VBG}
If I were doing it, I would try it without the purl stitches. Yes, the purl columns do help the cables stand out, but I sometimes like the more blended appearance you get without the purl columns. Check out Grumperina's Shifting Sands scarf, for example.
If the cable is only once every twelve rows and it's not an allover pattern (like Shifting Sands) the cables might get lost, though.
I like choice #2 1 stitch at the beginning of the 12 st repeat.
I think that doing the two stitches at the beginning of each needle will make your knitting a little smoother and make it less likely that you will have ladders or some such. You could alway just do them two on two circs...that would be different. ;-)
I was wondering more about the 12 stitch pattern. You said that about half way through the “cable twist is at the beginning of the stitch pattern”, but not how many stitches are crossed? I think this would factor in on the placement of the extra four stitches, in interest of positioning the pattern in a pleasing way across the foot and heel area.
I vote for Option #3.
I also use Magic Loop method and agree that starting a needle with a cable cross is fidgety and would choose to avoid that if I can; but, I also think that beginning a cable with 1 or 2 knit stitches is not as attractive as separating a cable pattern with purl stitches. So, I would opt for purling the 2 stitches between the 12-stitch repeats.
Good luck!
I think option 3 would be better, followed by option 2 as the runner up. Of course, Margaret Reinke's advice makes absolutely perfect sense to me and covers all the concerns; it's what I would do if I were making these.
Agree with the two purl stitches between the repeats too...
I like option 3 the best as well. nice and neat. :)
I think you should purl those two stitches to separate the cable patterns.
I am going to go with option #1 I think.
I'd go with option 1 for sure.
Question for you: are you ever going to finish Chub Club? WWWAAAAYYYY past November
I think that #3 would look nice! Purl st separate things very nicely!
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