New
knitters, looking at a pattern and wondering how many stitches to cast on,
often wonder where that information is hiding. Published patterns do follow a
logical sequence, and present a lot of preliminary information before you get
to the casting on. Note that patterns posted free on the internet can be
written by anyone, any way they want, so you take your chances with them; many
are poorly written and incomplete.
Patterns
start with the name of the pattern and the designer. In newer patterns, this is
followed by skill level. This is not a value judgment by the designer, but follows
definite criteria, which are listed here: http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/skill.html
Note the list of topics on the left on this web page; there’s a lot of useful
stuff here.
The
finished measurements are the measurements of the item, not your body
measurements (unless it specifically says “to fit a chest measurement of”).
Garments are normally sized to have 2-4” of ease, extra fabric to make it fit
comfortably and not be binding. So if a sweater measures 40”, it will
comfortably fit a person with a chest measurement of 36-38”. Zero ease will
produce a close-fitting garment, and negative ease (garment smaller than your
measurements) will be tight-fitting. If you prefer a loose fit, then you want
about 6” of ease. Wondering how much ease to choose? Measure your favorite
sweater (preferably one knit in the same weight yarn). Also, women’s garments
assume a size B cup measurement. If you are more endowed than this, the garment
will likely rise at the front hem, since some length is used up as the garment
extends outward to go over the chest. Instructions for altering patterns to
address this, such as short row bust shaping, can be found in some books geared
to plus sizes, such as Knitting Plus by Lisa Shroyer.
The
materials section tells you what supplies you’ll need, including which yarn and
needle sizes were used to knit the prototype. If you wish to substitute yarns,
choose one with a similar fiber content and the same yarn weight – that is,
substitute a worsted weight yarn for another worsted weight yarn – and buy the
number of yards called for in the pattern. Needle size is a suggestion only –
we all knit to different tensions, so you may need to go up or down several
needle sizes to get gauge. Look at the gauge given, and note which stitch
pattern it was achieved in, and use that stitch pattern for your gauge swatch
(“in st st” means “in stockinette stitch”). Matching stitch gauge is much more
important that row gauge, as it determines how big around your garment will be.
I know, you’re dying to cast on this fancy new yarn and get started, but if you
skip the gauge swatch, you are likely to knit a tent or a doll sweater instead
of a sweater that will fit you. Take the time to do this! I’ll write a column
on gauge swatches, for those new at this.
Next, special
abbreviations will be given, so look here if you find a mystery abbreviation in
the directions. Stitch patterns will be then be explained, so if the directions
say to work 2” in seed stitch and it doesn’t say how, look for it in this
section.
Then you
get to the directions, where you will finally find out how many stitches to
cast on. The first two rows listed will be labeled as RS (right side) or (WS)
wrong side. Some patterns start with a wrong side row, so pay attention. If
your item is knitted in the round, all rows will be right side rows, and rows
will be called rounds. “Work even” means to continue along in pattern without
increasing or decreasing. Read an entire paragraph before knitting, to make
sure you don’t miss “at the same time” – for example, parts of the neck and
armhole shaping are worked on the same row (at opposite ends, of course. When
you bind off, you should bind off in pattern, working the next row of the
pattern instead of knitting every stitch, since the bindoff also creates the
last row of knitting.
My hope is
that patterns won’t be so such a mystery to you any longer. Happy knitting!