Worrying about gauge...

Right. After many attempts at getting gauge with the Kelso tweed yarn that I'd envisioned using for this sweater, I finally had to admit defeat. Thinking about it for a while I was not quite happy with my first choice anyway - the yarn is rather scratchy and might work better as a cardigan over some t-shirt... Instead I think I might use Lang's Fantomas Superwash, of which I happen to have a large quantity lying around (I had planned to use this for the Market Sweater in the Fall issue of Interweave, but as my copy STILL hasn't arrived I might as well work on something else instead!).

Now, the problem with this is that this is a lighter yarn, so there is no way I'm going to get gauge with it. I knitted up a swatch with 4mm circs, which seems to be a comfortable size needles for the yarn, and my gauge came to 3" x 3.5". Not quite the 4" that are required for the pattern...

What I thought I might do is change the pattern so that I can still use the yarn. Have any of you done this before? My calculation is this:

My gauge was 19 sts = 7.5cm (3"), so 79 sts = 31.5cm. This means that I need an additional 28.5 stitches to get to the 42cm width required in the pattern (if 19sts = 10cm). This means that I can more or less follow the pattern, using the 2nd largest size, but have to make sure that I measure the length of the sweater regularly so I don't end up with a crop-top.

Do you think this might work? How do the sleeves work on this sweater? Should I anticipate trouble when I get to that part?


And another question:
Right at the beginning of the pattern it says - Knit 5 rnds, then purl 1 rnd for hem turning round. Knit 10 rnds.
Does this mean that I knit, then turn it inside out for one row, then turn it back to knit the 10 rows or does it mean that after I have turned it I will keep on knitting on the wrong side?

Finally finished!

I started my hourglass sweater back in May and finally finished it last week! I have to say, I'm pretty pleased with the results. I've already worn it three times. This was my first sweater, and although I did have some problems reading the instructions (just because I wasn't familiar with the techniques), once I dove right in, it all actually made sense. I've already started my second sweater.

I wrote about my progress on my blog.

Thanks to everyone here for the support!

Hourglass Progress

Just posting some progress ...



It looks all finished with the tails hidden inside the sweater. I'm dreading having to go back and weave them in.

Question:
Can I use a 3 needle BO for those stitches on the holders?

Knitting in the Sierra Morena

Hello Everyone!
Last time I posted was in June, when I decided to join the knit-along, but now I have progress... and pictures!
I made quite a bit of progress while in Spain this summer. That's the body right there, and that's the progress I have on sleeve #1. Hopefully it'll be done before college starts again!

What the Yoke is Going on?

I'm stuck on the "Divide for Yoke" paragraph, and I'm sure it's just me, but did anyone else read the first sentence and then try to follow the directions and get confused too? I honestly feel like a complete goof, but this has me stumped for some reason. I did what the pattern instructed: knit 5 then place the last 10 stitches worked on a stitch holder. Now I'm not sure what to do. Do I knit over the gap? Should there be a gap? Do I pick up another ball of yarn and leave the gap alone? By the way, that's not a quote from the pattern, my book is at home, far away from me. Anyway, please help if my confusion makes any sense. I've knitted sweaters before, just never in the round, and I think I've read the "divide for yoke" paragraph in the pattern a million times now, but I only feel more lost. Any advice? Help?

Thanks!
Lisa (Slip Knot Pixie)

A question about sleeve width

I'm onto the sleeves of the sweater and am doing the second smallest size but the width of the sleeve seems huge. I don't consider myself petite (I wear size 7/8) but maybe I should start over and do the smallest size. Advice?

Barbara

p.s. I posted two images of my work thus far on this sweater at http://knittingonfire.blogspot.com

Just Starting!

Hi!  I just started my first HG sweater two nights ago and I love this pattern! I just did my first decrease and couldn't wait to take pics and share.....I have never been in a KAL before. I have taken three pictures, I am using Plymouth Encore worsted and Sz 9 needles to obtain gauge. I chose this yarn because it will be low maint. for my mamma, it is her Christmas gift this year.

I love that rolled edge with the purl row!

Still kind of hard to see but wanted to give you an idea how far along I am...

Have a great weekend!

Catherine