Knit sweater -- Decreasing on the wrong side

Hi, everyone -- I lurk and read archives, but don't generally post, but I'm
sort of stuck on a sweater I'm knitting for my son and it's starting to get
COLD, so I want to get back to work and finish it.

It's a K5/p5 etc. ribbed (shaker?) sweater, and in shaping the armholes, I
started by casting off 7 at the start of two rows, and the next directions
are to "Decrease 1 st at each end of every row" for five rows.

So what is the best way to do this? I'm afraid if I just p2tog (I'm
starting on the RS and both ends are showing the purl portion of the rib),
that it will sort of slant the wrong way on one side of the sweater. I know
that typically on the knit side I would K1, k2tog on the right-hand side and
ssk, K1 on the left. But what do I do on a purl side of the piece? And the
picture of the sweater seems to show more of a set in sleeve, so I don't
think the K1 on each side is called for.

Sorry if this is poorly explained. I'm one of those knitters who needs
idiot-proof directions. Apparently. Sigh.

Thanks for any guidance. And my son thanks you too!

Julie

Julie wrote:

Hi, everyone -- I lurk and read archives, but don't generally post, but I'm
sort of stuck on a sweater I'm knitting for my son and it's starting to get
COLD, so I want to get back to work and finish it.

It's a K5/p5 etc. ribbed (shaker?) sweater, and in shaping the armholes, I
started by casting off 7 at the start of two rows, and the next directions
are to "Decrease 1 st at each end of every row" for five rows.

So what is the best way to do this? I'm afraid if I just p2tog (I'm
starting on the RS and both ends are showing the purl portion of the rib),
that it will sort of slant the wrong way on one side of the sweater. I know
that typically on the knit side I would K1, k2tog on the right-hand side and
ssk, K1 on the left. But what do I do on a purl side of the piece? And the
picture of the sweater seems to show more of a set in sleeve, so I don't
think the K1 on each side is called for.

Sorry if this is poorly explained. I'm one of those knitters who needs
idiot-proof directions. Apparently. Sigh.

Thanks for any guidance. And my son thanks you too!

Try the p2 tog on one side and ssp (slip slip purl) on the other. Fool
around with it a little to see what looks right.

sue

Well I usually do my decrease a couple of stitches in from the edge (eg. S1,
work 2, then work decrease). That gives me a nice even firm edge to graft
together when I assemble the garment (BTW - I never backstitch seams
together). This highlights the shoulder seam on a raglan, and gives a nice
finish to set in. I use the same method on sleeves and front/back pieces,
but would probably do dec closer to the edge on a set in sleeve piece (eg.
S1, work 1, work dec).

On your current pattern it will create a "new" rib along the seam that will
run "over" the ribs in the jumper, but I like this finish.


As to how - well I'm not sure you will find it in any book (LOL) but
here's how I do it

On a kint row at the beg - S1, K1, PSSO
On a knit row at the end - K2tog

On a perl row at the beg - P2tog
On a perl row at the end - S2 sts knitwise, pass slip sts back together
(reversing order on needle by sliding left needle through second then first
stitch tog from the top), P2tog

It might seem weird but it gives a smooth decrease and avoids the twist that
can come from tbl stitches. And it quickly becomes automatic. In fact I
had to think hard how to describe it.


Having read back over this I hope for your sake someone can come up with a
clearer description that suits you. LOL

Good luck

--

Cheryl


"Julie" wrote in message
...
Hi, everyone -- I lurk and read archives, but don't generally post, but
I'm
sort of stuck on a sweater I'm knitting for my son and it's starting to
get
COLD, so I want to get back to work and finish it.

It's a K5/p5 etc. ribbed (shaker?) sweater, and in shaping the armholes, I
started by casting off 7 at the start of two rows, and the next directions
are to "Decrease 1 st at each end of every row" for five rows.

So what is the best way to do this? I'm afraid if I just p2tog (I'm
starting on the RS and both ends are showing the purl portion of the rib),
that it will sort of slant the wrong way on one side of the sweater. I
know
that typically on the knit side I would K1, k2tog on the right-hand side
and
ssk, K1 on the left. But what do I do on a purl side of the piece? And
the
picture of the sweater seems to show more of a set in sleeve, so I don't
think the K1 on each side is called for.

Sorry if this is poorly explained. I'm one of those knitters who needs
idiot-proof directions. Apparently. Sigh.

Thanks for any guidance. And my son thanks you too!

Julie

I agree, Cheryl. That works for me, too.

Katherine

Cheryl wrote:
Well I usually do my decrease a couple of stitches in from the edge
(eg. S1, work 2, then work decrease). That gives me a nice even firm
edge to graft together when I assemble the garment (BTW - I never
backstitch seams together). This highlights the shoulder seam on a
raglan, and gives a nice finish to set in. I use the same method on
sleeves and front/back pieces, but would probably do dec closer to
the edge on a set in sleeve piece (eg. S1, work 1, work dec).

On your current pattern it will create a "new" rib along the seam
that will run "over" the ribs in the jumper, but I like this finish.


As to how - well I'm not sure you will find it in any book (LOL) but
here's how I do it

On a kint row at the beg - S1, K1, PSSO
On a knit row at the end - K2tog

On a perl row at the beg - P2tog
On a perl row at the end - S2 sts knitwise, pass slip sts back
together (reversing order on needle by sliding left needle through
second then first stitch tog from the top), P2tog

It might seem weird but it gives a smooth decrease and avoids the
twist that can come from tbl stitches. And it quickly becomes
automatic. In fact I had to think hard how to describe it.


Having read back over this I hope for your sake someone can come up
with a clearer description that suits you. LOL

Good luck


"Julie" wrote in message
...
Hi, everyone -- I lurk and read archives, but don't generally post,
but I'm sort of stuck on a sweater I'm knitting for my son and it's
starting to get COLD, so I want to get back to work and finish it.

It's a K5/p5 etc. ribbed (shaker?) sweater, and in shaping the
armholes, I started by casting off 7 at the start of two rows, and
the next directions are to "Decrease 1 st at each end of every row"
for five rows.

So what is the best way to do this? I'm afraid if I just p2tog (I'm
starting on the RS and both ends are showing the purl portion of the
rib), that it will sort of slant the wrong way on one side of the
sweater. I know that typically on the knit side I would K1, k2tog
on the right-hand side and ssk, K1 on the left. But what do I do on
a purl side of the piece? And the picture of the sweater seems to
show more of a set in sleeve, so I don't think the K1 on each side
is called for.

Sorry if this is poorly explained. I'm one of those knitters who
needs idiot-proof directions. Apparently. Sigh.

Thanks for any guidance. And my son thanks you too!

Julie

Hey - glad to know I'm not the only knitter who doesn't like the dec's on
one end looking twisted!!

Knitters here think I'm nuts to bother - but my attitude is if you're gonna
bother to knit at all, do it right!

--

Cheryl



"Katherine" wrote in message
...
I agree, Cheryl. That works for me, too.

Katherine

Cheryl,
Thank you for the directions on this. I have forwarded the message to
myself. Sleeve increases/decreases are something that I have never been
satisfied with and it may be because I was following the directions and
doing them at the edge. This will make the edge neater and easier to sew
together.
Thanks again.
Carol in TN

"Cheryl" wrote in message
...
Well I usually do my decrease a couple of stitches in from the edge (eg.
S1,
work 2, then work decrease). That gives me a nice even firm edge to graft
together when I assemble the garment (BTW - I never backstitch seams
together). This highlights the shoulder seam on a raglan, and gives a
nice
finish to set in. I use the same method on sleeves and front/back pieces,
but would probably do dec closer to the edge on a set in sleeve piece (eg.
S1, work 1, work dec).

On your current pattern it will create a "new" rib along the seam that
will
run "over" the ribs in the jumper, but I like this finish.


As to how - well I'm not sure you will find it in any book (LOL) but
here's how I do it

On a kint row at the beg - S1, K1, PSSO
On a knit row at the end - K2tog

On a perl row at the beg - P2tog
On a perl row at the end - S2 sts knitwise, pass slip sts back together
(reversing order on needle by sliding left needle through second then
first
stitch tog from the top), P2tog

It might seem weird but it gives a smooth decrease and avoids the twist
that
can come from tbl stitches. And it quickly becomes automatic. In fact I
had to think hard how to describe it.


Having read back over this I hope for your sake someone can come up with a
clearer description that suits you. LOL

Good luck

--

Cheryl


"Julie" wrote in message
...
Hi, everyone -- I lurk and read archives, but don't generally post, but
I'm
sort of stuck on a sweater I'm knitting for my son and it's starting to
get
COLD, so I want to get back to work and finish it.

It's a K5/p5 etc. ribbed (shaker?) sweater, and in shaping the armholes,
I
started by casting off 7 at the start of two rows, and the next
directions
are to "Decrease 1 st at each end of every row" for five rows.

So what is the best way to do this? I'm afraid if I just p2tog (I'm
starting on the RS and both ends are showing the purl portion of the
rib),
that it will sort of slant the wrong way on one side of the sweater. I
know
that typically on the knit side I would K1, k2tog on the right-hand side
and
ssk, K1 on the left. But what do I do on a purl side of the piece? And
the
picture of the sweater seems to show more of a set in sleeve, so I don't
think the K1 on each side is called for.

Sorry if this is poorly explained. I'm one of those knitters who needs
idiot-proof directions. Apparently. Sigh.

Thanks for any guidance. And my son thanks you too!

Julie

Cheryl wrote:
Hey - glad to know I'm not the only knitter who doesn't like the
dec's on one end looking twisted!!

Knitters here think I'm nuts to bother - but my attitude is if you're
gonna bother to knit at all, do it right!

Well, of course! And I love seeing the decrease on a raglan sleeve sweater.
It adds a nice edge,

Katherine

Thanks so much! I'm still procrastinating (hangs head in shame and looks
guiltily over at shivering son...), but I look forward to trying it out.

Julie

"Cheryl" wrote in message
...
Well I usually do my decrease a couple of stitches in from the edge (eg.
S1,
work 2, then work decrease). That gives me a nice even firm edge to graft
together when I assemble the garment (BTW - I never backstitch seams
together). This highlights the shoulder seam on a raglan, and gives a
nice
finish to set in. I use the same method on sleeves and front/back pieces,
but would probably do dec closer to the edge on a set in sleeve piece (eg.
S1, work 1, work dec).

On your current pattern it will create a "new" rib along the seam that
will
run "over" the ribs in the jumper, but I like this finish.


As to how - well I'm not sure you will find it in any book (LOL) but
here's how I do it

On a kint row at the beg - S1, K1, PSSO
On a knit row at the end - K2tog

On a perl row at the beg - P2tog
On a perl row at the end - S2 sts knitwise, pass slip sts back together
(reversing order on needle by sliding left needle through second then
first
stitch tog from the top), P2tog

It might seem weird but it gives a smooth decrease and avoids the twist
that
can come from tbl stitches. And it quickly becomes automatic. In fact I
had to think hard how to describe it.


Having read back over this I hope for your sake someone can come up with a
clearer description that suits you. LOL

Good luck

--

Cheryl


"Julie" wrote in message
...
Hi, everyone -- I lurk and read archives, but don't generally post, but
I'm
sort of stuck on a sweater I'm knitting for my son and it's starting to
get
COLD, so I want to get back to work and finish it.

It's a K5/p5 etc. ribbed (shaker?) sweater, and in shaping the armholes,
I
started by casting off 7 at the start of two rows, and the next
directions
are to "Decrease 1 st at each end of every row" for five rows.

So what is the best way to do this? I'm afraid if I just p2tog (I'm
starting on the RS and both ends are showing the purl portion of the
rib),
that it will sort of slant the wrong way on one side of the sweater. I
know
that typically on the knit side I would K1, k2tog on the right-hand side
and
ssk, K1 on the left. But what do I do on a purl side of the piece? And
the
picture of the sweater seems to show more of a set in sleeve, so I don't
think the K1 on each side is called for.

Sorry if this is poorly explained. I'm one of those knitters who needs
idiot-proof directions. Apparently. Sigh.

Thanks for any guidance. And my son thanks you too!

Julie

Julie wrote:
Thanks so much! I'm still procrastinating (hangs head in shame and
looks guiltily over at shivering son...), but I look forward to
trying it out.

Oh, your poor son! Here you are, able to knit, and he is still cold! Not a
good thing! g

Katherine