That is going to be my motto from now on. I started this shawl thinking that if I knit loosely enough, P5 tog wouldn't be a big deal. Was I ever wrong! I even bought new needles (Bryspun) because I new there wasn't a chance with the Addi Turbos I usually use. Fortunately, several people in the knitalong offered useful hints, and after trying several, I adopted the sl 2, P3 tog, pass slipped stitches over approach. I was really ready to throw in the towel (or the shawl, as the case may be).
I nearly considered frogging the whole thing before finding this workaround. Each nupp was a major effort and incredibly stressful. And knitting is supposed to be fun!Thanks to all of you who offered alternative solutions. But I'd still like to know how anyone can do it the right way.
9 comments:
I wish that I could help you. I didn't have any trouble with thte nupps - aside from the fact that they were fidlely at first. I might be because I am a combination knitter - maybe the back of the loop is easier? I did try to knit a bit looser than usual, and I used the KP option's razor needles. SOrry I can't really help... But I'm here for moral support!!
Did you try moving the stitches to the cable of the needle and then purl them together. It's posted earlier on this blog and at the Knitting Doctor's Blog.
I used a US00 dpn to knit the nupps...or purl them, whatever. I first loosened things up a bit with the smaller needle and then purled. It took a few turns to get used to it, but that is what worked for me.
I went to a workshop with Nancy Bush where she showed us how to do nupps (an Estonian technique, and she is an expert in Estonian knitting). Each time she put the needle in and wrapped the yarn, she pulled out the needle quite far so there was a lot of slack in the yarn, much more then just trying to knit loosely. The nupps looked fine not baggy. You might try to pull the yarn out more than you think you should and see if that makes them easier and you still like the look.
I guess I've been kind of doing a Gwyn - also I think the stretchiness of your yarn will affect your success. I'm doing mine in Koigu merino, which is quite bouncy. Alpaca doesn't stretch much; neither does silk.
I'm not sure if my method is the same as Gywn described, but the idea is, do the YOs for the nupp sections WAY loose. And I really mean loose. And just before the K5Tog, try not to pull on the piece too much that the YOs become smaller.
Hi,
I haven't gotten to the nupps yet but I just wanted to comment on how cool your markers are. Where did you get them? Also the idea of having markers at each repeat is a great idea. I've already frogged my shawl 4 times. It's ok though, I need to see the big picture before I move forward and practicing the repeats makes me better each time. I think I have to admit that my first shawl will not be as nice as my fifth or sixth!! Beginner here!!
take care, sue
The stitch markers are from Seahorse Designs at http://seahorse-designs.com or from her store on eBay. I really love them and have bought several sets, since I use them promiscuously while knitting lace. It really cuts down the errors, since you can tell right away (or on the next row) if you don't have the right number of stitches between the markers. [Correction: you may still make the errors, but you can correct them right away :) ]
I used an INOX US#1.5 DPN for the nupps. When I came to a nupp, I let go of the right needle and inserted the DPN into the five stitches and purled the stitch then using the DPN, moved the stitch to the right needle.
This actually was a little tricky for me because I'm left handed and don't have the coordination in my right hand to get the DPN point under those stitches, but it wasn't bad. I also made sure I made the stitches a bit on the loose side.
Note: before letting go of the right needle, move the just stitched stitches back a little so they don't fall off the needle while working the nupp!!! (I speak from experience here! :o)
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