Hi everybody! Here’s what clue 3 knits up like:
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF FILE OF CLUE #4
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*** SPOILER ALERT! ***
If you’re a purist when it comes to the mystery of these clues, the following pictures might give a little something away!
Our next clue adds a little trick to simple knit and purl stitches to create a really interesting effect. I can see how the pattern might get people scratching their heads, so here are some tips to help you along.
First of all, check your stitch glossary! It’s especially important in this pattern. Let’s take a look at SL3.
SL3 = Slip next 3 stitches purlwise with yarn at RS of work.
This means it’s important to know which is the right side and which is the wrong side of your work. The 1st row of the pattern is marked as the right side (RS), which means all of the odd number rows are the right side as well. Try marking the right side with a safety pin or paper clip (something removable!) so you don’t have to think too much about what side you’re on (remember, thinking gives you wrinkles!).
Now you know when it comes time to slip these 3 stitches, you need to hold your yarn on the side with the marker. Here’s a look at slipping those stitches:
Insert your right needle into all three stitches as if to purl (ie; purlwise) and slip them off the left needle and onto the right. You are not knitting or purling these stitches, just moving them from one needle to the other.
On this particular row my next stitch after the Sl3 is a knit stitch, which means I now have to move my working yarn to the back again. (If my next stitch was a purl, I would simply purl without adjusting my working yarn)
Now I have a strand of yarn running across those three stitches I slipped. I might look funny, but don’t panic! It will all work out in the end. Try not to pull that “float” of yarn too tight or leave it too loose. The float should be about half an inch (1 cm ish) long.
I hope that clears up any confusion! Good luck Knit-alongers!
Clue #4 is the last of our knit and purl combination patterns. What’s on the horizon? You’ll have to check back next time! Hey, I have to keep some of the mystery! Clue #5 will be released Wednesday December 16th.
Julia.
OK, as a beginner I’m confused. You said, “Clue #4 is the last of our knit and purl combination patterns.” I understand the slip stitches, and that there are twists in cables (I guess I will learn how to cable soon!), but isn’t knitting basically just a combination of knits and purls?
Hi Donna;
You got me there! I just mean Clue #4 is the last of our patterns that are only made up of knits and purls without any fancy stuff. Of course, this one does have slipped stitches, so maybe I’m just a big liar! Regardless… there are new stitches on the horizon!
I have two blocks of clue 3 done, so just need to finish the last before I start clue four. There is little yarn left from the first skein. So I was wondering what others are going to do.
Are you going to cast on with last of skein one and then join skein two when needed. Or are you going to cast on fresh with skein two and use the left overs from the skeins to do the joining.
I always hem and haw when I have this choice to make. So was wondering what your thoughts on this are.
I am really enjoying this KAL.
My plan is to start a new skein. Since there’s so little left after the first 3 a fresh start is called for (IMHO). Just a thought…perhaps a sampler pillow (using scaled down patterns) for those leftovers!
I am taking for granted that when it says P11 sl3 I will be slipping pearlwise and when it says K11 sl3, I will be slipping knitwise???
Yes Donna Lynn knitting is just pearling and knitting. It is just what you do with them to make the desired pattern.
OK I see my the stitch glossary that we must slip pearl wise all the time. If I would just read, it might help. LOL!
Hi Philly53;
Yep, you got it! All sl3′s are slipped purlwise, no matter what row you are on.
Julia.
Juliaknits -
Ok. Now I am confused. I thought all of the floats were supposed to be on the same side of the block. So if there are five rows in a row with floats all of the five floats would be on the one side. Is this wrong? Should it be 3 on one side and 2 on the other, meaning that they alternate??
Hi Ashley;
Yes, all floats should be on one side of your work.
Julia.
well i just use all the yarn and join where needed, hate having little bits of yarn left laying around.
Sooo…last night, half way through my last block of clue #3 (I am making 5 colors of each clue) I realized that I did two rows of garter stitch instead of stockinette at the begining and end of each block.
I will probably leave them as they are, but kind of like the block better with stockinette.
It is easy to rip out the cast off row and last row to redo in stickinette but am wondering if it is possible to rip out the cast on row and first two rows with out ripping out the entire block. Any ideas?
Raicara, I don’t usually like to join yarn if I don’t have to, but for this project I have just been starting with what yarn is left and then joining new skein.
Hi Gina;
Cast on edges don’t easily rip out the way cast off edges do. You would have to painstakingly pull the yarn through each stitch. It’s a lot of trouble. If I were you I’d just leave it. Garter stitch is nice!
Julia.
I ended each block with two rows of garter stitch, and the way I cast on at the beginning followed by the two rows of stocking stitch looks nearly the same as the ending two rows in garter… I hadn’t realized I’d done this until finishing block #3 last night…and I’m leaving them as is!
OK – using the leftovers… I’m thinking there will be some kind of border and for the time being will use the remnants for that then I can hide ends along an inside edge. I noticed that one of the colours has less leftover than the other two either the balls of yarn don’t all contain the same length per weight precisely, and/or I don’t knit consistently enough that each block will use up precisely the same length of yarn. Or both :p
Looking forward to this one, love the way purls and knits can be combined
I put a safety pin to mark the back of my work and near the tail end of the casting on. It helps keep me pointed in the right direction!
This pattern sounds fun to make. I have decided to add a few more colors to my afghan to make it larger. Will have to wait until the end to see how it will all go together though.
Smaller bits of yarn are great for seaming. I generally just save the end of a skein for seaming if it’s ten yards or less. More than that, I use to start the next block.
On another tack, I am making dishcloths for some Christmas presents …. have done this forever. This year, I feel like I am making more sqaures for this KAL! So, Ik guess this means we could make some of these squares in cotton for dishcloths. Hmmmmmm.
off topic- we may get snow in my part of Texas on Friday— which happens about every five years! Hoping roads are shut down and everyone stays home to knit.
Hi, Karen! I am also in Texas and looking forward to the Friday snow! I hope the weather people get it right. Did you get snow Wednesday? I got to watch a beautiful light snowfall (which melted instantly on the sidewalk, but stayed for a little while on the grass.) It made for wonderful knitting weather!
i still have one block of clue 3 to finish. but i was wondering about clue 4 being the last of the knit and purl pattern too? i’m also a beginner, i just thought about this all day at work wondering what going to happen on the next clue. will it be something that i can do. will it be something that i can understand. maybe i’m just thinking to much. i just need to finish the last block for clue 3 and then move on to clue 4. and let the surprise happen and enjoy it. i do have to say that i’m enjoying this knit a long (since my husband help with the size issues) so much that all i want to do is knit. thank you everyone for your comments because they do help. happy knitting
There are many reasons to do a kal…to learn new techniques and patterns, to connect with other knitters but most of all (in my opinion) to have fun! Don’t over think, just enjoy and remember there are lots of helpful co-knitters here!
Hi everyone, i am almost done with my clue 3 squares, looking forward to getting started on #4. this is a really fun project so far, and since i have not knitted that much it has been really good experience for me, i am getting much faster!! i tried the circular needles with #3 and although i have had a few tangles from the skeins it has worked out really well so far. happy knitting everyone!!
My Clue three blocks look the same, of course, they are more slanted though. I think that pattern made my stitches much looser then normal.
Onward to clue #4, and a bit nervous about it. LOL. Wish me luck.
There is a light snow here in Wisconsin. Good knitting weather!! Don’t worry to much Joyce about what is coming. All knitting is just knit or pearl stitches. It is just how you work them. I am a fairly advanced knitter and still enjoying this project. My number 3 blocks also worked up looser than the first two. I am not going to worry about it hoping it will all end up OK in the end.
Karen that was a great idea about using these patterns for dishcloths. Thanks for the idea!!
Finally finished my baby sweater and other knitted Christmas gifts for mailing, so I have been back to the KAL the last couple of days. Finished my #3′s. Just starting #4 today. Think I am about half done. This pattern seems more 3D. Wondered if others are just letting it rest or are stretching it a bit flat when they measure the 8 inches.
For mine I have them on the needle when I measure (obviouisly) but I just lay them flat on my ottoman and measure. I don’t stretch or let it rest. Just spread out the loops on the needle until it looks “comfortable” and then measure lol.
I’m working on #4 and have done 58 rows ending with row 10.
I’m also wondering if I should let it rest and add more rows or stretch it flat which will measure 8″.
Anyone finished and can let us know how many rows to make the 8″?
Thanks for the feedback. I think I will just keep going and measure after each row 10 and see how close I am to the 8 inches. Maybe play with the stretch a bit and just decide what I like the look of. lol Happy knitting!
I just started the new block with my leftover yarn, figuring I would add on the new skein when I ran out. This block pattern has me wondering. I have been knitting over many years, but just off and on, not all the time. But I have decided lately it is my favorite craft. Anyway, I started the new block pattern always having my yarn in front of the slipped stitches and got about 20 rows done and decided maybe I wasn’t doing something right, so I ripped it all out and started over. This time, after I read the hint for sl3 in the blog, I decided that all the floats should be on the right side, not just the side toward me. But even after all these years, I didn’t know you slip purlwise always. I have been more or less a self-taught knitter, so I am always learning something new. Thanks for all your comments and questions. I read them and learn more!
P.S. to my just-submitted comments: The star afghan is totally awesome! I don’t think I would ever be able to do that! I’m sure I would quit before I finished it. I had no idea you constructed it the way this lady has. Bravo!
I am a Karen in Wisconsin. Yesterday and last night we got our first measurable snow and of course icy roads. After driving to an event that included touring the Christmas decorated Pabst Mansion in Milwaukee it was time for some soothing knitting. I got about 3/4 of the first Clue #4 finished. Think I actually like the more basketweave look of the WS than the mortar between bricks look of the RS.
For my knitting, to get the #4 to 8′. I repeated pattern (16 rows)4 times and then purl a row, knit a row, and cast off.
Some one please tell me that the right side of this block is the basket weave, and not the brick side. Or will we have a choice.
Hi Deborah;
The side with the yarn floats is supposed to be the right side, but really, it’s up to you!
Julia.
Well, so far, no snow.
I finished the first #4 block last night. I did 58 rows. Laying it down, it measures 9 1/2 inches wide and 7 inches long. (Working to the next 10th row would make it too long.) It is very stretchy, so I am going to leave it as it is.
I agree with Karen (in Wisconsin) – I like the WS better, although the RS is not bad.
I have floats on the wrong side also. Is this correct, or am I doing something wrong. After doing the first 16 rows I have 9 floats on the rs and 6 floats on the ws. Thanks
Philly, I’m pretty sure all the floats are supposed to be on the RS of your block.
That said, anyone who likes the “wrong” side better should just use it that way in your afghan. It’s your knitting, do what pleases you best is my motto! I promise not to tell the Knitting Police
We need all the floats on one side, none on the other.
When you slip the stitches purlwise on the knit row, make sure the yarn stays put on the knit side. When we slip them purlwise on the purl row, the yarn is already on the purl side where the floats should be.
I like this one, and as one huge rectangle, that is, a blanket all of its own, it would be very warm.
Hi Philly53:
Yes, all of the floats should be on the same side.
Julia.
I love both sides of Block #4! I am a beginning knitter and am amazed that I could produce something so intricate-looking. Thanks for all the good advice. I am learning so much. And thanks, Bernat – I am loving this KAL
Several repeats into the pattern, I decided to do a visual check, there should be 5 floats per slipped area…and what do I see but just 3 floats on the alternate block of my very first repeat. Now I know.
I’m going to keep going, maybe I make more mistakes I can learn from, on this particular block
Possibly when I reach stride I’ll be working at 2 inches for each 16 row repeat, x 4 should be about right. But we’ll see…
Eeek! I have floats on both sides too! I’ve completed 51 rows of my first square, so will wait to hear whether I have understood correctly or if I need to start over.
Hi Swanee;
Yes, the floats should all be on one side. If you like the way your knitting looks though, you don’t need to start over. It’s up to you!
Julia.
Hi everyone. We are supposed to get snow here in North Carolina this afternoon. I hope so, I love the snow! Our daughter in Texas got a little snow on Wednesday and then just cold, cold, cold.
I started clue #4 Wednesday and it just didn’t look right so went back and read the clue, yep, did it wrong. Tore it out and started again. My knitting fingers and brain just wouldn’t let me move the working yarn to the right side. Right side is facing me, wrong! Finally after reading the clue AGAIN and tearing what I knitted out, I got it right. Started the second block last night. I didn’t count how many rows I knitted but the square came out right. I like the looks of it.
I too was a little confused by comment on the last of the knit and purl combination stitches, will wait and see. Oh, when I come to the last little bit in a skein of yarn, I’ll start a new yarn, saving the little bits for seaming or whatever.
Keep bloging, I love the comments.
I don’t think any of these patterns have been difficult at all. Yet, I have not done a single clue without having to rip out and start over. I did it on clue 4 too, carried the yarn on the wrong side the first time.
I’m in Nevada and they are calling for snow on Monday. It seems kind of late but I don’t mind. Just started block #4 and was a bit confused about which side to carry the yarn on but re-reading the notes on the pattern helped out. So far the pattern is kind of interesting. Definitely not something I have ever done before but this is my first knit along also. You are never to old to try something new, right?
Hey all!
I have been following along with this knitalong from the
beginning and have finally had the courage to join.
Will ya’ll allow a self-taught southern girl from
South Carolina to join at this late stage of the game.
I have been working on cross stitched presents for
Christmas and have just completed those and am free now.
I have learned alot just read all the comments and suggestions.
If I am intruding I will just print patterns and keep
my mouth shut. lol.
Welcome Wen1671! It’s never too late to join!
Wen, welcome. A lot of us have been on and off, getting behind and catching up. Busy with holidays, family and other knitting projects for Christmas, babies, etc. I am sure you will catch up. I too am self-taught. Bored after being in a car accident when I was 18 (many years ago!) I started with a how to knit book in one hand and a pattern for a fairisle sweater knit in the round in the other. Had no idea this was crazy until someone told me later. Sweater turned out well and I learned to be a fairly fearless knitter. You probably are too which should make this KAL perfect for you. Happy knitting. Would love to hear from you. Everyone is great at offering suggestions if you have questions and I love hearing about everyone’s successes and trials.
I decided on 58 rows for #4. I like both sides. Thinking I am going to decide which is right when I see how it all goes together.
WELCOME, wen1671!!!!!!!!!
I, for one, enjoy reading comments from EVERYONE!
I am just teaching myself to knit, and I need all the advice I can get!
I have 6 out of 12 blocks done. I was doing OK but have slowed down to get some Christmas knitting done. I had a scarf(finished) 2 hats(one is all most finished the other about 1/2 done) and the a sock, I haven’t even turned the heel yet. I have done 1 or 2 blocks from each clue not all 3. That way I keep up with the new stuff and can ask questions while everyone else is working on that clue, but after Christmas I’m going to have to go back and play catch up with the old clues. So don’t feel bad you have to catch up. I’ve been here since the beginning and still will be catching up! Welcome to the KAL
Pepper
Welcome aboard wen1671!
I finished tha first block of clue #4. It looks really nice. I like tha way the wrong side looks maybe better than the right side.
Wen1671 the more the merrrier. Welcome!!
I finally picked my third color. I had camel and sable and was thinking about silk but it looked kinda boring. I finally went with lapis. I didn’t have any special plans for this afghan so now with the lapis I might use it as a baby afghan. I think the blue and browns with look masculine and the light blue looks like a sweet little boy color.
Now I have a question about the fourth block. The first three I did about 50 rows to get the right size. Now this one is a 16 row repeat and you end after row 10. So it either needs to be 42 rows or 58 rows. Is anyone finished with this block? How many rows did you do?
Thanks, Pepper
I’m with you Pepper – I’ve been keeping to the 8″ with the first 3 patterns which only needed 46-48 rows… #4 sounds like it’s either going to be way shorter or longer… help?
Vicki, I did 44 rows for first and second and did 58 for #4 and it is about the same size. This one a little more 3D so perhaps that is why. Don’t worry too much, it will probably work out.
I think the mystery of clue 4 is that we will switch the RS and WS when we seam….
With everyone commenting on the RS and WS of the clue #4 square, I laid out all of my completed squares and flipped them from one side to the other. I know I’m fairly new to knitting, but I think each side has it’s own beauty and lovely pattern. My afghan won’t have a “right side” or a “wrong side” … it’ll be reversible.
I had a good laugh with knitting bee whose first project was a fairisle sweater … mine was a man’s sweater with 2-color cables on each arm and both sides of the front and back. I haven’t learned from that experience … I’m knitting squares in 6 different colors that coordinate with the painting in my bedroom. LOL!
Thanks for sharing the laugh. Just thought those starting might appreciate the real lesson learned when teaching yourself; to just keep going! Every project is an original and should have your touch. Sometimes mistakes make the most interesting patterns. Never tried to match a painting, but did just get a new sofa and decided to use that as an excuse to buy wool for this afghan.lol Did I mention the sewater was in 5 colours that had to all be carried!!!
Yes I like the wrong side better then the right side so I am wondering the same thing. I think in the end the wrong side will end up being the right side. Guess we will have to wait and see.
ok, thanks for all the comments. i started clue #4 last night and thought that i was doing it correctly. but after reading the comments i realized i did it wrong….so that’s call a DO OVER….thanks again knitters
Arrrrg! I finished my first square of Clue 4 and caught my ring on one of the carried yarn stretches in front of the slipped stitches. Pulled the heck out of the it and am left with a puckered square and large loop! Not sure I can fix it without re-knitting. Any ideas?
Look at the square carefully and see which row is pulled. Had this problem once with a sweater and managed to salvage the piece. I took a small crochet hook and starting at each end of row pulled carefully one stich at a time gently to reform to match the size of the others around it. The loop in the middle gradually disappeared as the piece became flatter. Alternatively you could rip back and just reknit from the slipped stitch. Sad news if the problem was closer to the beginning of the square than the end. Good Luck!
Try to stretch it back into shape as best you can, and then throw it into the washer and dryer to even out any remaining sagginess.
Zinnia
I do this frequently to a finished afghan that has floats on the WSW. (I won’t unknit an entire afghan…). First, I gently stretch horizontally and vertically– gently! Then I use a crochet hook to start moving the excess the direction it came from. I don’t try to move it all at once, just a little bit. You then repeat the move it little along (you con’t want to end up with a huge loop at the far end from pulling too much), After a couple of turns at this, I then do the vert and horiz stretch again… slow and steady wins this race. However, if you totally pulled out a couple of feet of yarn, I’d start over. HTH
Thanks for all your replies!! I ended up unravelling the entire square and am knitting a completely different pattern which is working up to the correct size. I had scary thoughts that this would happen after the entire afghan was complete and sewn together and be much more difficult to fix!
OK, this experienced knitter has really screwed up. Not only do I have floats on both sides, my piece has scallops at the beginning. I really dislike having to rip out 10 rows, but I think it’ll be for the best. Can’t imagine how a scalloped edge would work in joining.
Maybe your floats were pulled a bit tight. If you are going to reknit you could try a little looser. I also reversed the floats on my first try. Restarted also. Piece laid flatter second time. Could be part of the problem as well.
I tried doing this clue 4 and really didn’t like it. So I pulled it out and did something totally different. I am much happier with it.
Hello,
I have decided I need help with clue four.
I have 2 floats on the right side of my knitting
and 3 floats (yarn strung across stitches) on the
wrong side of my knitting.
Am I doing it incorrectly? I always keep the yarn to
the right on top of the work, swing it across do either
a purl or swing it back and then do a knit.
Help! If I ended it on 10 rows, it would not be 8 inches,
so I did 16 rows times four. I hope I can still use the
square. I am only concerned if the squares will make an image.
Any thoughts? Anyhow, it is starting to get cold out here in
Fredericton, NB. Regards, Irena aka Knitting Mama
I’m sorry – now I’m getting confused! I thought that all the floats were on the same side – the right side…. if we slip purlside with yarn on the rs no matter what, then wouldn’t all the floats be on the rs?
I’m on row 12 on the first color so not so hard to restart.
Thanks
Hi Vicki;
Yes, all the floats should be on the same side – the right side.
Julia.
Hi,
Just another hint for the group if I do not have a paper clip/safety pin to mark the right or wrong side.
Some things always seem to go missing as Erma Bombeck would say.
Anyhow, what I do is I take a look at what the bottom pattern is. In this case, the side with the purls at the beginning was the right side and I just remember that.
Another trick is I notice where my loose yarn that I used for casting on is. For example when I had started my knitting my
loose end of yarn with no ball of yarn following was on the
bottom left so I knew that when I looked at my knitting and the
loose yarn was on the bottom left that it was my right side.
But the easiest is as Julia says to mark it with something even
a small piece of yarn of another colour.
Take care. Knitting Mama
All my floats are on the right side. I’m cunfused. I guess I need to work on it some more.
Hi Arlene;
It looks like I was the confused one! Don’t worry – if you have floats all on the right side, you knit the pattern perfectly as written!
Julia.
Hi Knitting Mama;
I misunderstood your question at first. You should have your yarn floats all on one side of your work. The yarn should always be held to the RIGHT SIDE of the work, which is not always the side facing you. I hope that helps!
Julia.
Knitting Mama is right. If you always slip the yarn forward as if to purl, they couldnt possibly all be on one side. They would be on both sides, 2 on the right side and three on the wrong side. You never hold the float yarn to the back, always to the front, which would place them on both sides.
I started # 4 three times. On the third try I finally have it right. It is a strange pattern, but I think I like it. Both sides have a uniqueness all their own.
I thought I understood right side/wrong side until I started Clue 4. If I am going by the pattern, is my float yarn supposed to stay on the bumpy side of the work or the smooth side?
Mine are on both sides, Three on the wrong side and two on the right side. If Im wrong I must be consistent because it doesnt look bad!
Hi Joan;
Technically, the floats should all be on the same side, but as long as your floats are consistent and you are happy with the way it looks, who cares? You added your own flair!
Julia.
15 inches of snow in Iowa since yesterday. None of my daycare kids have able to make it here today so I am finally getting time to get caught up on my KAL. I got my first block of #4 done. I think both sides have some appeal to them but I agree that I like the wrong side better also. I did have to start over because my floats were all on the wrong side but thanks to keeping up on everyone’s comments I caught on quickly so wasn’t more that 10 rows in when I realized what I was doing. Thanks to everyone who stays caught up because I live on your comments to make sure I am doing mine right!! Happy snow day everyone!
We are just now getting that snow here in Maine (just south of the capital), we already have a couple inches. The kids have a snow day today though so I won’t be getting much knitting done today! Have a great day eveyone. Happy knitting!!
ok so floats are ok on both sides? i have 3 floats on the right side and 2 floats on the wrong side. i was going to rip it out and start over but i haven’t had a chance yet (might be a good thing). welcome aboard wen1671 and anyone else i missed. it’s rainig here in ohio like cats and dogs the temp is warm supposed to cool off and snow later tonight. hopefully not as many inches as you all got though.
juliaknits, can we clarify the instructions – in your introduction above, referring to Row 14, is that a typo, would it be Row 13. Our written row 14 is a purl row.
To have floats on both sides, our written instructions should indicate “Sl 3 purlwise, yarn in front” or “Sl 3 purlwise, yarn in back” yes?
Otherwise I am slipping the stitches purlwise on each row, as I’m familiar with – leaving the yarn always on the active side. So – I have a stocking stitch ‘cells’ outlined by purl rows on what I was thinking was the right side, and chunky lines of purl with floats alternately grouped on the wrong side.
But – according to the directions my side with the floats is the ‘RS’ – however … it is an afghan not a sweater and we can make choices on RS and WS in that way. Just that for following directions it is helpful to have a right and wrong side.
So, in terms for the fuddy-dud (me),
4th row:
P8, Sl3 yarn in back (P11, Sl3 yarn in back) twice, P8.
5th row:
K8, Sl3 yarn in front (k11, Sl3 yarn in front) twice. K8.
where “yarn in back” is yarn behind the work that itself is facing me, and “yarn in front”, the yarn is on the side facing me as I knit.
4th row is a WS row, and the yarn is on the RS of it for the floats.
5th row is a RS row, and the yarn stays on this RS.
Sorry, I need to call it from all angles to avoid getting muddled.
Bess,
Thank you, thank you, thank you. When it came to Clue #4, I was more confused than a cow on Astroturf. Thanks to the fuddy-dud in you, I now get it.
I hope you will see my ‘oh no!’ which re-writes the yarn in front or back business!
We’ll get it straightened out – floats all on one side… (are we having fun yet?).
ok, no! The yarn on the knit row is in back (away from the knitter, me)! The yarn on the purl row is in front (facing the knitter – me!)
Floats all on the one side then.
At this point, even if it wasn’t right, I would keep the first block of Clue #4 as a souvenir. It is a bit of a rogue anyway, with a few purl rows left out, so one of the repeats is shorter than the others.
Hi Bess;
Please forgive any discrepancy with the pictures and the pattern! I did not want to give away what the pattern looks like, though needed to demonstrate your slipped stitches.
Julia.
OK – WHAT??????!!!!!!!!
Am I correct in assuming that the “float” is simply the strand of yarn carried over the 3 slipped stitches? If so, then, if SL3 = Slip next 3 stitches purlwise with yarn at RS of work, how can the float EVER be on the WS?
And,according to the instructions, Row 14 is a purl row, so I am confused by your notes above.
I just studied the picture above (your row 13?) and now I am more confused than ever! The picture shows 3 floats (if a float is the yarn carried over the 3 slipped stitches), but there should only be 2 floats if that is row 13. If it is row 14, it should be purled and not knitted, but it is obviously a knit row.
????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
Hi Donna Lynne;
You are correct that the stitches on either side of my slipped stitches should be purls if I am on row 14. I was concerned with demonstrating the slipped stitches and was not following the pattern to a ‘T’ when the photos were taken. Please forgive the discrepancy with the pattern!
Julia.
HELP! I am now confused and also upset as I ripped out and reknit my first square of #4 because I had floats on both sides. Can you clarify before I spend any more time on the second one.
You told us to mark the RS of the work.
The glossary says Sl3 = Slip next 3 stiches purlwise with yarn at RS of work.
This should mean that all floats are on the RS?????
Are we now saying that this is wrong or that the instructions on the blog and pattern printed contradict each other ????
Hi knitting bee;
I misunderstood what some people have been asking and would like to clarify once and for all:
ALL OF THE FLOATS WILL BE ON THE SAME SIDE OF YOUR WORK.
You are correct knitting bee that if you always slip with the yarn at the RS of your work, all of your floats will be at the RS of your work. So sorry for the confusion.
Julia.
Thank you, juliaknits. I have always been good at reading crochet patterns, but all these posts made me think that I was missing something fundamental in knitting patterns. I am relieved to know that pattern reading is the same in both arts.
Wow!!!!
I am a little scared to even look at clue#4.
Just kidding!
I am a rebel, i’ll try anything once.
Happy Knitting and Good Luck to everyone, sound kinda like we
are gonna need it with this clue.
Wen
HI,
I just did clue #4 over and I now have all the floats on one side. I am trying to decide if I want to redo the square that
turned out different but I may just keep it. After all, a friend
of mine told me we aren’t perfect and any mistakes made always
add character to a project. I am going to do the third square the correct way. I have been knitting for quite a while but
clue 4 had me stumped for a bit. Can’t wait for the next clue. I might learn a new stitch. We are being hit by a snowstorm in Fredericton, NB. Most likely a snow day. I can’t wait I might make some cookies with the boys!
Knitting Mama
I’m ready for the next clue.
I haven’t read all the posts, but the fourth clue sounds like a challenge. Mom is going in for surgery this coming Tuesday, I was going to take my last two squares of clue three and the pattern for clue four with me to work on while I am waiting at the hospital. It might require just a bit more attention than I can give it. I have the weekend to work it out. I am taking knitting with me that day, at least a couple of projects, the square might end up in the mix anyway.
Despite the problems people are having with clue four, they do seem to be having fun.
Just reading the Blogs. Haven’t even looked at clue 4 yet, don’t know if I want to after reading all the comments. Have had 11 inches of snow here in Northern Michigan, so plenty of time to knit. Finished all the clues to #3. Been busy knitting hats and scarfs for Christmas gifts. Plan to start Clue #4 tonight.
Happy knitting everyone. Will come back if I have any problems.
WOW!! Just finished last of Clue #3 and came in to print Clue #4. Reading all the comments both scares me and makes me anxious to start the first block.
Just love this KAL and reading all the comments and questions. I am learning a lot. Thanks everyone.
Finally finished the first color of clue 4. The wrong side looks just like basket weave. I love this side!
I’m loving the ws better. Looks just like basketweave
Thanks for the clarification Julia. Was having a momentary crisis the other day. All looking good. Now that I see the pattern it is knitting up quickly on the second square. Easy to follow without a lot of pattern checking. May even have time to paint my kitchen before Christmas lol. Looking at paint chips and realized I picked one that matched one of the colours in my afghan, must have it on the brain. From now on, if it looks good, I am just going to make the others match and keep going. Remembering this is supposed to be fun not stressful.
Hi, fellow knitters.
Just before Clue 4 was published, we headed off to Hawaii for a few days of vacation. (My son had the chore of shoveling my sidewalks after a blizzard caused 3-4 foot drifts around my house – I think I owe him one now!)
Knowing that Clue 4 was imminent, I actually took my yarns and needles with me when I went there.
So, picture this – there I was, sitting on a beach chair on Waikiki Beach, monitoring hubby as he was out there swimming, me knitting away with the sounds of Silent Night done Hawaiian style being played by a small band at a nearby restaurant/bar!!
All so that I wouldn’t get behind!
Judy
Hi Judy;
Sounds fantastic!I love seeing people knit in unexpected places!
Julia.
Hi, fellow knitters.
I have 2 of these #4 blocks done, and one half done.
I ended up doing 4 full repeats of the pattern, ending with a Row 2. (And of course, I bound off in purl, because that would match the bottom).
There is a lot of length-wise compression in this fabric, and it just didn’t seem to lie right until I did the 4 repeats.
I did find the pattern really easy to memorize: 3 rows of reverse stocking stitch, then 5 rows of ordinary stocking stitch with slips. And the starting point of the slips changes with each new 5-row section.
Like others, I prefer the wrong side – that strong basketweave effect is quite attractive.
Judy
Finished my three blocks. They look great
I’ve been knitting for almost 40 years and this pattern confused even me – 3 tries to complete the 1st block correctly. The paperclip method described above works well. I just had to remember to always slip purlwise and keep the yarn on the same side as the paper clip. Half a block to go and I’m ready for the next clue.
This block has proved to be interesting for us on the whole, from the sounds of it we are still having fun.
I have one block done and the second started. Once you get the hang of it, it really is an easy one. One of those that is so easy your brain refused to see that and has to make it complicated for some reason. I love those kinds of patterns, because once you get your brain on track it is all of the good.
I have to agree with others. I like the WS better than the RS. I think from now on I am going to do my darkest colour first, once you get the first block done you have an idea of how it goes and the next two look better. The pattern is easier to see on the lighter colour.
I can’t wait for the fifth clue. This is getting interesting.
HELP
Row # 10 for clue #4 – is there one? or does the pattern goes from 9 to 11 no 10???
9th to 11th rows: As 1st to 3rd
Means 9th – as row 1
10th – as row 2
11th – as row 3
Hope this clarifies
Whooooo, thanks for the clarification, for a minute there i thought i forgot on how to count..
Hi everyone… glad I am not the only one who had to restart Clue #4 several times. Once I “got it” though it was an easy fun square. I just finished the first block and really like it. I too, like the wrong side.
Thanks to all of you who have been blogging about the problems because that is what really helped me. I love this KAL and really enjoy reading all the comments too. Well, I have to put down the needles now and go Christmas Shopping before the day is here I have to tell my family ..oops I forgot, I was knitting!!
I can’t beleive for the first time I am done with my three blocks before the new pattern comes out. I had to start a new project because I can’t stand just sitting still and doing nothing. I have to keep my hands moving, I am aure most of you can relate that is why we all love to knit!!
Joan and Knittingmama -
My understanding was that regardless if you are purling or knitting you hold the yarn to the side that is the RS of the block which would be all odd rows. So in the first section your start with an even row and would hold the yarn behind as you slipped purlwise. After you finish slipped purlwise you would bring the yarn back in front of the work and continue to purl.
Is this wrong? Should I be doing it a different way. Hurry LOL. I just restarted for the fourth or fifth time and want to make sure my understanding is correct.
No, don’t move the yarn from front to back, or back to front, at all as you work across any of the rows. Where you slip stitches and carry the yarn, this creates a float, and as we now know, the floats are all on the Right Side.
Most knitting I do if I follow a pattern has a photo of the finished item and I can tell by looking at it vs. my knitting if I’m on the right track. This discussion confirms that a picture is worth a thousands words LOL.
-then there wouldn’t be a mystery to it, would there
Sorry, Bess, my interpretation is completely different.
4th row: P8. Sl3. (P11. Sl3) twice. P8.
The 4th row is a wrong-side row (because row 1 is a right-side row). The yarn is in front to do the purls. So the yarn has to be moved to the back to do the slips, and then moved to the front to continue to do the purls.
5th row: K8. Sl3. (K11. Sl3) twice. K8.
The 5th row is a right-side row (again because row 1 is a right-side row). The yarn is in back to do the knits. So the yarn has to be moved to the front to do the slips, to put the floats on the right side of the fabric. Then the yarn has to be moved to the back to continue to do the knits.
Judy
I finished all my blocks, and i have floats on both sides, but i am keeping it as it is lol it looks fine to me, and who will know it was not supposed to be this way, only all you guys, and i am pretty sure you wont tell my mother in Law, that is who i am giving this to for her birthday in Feb.
Well I’ll never tell! Number one rule – are you happy with it
I have one block to go, and working on it while the computer downloads some Christmas music
Hi, all,
As a knitting instructor, and one who teaches pattern reading, I am finding all of these comments absolutely fascinating! It is amazing the different interpretations of the phrase “Sl3 = Slip next 3 stitches purlwise with yarn at RS of work.”
This tells me that when I am teaching, I have to really emphasize that knitters have to really understand what they are reading – and to know that RS means right side, not front side.
This also tells me that pattern writers can make it easier or harder to follow – they can be technically correct, but cause more questions. Like Bess said, writing Row 4 as “P8, Sl3 yarn in back (P11, Sl3 yarn in back) twice, P8.” and Row 5 as “K8, Sl3 yarn in front (k11, Sl3 yarn in front) twice. K8.” is easier to understand, and there is no “right/front” confusion.
Definitely an interesting block!
Judy
…except that the yarn for the slip stitches doesn’t change from one side of the needle to the other here
For clarity, without a photo for reference, even with the glossary definition (which I neglected to check) – the written should be: Sl3 purlwise. Then, whether a knit or a purl row, I will know that the three are slipped and the yarn doesn’t move.
There are occasions where the slip is done knitwise, and other business with the yarn, depending on the pattern.
We went on a bit of a detour there, for a while, but juliaknits got us pointed us in the right direction again…all floats being on the RS.
Yes, definitely interesting
Judy – that is the same way I was reading it. And since I set it down last night I was thoroughly confused. I will keep on with what I got and get the new clue started friday. HAHA. Now i’m behind dang it.
Afternoon All,
When I started the fourth clue, I was doing it the wrong way.
It looked cute. It had 3 floats on one side and 2 on the other.
But this was WRONG. I then left my first block to try my second block and this was done the RIGHT wasy which is all the FLOATS are on one side. Just keep your yarn on the right side of your work (where all the odd rows are).
Hope that helps. Do not panic…We will all see how it is supposed to look like on Friday.
My question for Julia is….I ran out of yarn near the end.
I ripped back gently and add yarn on the row that was all purls.
How do you attach new yarn to your work?
Knitting Mama.
I have a cute little row counter that slips onto one needle. You simply twist it one number every row. It was wonderful for this pattern – helped me keep the odd (RS) and even (WS) rows straight. When I reached 16, I just re-set it to zero and started again. It has really helped me, since I am still learning to count rows.
Things do seem to go missing, I have a little row counter just like Donna Lynne wrote, above – and haven’t seen it in a while!
Have finished the second block and with my tension and needle size (4 mm) I need 4 repeats of the Clue #4 pattern plus a few rows of reverse st st at the end before casting off to make a block about the same size as the others. This pattern is stretchy vertically. Relaxed, my 4 repeats aren’t quite long enough, but gently stretched, the pattern is nicely defined and the shape is the same as the others.
My first block has 5 repeats, and looks too dense compared to the other blocks, will redo it. No problem, I like this pattern!
I, too, prefer the WS so far, alongside the other 3 types of blocks.
Julia,
Another question,
I always cast off knit way.
When do you cast off the purl way?
Also when we are done our blocks did you
want us to hide all those lose yarns.
Knitting Mama
I was just wondering when our 5th clue is comming out. Its the 16th at a little after 9 in the morning. I NEED to know when its comming out. I am doing 2 blankets at once, I am finished with both of them so far. thanks so much.
I actually thought that the last clue (4)was really easy for some reason, fun to do and looks cool, thanks so much.
Devo
HI Devo (Deborah),
I thought the new clue was coming out this Friday
because I usu.get the squares done just before the
next clue comes out. I think this Fri. Dec. 18.
What does e/o else think?
Are you doing two blankets in total?
Knitting Mama
Hey, deleted the email before I searched the names to reply properly. So sorry for that. But in the above release of the clue at the bottom it states that the new clue comes out Dec 16th (today). All of the releases usually tell when the next one comes out.
So maybe I should go and check to see if it is there. HAHA. I am getting behind fast now. Too much going on and my son just started basketball. Maybe I can get some done while he is at practice.