Short
I’m feeling a bit under the weather today but I wanted to respond to everyone who asked about the short rows I added by my Sitcom Chic.
Let me start by saying, this is not my original idea. It came, of course, from the master herself–Elizabeth Zimmermann.
One of the things I dislike about cardigans knit in one piece, either top-down or bottom-up, is that the front of the sweater always seems to hang slightly lower than the back. I don’t know if this is a result of the lack of “real” shoulder shaping on these types of sweaters or some other phenomenon. But I know that I don’t like the way it looks.
Enter Ms. Zimmermann to save the day.
In Knitting Around (a book that should be in every knitter’s library), she explains how to work short rows across the back of the sweater to keep the back from riding up. Basically, you knit to within 3-4 stitches of the side marker; wrap & turn; purl back to within 3-4 stitches of the other side marker; wrap & turn; and then just continue knitting around, picking up the wraps as you come to them. This adds a couple of extra rows to the back of the sweater and solves the problem of the front hanging lower.
EZ suggests repeating a total of 2-3 times, with a few inches between the repeats. For my Sitcom Chic, I worked the short rows 2 times, with only about an inch between the repeats. I worked the first short row about an inch after I finished the ribbing.
Now I’m off to take a little nap and try and shake this yucky cold/flu/allergy thing. But I do have a teaser photo for you:
I spun up this single-ply yarn a little more than 2 weeks ago and just finished knitting up the project for which it was destined. Now what could that project be???
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Susan | knitting, spinning, sweaters
Hmm, singles? A shawl, perhaps? Weird, but that looks just like some singles I sent to Margene! Feel better!
I have no idea what the project is, but I hope you feel better soon!
That yarn is yummy! Whatever it is, it is bound to be something I’ll want.
Feel better!
The yarn is stunning! What delicious colors. I can’t wait to see what you’ve got planned for it.
you’re such a brain
I’ve noticed that too, about one-piece cardigan–at least when it’s knit back and forth in rows. My guess is that, yes, the lack of shaping could make a difference, but more than that, it’s the different elasticity at that front edge where you stop and turn . . . those stitches aren’t connected to other stitches and have that stretched “leg” to get up to the row above. My guess is that they therefore stretch and sag in ways that other “double-sided” stitches do not. Because on the rare occasion (okay, once) that I knit a circular cardigan and steeked the center front, that sagging didn’t happen. Those stitches had been happily in the middle of a row right up until I stitched it up the cut-line and cut them apart. How to prevent that on a back-and-forth cardi? No idea, but adding extra length to the back so it will match sure sounds like a good idea to me!
Feel better!
Definitely something lacy - and just look at the purple in there!
Get well soon!
I hope you are feeling better soon!
lovin’ the little halo on your handspun.
feel better soon
Hope you feel better today!
Hope you are on the mend. I love the colors in your singles - whatever you decided to do with em.
I bet it’s a Forest Canopy.
We missed you last night - hope you’re feeling better soon. The colors in your homespun are lovely!
Pretty yarn! It will be fun to see what you’ve made of it.
Sorry to hear you’re ill, glad you’re resting!
I don’t know what you’re knitting, but I’ll bet it’s gorgeous! Thanks for the insight on the sweater backs. I believe it’s only book I don’t have of EZ’s.
Do you have a favorite EZ book?
EZ had some great ideas. I have just begun to knit her designs. Hope you feel better.
Oohhh, those singles are gorgeous. You’re making another lovely shawl?
I’ve tried to read several Elizabeth Zimmerman patterns, and she’s simply way over my head. Alarming Female said it best—you’re SUCH a brain…
Can’t wait to see you–soon!
Great tip and I must add that book to my library!
The yarn is gorgiosity personified. I have no idea what you’ll do with it but it’s bound to be beautiful
I did some of those short rows on a pullover I made for dh, added maybe an inch (3/4?), but should’ve done a bit more.