Inishturk Sweater Knit-Along: Beyond the Ribbing & Sorting Out Patterns

Mimi

I know I’ve asked this question before, but, I just want to be sure I understand. I’m doing my sweater in the round, so am I to K the knits, P the purls in between EACH and EVERY round?

Zontee says: Hi Mimi, yes, that’s correct. Knit when you see a V and purl when you see a bump.

Denise from Portland, OR

Thank you so very much for all this wonderful information. So far, I have completed row 3 of my 7th 16 row section. I also use lots of stitch markers……it’s the only way I can keep track of where I’m at! I wrote the whole 16 row pattern series out before I got started and it has made eveything so much easier. I am truely enjoying this project…..Thank you again for sharing all that you have.

Heather says: “Thank you for the nice words, Denise! I’m happy you are enjoying making your sweater. I know we used lots of markers, but for anyone who doesn’t have a few different colors, you can also use markers made out of loops of scrap yarn in different colors. Keep up the good work and thanks!”

sarah

Hi Mimi, Comment 1, I am knitting in the round as well, and yes, you really do knit the knit and purl the purls on all the even number rounds. It works our great! Even the double seed stitch works out that way. Happy Knitting everyone!

BWYA

looking forward to seeing the charts!

Kristi

Hey all, just fyi you can use child size plastic hair binders(my daughter has some no larger than the tip of my pinkie finger)as stitch markers. They don’t bind with most yarns that people would be using for this sweater and are easier on the hands than the hard plastic ones.

Carol

Hi folks,
Heather, I thought I was so clever in putting stictch markers in between the patterns! Of course that was after taking out the same row three times to figure out where I went wrong… I use the twist ties from trash bags as markers.
The other crucial step for me, first thing I did, actually, was type up the patterns in a much larger font. That one didn’t take me much time to figure out at all! I am really enjoying my first knit along.
Carol

Barbara from Nova Scotia

Hi. I stopped at the ribbing, hoping the charts would be available this week. I may go ahead and just make up a rough charts to get going. I really hate going back and forth between the written out panels.

Ashlee

Hi, I’ve been reading what everyone has been writing and I’m having a fun time making this sweater. I’m using a “baby blanket type” yarn in blue and white. I kept seeing it in the store, finally bought it and have kept it for a while. Since it’s baby soft, I couldn’t Not use it. 🙂 My problem is it’s much thinner than the pattern calls for. And I’m a size 33 bust. So I went with the cast on of 90 (as posted on the past blog) for size 36 bust and hoped the size of the yarn would make up for the other 3 inches. I just finished the first 16 rows of the pattern ak it might be too small. I guess I won’t know until it’s done (because I’m Not starting over…lol.) and maybe I’ll have to add panels. I made my chart with excel. I made all the cables in different colors. (All cable C – red, all panel A – yellow…) And I “merged” all the cables and wrote them out so I wouldn’t need to look at both sheets and I didn’t have to remember symbols. It looks beautiful so far! I wish we could post pictures or files.

Wendy

I am new to reading these kinds of patterns. So I have my ribbing done and my increase. I completed the pattern set-up row, the WS row andthe “Next row”. The pattern goes on to say “Work in patterns established…” Does that mean I go on and once again complete the pattern set-up row, the WS row and the “Next row” continually or does it mean to complete the WS row and the “next row” until the piece measures the desired height?

Heather says: “Hi, Wendy: You only need to work that “set-up” row once. The next row you knit the knits and purl the purls (as they appear). Then the next RS is really row 1 of all of your patterns. “Continuing in pattern” means that the next row will be row 2 of your patterns – then just work all your patterns, keeping track of rows for each stitch pattern. I hope this helps you and that you will enjoy making this sweater!”

Roxanne

What width should the ribbing be? Should it be stretched or sit at ease for the true width?

Heather says: “Hi, Roxanne: You don’t need to worry about the width of the ribbing, as it will stretch when you wear it. The most important thing is that you were able to achieve your gauge with your larger needle with the Double Seed stitch. Then just work the ribbing with a needle one size smaller than your larger needle.”

Roxanne

I forgot to add that I am making a small size.

Donna

Wendy, only do the set up row one time. I was knitting it as a pattern row and had to rip it out.

Wendy

Thank you Donna. I am sorry you have to rip out your work. I have been there many times and I am sure I will be there with the project as well.

Anna

Heather, what are the pink and green doo-dads hooked around your narrowest cables in the picture?

Heather says: “Hi, Anna – Those are a couple of split-ring markers that you can attach and take off later. You could also use a couple of different looking safety pins or colored paperclips. The reason that I didn’t put a marker on each side of the small cables is because there would have been two markers on my needles right next to each other and this could have stretched my knitting. Thanks for asking!”

sarah

Hi everyone! I had to rip out my set up row 4 times before I got it all correct 🙂 Sometimes it is empowering to rip out your work, especially when you get frustrated! Then, when you get it right, it feels so great! I am on row 19 now and it is looking fabulous.

Mary Ann

I copied the pattern to my word processing program and then enlarged the font and made a separate page for Panels A and two pages for B and then I separated the parts or lines of each to make it easier to follow. I also used a Red font the front cables and blue for the back cables. I also made an over all table.

Knit 1 selvedge
Double Seed (16 sts) 4 rows repeat
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
K1. P2
Cable C (6 sts) 4 rows 1: Cable 4 Front K2 3: K2 Cable 4 Back
P2, K1
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Panel A (16 sts) 8 rows
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
K1, P2
Cable C (6 sts) 4 rows 1: Cable 4 Front K2 3: K2 Cable 4 Back
P2
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Small Cable B (2 sts) Cable 2 Back
Panel B (28 sts) 16 rows
Small Cable A (2 sts) Cable 2 Front
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
P2
Cable C (6 sts) 4 rows 1: Cable 4 Front K2 3: K2 Cable 4 Back
K1, P2
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Panel A (16 sts) 8 rows
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
P2, K1
Cable C (6 sts) 4 rows 1: Cable 4 Front K2 3: K2 Cable 4 Back
K1. P2
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Double Seed (16 sts) 4 rows
Knit 1 selvedge

I’m sorry that the table didn’t copy as a table nor do the color fonts show but I think you can see what I did. The xxxx is where I have my separating markers. Cable 4 means use 4 stitches and hold 2 in front or back according to whether it says back or front and then knit 2 and then 2 from the cable needle. (terminology that I know from other cable projects).
I am on my second set of 16 rows and I think that the pattern is beautiful. I haven’t made a sweater in maybe 30 years and I am enjoying it a lot.
Thanks for the urging to do a guage swatch or I’d be making a too small sweater.

lynn893

I’m looking for the row counter you mentioned at the bottom of your thread. Can you supply a link, or a better description of where it is? Thanks!

Heather says: “Hi, Lynn: Just go to the pattern on the website and there will be a little gold box that you can click on the or – symbols to add or decrease numbers. That stitch counter can be moved around and will remember your row when you come back to the pattern!”

Linda

Hi All,
Just love the pattern. I’m up to the 6th pattern repeat and it really does look nice. Using a grey color and the cables really stand out. Been down the path of ripping out a couple of times, but now the pattern just seems to flow. To make it easier for me, I have written out the directions by row, have columns where I check off when each pattern in the row is done. It is so much easier for me that way.Of course using markers. As you do more of the patterns, you can see almost immediately when you ‘miss’ or do a wrong stitch. Really looking forward to finishing this sweater. Thanks so much for such a beautiful pattern.

Holli in Memphis

I’m getting near the end of the back – 2 inches to go. I have a question about the shaping instructions. Do you do the decreases on a WS row or a RS row? As I read it it seems to be WS but I want to know before I get there.

Heather says: “Hi, Holli: Wow, you are moving right along! I’m doing my decreases on the RS rows since the pattern says the decreases are worked as k2tog. But as long as you are doing your decreases at the neck edge and every other row, it will work out fine. Hope this helps and thanks for participating in our KAL!”

Debbie A

To lynn893, if you go to lionbrand.com and click on free patterns and type in Inishturk Sweater in the Search box, (or click on knitting patterns and scroll down to sweaters, you will find it in the list, and click on it,) the picture of the sweater will come up, then you click on view pattern box. When the pattern comes up, scroll down to the end and you will see the row counter there.

Hope this helps-it sounds a little confusing, doesn’t it?!

Happy knitting!

Judy in Texas

Holli,

I took the shaping rows to be on the wrong side rows and it looks right.

I got the back off the needles tonight! Yippee! I really like this pattern. It was so much easier to get through the ribbing and set up row this time. I am ready to start the cables on the front tomorrow with stitch markers already in place. Keep plowing through everybody it gets easier and it is well worth it.

Mary Ann Mijanovich

I have finished 2 patterns and feel very accomplished! Is there a time line to tell where we should be at the end of the first week? I really am aiming at finishing in the 6 weeks. It is getting a little easier… and it is beautiful! Glad I plan to keep this one.

Heather says: “Good for you, Mary Ann! I glad you are having a good time with this KAL. Don’t worry about “keeping up” – just work at your own pace. The back and front will take the most time as those sleeves don’t have all the cables going on all at once. Keep up the good work!”

Cristina

I too am enjoying this project. I am not as far along as some of you–just in the middle of my first 16 row pattern, but can see things developing nicely. I look forward to your comments. I should have read about the markers earlier. I came up with that idea all on my own after ripping my first two rows and the set up row. Then I decided I needed a way to keep things straight. My husband read me the directions as I knitted these rows to redo everything with stitch markers. Having a reader is a help–especially when getting started.

Donna

After my ribbing when I added the stitches, does it make a difference on which stitch you increase. I’m looking at mine and my set up row looks wrong, not so anyone else will notice, so I’m not ripping it out. I just wondered because I want the front to be perfect. I keep studying it to see what I did wrong and I’m just not sure. Would ending with a right side row in the ribbing cause that? I wasn’t sure which was right side and which was wrong since it all looks the same to me. So maybe I ended with right side instead of wrong. How do I tell which is which in ribbing? Thanks

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This post was mentioned on Twitter by Lionbrandyarn: Heather’s 2nd KAL post is now up: http://bit.ly/d0JkGk Learn more about increasing for the body and starting the cables. Next week: charts!…

Denise from Portland, OR

Hurray!! I got the back done. Just got it off the needles and I’m off to start the front. It’s going faster than I throught it was going to. I’m so happy that I found this KAL. My husband LOVES his sweater, and I’m having a wonderful time. Not only with the sweater, but also interacting with everyone here. I love reading the comments/questions……….

Donna

Way to go Denise. I’m hoping to get the back done this weekend. I was just checking out the neck shaping part. I definitely will use a lifeline because I have visions of having to rip out. But I’m going to take my time and hopefully won’t have to.

Anne

I’m not as far along as some of you.. I just finished my first whole repeat of the pattern, and I love it! I live in Greensboro, NC, and today I was sitting in my sunroom with a cup of tea, looking out over the 6 inches of snow we got last night, and knitting. Does life get any better????????? 🙂

Denise from Portland, OR

Thanks Donna, the neck shaping part ended up not being as hard as I thought to was going to be. A lifeline would be a good backup plan, just in case! I just took my time and worked it out on paper first. Good Luck! Hope you get yours done this weekend also.

Kelly

Phew! Finally started the cable patterns and it’s going great. I had to rip out the set-up row and the increase about three times each–something about me and counting!!! Having a 2 year old doesn’t help. The cables look great even though I chose the Maple Tweed and not a solid because of my coloring. Now that the pattern is established, I should be moving faster.

Lisa

Well, I will be starting over again for the third time tomorrow. Made a few mistakes that alone weren’t that bad but together not so good. You know what they say though third time is the charm. I am now armed with color coded instructions, lots of markers, and new needles so I can make the hat too. I am determined to make this sweater and am learning a lot in the process. :o)

Donna

Well 1:00 a.m. west coast time and I’m headed to bed after scrapping the back I had halfway done and starting again. I kept looking at my mistake on the setup row that I didn’t notice until I really got the cables going and decided I wanted it done right. So I have the ribbing done once again and will start with the setup row tomorrow. Hang in there Lisa, I started several times before too and as you notice am starting again. When I’m done, I’m going to have a fabulous sweater to wear.

Heather says: “Hi, Donna – I hope you had a good nights sleep and today’s knitting will be better. Once you get that cable pattern set straight, the rest of the pattern will be much easier!”

Judy from Austin

Hi! I am so excited that I finished the back! Heather I measured it again (as you suggested in the last blog post) to see if I will want to add length to the sleeve – and I will. I am over 5’10” and I often make things longer (I decided to add three inches to the length of the body too.) Since the pattern shows a general decrease in width over length for the arms in the pattern how would you suggest I add three inches to the length of the arms? Thanks!

Heather says: “I’m so happy you’re happy! So make your front, and when that is done, you can sew the shoulders together, and put it on you to see how long you will want to make the sleeves. I do this all the time as my arms are longer than most patterns say they are!”

Donna

Could I just say I’m so glad I found this KAL. I know I have ripped out again and again but I am learning so much and I never would have tried this on my own and I’m having so much fun doing this. Thanks everyone for your helpful hints and suggestions. *hugs*

Marie

I am working on my second pattern repeat, and see my mistake after reading what everyone wrote about the setup row. I did the setup rows, then started with row 1 of the pattern instead of row 2. I doesn’t look so bad, so I will leave it since it is on the back. I am knitting the sweater in Caron Simply Soft forest floor green. (They were all out of fisherman wool, imagine that) it looks great though, and I am very pleased with how it is coming along.

Eileen

I was confused by Marie’s comment re starting with Row 2 of the pattern after the set up row. Is that correct? I started with row 1 of the patterns after my set up row and it looks correct. I have 1 and a half pattern repeats finished on the back.
I think this is a beautiful design and I am really enjoying my first KAL. Thanks to Heather for keeping us all moving along.

Heather says: “Hi, Eileen: There was one row of knitting the knit stitches and purling the purls between the set-up row and row 1 of your pattern, but if it looks alright – that’s fine. Sounds like you are moving right along and I’m happy you like our KAL!”

Nancy

Heather, could you please post a picture of the setup row that includes the ribbing? I thought I had it figured out, until now; there are so many questions about it. I doubt I’ll redo the back, but if I see a better example, I’d like to do that for the front. And I wish there was some way to know how many knitters are working on this, including ones who don’t post, but are reading along!

Heather says: “Hi, Nancy – If your set-up row works out by the end of that row, then you have done it correctly. The ribs on the ribbing do not necessarily match up to the cable patterns, so don’t worry too much about how it looks. As long as your increases are not leaving holes, and you end up with the correct amount of stitches, then you are fine. I hope this helps you!

Kelly

Heather, can I please ask a question pertaining to the sleeve? When it talks about the rows to increase on, would they be rows: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48…etc.????
I just want to make sure I’m reading this right. Thanks so much for response.

Heather says: “Hi, Kelly: That is correct! All the sizes have the sleeve increases every 3rd row 8 times, then every 4th row 15 times – so your sequencing is right. After you have finished all your increases you should have 92 (96, 100, 104, 104) stitches depending on what size you make.”

Lisa

Well, here’s today’s story, I was almost done with the ribbing again when my cat grabbed hold of the needle and pulled it out of my hand and the stitching. Needless to say I was a bit distressed as I almost had the 3 inches done and she pulled out the last 5 stitches a couple of them about 3 rows back. Good thing I always keep a crochet hook and a few extra knitting needles handy, I was able to catch the stitches and save the day.

p.s: Thanks Donna for the words of encouragement

Christine-WI

I’m having a good time with this sweater.
I’ve seen a number of posts about a lifeline but I don’t know how to put one in. Can anyone describe in more detail?

Denise from Portland, OR

Here is the link that ANNA provided in the last thread. It should answer all your questions. Good luck – – Happy Knitting

Life line: http://www.knittinghelp.com/videos/knitting-tips

Denise from Portland, OR

OOOPPS My last comment was for Christine-WI’s, lifeline question……….Sorry

Facebook User

I’m glad to see everyone is doing well with the pattern, it gives me encouragement! After a very bad week and a half away from my knitting, I’m finally starting to get back to this project to take my mind off other things. Unfortunately, I’m still in my first setting of the 16 rows! However, seeing Heather’s photos of the pattern have helped to put the whole thing in perspective, and I am looking forward to the charts as well. I kind of have a chart system, but nothing complicated like the others I’ve seen. My chart just reminds me which pattern description to look at! =) I may not be able to catch up with everyone else, but I hope to at least make it through most of the pattern before this KAL is done.

And to Lisa (#39) – My cat has been giving me fits by pulling apart projects as well! =) [sigh] What can you do?????

Dot

I’d like to start by saying thank you to Lion Brand for the wonderful pattern and the opportunity to receive assistance with questions. Everyone on this blog has been so kind to share their tips and expertise. I’ve found knitters (and crocheters) to be the most wonderful people, always willing to share their passion with others. Just came back from a Knit In weekend and was excited to purchase a beautiful shade of blue yarn that, according to the shop owner, will make a beautiful sweater. Anxiously I dug out my needles and created a swatch with size 10’s. The gauge is perfect so I began the ribbing. As of last night I was 12 rows into the first sequence when I discovered I’d make a mistake on the small cable somehow. I was really hoping the chart would be on last weeks post. I’ve tried charting it in excel then writing out row by row instructions but I must have messed something up somewhere.

Oh, well, guess I’ll rip it out, recheck my instructions and start over. With all the useful tips already presented, I should get through the back in no time at all. This is definitely my most complicated project so far. The sweaters I made for my grandchildren at Christmas were my first real attempts at sweaters and I was really pleased at how well they turned out so I know I can do this pattern.

Thanks again to everyone/.

Kim

Hi Everyone, well, I’m about a quarter of the way into the pattern and everything is coming along nicely, I have been knitting for years but it’s been a very long time since I’ve done such an involved pattern and I’m excited about picking up new tips! I am using markers but my issue is how to make less paper, I seem to be doing more shuffling than knitting! I have used index cards for panels A and B, use the actual pattern for the other charts and then have a chart to mark off what rows I’m on, so much paper! Any suggestions on how everyone else is keeping track of things would be appreciated!

Thanks so much and happy knitting 🙂

MaryAnn M-Shelton WA

Re: 45 Hi, Kim! It took a little while to do but I hand wrote odd rows on 4×6 papers with all the patterns written out on each row paper. I keep them in order in a clear paper cover. (Row 1, 3, 5, 7,…15) I have a stitch counter on my circular needle to keep track too. Then I just change the direction paper each odd row. I am on repeat #7 and haven’t messed up yet! I can even watch TV and keep it right! Hope that helps 🙂

Donna

Well my new back is started, ribbing is done and 16 rows, I don’t see any mistakes. *smile* Here’s how keep track of the pattern Kim. I enlarged the font and made every other group of stitches in red and blue. I also put mine in page protectors and have two little page holders that I just slip the pages into it (one for the main pattern and one for the stitch explanations) and it holds them up. I put a sticky note under the number of row I am working on so I don’t look at the wrong row. Then when I’m done with those rows I just move the sticky note. I tried to do the chart thing but just couldn’t figure it out. This is working fine for me and it’s going much faster than I expected. Have fun.

Kristyle

I know this is a dumb question, but I think I’m “overthinking” the pattern. When it says “knit the knit and perl the perl” stitches, does that mean if the row above was a “knit” then I should knit again? I know this should be an easy part, but I don’t want to mess up the pattern and have to redo it over something silly!

Zontee says: Hi Kristyle, in patterns “knit the knits and purl the purls” means that you knit a stitch if it APPEARS AS A KNIT STITCH on the side FACING you. In other words, if it looks like a knit stitch (a V) as it’s facing you, then knit it. If it looks like a purl (a bump), then you purl it. Don’t forget to check comments on previous blog posts (such as Donna’s here) as often times someone else may have asked the question previously. The important reason for learning to visually identify the stitches as they face you is that (a) it’s easier than remembering what you did in the last row and (b) it works in both flat and in-the-round knitting.

Karin Perkins

I am so excited about this project as a knit along because it is only my second cable project. I am using Wool-ease in wheat. The 25 % wool gives it a nice ease without the itch. The color is quite subtle – cream with little threads of charcoal and rust to give it a natural wool look. Since I started a couple of weeks late, I had the advantage of a lot of blogger advice – I want to thank all of you for your helpful hints, especially Heather’s advice regarding markers and Christina’s suggestion of initially using a reader – brilliant! I only had to unknit a few rows and my curses are subsiding now that I am half done with the back panel. My reader has asked anxiously if I am really enjoying myself – I am!

Holli in Memphis

Kristyle – Knit the knit and purl the purl basically means do the opposite of what you did the previous row. As you look at the wrong the side row if it looks like a knit stitch, the v stitches, then knit it and if it looks like a purl, a bump, purl it. I experimented with a little piece of waste yarn on some spare needles until I could see it for myself. Hope this helps.

Sandie

This is so much fun! I’ve never made anything more ambitious than a scarf so this is really jumping in with both feet. I would have never tried this on my own!

Kristyle – no such thing as a dumb question. I am new to knitting and I had the same question! I did the same thing Holli did, knit a small square and played with it until I could tell the difference by looking.

Kristyle

@Holli – thanks for the response! I actually thought that was what was intended, but it seemed a really awkward way to say it. But I’m a “self-taught” knitter so there are some things that are obvious to most knitters that I’m clueless about!

Judy Bishop

Keeping track of rows – I’ve used a row counter often but just as often forget to change the number if it’s on the “other” needle.(right hand at the bottom of all the stitches) Out of sight – out of mind. So I tied a pieces of scrap yarn through it just big enough to fit around my finger so now the row counter sits on to of my left hand like a ring, where I can easlily check it any time and (ususally) remember to change it after each row. Numbering the stitch pattern instructions with all rows up to #16 so they match panel B helped, too.

Marie

To #45 and anyone else having a problem with row count. I charted out the 16 rows in excel from start to finish, with different colors for each pattern. I didn’t print the wrong side rows, just left them blank so there is a space between the rows. Then I only have to worry about 8 rows, and when I finish a row (right side) I put a check mark at the beginning of that row to know it is complete. Then I always know where I left off and only have to count 8 rows, then just keep repeating the pattern as I work the sweater, it is (only) 5 pages, but they flow one right after the other and other than the initial bobble I made (see earlier post lol) I haven’t made any mistakes. Hope this isn’t too confusing.

Anne

Hi All,
I love this KAL because I so enjoy reading about everyone’s progress — the joys, and frustrations!! I read that quite a few have had to rip out and start over. I did too!! But it seems the projects that I am the most proud of are the ones I had to start over several times. As with most endeavors, it is either about the journey, or just the destination. If you are all about the destination, then starting over is a real stressor. But if the knitting project itself is what brings you joy, than it is all about the journey.. in which case, ripping out and starting again isn’t so bad — it’s just an interesting detour (and learning process) along the way.

And to Lisa (#39) — who has a cat that loves yarn, I feel your pain!!!! I have an 8-month old puppy that is the same — I never quite know what design changes he will add to my projects from one day to the next! 🙂

Donna

I just realize I rock the whole time I’m knitting, if I’m in my rocking chair. *chuckle*

Christine-WI

For the comment about reduced number of pages for the pattern:
I wrote on the odd rows (1,3,5,etc.)-all stitches all patterns. I use a dash at pattern changes to make it easier to keep track of where I am.
Handwritten my instructions are slightly more than 2 pages.

Christine-WI

Oops, I wrote out the odd rows. Sorry.

Ashlee

I have a question for those of you with the back off the needles. I’m doing less than small…lol. 90 sts instead of 98 and I took out the double seed as was suggested in one of the other posts. But I like things longer so I’m sticking with the 20 1/2 inches for the small size. Roughly how many sets of 16 did it take? I’m only on 7 and it’s taken me a while to get here…lol. I know this number probably wouldn’t be the same as what I need but it’s nice to have a goal…you know?

Anne - Palo Alto, CA

Hi Ashlee,
I’m making size medium, 21 inches, and it took 7 1/2 sets to get there.

Anne - Palo Alto, CA

Hi Ashlee, I should add that the size needle you’re using will make a difference. I’m using 9.

Holli in Memphis

Ashlee I’m making a Large, got gauge with 8s and it took me 8 full repeats to get off the needles.

Inishturk Sweater Knit-Along: Visual Patterns - Charts | Lion Brand Notebook

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Ashlee

I’m glad you wrote about the needle sizes. I started freaking out because (I recounted…I’m only on the 6th set) I’m barely halfway done. But I know my gauge is messed up. My yarn is small and I did the cast on with bigger sts than I needed so it works out length wise…maybe an inch off but the yarn is stretchy enough. It just looks like I’ll have to do more work…lol. I suppose I should have gone with size 9 instead of 8 but they will work and I’m to far through to start over. This is my first sweater and there are mistakes that I see…so I probably should start over but…I just don’t want to! Lol.

Kari

I wish I wouldn’t have knit ahead of this post–I knit the front and back of stitches to increase, but still got holes. I’m too far up the cables to turn back now. It would be nice for the pattern to note the best way to increase.

Leslie Buff

I never did get gauge, and I became so frustrated about it after working for a week trying to get gauge that I finally gave up and started on the ribbing. I choose to do needle size 9 for the size 40 but when I had it done it was not 20 inches unless I really stretch it so once again more starting over again. So I made an executive decision and decided to stay on 9 needles and move up a size so that I could do the rest of the sweater on needle 10’s instead of 10 1/2 needles even though they did not give me gauge either. So now it will be a matter of time before we see how this executive decision works out. I finally have gotten to the cableing which I love to do but not before I made a few mistakes and then finally decided to write out the instructions, so now it has been smooth sailing. Sometimes I can hardly wait to get to the wrong side, to knit the knits and purl the purls to give my brain a rest. Like someone above said it is all about the journey, and if you love to knit then it is truly a loving journey.

Kaye S

Wow! I finished the back last night. It is gorgeous. I had a few ripouts, but only a few! Like the others have said–it got easier the further I went. Today, I will start the front. I am really enjoying this.

Thanks for the pattern and the encouragement.

Kaye

Cristina

I have some mistakes. Straightening out cable and cross-over mistakes is very very difficult. Does anyone have any good ideas about how to fix things once you notice a glaring error a couple of rows later? I am not sure I want to rip any out because then I will be really lost.

Marla in Bellflower, CA

One of the earlier bloggers asked what we did with our cable needles in between cables. I would stick mine in the buttonhole of my shirt. But if I wore a blouse I had no where to put it. I recently purchased, from Costco, a table top 2010 knitting calendar with 100 patterns. Fridays pattern was a knitted cable needle holder attached to a 3 stitch L cord. The holder is egged shaped, stuffed with scrap yarn and the L cord can be knitted to the length most comfortable. Well, I took time out to knit one of these and I love it. Designed by Marlyn Ibele, published in Cast On magazine.

Norma Van Natta

To Christina (#68) I understand about not wanting to rip back rows because of getting lost. This is where a “life-line” comes in handy. Every few rows and at the end of a wrong side row, take a tapestry needle, thread it with some nice slippery scrap yarn or maybe some tapestry thread and run it through all of the stitches on your needle. Then continue working your pattern. Then if you need to rip, you can do so with confidence because all your stitches will be on that string (life-line) and you will know where your were at that point. Because the stitches are secure on the life-line, you can just pick them back up and away you go. I learned this lesson the hard way when I was knitting a very, very complicated lace sweater pattern. I hope I succeeded in making this clear.

Mary Ann

I am about half finished with the back. I keep having to use various ways to fix mistakes. Some that I have discovered a few rows later, I have just left. It is a good reason to keep the sweater for myself. I couldn’t possibly give it to another. 🙂

Question: I looked at the directions for shaping the neck today and I’m confused.
“dec 1 st at each neck edge (by a working k2tog 1 st from neck edge) every other row 3 times –
36 (38, 40, 42, 46) sts remain for each shoulder”
How many rows will this be? Do I decrease in a right side row? If so, do I do a reverse side tow and then bind off when I have made the 3 decreases or do I do the bind off in a wrong side row?