Monday, April 29, 2013

The Summer Series: Late-Day Abbreviated Coat and Why You Have to Swatch!

Though I'm technically on craft hiatus until May 10 - I'm in the planning phase according to my project charter - I cannot stop myself from swatching for the Late Day Abbreviated Coat (now to be known catchily as LDAC) because this vintage pattern is so unknowable and, well, I want to know it. 

The Challenges

I've spoken about the inherent challenges of working with vintage patterns before. I have been swatching for this sweater - not achieving gauge in stockinette stitch on a US size 1 needle. Mind you, I've just realized that the (exceedingly brief, as is the vintage way) instructions don't tell you to get gauge in stockinette. They don't say much of anything. But given that the entire sweater is in a crazy, complicated stitch pattern (more to come on this), seems to me I'd be wise to get gauge in that.

Intriguingly, and one of the things that's really thrown me off, the pattern recommends using a fingering-weight yarn (as far as I can tell from my research and the info culled from the instructions) with a US 6 needle (which, I believe, is the same today as it was in former days). 

How could that possibly work, I thought initially, when I almost got gauge in stockinette on a size US 1 needle. 

The other thing that's really been throwing me off - and swatching "in stitch" may have just addressed both of my challenges at once - is that the the pattern says I'll need @1900 yards of fingering yarn to make a size 16 (34" bust).

(Brief sidebar: Though my full bust measurement is 37.5, I've continuously discovered that less than 4 inches of negative ease yields a sweater that's too loose everywhere. This has been the case with vintage sweaters as well as with modern ones. Of course, I'm more careful when considering the sizing I'll require for vintage sweaters because they're known for being written with different standards and for different yarn at a time when bodies were less frequently shaped like mine.)

Most sweaters I make for myself, especially fitted ones, use a max of 1000 yards (often more like 900). You can see why I have concerns that I've researched incorrect info about the yarn the sweater was originally made in (Minerva Mellosheen cotton).

Briefly I considered that the, rather robust-looking, sweater was knit with two strands of yarn simultaneously. That doesn't appear to be the case.

So what gives?? How will I require so much yarn and such a large needle to make what's essentially a slim jacket with half-sleeves? 

The (Potential) Epiphany 

By swatching, in stitch-pattern, I think I may have figured it out - as I have also discovered that the very complicated stitch pattern yields an EXTREMELY firm and dense knit, which looks almost woven (but in a fancy diagonal way). Um, this isn't the project on which to aim for 5 inches of negative ease.

For starters, let me recite to you the stitch pattern (the whole darn sweater is knit in this BITCH of a pattern), which is unnamed but seems to be a lot like twisted knitting (as opposed to simple "knitting through the back loop" (TBL) or twisted rib). 

RS: Skip first stitch, knit second stitch in back of work, then knit the first stitch (crossing the two stitches). Slip both stitches off. Repeat across row. 

WS: P1, *skip 1 stitch, purl next stitch in front of work, then purl the skipped stitch (crossing the two stitches).  Slip both stitches off*. Repeat from * across row, ending P1

Let me tell you how - after much thinking and trying various versions and watching what happened to the fabric etc., I interpret these instructions: 

RS: Purl-wise slip 1 stitch to right needle. KTBL the second stitch. Keep the stitch on the left needle while simultaneously picking up the slipped stitch from the right needle and putting it back on the left needle to knit through it in the regular way. (This is how you cross the stitches.) Then remove both stitches from the left needle simultaneously.  

WS: P1, purl-wise slip 1 stitch to the right needle, purl the next stitch and leave it on the left needle as you pick up the slipped stitch from the right needle and move it back onto the left needle. Carefully purl through the formerly-slipped "first stitch" without touching the originally-worked "next stitch" (This is how you cross the stitches). Then remove both stitches from the left needle simultaneously. 

Important Note to Readers who aren't hardcore knitters: Don't bother trying to figure this out. If I showed you, in slow motion, what I have done to achieve this pattern, it would still overwhelm you with complexity. It's ABSURDLY complicated. The point is it a) requires a tremendous amount of dexterity and b) is a freakin' nightmare from the perspective of gaining stitches if one forgets to slip two off at the same time (after having worked them both). There's a LOT of room for error and no info on how to fix it. No doubt, I'm going to make mistakes and - as a baseline - I must be able to learn how I'm going to overcome those mistakes when I make them. 

One plus, or is it a minus?: The fabric one knits is very forgiving given the complexity of the stitch pattern. Mistakes are difficult (if not impossible) to see and therefore that much more difficult to correct. Mind you, one shapes the fabric by increasing and decreasing stitches (I do wonder how that's accomplished on this kind of stitch pattern, because there aren't any clear instructions). Accidentally increasing them from parts unknown is not going to fly. 

Other Brief Sidebar: I do not believe that knitters in 1950 were any more dexterous than the ones we have now. Knowing how to knit in garter or stockinette or rib or even cables or lacework doesn't require tremendous dexterity. Sure, some stitches are a bit more challenging in certain garments, but overall they're pretty doable once you figure them out and get into a groove.

The only other time I've ever encountered a stitch even approaching this level of finicky-ness is when I made a scarf wherein one purled into the same stitch 3 times over. That scarf ended up being half as long as it might have been; I got finger calluses, and I'll never bother with that again. BTW, that was vastly simpler than this.

Mind you, now I can see how this might take 1900 yards of yarn. It's called sweat-equity. 

My next consideration is, do I go for it or do I decide that this is going to be a miserable lesson in my own limitations? I'm not ready to answer that yet. The practical, summer-slacker in me says give it a miss. The craft-adventurer says: what are you doing with yourself if you're not being challenged - and you'll be so impressive if you sort this out!

I'm going to spend the next few days swatching to get gauge.  

About my (made up) method of swatching to get gauge on tricky stitch patterns - those wherein it's almost impossible to distinguish one stitch from the next:  Make a 4-inch wide x 4-inch high swatch using the number of stitches that the pattern tells will give you gauge at 4 x 4 (standard gauge area). This pattern proposes 8 stitches per inch and 7 rows per inch. So, to get 8 stitches and 7 rows per inch, I'm going to cast on 32 stitches (8x4) and aim to knit 28 rows (7x4). If, at the end I have a 4 x 4 swatch, I'll know I'm good to go. If it's off in one direction or another, I'll have to consider what's happening and go up or down a needle size or 2.

I should also mention that I haven't even started working on the "fitting math" for this thing (and Evie's starting to freak me out with all of her recent fit-knit stuff). I'm still trying to figure out whether I can manage the stitch! So that's, theoretically, 10 additional posts.

Time as Teacher: 

Last night I was certain this was not to be. Today I've figured out a lot, and I'm not quite ready to give this project a miss on the basis of practicality. 

One other thing I'll say about this today - I tried to find info about this stitch pattern on the web (the closest I could come was by searching for "twisted knit"). Apparently the stitch, or a variant of it, is usually done as a motif (aka not as a whole freakin' garment) AND since it's a bitch to purl (well, just as much of a bitch to purl as it is to knit), it's usually knit in the round. I have no intention of reworking this pattern in the round (it is a cardigan after all and steeking is not in the cards). If I wanted to look at a photo and draft my own pattern, I'd just pick something out of a magazine.

Today's questions - and they need your feedback!: If you know of this stitch pattern, and you can make something of my crazy ramblings, do you think I've interpreted it correctly? Have you ever worked this stitch pattern and, if so, do you think it's an exercise in insanity to make a sweater of it? Would you run screaming or give it a go? (Seriously - knitters of all natures, please do tell! I hate abandoning things almost as much as I hate failing. What should I do???)

22 comments:

  1. You're making the stitch pattern a wee bit harder than it has to be. You can skip all the slipping of stitches: leave the first stitch on the left needle, put the right needle behind the left and knit into the back of the second st (leaving the original stitch right where it is on the left needle), then knit into the front of the first stitch and drop both original stitches from the left needle. Same idea on the WS rows: you can purl the second stitch without moving the first. The crossing is a natural result of knitting the stitches out of order, you don't need to slip stitches back and forth to achieve it.

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    1. You know, I tried it that way at first but I found it SO hard to get through the first stitch on the knit side and the second stitch on the purl side that my tension got all weird and tight. This is the only way I seem to be able to keep it all even and to find a groove, but oh, the insanity.

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  2. That said, you couldn't pay me to knit a whole sweater in a stitch pattern that crosses *every row*. I'd go insane or give myself carpal tunnel or both.

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    1. After the work I've been doing tonight, I'm inclined to agree. I mean, just cuz you "can" do something doesn't mean that you "should" do it. But man, I've invested some time in this. And now I've got to find another Summer Series knitting alternative. (I know, poor me! :-))

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  3. Hmmm, not sure what happened to the message I left -- but I said pretty much the same thing as Alexandra. I wouldn't be slipping those stitches. But then I would NEVER stick with a pattern that's that much work unless it really delivered a visual wallop. Do you think this does or does it mainly achieve a close-to-woven firmness?

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    1. I hate it when my comment gets eaten... I don't think it delivers adequate visual wallop. (Good barometer, btw.) It does deliver close to woven firmness, so I really do understand how the sweater will drape the way it does and seem like a jacket or coat. Mind you, I don't think it could possibly be worth the effort. knitting a small swatch of 32 stitches and 15 rows took almost an hour. I'd still be knitting this thing in a year.

      Plus - it's tedious!

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  4. I think my first comment just got eaten, too. Sorry if this is a duplicate!

    I was saying... why bother with such a finicky and potentially painful project, when there are so many great modern patterns out there? I haven't read through all the row instructions ( I very much prefer to knit from charts), but it all sounds like a major pain and I would really worry about hurting my hands or wrists with all these weird movements. Anyway, I'll keep an eye on your progress - this must be an extraordinary coat if you are considering all this effort for it!

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    1. I did get both of your comments so I kept this one... You know, the more I think about this the more convinced I am that this sweater is not to be. I don't want to injure myself and the stitch pattern is insane, take my word for it. It is kind of cool when you do it though. It looks kind of "badass knitter".

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  5. Haha, I am such a glutton for punishment, I'd really be tempted to make this happen. But I think that for all that effort, it may not be worth it.. It would be epic if you did do it though lol! :)

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    1. I ususally am too. But maybe I'm becoming more mature with age and tiredness? :-)

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  6. Afraid I am echoing the others. After my 'picard' fiasco (which is still in the frog/fix pile after the 3rd try) sometimes you just need to trust your gut.

    If you are questioning it at swatching I say dump it.

    There is no point risking wrist and mental trauma, in my opinion!

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    1. Oh, so smart. At this point you are preaching to the converted. Thanks, L.

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  7. I think Johanna has the right word - epic. Perhaps even, legen.... wait for it.... dary.
    Are you looking for a nice summer knit or a story you will pass down for generations about how you slayed the LDAC dragon?

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    1. I know! Good word. I think I'm looking for fun.

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  8. I would not make the sweater as is. I think the best thing to do is take the design elements you like about the swaeter/jacket and find or make another pattern that is simillar and modify appropriately. I know this is hard to do, but the pattern you describe is crazy. You will not enjoy it, even in a "I can't believe I actually made this" way.

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    1. I considered this but I realize that, what will make that jacket hang as it does, is the very dense fabric produced by the stitch pattern.

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  9. What I'd do is see how long it took me to make the swatch. If I was frustrated, bored or had aching wrists by the end of a 4x4 section, I'd move on. If it got easier as I went and I could get into a groove, then I'd stick with it. BTW - I just pulled out yarn and needles and can't seem to make this stitch pattern work. So, my hat is off to you if you can!

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    1. Ha! You're a keener. What needle size are you swatching with?

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  10. Revising my previous comment, I just figured this out for myself looking at the original instructions. I didn't actually need to slip any stitches, but instead just skipped over the stitch when instructed (ie: I knit tbl into the second stitch on the needle instead of the first stitch, then went back to knit the first stitch with both still on the left needle, then I pulled the stitches off together with no net gain or loss of stitches. Then I did the same on the WS but purling instead.) I may do a few more rows tonight, but it seems to actually be making a very pretty sort of zig zag pattern so far. I can send you a picture if you want.

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    1. My blog just ate my own comment?! Anyway, I do know how to do the pattern without slipping but it fucks with the tension (given that the needle is so tiny and finicky on a US1) to do it without slipping the first stitches, at least with my hands. Are you doing British or Continental? (I'm doing British.)

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    2. Ah, I'm a continental knitter. I was using the yarn an needles that I happen to be sewing on now (US4), so a bit bigger. It did make a very tight stitch!

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    3. Interesting. I think this stitch might be easier in Continental (though what do I know). I don't know why I said I used a US1 - though I did start swatching on that. I used a 4 also.

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