Episode 15: Reconstructing Starsky

This week I talk about sizing up and down a sweater with a cable pattern.

I kept turning my head to look at my notes, so I sometimes fade IN AND OUt. Sorry about that.

Starsky Knit A Long

Jordana's website. All hail Jordana!

If you are looking to subsistute yarns, you might want to check out the Standard Yarn Weight System. Since this sweater is in a wool/alpaca blend, you want to be careful what you replace it with. Cotton, for example, may not work, maybe a cotton blend, but be careful. The thing may end up weighing a metric ton.

Starsky!
Macro Shaping of Neckline on one side of sweater (on back, you will need to think about the fact that shaping is happening on both sides)

In the original:
Gauge is 16 sts and 18 rows in 4 inches = 4 sts and 4.5 rows per inch
Decreases happen 14 times every 4th row = 56 rows.
In inches, this means 14/4 = 3.5" in 56/4.5 = 12.4"
Now, we have it in inches, time to convert to
NEW GAUGE: 20 sts and 24 rows = 4 in = 5 sts and 6 rows per inch
NEW decreases
3.5" x 5 = 17.5 stitches; 12.4" x 6 = 74.4 rows
Round to 18 decreases in 74 rows, just about 4 rows/decrease = decrease every fourth row. Eighteen times, instead of 14 times.

Generically =
original gauge = s x r
new gauge = S x R
Decreases happen x times in y rows.
(x/s) x S = new # of decreases
(y/r) x R = new # of rows to decrease
R/S - 1 = # of plain rows in between decrease rows.

If you do plunge in and decide to work your sleeves from scratch, please read this article in knitty.

Also, these sizing charts should be helpful.

Download Episode 15

P.S. - I know I haven't posted the pictures I promised. I ran out of sock yarn.

Good News and Bad News

Good News:
My office is painted and lovely.

Bad News:
My podcasting equipment is in boxes.

Good News:
A wonderful Designer agreed to let me "fiddle with" the sizing of her sweater and tell you about it. Hooray her! I'm working on it.

Bad News: But not until next week, when my podcasting equipment is out of boxes and back where it belongs.

Sorry.

Fourteen: Yarn Substitition

Yarn substitution can work for you by giving you your freedom of fibers and price, but also allow you to change the sizing of a sweater, at will, with just a little math.

If you're thinking of trying a new yarn, check out Knitter's Review and Wiseneedle.

Also, if you need to redesign a sleeve cap because you are monkeying with the numbers, this article from Knitty may help you.

Download Episode 14

Show 13: Counting

If you cannot read your knitting, you must count rows/rounds. This week I talk about the different memory helpers I have used over the years and what show ideas I have in the works.

Download Episode 13

No Show This Week

Sorry. See you next week for show 13.