Ribbing

[nczech]

I think I have a ribbing impediment. No matter how hard I follow the instructions it doesn't work out. I am in the hospital right now (another story) and thought this would be a good time to get some knitting done. I think my soakers are going to be ribless, :mope

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. My computer time is very sporactic but I hope to get on at least once a week.

Nichole :wool

[ladydemetreis]

I'm sorry I don't really have a tip for you but I hope you get better soon!!!

[littleturtlemama]

what goes wrong? If I have an idea of what it looks like I'll try to help fix it :)

[pamelamama]

If you do them ribless you will get a cute rolled edge which works with a tie. Explain your problem, we're on the job honey!

[nczech]

The ribbing doesn't line up. It is all bumpy like. I have tried to do several rows to see if it lines up but it doesn't. I am doing k1, p1 and then p1, k1, you get the picture. Is it the tension that is putting things off. I am just using free patterns from the net right now until I get good enough to work on some purchased ones. I would really like to make this work. If I were at home, I could post a picture but can't here. Hey, it is also so nice to be able to connect with some people out in the real world. It is quite boring in here though I am proud to say that I did knit my newborn neice a toque (yes, I am Canadian :pink ). It turned out pretty funky. The funkiness was a nice surprise, lol. Also have any of you used the jogging pants pattern from Pattons. I am learning to knit from these books and they have a jogging pants pattern I thought would make a neat soaker. Only problem is, I am stumped by one of the direstions. It say to k37, turn, then p19. The numbers may be a little off but do you have any ideas what it means by turn?

Thanks In advance. I hope this computer keeps working so that I can check in so often.

Nichole (the knitting fool). :count (from my hospital bed, lol).

[pmcgary]

Ribbing not lining up:
Are you knitting in the round or flat (back and forth)? If you are knitting in the round you should k1p1 all the way around and the last stitch of the round should be a purl and the first should be a knit....so you keep going round and round....
If it is flat...on the right side it is k1p1 to the end of the row...and on the wrong side it is p1k1 around.

Until you do a few rounds it is kind of hard to see.

The other question: Turning....those are short rows ...if you check out the techiniques area you will find links. Simply put it is turning your work and going back the way you just came....It is adding partial rows to give extra room for the bum. (Women's tops will sometimes have it at the bust to give extra room for the breasts)

HTH!
:pink

[twirlgirl]

the bumps make it sound like Pamela explained (knitting flat k1p1 across, on the back p1k1 across) doing opposite makes the moss/seed stitch which is exactly what your describing (little bumps)
At first when you posted I was thinking you were making the classic newbie mistake while doing rib...not moving your working yarn from front to back (working yarn in back when knit, bring to front between your needles to purl. I did this the very first time I tried rib and I was a mess trying to figure it out until my MIL talked me through it over the phone)

[marnie]

when i was starting out i had a terrible time with ribbing. it always looked terrible. two things that helped me a lot: go down at least 3 needle sizes and do at least a k2p2 rib. it's easier to see your success with a wider rib and it's a bit more forgiving with a loose purl stitch.

also, pull your FIRST purl stitch suuuuper tight, while keeping your 2nd purl and your knit stitches at your average tension. this seems to help a LOT.

[nczech]

A big hmm is going on here. Thanks for the advice. I thought I was doing what you all suggested with the knitting and purling but maybe I need to pay closer attention. I have tried both flat and on the round. The turning thing makes great sense to me but what do I do with the left over stitches?

You guys are awesome, I stumped everyone on the hospital ward with my questions. Hopefully some day I will be as good as you all are. :bow

I know one thing, I am proud of myself because I have learnt how to knit with two strands of wool at once. I had bought superwash by mistake and it is so thin so I am doubling it up.

Thanks again and as long as this computer is up and running, I am sure I will have more questions.

Nichole :pink