Are you ready to cast-on and begin your ribbing? (Week Two of Knittin' Mittens)

I wanted to be sure that you got off to a good start so I made two videos' worth of recording. Lots of information and detail.

And, Part Two

Enjoy your knitting!

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Permalink Reply by cherylbwaters on February 17, 2010 at 10:19am

I'm sorry it's taken me so long to get this done and I know many have already progressed beyond the cuff. But for future reference, here it goes:

First, this is a swatch done with Lion Brand's Vanna's Choice. The gauge on US 7s is 22sts/4" [5.5sts/1"] in stockinette. For reference, the stockinette sts between each ribbing is done on US 7.

Here we go, right side out:

And how about the wrong side:

1. On US 7, k2 tbl, p2 ribbing recommended by Kelley.
2. On US 7, k2, p2 ribbing
3. On US 6, k2, p2 ribbing
4. On US 5, k2, p2 ribbing

I did these to see how I like the k2 tbl, p2 ribbing. I'd never done it before and I wasn't sure when I first started doing it if I liked it. There was talk here about how some thought they had knit their cuff inside out. And it sort of does look inside out because of knitting through the backloop. Then I did it on the 7s even though I know to go down a size or two needles when doing ribbing. After all this is a swatch so all can see the differences. All in all, I think I'm a convert! Look how nice and crisp knitting through the backloop looks. And I even decided I like the look of the twisted st, although it really makes it harder to count rows. So I think the twisted st is why some thought they were knitting the cuff inside out. That's my story and I'm sticking to it! ♥c

PS, now I'm wondering what it would be like if the ribbing was done as k2, p2 tbl. But I'm not going to swatch that for now. I do have some other projects I've got to get finished! Happy Knitting!

Permalink Reply by Allison Watkinson on February 17, 2010 at 10:36am

Cheryl, this is wonderful! Looks like you won't have to go down two needle sizes to do your ribbing in the future. I also decided I rather like the 'twist' of the first K1 when knitting into the back of the stitch (I wonder why the second stitch does not twist as well). I can't believe you went to this amount of work for us. Great job, well worth the wait!!!!

Permalink Reply by cherylbwaters on February 17, 2010 at 10:52am

Allison, I think that first st tends to "twist" more just because of the nature of ribbing. Those purls tend to pull on that right knit stitch even if you are ktbl.

I'm glad this was helpful. It was certainly helpful for me. Might as well share it, right? ♥c

Permalink Reply by Carolyn Ponce on March 10, 2010 at 7:46pm

I just started my mitten. Yippie. I made a test one with some pretty pink stuff my niece picked out. But she's 2 1/2 and I will need to figure out how to shrink the "pattern" for her. So, I'm starting my husband's. Bright blue. He'll be able to find them. Also, first time for Magic Loop!!

BTW....3 Kelley Techniques I love...and now use.
1. No slip knot in the long tail cast on. LOVE IT!!
2. Knit with both tails for first 2 stitches...Heaven Sent!
3. Knit into the back of the stitch while ribbing....Blessings. It makes the knit stitches stand out beautifully!
Ok, so the whole video. (And the cast on video from the socks set).

Permalink Reply by Carolyn Ponce on March 10, 2010 at 8:47pm

hehee.....I have found out that I need to label my needle baggies (whatever those little ziploc bags are called). I grabbed a size 5, 24 inch. So, I get 4 rounds into the cuff and 5th curse word before I realize what's going on. I found my size 7 (cascade 220 needle) lllooonnnggg circular. I'm now ready to start, again.

Permalink Reply by cherylbwaters on March 10, 2010 at 9:14pm

Isn't that the pits when that happens!

Permalink Reply by KnitterGirl39 on March 11, 2010 at 7:23am

I wish there was a way to mark the needle itself with it's size somehow and the length of the cable. Hmmm maybe I can make me some needle IDs (kind of like my stitch markers).