Drawstring Raglan from Summer 2008

KD Sandi wrote

on May 22, 2008 10:01 AM

Anyone using a different yarn than called for in the pattern?

TinaJ wrote

on May 23, 2008 2:27 PM

I'm using the yarn that the pattern calls for, and am a little freaked out by it. I'm trying to be fearless, but that's a challenge.  I've only knit with wool, and so the slippery yarn is scary. I cut the yarn when I switched colors, because it seemed like it would be too far to carry them up the edges, and now I'm worried about weaving in the ends. If I just weave them in, will they come out? Should I knot them before/after weaving them in to keep that from happening? Or should I use fray check to lock them in? Doesn't that wash out? Will it grow when I eventually wash it? Or do I just need to be sure to not let it hang while it's wet? Will I need to block it?

Aside from finishing questions (when I've really just started it), I'm finding it a pleasure to knit. I like that there won't be any seams. I really liked seeing it in the galleries, with the suggestions for changes for different body types.

Tina

KD Sandi wrote

on May 23, 2008 3:01 PM

Hi TinaJ!

I'm also using the yarn called for. I've been knotting and cutting the yarn for each stripe. I haven't done any weaving in yet, but my plan is to weave it in and out of the "purl bumps" on the wrong side (horizontally across the row, matching colors), using my yarn needle to "split" the yarn in several places so that it will stick better.

I haven't tried this yet, though. Hm. I will give it a try tonight and then come back and let you know how it worked!

KD Sandi

Beth Allan wrote

on May 23, 2008 3:09 PM

 I don't have my yarn yet but I'd be interested in seeing if anyone is using a different yarn than what is called for also.

Thanks

Beth

Sarah@5 wrote

on May 24, 2008 11:04 AM

 Has anyone gotton to casting on for the sleeves yet? This is proving quite a challenge. With 64 additional stitches at the end of the needle it then becomes impossible to continue knitting. I've had several people work on this to no avail. Help!

Sarah

JulesG wrote

on May 26, 2008 2:52 AM

 A stupid answer might be: Use longer knitting needles? Circulars maybe?

I've had a similar problem with a different project and had to get some longer circs otherwise it would have been impossible to knit the sleeves.

Beth Allan wrote

on May 26, 2008 3:43 AM

 I use circulars as much as I possibly can.I do not like straight needles,so a circular may solve your problem.

Beth

Jill wrote

on May 27, 2008 9:50 AM

Just this morning I finished making the Drawstring Raglan, whew....I used Royal Llama Silk by Plymouth and loved the colors I used.  And, I did have a huge problem when it came to casting on the stitches for the sleeve, no matter what I tried I could not knit those stitches off my needle, and just for the record I was using a long circular needle.  FinallyI decided to solve the problem my own way.  I used a crochet chain for a cast on, knit the rest of the top and then kitchener stitched the top to the bottom.  When I got to the live stitches around the sleeve, I did a slip stitch crochet into the live stitches, it all work out great.  I also crocheted a chain with 2 strands held together for my drawswtring.  Will post a picture..just as soon as I figure out how!

Jill

Beth Allan wrote

on May 28, 2008 3:43 AM

 So how did whoever knit the model so the sleeves? Now I'm leery about this one.

Beth

KD Sandi wrote

on May 28, 2008 2:09 PM

I had a couple more ideas...check out today's blog entry :)

Bevsyarncrazy wrote

on May 31, 2008 10:55 AM

 I am not making this, but the latest KD had an answer to the problem of casting on the additional stitches.

Kelly wrote

on May 31, 2008 10:38 PM

I'm using Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool for mine....have about 1 1/2 inches of the lace section to go...thanks for the KD post on the sleeves!

MaryH@5 wrote

on Jun 26, 2008 5:48 PM

 Hi, yes I just finished this sweater! I hated finishing it I enjoyed knitting it so much! I used Manos del Uruguay Silk blend. This is my new favorite yarn. Loved it. Sweater is wonderful - already have gotten lots of compliments on it too. I changed the armhole per Sandi's suggestion. Thanks Sandi!

Deborah N wrote

on Jun 27, 2008 3:24 PM

 I am almost done with the drawstring raglan, what I did for the sleeves is cast on the 64 stitches then I purled back right away, including a few stitches before the cast on, then i knitted back and connected the stitches to the otherside, like you would do for connecting in the round (flip the stitches).  I hope this is clearer than mud!  Since the short sleeve has a slight row anyway, you do not notice the extra rows.  Next time i would use double pointed needles in the middle of the cast on to reduce the pull, because now i have 3 long strings that I need to figue out what to do with, I did not think to use the double points until I was half way to not needing them any more!

LorraineD wrote

on Jul 10, 2008 12:52 PM

I am a fairly new knitter,  I am making this and am having trouble with ending the 4th row, in the pattern stitch row,  with exactly 4 stitches.   I have even ripped out and started over thinking I am not counting right.   I am doing the one with 259 cast on stitches.   I always end with 8 stitches left.  not enough to do a entire sequence in the stitches.   What am I doing wrong?  Please help.  I am using the yarn called for in the pattern.  Just different colors.   Thanks,   Lorraine