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Knit sweater -- Decreasing on the wrong side

Hi, everyone -- I lurk and read archives, but don't generally post, but I'm sort of stuck on a sweater I'm knitting for my son and it's starting to get COLD, so I want to get back to work and finish it.

It's a K5/p5 etc. ribbed (shaker?) sweater, and in shaping the armholes, I started by casting off 7 at the start of two rows, and the next directions are to "Decrease 1 st at each end of every row" for five rows.

So what is the best way to do this? I'm afraid if I just p2tog (I'm starting on the RS and both ends are showing the purl portion of the rib), that it will sort of slant the wrong way on one side of the sweater. I know that typically on the knit side I would K1, k2tog on the right-hand side and ssk, K1 on the left. But what do I do on a purl side of the piece? And the picture of the sweater seems to show more of a set in sleeve, so I don't think the K1 on each side is called for.

Sorry if this is poorly explained. I'm one of those knitters who needs idiot-proof directions. Apparently. Sigh.

Thanks for any guidance. And my son thanks you too!

Julie

Reply to
Julie
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Try the p2 tog on one side and ssp (slip slip purl) on the other. Fool around with it a little to see what looks right.

sue

Reply to
suzee

Well I usually do my decrease a couple of stitches in from the edge (eg. S1, work 2, then work decrease). That gives me a nice even firm edge to graft together when I assemble the garment (BTW - I never backstitch seams together). This highlights the shoulder seam on a raglan, and gives a nice finish to set in. I use the same method on sleeves and front/back pieces, but would probably do dec closer to the edge on a set in sleeve piece (eg. S1, work 1, work dec).

On your current pattern it will create a "new" rib along the seam that will run "over" the ribs in the jumper, but I like this finish.

As to how - well I'm not sure you will find it in any book (LOL) but here's how I do it

On a kint row at the beg - S1, K1, PSSO On a knit row at the end - K2tog

On a perl row at the beg - P2tog On a perl row at the end - S2 sts knitwise, pass slip sts back together (reversing order on needle by sliding left needle through second then first stitch tog from the top), P2tog

It might seem weird but it gives a smooth decrease and avoids the twist that can come from tbl stitches. And it quickly becomes automatic. In fact I had to think hard how to describe it.

Having read back over this I hope for your sake someone can come up with a clearer description that suits you. LOL

Good luck

Reply to
Cheryl

I agree, Cheryl. That works for me, too.

Kather> Well I usually do my decrease a couple of stitches in from the edge

Reply to
Katherine

Hey - glad to know I'm not the only knitter who doesn't like the dec's on one end looking twisted!!

Knitters here think I'm nuts to bother - but my attitude is if you're gonna bother to knit at all, do it right!

Reply to
Cheryl

Cheryl, Thank you for the directions on this. I have forwarded the message to myself. Sleeve increases/decreases are something that I have never been satisfied with and it may be because I was following the directions and doing them at the edge. This will make the edge neater and easier to sew together. Thanks again. Carol in TN

Reply to
Carol in TN

Well, of course! And I love seeing the decrease on a raglan sleeve sweater. It adds a nice edge,

Katherine

Reply to
Katherine

Thanks so much! I'm still procrastinating (hangs head in shame and looks guiltily over at shivering son...), but I look forward to trying it out.

Julie

Reply to
Julie

That make three of us. :-)

Tara

Reply to
Tara D

Oh, your poor son! Here you are, able to knit, and he is still cold! Not a good thing!

Katherine

Reply to
Katherine

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