For the Cocoknits Method of constructing a sweater, you will pick up stitches along the back of each shoulder and top of each sleeve. These pickups form the structure and foundation of the entire sweater. Because they are weight-bearing joins, the pickup method must be as strong as possible. My technique for picking up stitches most closely imitates a seam and ensures a tight join with no gaps.
USE THIS PDF TO PRINT THE TUTORIAL.
Locate your ladder stitches.
With the right side of your knitting facing you, start at the right edge and in the “valley” between the first and second stitch; run your double-pointed needle from right to left under 3 bars then over the 4th bar.
Working this way secures the needle in your knitting and is an easy way to count the ladder stitches you’ve picked up. Note that although you haven’t picked up every 4th ladder stitch, you will still need to count them and knit them.
Now count your ladder stitches. In the photo there are 12 ladder stitches: 3 clusters of 3 plus 2 unseen ladder stitches that are under the needle (in between the clusters of 3 with one unseen stitch at the very end).
You have been picking up from right to left; now you will need to slide your double-pointed needle into position so that you can knit off of it.
Treat the ladder stitches as though they are regular stitches and knit each one through the back loop. I knit these stitches through the back loop because they come off the needle more smoothly that way. If you prefer to knit them through the front loop, that’s fine. Just make sure you are consistent (all through back loop or all through front loop).
Note that you ran your needle over every 4th stitch so you will need to pick up every 4th stitch as you come to it and knit it through back loop. Remember to knit 2 together (do this through the back loop) as many times as you need to in order to end the row with your required stitch count.
Comments
Hi Donna,
Going under the fourth stitch anchors the needle (you are picking up with) in the stitches. If you don’t go under some stitches, your knitting needle will just fall out. Hope that helps!
Hello! Why do you go under 3 bars then over the 4th bar and not just go under all the stitches? It seems to me that it would be easier to just go under them all and knit rather than have to pick up that 4th one each time you get to it but maybe I’m misunderstanding something or not doing it correctly. Thank you!
Hi Beryl,
Our videos are technique based, rather than pattern based. So the tutorials that will help you with Tallulah are this one for shoulder pick ups (p. 85-86 of pattern) and “How to Work Jeny’s Stretchy Bind-off” for finishing (p. 86). Please feel free to email at knit@cocoknits.com if you have specific questions. Enjoy your Tallulah!
I’m looking to do the Tallulah. Is there any videos to support this pattern please?
Hi Kathryn, we’ll add that to our list of videos :)
Pick up all the ladder stitches at the sides of the shoulders, then decrease to 8 sts by knitting through back loop as necessary, spacing decreases evenly, as shown starting at 2:13 in video above.
After the decreases in Row 1 of Section III, you will have 9 Left shoulder sts, 8 left sleeve sts, 38 back sts, 8 right sleeve sts, 9 right shoulder sts for a total of 72 sts. Then in Row 2 of this section, you will place the markers to delineate the 2 selvedge stitches on the two ends of your piece. Hope that helps! Please email us at knit@cocoknits.com if you have more questions. Enjoy your Emma!
I am knitting the Emma sweater in size Medium and have two questions on Section III (page 61).
1. I am not sure I am picking up the correct number of stitches along the outside edges of the Left and Right Shoulder. I am not sure whether I should have 12 or 13 ladder stitches. Can you let me know how many ladder stitches I should be picking up?
Also it would be helpful to include a video on picking up ladder stitches on the outside edges of the Left and Right Shoulder.
2. I did a test sample and made sure that I had the correct number of stitches in each section (8,8,38,8,8) as stated in the pattern, which equals 70 stitches. However, when I get to the last step in Section III where the markers are placed, the pattern now has 72 stitches (2,7,8,38,8,7,2) with a note about “the 2 neckline selvage sts on each end are included in the Front st counts”. I am not sure where to find the neckline selvage stitches.
Can you give me some more details on where to find the selvage stitch?
And then am I supposed to purl the selvage stitch and if so how to purl it since it isn’t on the needle.
Many Thanks!
kathryn
Hi Suzanne, We’re not sure exactly what you are asking. Please email us at knit@cocoknits.com and give us page numbers in the book (and pattern if you are using a different one from the extended collection) for the specific places you are having trouble understanding. We look forward to helping you!
How do I do before I pick up these stitches on bias ? After I cast on in free fir shoulders stitches before I pick up for front what do I do those two rows before the pick up ? Workbook firs not give. KeE instructions for beginning back and shoulders . Help .. frustrated .. I Want tolearn this method. Thank you.
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