Julie and the Cocoknits team are jumping into The Everlasting KAL once again for our 2024 knit-a-long! This year we're knitting Ruth. You can follow along with Julie as she works on her (fourth!) Ruth over the course of eight weeks. Between February 2 and March 29, we'll be posting updates and behind-the-scenes glimpses of her progress, with a few tips and tricks along the way.
Watch our Instagram Story Highlights to see Julie's WIP try-ons, technique demos, and some special pro tips. You can also watch everything on our YouTube Playlist with accurate Closed Captions. (Updated weekly!) See what others are knitting in the Ruth KAL Ravelry forum.
Want Julie to teach you how to knit Ruth step-by-step? Check out our Ruth On Demand Class.
Comments
Hi Carol, the bust darts should be done at the fullest point of the bust, which for Julie was after she joined her collar. If your neckline join will be below the fullest point, then you can definitely do your darts before joining the collar. Here is a tutorial on how to knit bust darts that shows them on a cardigan, which is essentially what you would be doing: https://cocoknits.com/blogs/knit-tutorials/how-why-to-work-bust-darts. Enjoy your Ruth!
I just saw that Julie added bust darts after joining the front collar. I’m ready to add darts but haven’t joined the fronts yet. The darts are pretty substantial – 9 sets. Does it make sense to go ahead and add the rows to the front and work across the collar, then join, or should I go ahead and join the collars and do the darts a little lower? Appreciate any guidance you can give!
Hi Susan,
The +’s you wrote on the sides of the worksheet (specified on p. 8-9) are not increases. They tell you how many stitches to work past the marker/last Shadow Wrap Short Row on each row. The short rows are used to shape the neck (see bottom p. 9) as you work through the increases that you have marked on your worksheet. Hope that helps and please feel free to email us at knit@cocoknits.com for clarification or for more questions.
I am participating in the KAL but using the MABEL pattern and I just filled in the worksheet. The math for the front section doesn’t make sense to me though. The pattern says I should end up with 66 stitches for my size (1X), including necline and armhole increases.
But I am starting off with
14 st right front
14 st left front
increasing 18 st for the armhole (both sides)
and 74 for neckline (CO 20, increase 27 each side)
total is 120st, not 66.
What am I not understanding? All other counts add up.
Hi Marcia, we are happy to help! Try these suggestions, then email us at knit@cocoknits.com—we usually respond more quickly there and can get information back and forth more readily.
The first big question is whether you like the fabric you got on your swatch after you blocked it and it stretched? If you like it, then we can work on changing the numbers/size you are knitting. But, if the fabric is too thin or drapey, the next step is to reduce your needle size, carefully measure the unblocked swatch (stitch and row gauge and total dimensions) then block the new swatch and see if you like the fabric. If you end up going with a blocked gauge that is different than the gauge you are knitting the sweater at, you will need to check that the project is matching the expected unblocked gauge, so that after blocking (and expanding), the sweater fits. To get total sts for the bust, add the front and back stitches on the top of p. 12. Let us know how it goes!
I am really stuck trying to figuring out how to adjust my gauge and calculating yardage needed of yarn.
The “Modify Gauge” video is excellent but I am having difficulty finding the total stitch counts. Neckline, collar, sleeves, the count below the split hem, I will want to add length in the body, or the split hem area to adjust for my height – perhaps up to 2 to 3 inches. And perhaps other things I haven’t considered for the total stitch count.
After wet blocking, the yarn I chose expands – I think significantly, but I’m a new knitter and don’t really have experience with this. For example, my stitch count went from 17 stitches in 4” to 15 stitches.
I am using #8 needles and a DK weight yarn. My chest is 40.5 inches. I was planning on knitting, a size large, but after doing the calculations I learned on Julie‘s video, my size is off the charts, and she included many sizes beyond large. Also, I would need at least 800 – 1000 additional yards of yarn. That is almost double what I purchased for size large.
I am very discouraged, thinking I’ll never be able to participate in the KAL which I have been looking forward to and I love the Ruth pattern/style. I feel like I am fairly average size, but the pattern doesn’t seem to accommodate. I think I must be doing something wrong, or not taking something into consideration.
Is it common for yarn to change that much with wet blocking? It is 100% Marino and not cheap but I see that yarn is fairly expensive these days so it probably isn’t overpriced.
I don’t know any LSY that is doing this KAL so you are my only hope Obi-Wan. (I live in Portland Oregon and purchased my yarn from California.)
I would appreciate any help you could give me.
Thank you for reading this lengthy note.
Marcia Lynch
Hi Jennifer, The finished bust for a size 3 is 44.25” At 4 sts/in this translates to 177 sts at the bust after the neckline is joined on p. 12. The size 2 is 172 sts, the size 3 is 188. Since the size 2 calls for 872 yds, you will probably still be short. You could try switching to a different yarn on the sleeves or helm line, or knitting it in a short sleeve version. You don’t have enough yarn to make the sweater as written. Hope that helps and that you are able to join us with Ruth.
I was thinking about making the Ruth with some stash yarn. It’s knitting up at 16 stitches / 22 rows for 4 inches. I would like to make the size 3 but I only have 800 yards. Do you think this is feasible ?
Leave a Comment