This pattern construction, which begins with Judy’s Magic Cast On, allows me to work toward the neckline, working on a pretty steadily declining number of stitches. When I get to the third tier of the Skirt Lace I will have 238 stitches. The cable tier takes the final stitch count down to 178 stitches. When I return the other side of the cast on to needles (336 stitches) I will then increase to 426 stitches. This would seem slightly contrary to my claim about needing to work toward a smaller number, but since I only have to knit 1.5″ (or desired length) and this is part of the finishing, this doesn’t seem quite the same to me–the end is then in sight!
By working the bottom rib flounce at the end it allows me to balance the depth of the trim with the finished depth of the shawl. Row gauge tends to vary more than stitch gauge so this allows the knitter to find the balance that works for them. In some cases there is the matter of how much yarn one has left to work with, so working the trim this way gives greater flexibility.
I am working the row with the p8 wrap 3 times instruction for the first tier. It occurred to me that it might be quicker to use a dpn to work the p8 because then you could simply wrap the yarn 3 times without having to slip back and forth. This makes total sense, and despite the fact that it requires an additional tool, and I’m going to have to remember where I packed my dpns and find them, this seems like a very realistic expenditure of energy.
I often “make do” due to my own laziness and because I am always seeking progress and sometimes get too easily off track. I will use whatever is handy rather than find the right tool. This makes for an opportunity for nice innovations as I think about other possibilities, but sometimes doesn’t serve me all that well! I want to tell you what is working for me, so you may see both good and bad habits here.
I tried using a dpn to work the p8 wrap. Not sure it speeds things up immeasurably, but enough that it feels less fiddly. I like that. My only problem is that you still have to slip the stitches from the dpn to the right needle, but I believe I will do that technique exclusively from here.
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