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June 6, 2011

From Susan — Dear Nuppy

Filed under: Updates — lv2knit @ 2:01 pm

Dear Nuppy,
Any advice for working nupps?  When I worked mine, the yarn broke in a few places.

Thanks,
Karin

Dear Karin,
That sounds absolutely horrifying!  There is advice for knitting nupps from many reliable sources.  Here are a couple of suggestions.

A nupp is made by making multiple sts in one st (k1, YO, k1, YO, k1 = 5 st nupp; rep YO, k1 for 7 st nupp) and then purling the 5 (7) sts tog on the wrong side.  Most people recommend doing the “Yo, k1’s” loosely so they are easier to purl on the next row.  It is  also helpful to use sharp-tipped needles such as Addi Lace needles. 

Another trick — ex. is for 7-st nupp — is to slip the 1st 3 or 4 sts of the nupp as to purl, purl the rem nupp sts, and then pass the slipped sts over.  I did this a lot on my Fylleryd…it allows you to count each st and make sure you have caught all the nupp loops AND not the st or YO before or after the nupp (a common problem). 

It may also help to be a “thrower” if purling is a more difficult technique for you based on your knitting method…though this would involve too big a switch for most!! 

If your yarn is breaking, it may mean that the loops are too tight and you are attempting to push the knitting needle through all the loops at once.  Try loosening your k1, YO’s AND the slip st/passover technique.  Hope these tips are useful.  

Happy nupping!

Signed,
Dear Nuppy

Donna D recommends using a crochet hook and it looks really easy!

8 Comments »

  1. Here’s my way, which avoids the guesswork of unmeasured loops.

    NUPPS

    In order to make uniformly sized nupps and to work them with ease, use a same size double pointed needle on top of your right hand needle, set back slightly, to form the nupps so the loops are doubled in size. Keeping the DP needle in place but passive, continue to knit the pattern for a few stitches to stabilize the nupp loop lengths before removing the DP needle.
    When forming the nupps on the row where 2 nupps are separated by a knit stitch, keep the DP needle in place until both are formed, of course just using the right hand needle for that knit stitch.
    When you purl a nupp together, make sure all 7 loops are engaged before sliding the purled nupp off the left needle. Inspect it from both the right and the wrong sides. Inspect it after you finish it to be sure all the loops are secured.
    If you find later that you missed a loop, it can be corrected by dropping down to the nupp and reforming it without frogging the row.

    Comment by Katie K — June 6, 2011 @ 2:26 pm

  2. I use a crochet hook to do my nupps on the RS. Go to youtube and search nupps. There is a nice demonstration on how this is done. There is only one stitch to purl on the WS with this method.

    Comment by Donna D — June 6, 2011 @ 3:09 pm

  3. I do mine Barbara Walker’s way (see her Lily of the Valley pattern in Book #2, I think) and do the whole shootin’ match on the front side. K & YO however many times, then pass the oldest loop off the RH needle over the others and off, rather like how we all used to bind off. Truthfully, it isn’t as elegant as purling together on the back side, but is much much much easier on my arthritic hands. I’ve done the crochet hook thing, too, and that worked okay, but was still painful. My motto: blocking will cure almost anything. (Except maybe lv2knit’s tendon.)

    Comment by Suzan — June 6, 2011 @ 5:25 pm

  4. Yarn breaking while creating nupps? (shudder) That’s the stuff nightmares are made of.

    Comment by Celestial — June 7, 2011 @ 12:38 am

  5. I continue to learn so much from your blog. Thank you.

    Comment by Michele with one "l" — June 8, 2011 @ 11:50 am

  6. Now that’s genious, with the crochet hook!!

    Comment by Bonnie — June 8, 2011 @ 6:45 pm

  7. Humm, I love to knit nupps – although the 2600+ in the Crown Prince shawl give me cause to consider before casting on…
    And I still stop and think WWEZD? (What would Elizabeth Zimmerman do?) Would she use a crochet hook on a knitting project? Not sure, but this is a nice discussion. Thanks! Nupp on.

    Comment by Patricia — June 8, 2011 @ 11:53 pm

  8. Thank you for posting this for me. My swallowtail has been a UFO for quite some time but now I have options. I am really pleased for once I used a lifeline too before I started the nupps!
    Thanks again! I cannot tell you how much I appreciate it

    Comment by Karin — June 9, 2011 @ 10:46 am

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