theraineysisters knitting and so much more

I worked a bit on the back of my Sunrise Circle Jacket.  I had to play around a little with the pattern.  One minor change is that I cast on, knitted the hem, and did the turning row on a size smaller needle than the body calls for.  I think this makes the hem nicer.  I also did not like the way she does her darts.  She has you do a centered double decrease which creates a strong line for about 2 inches (see photo in pattern).  I don’t think it looks that good.  I substituted ssk, k3, k2tog.  For the corresponding increases, I used lifted increases on both sides of the k3. 

The other thing that is unusual about the pattern is her use of “k2tog through back loop (TBL)” as a substitute for ssk.  She is probably trying to account for the larger st that occurs with ssk compared to k2tog.  This can be corrected in a couple of different ways, but her method leaves both sts noticeably twisted.  I prefer either to do a standard ssk but slip the second st as to purl instead of knit.  This twists the second st only and tightens things up.  If that isn’t enough, then I purl the two sts the “wrong way” on the row before the ssk is to occur.  This is very easy to do with raglan shaping because the location of the sts is known. I used both methods on the back of this sweater: the 1st when I did the darts and the second for the raglan shaping.

My only concern about the project now relates to gauge.  Mine is very slightly off — not enough so that changing needle size will help.  I am gaining about 1/4 inch per 4 inches, which doesn’t sound like a lot but could matter with the unique construction of the garment.  I am trying to tighten up my knitting slightly so the raglan armhole is not too deep.  

Sorry about all the technical knitting talk!  I’m sure it is boring to many of you, but this is the “knitalong” portion of the blog!