Knitting Patterns  

Picking Up Knitting Stitches

When picking up sts on the vertical edges of a knitting pattern, you pick up  G  sts in every  R  rows: where G equals number of sts per inch in your gauge measurement and R equals number of rows per inch.  

However:  Sometimes you may want a firm band or ribbing across this vertical edge and will want to work it with smaller needles than the original piece.  In this case you'll want to calculate a new gauge for the smaller needles and use sts per inch from this gauge for G.  Be sure to work swatches for gauge measurements in the pattern you will be using.

Usually:  I find that picking up 2 sts out of every 3 rows works well - especially in stockinette st which is approximately two-thirds as high as it is wide.  Do not slip the first st of each row for an edge that will be picked up - except in socks where that seems to be the norm.  Pricilla Gibson-Roberts, in Knitting in the Old Way - suggests picking up four sts out of every five rows - but in my knitting this puckers the fabric.  

When picking up sts on a horizontal edge, you pick up one st in every st.  Unless you want to increase or decrease for some reason or are using dramatically different size needles.  And assuming you aren't knitting something like a side-to-side vest.

If your gauge swatch is too large, you are getting too many sts per inch and you should try it again with a smaller needle - or recalculate the sts needed for the sweater.

If your gauge swatch is too small, you are getting too few sts per inch and you should try it again with a larger needle.

The single most important measurement in knitting.

The single most important measurement in knitting is the hip measurement - because if you are sitting around knitting and eating jelly donuts too much - this measurement will increase and increase and not only will the thing you are knitting not fit, but all the things you have knit previously will not fit.  You are also increasing your chances of a heart attack and decreasing your chances of a social life!

Okay, I'm getting giddy - I admit it.  In my style the most important measurement is the measurement of the actual thing you are knitting and I recommend trying it on regularly to check.  Funny things can happen while knitting to change the size of things and this is the only way to be absolutely sure of success.  

But the real answer to this question is: the most important measurement is the gauge and of this measurement the sts per inch is more critical than the rows per inch.  But I consider this as just a starting point, a calculation, to get you aimed in the right direction.  Measure, remeasure, and try on your piece as you work to be sure of a good fit.

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