STITCH GAUGE: The term “STITCH GAUGE” is the most important part of all
knitting directions, since the sizing of any knitted garment is planned
on this gauge. You MUST work to the gauge which is given or your
finished work will not be the size indicated in the directions.
TO CHECK STITCH GAUGE: Cast on approximately 20 sts, using the yarn and
needles which will be used for the body of your work. Work in the
pattern st specified for 3 inches. Bind off all sts. Block this knitted
swatch and then, using a ruler as a guide, count the number of sts to 1
inch. If your stitch gauge is MORE sts to 1 inch than that given in the
directions, try the next size larger needle and again check your gauge.
If your st gauge is LESS sts to 1 inch than that given in the
directions, try the next size smaller needle and again check your gauge.
The IMPORTANT THING to remember is that the size needle used does not
matter as long as your stitch gauge is correct.
GARTER STITCH: Knit every row. It will take 2 rows to make 1 ridge.
STOCKINETTE STITCH: K 1 row, P 1 row alternately when working on
straight needles. When working round and round on a circular needle or
double point needles, knit every round.
SEED STITCH: On the first row * K 1, P 1, repeat from * to end of row.
On all subsequent rows, K over the P st and P over the K st.
RIBBING: On the first row work in the ribbing pattern given. On all
other rows, K over the K sts and P over the P sts.
TO SLIP A STITCH: Whenever the directions specify a sl st, always insert
the right hand needle in the st to be slipped as if to P, unless
otherwise indicated.
MARKERS: When work specifies the use of a marker, use a small round
paper clip for this purpose. In working, always slip this marker from
one needle to the other.
JOINING YARN: If possible always join a new ball of yarn at the
beginning of a row. When it is necessary to join the yarn while working
across a row, leave an end about 4 inches long; then work from the new
ball of yarn on the next st, also leaving a 4 inch end. After working
for 1 inch more, tie these two ends in a square knot, so that the
tension will be the same as all other sts. When finishing work, run in
these ends on wrong side for 1 inch.
SELECTION OF COLOR: Every woman has her own personal preferences in
colors, based on the colors which are most flattering to her and will
harmonize with the rest of her wardrobe. For this reason we have not
specified any particular color for any model, other than for those
models where a combination of colors has been used. Even in these
models, let your own individuality express itself by choosing other
color combinations if you wish.