Callum - Multi-directional Knitting Help

This post will remain on line to offer help when you are working my Pattern called Callum #12-012.  If you have my pattern you can follow the process along with the written instructions.  The Pattern will be available on Patternfish in June of 2012.

(1) NECKBAND

Begin with a crochet chain with approx 10 more chain stitches than the required number of Cast-On stitches for the Neckband.  Cut yarn, pull the end of the yarn through the last chain stitch.  Tie a knot at the finished end to indicate which end to begin picking up the stitches and which end to begin removing the chain when the Neckband is finished.

Turn your chain over and in the back you'll see horizontal "bumps".  Pick up and knit the required number of stitches for the size needed through the bumps.

Join in the Round being careful not to twist stitches.

Work the rib stitches until neckband is the required length from the cast-on stitches.

When the neckband is the required length, turn the knitting inside out to remove the Crochet Chain.  Working from the knotted end of the chain, pull the tail through the last chain stitch and begin to rip the chain back to the first picked up stitch.  Place the stitches on the smaller short circular needle, as you rip out each stitch of the chain.

Fold the neckband back with the right side of the ribbed stitches on the outside.  Hold the two circular needles parallel.

Insert the front circular needle into the first stitch on each needle, knit the two stitches together, repeat knitting the stitches together to the end of the round.
Neckband is complete. 

(2) BACK PANEL

The back panel is worked on the back of the neck stitches.  The side of neck stitches and the front of neck stitches are placed on scrap yarn.  Then the PANEL PATTERN is worked on the double pointed needles. When working the panels do not slip the first stitch on each row as the stitches along the sides of the panels are picked up 1 stitch for every row, to accommodate the cables worked within the next panel.

When the Back Panel is completed the stitches are placed on a piece of scrap yarn.

(3) RIGHT SHOULDER PANEL

The Right Shoulder Panel stitches are picked up along the left side of the Back Panel and then worked across the side of the neck stitches that are on the scrap yarn.  The panels are worked using double pointed needles

The number of Shoulder Panel stitches are equal in number to the Centre Back Panel stitches so that  the same Panel Pattern applies to the Centre Back Panel and also the two shoulder panels.  Depending on the size, the number of repeats of the Panel Pattern is specified in the Pattern.  

When the Right Shoulder Panel is finished, place the stitches on a piece of scrap yarn.

(4) LEFT SHOULDER PANEL

Next we move on to the Left Shoulder Panel.  The side of the neck stitches are placed on the double pointed needle and then the stitches are picked up along the Right Side of the Centre Back Panel.  Once again the total stitches that end up on the needle are the same as the number on the Centre Back Panel.

In this picture the back panel is on the top of the picture.

Both Shoulder Panels are now complete

 Depending on the size, the number of repeats of the Panel Pattern is specified in the Pattern the same number of rows are worked as on the Right Shoulder Panel, then the stitches are placed on scrap yarn. 

(5) FRONT YOKE PANEL

The Front Yoke Panel is worked next.  The number of stitches on the yoke panel make it necessary to change to the larger, longer circular needle.  The required number of stitches are picked up and knit along the Left Side of the Right Shoulder Panel.  The number of stitches picked up depends on the number of repeats of the Shoulder Panels that are specified for each size. Then the set up row for the centre yoke cable  is worked, then the required number of stitches are picked up and knit across the Right Side of the Left Shoulder Panel.

The circular needle is set up to work the Yoke Panel.

The Front Yoke Panel is worked back and forth across the Circular needle until the required number of rows are worked for the specific size.

(6) BACK YOKE PANEL

When working the Back Yoke Panel the Center Back Panel stitches are placed on a double pointed needle.  The Centre Back Panel is worked to raise the back of the neck and lower the front to make the neck fit comfortable.  The same number of stitches are picked up along the sides of the Shoulder panel as the number on the front Yoke but you are instructed to continue the Cable following the last row of the Centre Back Panel to allow the centre cable panel to continue down the centre back of the cardigan.  Once the set up is complete you work the same pattern as the front yoke, depending on the size you will be instructed to start the pattern with a specific row. 

The Yoke Panel Pattern is worked down the back until the specific number of pattern repeats are complete depending on the size being worked.

Back Yoke Panel is complete

Front view of the Yoke is on the Left and the Back view is on the Right.

(7) BODY

The Back Yoke Panel stitches remain on the circular needle.  The Front Panel stitches are transferred to the same circular needle as the back Yoke stitches.  Next you work the next Back Yoke Row, Cast On  the required number of stitches for the underarm, then work the same row across the Front Yoke Panel.  Then cast on 1/2 of the required stitches for the underarm, place a marker to indicate the beginning of the Body Round, and cast on the second half of the required cast on stitches.  Note: The stitches that were cast on after placing the marker are considered to be the first stitches of the first Set Up of round.  The Body is worked in the round with the back and front stitches identical.

Coming along

Work the Body until the required length that is stated for each size.

(8) BOTTOM BORDER

The stitches are reduced in number to offset the extra stitches required for working the cables.  The remaining stitches are a multiple of 4 stitches to work the K2, P2 rib.  The Bottom Border is knit with a smaller circular needle.  Next you work the sleeves.  ALMOST DONE!!

(9) SLEEVES

The Sleeves are worked in the Round on Double Pointed Needles.  Both Sleeves are worked identical. The Shoulder Panel Stitches are placed on a larger double pointed needle.  One half of the number of stitches that were cast on at the underarm are picked up starting at the middle of the underarm cast on stitches, next you pick up and knit the required number of stitches up the side of the Front or Back Yoke Panel depending on which sleeve you are working on.  Then you work the next Shoulder Panel Row, it is instructed in the pattern which row to work according the the size.  Then pick up and knit down the opposite Yoke Panel, and pick up half the number of underarm cast on stitches.  That is the end of the row.

 Next you rearrange the stitches so that the required number of stitches are placed on each of the three double pointed needles.  Work the Sleeve Pattern until the specified measurement at the underarm side of the sleeve.  

(10) SLEEVE CUFF

To set up for the cuff, you change to smaller double pointed needles and work the set up row, reducing the total number of stitches on the needles.  Once again, it is important that the reduced stitches  are a multiple of 4 to accommodate the K2, P2 rib.  Work the rib until the required length at the underarm meets the requirements of the size measurement at the underarm.

Note: One thing that is good about No Sew and also Multidirectional Patterns, because there is no seams the body is worked together, if by chance the child is slightly taller or shorter or the arms are a different length that the specific measurement for the Chest Measurement it is possible to try on the sweater and then knit a little longer or shorter body and sleeve.  

Hope this helps, MommaBearKnits and she loves to design Multidirectional Garments.  

Wrap Up of KAL

I am posting the schematics in the order worked.   Hope you come back again for reference.   If you have any questions, comments, pictures, send them to me and I will post them, or, you can contact me, I will send you an invite to be an Author on this blog.  You will need a Google membership to sign in but your input will be much appreciated. 

It was fun, hope you all enjoyed the journey.    ---- MommaBearKnits

Baby/Junior Compass Drawing

Section 1 Neckband

Section 2 Back Neck Panel

Section 3 Right Sleeve Panel

Section 4 Right Front Panel

Section 5 Left Sleeve Panel

Section 6 Sleeves & Back Panel

Section 7 Left Front Panel

Section 8 Body

Hopefully, this will be the first of many KAL's.

Hat & Finishing Cardigan/Jacket

Sleeve needs 3-needle cast-off

The picture is self explanatory.  The sleeve seams need to be closed using the 3-needle cast-off.  First you have to turn the garment inside out. 

The 3-needle cast-off in progress.  It is pretty straight forward. There are web sites that have videos if you are not familiar with the process, just search for "3 needle cast off" and you will find several.  The stitches are transferred to each of the two circular needles and they are held parallel to each other.  The cast-off is explained in the pattern Finishing Section.  When the cast-off is complete then the remaining tail is used to close the underarm gap, then it is finished off.  The second sleeve is worked the same.  Now all you have to do weave in the other ends of yarn and sew on the buttons. 

Baby/Junior Compass is finished.  Hope you want to take the journey again and again.

Now, there is a hat too.  I knit the hat in size small as my project is size 3-6 mos.  It is pretty easy, especially now that you have become familiar with the Garter/Seed Stitch Pattern.

The cast-on stitches for the hat is an uneven number of stitches to accommodate the seed stitch in the pattern.  If you look carefully at the picture above you will see that the pattern is on the inside of the band.  That is so that the band can be turned back over the ribbing when the hat is complete.   Before beginning the K2, P2 ribbing, you increase with a M1 stitch to accommodate the 4 stitch repeat of the ribbing.  Pretty simple.  After completing the body of the hat, the top is worked with 8 stitches decreased every other row.  That makes the top of the hat flat. 

Now I will show you my finished project:

I purchased little flower style buttons.  I liked them on the cardigan so much that I put them on the hat as well.  Just because I found them to be cute.  The pattern does not show buttons on the hat, but you can do what you want to dress up the project.  Use your imagination. 

I like the hat with the buttons.  Why don't you try flowers, beads, lady bugs, etc. 

Next post will be tomorrow.  I will show the complete schematic collection in the order that they are worked.  That may be of help down the road. 

MommaBear is moving on to complete Miss Emilee and then she will work on an adult style Compass pattern. 

MommaBearKnits --------

Picture from Kim

I received a picture from Kim, a participant in the KAL.  It looks great.  Hope she likes it as much as I do.

Kim's Project

Thanks Kim, let's hear from the others.  I am truly interested in the colours and sizes that where knit.

MommaBearKnits ---

Section 8 - THE END IS NEAR

Final Section - 8

Now the last section is at the post.   At the end of Section 7 you were instructed to transfer the Left Front stitches to the longer circular needle.  In the schematic above you will see the front stitches at the bottom of Section 7, the yarn will still be attached to the buttonband of the section.  Next, with RS facing, you will transfer the centre back stitches that are along the top of section 6 in the schematic to the same circular needle.  Then you will transfer the front stitches that are shown at the bottom of Section 4 to the circular needle.  The pattern will give you the required number of stitches on the needle.  Don't miss the "Note" about the placement of the buttonholes along both buttonbands. 

Section 8 Stitches on Circular Needle

The picture above displays the final section ready to knit down from the underarms.  Remember, to place the buttonholes every eleventh garterstitch ridge.  The finished length is stated as being approximate to accommodate the pattern repeats; the buttonhole placements and the fact that you are required to finish on row 2 of the pattern.  So if it is a little over or a little shorter than the recommendation, no problem.  It is a good idea to have at least one pattern repeat after the last buttonhole, if more is necessary to come close to the measurements, no problem. 

Knitting done, minimal finishing next.

I will post the final step tomorrow.  It will include the underarm 3-needle cast-off, the buttons sewn on and the yarn ends worked in.  I wish there was a way to avoid the sewing in of the ends, but I have not come up with that yet.  I purchased the buttons today, so there will be a final photo tomorrow as well.
  I will also post a complete set of schematics, in the order that they are worked, FYI. 

Until tomorrow, keep on knitting ----- Mommabear will.

Section 7 Left Front Panel

Section 7 Schematic

Butterscotch - Project Moderator

Butterscotch has an errata notice re: Section 7:

The corrected pattern has been downloaded to Patternfish. 

"In the Left Front Pattern Box,  Row 5 begins with K6 - it should begin with K1B, K5. "

Thanks to Kim, a participant, for pointing it out to me.   Now lets continue the journey.

Picked-up Stitches for Section 7

The Left Front stitches are transferred to the shorter circular needle from the scrap yarn, the yarn is attached and the rest of the stitches are picked-up and knit along the right side of the Left Sleeve Panel on the same needle.  The front stitches have already been knit when working the set up row for Section 2-Back Neck Panel, and the picked-up and knit along the right side of the Left Sleeve Panel, together, they replace the first row of the 6 row pattern repeat.  I will say it for the last time, begin with Row 2 of the pattern repeat. 

Section 7 Completed

At the end of Section 7, you are instructed "Do Not Break Yarn".  The last row of section 7 after working a WS row,  ends at the front buttonband.   The front stitches are transferred to the longer circular needle and the sleeve stitches are transferred to scrap yarn.  You will also notice in the picture that there is one long tail at the edge of each sleeve.  I mention that before, but just wanted to point it out one more time. 

Tomorrow I will post the final Section 8, then there will be the finishing of the cardigan/jacket and a quick review of the total project. A KAL of the hat will be posted as well.  Baby/Junior Compass will be keeping a lot of babies/toddlers/children warm this fall and into the winter.  I HOPE. 

See you again tomorrow, MommaBearKnits.

Section 6 Sleeve & Back Panel

 Section 6 Schematic

Section 6 Sleeves & Back Panel is worked arcross the back of the garment and the back of the sleeves.  It is the widest section so far.  You are truly on the home stretch.  The picked-up and knit stitches along the Left Side of the Left Sleeve Panel; the Centre Back Panel stitches that are transferred to a double pointed needle and knit across; the picked-up and knit stitches along the Right Side of the Right Sleeve Panel are now on the longer circular needle and form the first row of the first pattern repeat.  Thus you start with Row 2 of the 6 Row Pattern.  You will also notice that you are not to work the Yfwd, Sl 1 at the end of each row and you do not K1B at the beginning.  The end of these rows are the edge of the sleeve and I chose just to end the sleeves with a seed stitch/garterstitch edge.

Picked-up and knit stitches on the circular needle.

Section 6 complete

The short row sleeve shaping is worked on both ends of this section. The number of short rows are specified in the pattern that you are using. (Baby or Junior Compass).

Please note that you end the final row at the end of the sleeve, leaving a long tail for the 3-needle cast off.  If you look closely at the picture above you will notice that there is one long tail at the end of each sleeve section.  Also note that it is a good idea to wind the tail up and pin it to the end of the sleeve until you begin the 3-needle cast off, to keep it neat and out of the way while you work the rest of the garment.

Well, section 6 is complete.  I will come back Monday with Section 7.  Then the finishing will be done -----
I also intend to work the hat, it is pretty easy, but it is part of the pattern.   

Keep on knitting, it is cool this morning in Lake Country, a good day for knitting.

Just a view of the project that does look like a cardigan/jacket finally.  Section 7 will complete the Left Front Panel that is missing in this photograph.  I just wanted you to see that all is not in vain, it really is a cardigan/jacket and not just a journey to the ends of the earth and back again.

------- MommaBearKnits