This is my Shaw’s Cove Shawl for the third Camp Loopy project.
There are several sections that have to be repeated and there are three or four rows in Section 2 that give me fits. The first time, I got about three inches in and had to rip it all out. During these frustrating rows, there are all kinds of cross overs and knit two together backwards and it’s almost impossible to rip out right. I was trying so hard to pay careful attention and the phone rang and I got messed up. So, I just cut it all off and started over. I got to the same point again and Vince was watching the Olympics and he said “Look at this!” and I did and got messed up again and hard to start over. The third time, I decided to add a life line before I got to the hard part. I got through it just fine and added the second time, I got messed up again and had to rip back to the life line . . thank goodness I had put it in there.
For those who have never had to use one, a life line is some kind of waste yarn (it’s the orange string you see in the picture) that is pulled through a row as that row is knitted. Then if I have to rip out, I can rip back to there and the waste yarn stops that row from being ripped. I can then pick up those stitches and go from there.
I’ve learned to go to a separate room, close the door and get those hard rows done without interruption. I think I have to do them two more times before I’m finished.
The pattern is well written and the problems are my own fault for not paying enough attention.
What are you knitting?
Sandy in IL says
I have never heard of a life line but I could sure use that when I am knitting something I find difficult. There have been times I have tried to rip out and try to determine what row I am on. That results in numerous attempts and an hour or two wasted. Sure wish I was as fast at knitting as I am crocheting! Thank you for the tip, Judy.
Janna says
Still the same sock I was knitting last winter, of course I haven’t even picked it up this summer except when Michael was in the hospital. Maybe I will get it figured out this winter!
Carla says
I have just started a pair of socks for my youngest granddaughter using cotton yarn.
My goal is to make a pair of socks for each of my 5 grandchildren for this winter. I have one pair done and four more to go.
Gail says
Life lines are just that! They have saved my bacon any number of times . I just need to remember to put them in before I actually need them.
Judy D in WA says
This is going to be so pretty! I love the yarn you chose.
Life lines appear to be sanity savers. 😉
Tinkerfeet says
I also have never heard of a life line. I will be using it too. Great tip. It is nice when people share tips. So many people just keep them to themselves . So thank you. It is also nice to know other people have to go into a different room and close the door to knit through hard spots. Thanks again
Ava Crotinger says
I’d love to share what’s on my needles and I have a lot (a.k.a. too many knitting projects started to count). I’m having tech trouble with camera / computer. But I will share soon. I’ve been working on a really cute seamless raglan sleeve sweater (free on ravelry) called February Lady Sweater. Just love it even though I did have to use a life line after the second rip out.
Karen says
Thanks for the life line tip. I’m knitting a sock – I’ve ripped it out 3 times and started over – you can’t watch the Olympics and knit a pattern at the same time!
Diana in TX says
I need to remember using life line as well. Some days I end up ripping more than knitting. Good idea!
Marky says
What a great tip! I’d never heard of a life line (I’m some what of a novice knitter) and I’ve never been any good at ripping out rows and picking up stitches, so I keep ending up having to start over. That really slows me down and can be discouraging. I’m going to use your life line trick!
carolyn says
I’ve never heard of a life line either. how do you do that.
Kathy Alden says
Check out the App KnitCountPro. It has kept me on track for those times I get interrupted. Its for the ipad!
BethL says
Do you have/use the Knit Companion app for the iPad? It is a lifesaver for me with lace patterns. I told hubby one day that the cost of the iPad was worth it just for that app. It is a paid app but IMHO worth every penny.
Judy says
Life lines are great, especially for lace which has all those yarn overs, knit togethers and increases, making ripping treacherous. Another help are marking each repeated section across the row; that’s saved me lots of times. But knitting during the Olympics have come down to just garter stitch….can’t tell you how many times I ripped on my sock before I wised up. I call lace patterns the “don’t talk to me ones.”