This is the part of the pattern that I still have not figured out how I did it or why it works. The first Hitofude I made, this is where I messed up and had to rip back to the beginning and since I cannot wrap my brain around these instructions, this part makes me nervous.
Even though the next section after binding off the sleeves, is scheduled for March 1, I think you’re going to go right into that section once you get the sleeves bound off. And, my guess is this – if you’re up to binding the sleeves off today, you’re going to be completely done with this project by March 1. The rest goes very quickly.
Here’s my advice:
- If you placed stitch markers every 12 stitches like I suggested, leave them in there. Do not take them out except where you’re binding off stitches.
- Be sure to use different (unique) stitch makers where the pattern tells you to place markers so you don’t get confused with which markers are the ones you placed every 12 stitches and which markers they told you to place.
- As with the earlier parts of this pattern and some of what follows, don’t try to figure it out. Just do what the pattern says and don’t over think it.
- Under “LOWER BODY”, “Set Up Rounds”, “Step 2” . . where she says “Make sure you have 17 (23, 23, 29, 29 35) sts before next marker on left hand needle” . . that is most important. Hopefully, that’s how many you have but if not, and if you’re just one or two off, then bind off less stitches (if you’re going to have less than the number indicated) or bind off another one or two (if you’re going to have more than the number indicated).
- Once you working on the bottom, you should still have your stitch markers every 12″. Be sure your BACK pattern is lining up and the markers are falling between repeats. If not . . fix it . . add a stitch, stitch two together . . but keep those back lace panels lined up. The front is going to be off because of the increases. Hope this makes sense!
Other than that . . I don’t know what else to tell you.
I’m not going to have much time to check email today or tomorrow but I’ll do it as soon as I can and if you need help, hopefully someone will respond before I can.
This is the only part that’s halfway hard and it isn’t hard . . I just can’t get it to make sense in my head. On the second Hitofude, and when I did the first one the second time, I didn’t have any problems except on one of them, I had to bind off one less stitch than the instructions said in order to get those numbers mentioned above.
Once you get past this point, it’s truly a piece of cake!
Tracy Cox says
I have a question about the sleeves. I’m making the medium size, but I’m afraid that the sleeve tube is going to be too narrow for my upper arms. The length is OK. Could I add a few extra vertical repeats to this section with out affecting the back or front? I am thinking that the back of the neck area might scrunch up.
Krista says
I think that will work. In fact, the pattern says “or continue in pattern until the piece matches your upper arm size”. If your arms are bigger, then your back length likely needs the same increase so it should be fine.
Margie says
Tracy, I don’t think 1 repeat would make that much difference, but not sure. Maybe someone else can help.
Judy, what you said about it “just working”, when I came to these areas I wasn’t sure about, I would think to myself, “How in the world do people figure this stuff out?” It just worked!!!
Krista says
Where I had to bind off an extra one or two, I’m positive it’s because I lost count during the bind off. I agree – make sure you have the right number of stitches left on your needles, and it will all work out. And don’t try to understand why 🙂
Krista says
And, double check your stitch count when picking up from your cast on chain. I “lost” one stitch there.