Once again, I’ve started a project over because my knitting is too loose for my liking. I kept telling myself my first one wasn’t too loose. I kept showing it to you and to friends and asking for their opinion, hoping that overwhelmingly everyone would say it wasn’t too loose. In the end, I love Liquid Gold way too much to finish it in a manner in which I’d be less than thrilled.
Two Versions
I started over. The one on the right is the first one, which I feel is too loose. The one on the left is the new one.
Liquid Gold – Too Loose
I don’t know how much you can tell in these late night bad photos but above is the one I felt was too loose.
Liquid Gold – Tighter and Better
Above is the second one, on smaller needles.
The pattern calls for 4 mm needles. If this had been a sweater or something that needs to fit, I would have swatched. If the gauge is a bit off on a shawl, it doesn’t make a whole lot of difference, unless the stitches look sloppy. I made the first one using 3.50 mm needles and the second one is done using 3.25 mm. I like the tighter project much better.
Hopefully there will be no more starting over from the beginning.
Cilla Tyler says
That did make a big difference. I like the 2ndone better. It’s neater looking than the first although if not side by side it may be difficult to tell.
wanda j says
I love the cables on it. I like the second better for sure. Can’t wait to see it.
Joyce in Oregon says
Judy, I learn so much here. I’ve had the same problem but really didn’t know how to fix it… and never tried a smaller needle. I just thought my sloppier knitting was due to the fact I knit loose as well! Interestingly enough, the last three pair of socks I made were all with Sweet Georgia yarn. I kept saying the yarn was making me look good, but I think I’ve also found the right size needles. I swatched for Tabouli and my stockinette looks good (a fraction off), but the lacy area looks too loose. I’ll try out some other needles today. Thanks for the help.
sharkiecat says
Some of my favorite finished knitted pieces, were started and restarted numerous times 🙂 Your shawl will be “right” in your eyes now.
Nelle Coursey says
I am with you. I like the second one better also. Good choice before you got too far along.
Rebecca in SoCal says
I think you’ll be happy to have started over. It does look better!
Val says
Love the change. I am also a loose knitter and love cables. I am looking at the pattern but have trouble sometimes memorizing a cable pattern but I have some yarn and you are drawing me down that rabbit hole..LOL