Lace Knitting Tips - Row Counters
In the comments for Lace Knitting Tips, Martha asked "Do you ever use a row counter?"
I personally use a row counter and back it up with a pad and pen. The reason is that I mainly use one of those "kacha" row counters -- you know, the red one you press on to advance the number. There have been a few times when the row counter has advanced itself because it was sloppily tossed into my knitting bag!
The method that works best for me is to write out all the row numbers. I then use the row counter while knitting to keep track of what I'm doing. At the end of my knitting, I check off all the rows that I have done. The other benefit to writing out all the rows is that you can make notes next to each row number. For example, if you're supposed to increase every four rows seven times, you can write "INC" next to the increase row number. A quick glance at the sheet will let you know while you're working if you're on an increase row or not.
I think the reason I like writing things down so much is that you can look back at your notes and relive the process. You can also leave yourself notes on what choices you might have made regarding technique (K2Tog or SSK), measurement changes, pattern adjustments, etc. I could go on, but you get the point. You can also see how long it took you to knit the piece and how consistently you worked on it. Because of my notes, I was able to pick up a baby sweater that I had left lying dormant for seven months.
So, long story short, yes, I do use row counters. Quite frequently, in fact. And, since I use circular needles more often than not, I've switched to the kind of row counter that you slide onto the needle (see below). These don't advance on their own and because they're on the needle cable, I don't have to go fishing for them.
(BTW, I will gladly host images for anyone who doesn't have a blog.)
I personally use a row counter and back it up with a pad and pen. The reason is that I mainly use one of those "kacha" row counters -- you know, the red one you press on to advance the number. There have been a few times when the row counter has advanced itself because it was sloppily tossed into my knitting bag!
The method that works best for me is to write out all the row numbers. I then use the row counter while knitting to keep track of what I'm doing. At the end of my knitting, I check off all the rows that I have done. The other benefit to writing out all the rows is that you can make notes next to each row number. For example, if you're supposed to increase every four rows seven times, you can write "INC" next to the increase row number. A quick glance at the sheet will let you know while you're working if you're on an increase row or not.
I think the reason I like writing things down so much is that you can look back at your notes and relive the process. You can also leave yourself notes on what choices you might have made regarding technique (K2Tog or SSK), measurement changes, pattern adjustments, etc. I could go on, but you get the point. You can also see how long it took you to knit the piece and how consistently you worked on it. Because of my notes, I was able to pick up a baby sweater that I had left lying dormant for seven months.
So, long story short, yes, I do use row counters. Quite frequently, in fact. And, since I use circular needles more often than not, I've switched to the kind of row counter that you slide onto the needle (see below). These don't advance on their own and because they're on the needle cable, I don't have to go fishing for them.
(BTW, I will gladly host images for anyone who doesn't have a blog.)
posted by liz maryland at 11:48 AM
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