Problem with picking up stitches- I need help!

[SevenVeils]

I'm making the Moderne Baby Blanket from Mason Dixon Knitting. I finished the center patch yesterday and I'm stuck.

How do I pick up stitches along the side of something?

Every tutorial I’ve seen shows picking them up on the top or bottom edge where the stitches form little v shapes. The side doesn’t have any v shapes, so how do I do it?

[lyttlewon]

What do you have a cast on edge or purl bumps? In this video at the end she shows you how to pick up stitches out of a cast on edge http://www.knittinghelp.com/videos/knitting-tips. It is the same for a purl bump. Each purl stitch has 2 bumps. Using the main gauge needle, pick and knit through one of the two bumps. Depending on how you are holding your work will determine which of the two you pick up through.

[SevenVeils]

Sorry, I should have been more clear.

In this pattern, you knit a section, for the sake of discussion say it's a square. Then you bind off all but the last stitch. Then you turn it and pick up stitches, one for each garter ridge.

So you're picking up stitches along the right selvage edge in preparation to knit a section perpendicular to the direction of the first section.

I hope I explained that well.

And I don't know how to pick up stitches from along the side of the work.

[Knittin' in the Shade]

that pattern's all garter stitch, right? With garter stitch edges, you basically run the needle parallel to the edge, through the outermost "bump" on each garter ridge. Then, knit into each loop that the bump made on the needle as if it were a regular stitch

[lyttlewon]

Originally Posted by SevenVeils

Sorry, I should have been more clear.

In this pattern, you knit a section, for the sake of discussion say it's a square. Then you bind off all but the last stitch. Then you turn it and pick up stitches, one for each garter ridge.

So you're picking up stitches along the right selvage edge in preparation to knit a section perpendicular to the direction of the first section.

I hope I explained that well.

And I don't know how to pick up stitches from along the side of the work.

Ok that makes sense. Check out the video I posted and she shows how to pick up stitches on the selvage edge.

[SevenVeils]

Originally Posted by lyttlewon

Ok that makes sense. Check out the video I posted and she shows how to pick up stitches on the selvage edge.

She does? Thanks- I missed that part although I did check the link both before posting here and when you posted the link

ETA: I keep looking but I'm not finding it. Is it under "Picking Up Stitches"? I don't have any sound on my computer for some reason that I can't figure out, so if she's saying something I don't know. But I keep watching that video and all I see are v shaped stitches.

ETA: Never mind, I found it, I just wasn't patient enough. Thank you

[SevenVeils]

Okay, I did it. I thought I had done it correctly but I ended up with 37 new stitches instead of 36. Was I supposed to do something different with the leftover stitch from the first patch?

[boodafli]

the best thing about log cabin knitting, is counting is over-rated. go ahead and knit on, just throw a K2tog in there somewhere to get back to 36. also, check the MDK blog, cuz there's errata sheets for a lot of the patterns.

[JustJamie]

Entrelac is a great way to practice picking up stitches. Google or search Rav for the "garterlac dishcloth". Small, quick, easy, and a good way to learn/practice picking up stitches!

[mobea]

picking up stitches in garter stitch

ANYTIME you are knitting in garter stitch always slip the first stitch with the yarn in front, then pass the working yarn to the back between the needles. You will have elongated 'stitches' on the selvege edge that are perfect for picking up stitches and/or make seaming garments very easy. I learned this years ago from Elizabeth Zimmermann's books. It really works.

[Knittin' in the Shade]

Originally Posted by mobea

ANYTIME you are knitting in garter stitch always slip the first stitch with the yarn in front, then pass the working yarn to the back between the needles. You will have elongated 'stitches' on the selvege edge that are perfect for picking up stitches and/or make seaming garments very easy. I learned this years ago from Elizabeth Zimmermann's books. It really works.

that's a good trick, but the slipped stitch edge can affect the amazing vertical stretch of garter stitch, so if it's an item that you want to preserve the stretch in, then definitely skip the slipped stitch selvedge.