All I did was pick up the selvege (slipped stitches) along the front panels, like we do when we pick up the slipped stitches along the gusset of a sock heel. Why did it pucker so much here? Did the ribbing of the button bands pull the fabric in? Should I have gone up a needle size? Should I occassionally knit into the front and back of a few of the slipped stitches to increase the pick-up count? Will you do this for me?

As far as mistakes go, this is pretty fixable. Easily fixable. In all the time I spent screaming "EFF! EFF ME! EFF me in the effing HOOHA," I could have ripped out the bands and redid them three times over. But for some reason I just so don't want to do it. I don't want to figure out how to knit a smooth button band when it shouldn't have required any thought to begin with. You're supposed to simply pick up the slipped stitches and, the end! But no! Now I've got to experiment with RATIOS and different needle sizes and whatnot so I've tossed it aside for the moment. I am angry at it. I am angry.

I'm seeking a little therapy by knitting socks again.

Pomatomus (or the Best Sock Pattern Ever) in Sundara Yarn "Aqua Over Lilac"

I'll finish the cardigan once I'm feeling a little more rational.

Comments [18]
Filed Under: Rambling Rose | Socks | Pomatomus

Monday, March 31, 2008 5:13:02 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

Yeah, that buttonband is pulling in just a titch. Don't worry about ratios, just pick up 3 (in the rows, the selvedge stitches won't work like in socks) and then skip 1. It's like magic for most buttonbands.

caro | splityarnAT NOSPAMgmail dot com

Monday, March 31, 2008 5:35:35 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

Hey! That is a pretty color yarn. If I do say so myself.

Sundara | customerserviceAT NOSPAMsundarayarn dot com

Monday, March 31, 2008 5:53:33 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

D'oh! Hmm, if the bands pulled in a little more, it'd become a circular sweater. But yeah - slipped edge stitches definitely mess up the pick up ratio. :(

Moving right along, that P sock is GORGEOUS!

Chris | silkAT NOSPAMonvoymail dot com

Monday, March 31, 2008 5:58:23 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

Generally when picking up stitches for buttonbands, you pick up two stitches for every three rows. Because you picked up a stitch in every slipped stitch, you picked up one stitch for every two rows instead. That leaves you a few stitches short, which is what's making your buttonband pull in.

The solution: Pick up an extra stitch in every third slipped stitch. I usually kind of wing it; as long as the count is somewhere in that range, your bands should like nicely.

Diane | dianeyoonAT NOSPAMgmail dot com

Monday, March 31, 2008 6:12:36 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

I hope this isn't too much unsolicited advice, but did you try steaming the bands? Mine ususally look a little curly until they are blocked and then behave pretty well after that. If steaming doesn't work, it is pretty easy to estimate how many extra stitches you need to make it fit (probably 1-2 repeats of the ribbing) and fudge them in there. It will be worth it - the cardigan looks awesome!

Bex | rdicharryAT NOSPAMgmail dot com

Monday, March 31, 2008 7:05:30 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

Sorry I'm no help on tips for fixing the button bands, they are my nemesis too! I just wanted to say that your sweater is freaking gorgeous! LOL I've been following your progress and I love the colors you choose. Plus you photos of it have been wonderful too!

P looks great too! ;)

Monica | rubysnpurlsAT NOSPAMyahoo dot com

Monday, March 31, 2008 7:37:56 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

i'm with caro--this exact same thing happened to me on my last cardigan, and it was only then that i learned you're supposed to skip every second or third selvedge stitch when picking up for a button band. at least you only have to re-do to the button bands; the rest of the sweater looks great!

sixoneseven | parikha49AT NOSPAMyahoo dot com

Monday, March 31, 2008 7:49:03 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

Gah, I hate button bands with an unrefined hostility. Haaaate. I haven't yet tried screaming about effing in the hoohah, though. That might make the experience better.

The sock is so gorgeous. If anything could heal the pain of button bands, it's that yarn and that pattern.

Becca | bec31octAT NOSPAMgmail dot com

Monday, March 31, 2008 7:49:32 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

I have only knit one sweater with a button band so I am definitely no expert. I did skip a row, as caro said, though, and it worked.

Btw, that brick wall is so cool. I would love a wall like that in my kitchen.

mari | my_weezyAT NOSPAMyahoo dot com

Monday, March 31, 2008 8:10:46 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

i can't tell you how much i love that brick wall! also, that sock yarn? beautiful!

mai | maitai113AT NOSPAMgmail dot com

Tuesday, April 01, 2008 6:30:09 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

Have you tried giving the button bands a good steam blocking? I had the same puckering thing happen with my Central Park Hoodie, and a few shots of steam really did the trick.

Sarah | paknitwitAT NOSPAMgmail dot com

Tuesday, April 01, 2008 7:53:15 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

If I were you, I'd read Elizabeth Zimmermann's thoughts on button bands. I believe Diane's comment about 2 stitches to 3 rows is correct. EZ really knows her stuff when it comes to ratios, etc. I think she writes about it in the Knitter's almanac, first chapter. Good luck!

Moonbeam | maj_moonbeamAT NOSPAMhotmail dot com

Tuesday, April 01, 2008 9:17:55 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

Aww...that sucks. :( I tried slipped stitches on a non-sock-related edge that needed to be picked up later before, and the same thing happened. I think it's because you basically end up picking up 1 stitch for every 2 rows instead of a better number (around 2:3 or so).

I feel your pain, though...I'm thinking of frogging a sweater that I've pretty much finished. It's no fun ripping back when you think you're done. At least yours looks amazing aside from the button bands. I love your color choice.

lynnewio | lynnewioAT NOSPAMgmail dot com

Tuesday, April 01, 2008 11:48:56 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

I so feel your pain! The exact same thing happened to me on Friday. I think my cast off was too tight. At least, I hope that's what it is, so I don't have to rip out the whole $#@! button band.

knitograph | allibean1975AT NOSPAMgmail dot com

Tuesday, April 01, 2008 11:53:58 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

I can't help you with that...but yeah, take your time away from it. When I made a mistake in my Mystic Waters shawl, I put it away for about two months before getting back to it, fixing the mistake and finishing off the shawl within a week. ;-) Just give it time.

Elemmaciltur | calaquendeliAT NOSPAMyahoo dot de

Tuesday, April 01, 2008 1:54:00 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

caro is very wise and is the queen of cardigans.

maryse | bagntrashAT NOSPAMyahoo dot com

Tuesday, April 01, 2008 4:43:28 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

This is just the sort of unhappy accident that makes me put out my tongue at selvages in general. You will triumph in the end. I'd think of it as a good excuse for a Finishing Party cocktail. (Are mojitos in season yet?)

Sarah | sarahAT NOSPAMbluegarter dot org

Thursday, April 03, 2008 9:10:52 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

Those socks are gorgeous!

Off to check out that colorway...

Emily | ehirschklauAT NOSPAMgmail dot com

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