Saved by the Lifeline

I was working away on my Wave & Shell Shawl today when suddenly I noticed I only had 17 stitches on one pattern. Unsure where the mistake happened, I was glad I only had to frog back to my lifeline (6 rows). I have never used a lifeline before and it was so simple picking up the stitches and going again.

Whoever invented this lovely idea is a GENIUS!

I will use this technique whenever knitting a complicated pattern from now on. Love it...love it...love it!

Comments

[goldtop]

Hi.....
Just getting into this crochet / knitting stuff.. and was wondering what 'frogging' and the 'lifeline' was all about... thanks for any info! em x

[Bliss]

Frogging is another term for ripping out.

The lifeline is particularly helpful when knitting a complicated pattern like lace, or could be used before starting the gusset or heel of a sock for instance.

Use a different color of yarn, crochet thread, dental floss, etc. threaded through a darning needle. Pick a plain row in your pattern (knit or purl). Weave the threaded darning needle through all of your stitches on the needle.

You will have this different yarn or heavy thread hanging loose on either side of your work. Make a note which row of your pattern the lifeline is on.

Some people place a new life line after each pattern repeat (in my case every 16 rows) or in other sequences that make sense to them.

If a mistake is made, you can frog safely back to your lifeline. All of your stitches will be resting safely on this yarn/thread and can be picked up easily with the needle to start knitting again.

This saves having to rip out the whole piece because you can't figure out which row you are on, or cannot figure out how to pick up the lacey stitches of yarn overs, etc.

Every time you place a new lifeline, you pull out the old. If you never need it, you haven't spent much time putting it in. If you ever do need it you will be thanking your lucky stars you put it in!

[goldtop]

ah-ha! thank your for explaining...
:)

em x