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SpinaYarn
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
492 Posts |
 Posted - 12/01/2005 : 7:45:48 PM
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Ah ha!
You know, it was about 4 years ago that I was first taught to knit socks. sigh.. I quit after two pairs, stymied by the dreaded "ladders" between switching needles. 
It did not seem to matter how much I tugged and pulled on the yarn before and after the needle change.. the ladders remained...so, says I... bleh to socks! 
BUT.... and this is the BIG but, socks continued to haunt me.. gorgeous yarns beckoned, pleading with me to pleeeaaaassseee knit them into socks..
well, I began again a week ago, and quite honestly (and accidently), I stumbled into a way to avoid the dreaded ladder!
I accidently found out that if I begin a new needle (of the four we are working with) by placing it ON TOP of the needle I just finished, that there are NO (absolute zero, zilcho NONE) ladders!
Woo-hoo says I, time to share this silly little discovery!..
Anyone else out there struck by this silly little trick? Did you all "know" this and I was just "blinded" by my ignorance??? I am now happily knitting socks... AND LOVING IT!
(Note that I must add here that this breaks all the rules of my original European knitting "expert" teacher ! ) Hah! 
knit with joy-
Teyani
www.http://intrepidfiberwizard.blogspot.com/ |
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COgirl
Permanent Resident
USA
2176 Posts |
Posted - 12/01/2005 : 9:00:07 PM
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| I've switched to magic loop so I don't know about the ladders. Nonetheless, congrats on mastering this and being astute enough to figure out what you did differently! Welcome to sock mania. Please do keep us apprised of how your sock yarn stash grows. It is addictive. |
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sarakate
Seriously Hooked
USA
818 Posts |
Posted - 12/01/2005 : 9:58:52 PM
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| Oddly, some people find that laddering is best avoided by the trick you mention, and others find that putting the new needle *under* the one to the right is more effective for them. People definitely need to play around and figure out which trick works best *for them*. I like going under (since it keeps the other needles more out of my way), but then making sure that the first stitch on the needle I'm about to knit is very close to the base of the last stitch on the previous needle, which also very effectively prevents the ladder. |
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trekcelt
Seriously Hooked
USA
849 Posts |
Posted - 12/01/2005 : 11:40:45 PM
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I put the needle on top because when I was figuring out dpns, someone watched me and told me to put it on top.
I discovered today that the best way to prevent laddering is to make sure that you are using the correct size needle. I made two pairs of LB Basic Socks (got pair #2 on my feet right now) on size 3s as the pattern reqeusted. Then today I made a little pouch for DD from the leftover yarn on size 2 needles since this pattern asked for a 2. There wasn't even a hint of potential laddering. I also cast on today for Moonlight Socks. I was pretty sure I could make gague with 4s or 5s. Pattern requested 5s but I chose the 4s and the fabirc isn't fighting me at all.
Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.
trek's blog FO: 35, WIP: 2
"As for me and my house..."
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lisa_marie2323
New Pal
37 Posts |
Posted - 12/02/2005 : 02:58:50 AM
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| I've found that it depends on what stitch I'm doing. I usually like to be ~under~ for plain knitting, but ~over~ for my ribbing. Funny how everybody's hands like things different. Lisa |
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Tgz
Chatty Knitter
Portugal
205 Posts |
Posted - 12/02/2005 : 04:35:55 AM
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I'm knitting my first socks, and I didn't have any problems with laddering yet (don't hate me... please!).
I simply don't change needles in the same place each row. I mean: suppose your sock has 4*19 stitches around (this is the case with the sock I'm knitting). The normal way would be dividing 19 stitches in each needle. Well, I started the first row like that, but then I switched to 20 stitches in each needle, then 21, then again 20, so the places where I switch needles don't line up. At the same time, I give a little tug in the stitch of union. Of course, when I need to double check the pattern I knit a row "correctly" (19 sts in each ndl), and when I finally get to knit the heel I will do that also, but as soon as you understand what you're doing (the math, always the delicious math!), you will be free to change needles wherever you want. And no more ladders! Besides, I find it fun to do it like this...
Hope that helps,
TGZ
my knitting blog: http://knittingthrough.blogspot.com |
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abbierose
Seriously Hooked
USA
985 Posts |
Posted - 12/02/2005 : 04:45:57 AM
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I always have put my needle on top, and have never had a problem with laddering. So as far as I'm concerned, Spinayarn is right. For some of us, it totally eliminates ladders. I just started putting my needle on top because I found it easier to get everything to cooperate that way. Who knew it was such a good thing 
Melissa
Tia Knits |
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metromaples
Seriously Hooked
USA
873 Posts |
Posted - 12/02/2005 : 07:10:30 AM
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Like TGZ, I also switch my stitches from needle to needle and never have gotten ladders. I do this every few rows. Maybe on a color change. If using a pattern that is fixated on what to do on needle 1 etc, and I can't just translate it mentally, I use markers to block off the stitches per each needle number.
Jeri |
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SpinaYarn
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
492 Posts |
Posted - 12/02/2005 : 09:12:41 AM
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sock stash is currently multiplying like rabbits in my closet.. and I have already begged our favorite dyer to do some more colorways in the superwash that we sell..
I'm hooked!
Next question will be on how to take a luscious pattern that is written for sock yarn and size 3 needles and modify it for a size 0 needles sock yarn.... wait.... hmmm... could this possibly mean I have to learn how to add?! [:00]
knit with joy-
Teyani
www.http://intrepidfiberwizard.blogspot.com/ |
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Ruby Plaid
Seriously Hooked
USA
657 Posts |
Posted - 12/02/2005 : 09:34:42 AM
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Whoa! I honestly never paid attention to the placement between needles. The "tug" on either side often doesn't completely eliminate the ladder. I'll have to try this with my next sock.
Thanks for posting this tip!  
My sassy knitting blog is here: http://www.xanga.com/RubyPlaid
Visit my crafts website: http://www.geocities.com/hotelcrafty |
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lemons
Permanent Resident
1692 Posts |
Posted - 12/02/2005 : 10:11:53 AM
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I also realized that the bamboo needles don't create as much pull on the yarn - whether it's their texture or the weight, I'm not sure. I had awful problems with laddering and stayed away from socks for years and years. Now it's almost never occurs.
lemons of missouri |
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Margie
Permanent Resident
1013 Posts |
Posted - 12/11/2005 : 6:45:28 PM
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I knit a few more sts onto the next dp each and every time. No problem and it's a hahabit.
No ladders.
Margie |
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knits_for_preemies
Permanent Resident
USA
1957 Posts |
Posted - 12/12/2005 : 04:47:01 AM
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I learned to use dpns by using one of those online videos. Not sure whether it was the knittinghelp.com or the knittingatnoon.com, but one of those ladies advised pulling the second stitch tight in addition to the first stitch on the new needle to prevent laddering. I've always done that, and never had a problem with laddering. I think I also put the new needle on top.
Barbara |
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Eli
New Pal
USA
40 Posts |
Posted - 12/12/2005 : 09:27:49 AM
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I don't quite understand what you are saying but that may be because I don't have needles in my hand at the moment. I've been moving my stitches around the needles go avoid ladders but I do sometimes get small ones when this can't be done (like when working the heel gusset - too confusing to get my needle 1 mixed up with needle 4 in the decrease). I'm going to have to look at this post carefully with needles in my hand to see if I can figure out what you're saying.
Gina |
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