I guess that advice works well for knitting too. I took the time to knit a gauge swatch. The number of stitches per inch doesn’t matter as much for this scarf as the number of rows per inch. I want the scarf to be at least 60 inches.
I’m using #5 US needles, and the gauge turned out to be 9 rows per inch (firm, but not bullet proof). So for a 60-inch scarf, I would need at least 540 rows of knitting.
Next I needed to know how many rows of knitting would be used for the lettering and spaces because I want the cryptoquip centered on the scarf. Whatever rows necessary to make up the length can be slipt in half and added to the ends. That total is 342. (That’s the measure twice part.)
540 – 342 = 198
I rounded it up to 200, divided by two and that means I start with 100 rows of plain knitting before I start following the charts. A couple extra rows is okay because it adds a little length. I just didn’t want it under 60 inches.
There’s some techno stuff about doing charts on a two-sided piece like a scarf. I solved that problem a couple of different ways with my scarves lately. Garter stitch is tricky to knit lettering into without compromising the colors, so colors can only be introduced from on side. The color change shows up on the purl bump on the front if you introduce the color change from the back. Color changes can leave long floats on the back side, but I just knit them in the next time I get to the front.
For this scarf, however, I’m using garter stitch with a stockinette background for the lettering. Still have the long floats, but they get hidden in my work.
If all goes well, I will have only two dark ends to weave into the work when I’m done. Much as I LOVE the finishing part of knitting, weaving in ends for lettering is a snore!
So now I’m on my way. I got the 100 rows done and began my chart last night. No more photos until I get the scarf done. At that time you can see the scarf . . . and try to solve the crypto, too!
Smile!
