A piece of the problem

Here’s the problem that I’ve been chewing on this evening.

Given this pattern:

k1, m3, k2
p6
k2, k3tog, k1

(m3 = k1 without slipping the stitch off, yo, k1 in the same stitch)

How do you know how to graph it? It’s a non-rectangular graph. Writing the chart out is intuitive, but I need to be able to explicitly explain the rules that govern how that’s translated into a chart. I’ve got a really simple rule that might work, but it’s so simiple that I suspect it will only handle a finite number of cases. And it will only handle non-rectangular graphs that don’t have any “holes” in them when you chart them out.

I’ll try to put together some graphics to illustrate what I’m talking about later on.

5 Responses to “A piece of the problem”

  1. Jon Says:

    It doesn’t have to be non-rectangular, if you think about it: Since the stitch count is only different on row 2 which is a purl row, simply just chart the RS rows. Make an M3 symbol and a k3tog symbol so that it looks like this:

    3: K, ^, K, K
    1: K, K, 3, K

    Where 3 stands for M3 and ^ for K3tog. But if it’s part of a larger pattern, it may not work.

    Alternatively, take a look at how Starmore does her charts — she has a lot of charts that have varying stitch counts from one row to the next (Look at Cromarty in “The Celtic Collection” for a great example).

  2. David Says:

    True, but consider this:

    k,^,k,k
    p,p,p,p,p,p
    k,k,c2b,k,k
    p,p,p,p,p,p
    k,k,3,k

    Sure, you can leave out the wrong side rows, but you can’t leave out the center row with the cable stitch.

    The whole point is that there are patterns out there that do not have the same number of stitches in each row. I’m exploring ways to represent those and ultimately draw them automatically.

    I’ll stop by the library today and see if I can find that Starmore book.

  3. Aarlene Says:

    hmmmm…
    how do you tell the computer the end of the row in a particular row isn’t the end in another row?
    knitting that makes you think…cool!

  4. Jon Says:

    True… but I sadly didn’t know that the center row with the cable stitch was there… I understand and apprciate your dilemma though I haven’t the foggiest about how to program it being that I know jack about programming.

  5. cathy mcdonald Says:

    HI, I am looking for charts for knitting designs with twisted stitches. I have just finished a bowl with fruits and leaves and might like to try a landscape.
    Thanks,
    CMcD

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