Q&A: Keeping track of which edging row you are on

Susan asked:

Is there some secret method for remembering the edging? I keep losing track of which row I’m on and it’s pretty challenging to rip this back a few rows (having done it a few times already when I decided it wouldn’t be ok to leave the error there). This doesn’t seem to be a 4 row pattern that sticks in my brain unless you have some suggested tricks for that. I’ve already copied and printed it very large so it’s easy to glance at … Perhaps it’s just a pattern that needs to be focused on instead of being knit while watching TV or making conversation or something. It’s really pretty, of course.

Even though the edging used to bind off the Bits of Lace Dolly Shawl is quite narrow (only 5 – 7 stitches), there is a lot going on in those few stitches. And it is different on each row! So definitely not repetitive and easily memorized. Re-writing the pattern larger on a separate “flip card” for each row and focusing without unnecessary distractions of TV and conversation are good strategies. Here are two others.

Strategy 1: Try to always complete the 4-row repeat before putting your work down.

When I am doing narrow edging patterns, I try to group rows into “work units”. For an edging pattern like this with just 4 rows and relatively few stitches, it makes sense to me to just go ahead and treat all 4 rows as a single work unit. After all, the 4 rows are not more than the equivalent of a fairly short row of only 25 stitches.

Therefore, I try my best to never stop in the middle of a work unit and put my work down. If someone wants to interrupt you, say something like “after I finish this row”, but in truth what you mean is “after this work unit”, lol.

However, we all know that distractions or emergencies do happen. And there inevitably will come a time when you have to put down your lace edge knitting without noting which row you have just completed. Parts a and b of Strategy 2 will help you identify the correct row to be worked next.

Strategy 2 – Part 1: Note the direction of odd-numbered vs. even-numbered rows

The first step in identifying the correct row to be worked next, is to determine whether you had just completed an odd-numbered or even-numbered row.

For the lace edging on this dolly shawl, the even-numbered rows of the Edging pattern are worked toward the body of the shawl; the last stitch of each of these rows also binds off 1 stitch of the body with an ssk.

The odd-numbered rows of the Edging pattern are worked away from the body of the shawl.

If your working yarn is next to the body stitches, then you had last worked an even number row (i.e. either row 2 or 4). Vice versa, if your working yarn is at the outside edge of the lace edging away from the body of the shawl, then you had last worked an odd number row (i.e. either row 1 or 3).

Which was the last row worked?

For example, in the picture above, the working yarn is at the end of the needle toward the body stitches, and therefore an even-numbered row was last worked. But which even-numbered row?

Strategy 2 – Part b: Use an identifying characteristic (e.g. stitch count) to determine which odd-numbered or even-numbered row was last worked

Now that you know whether you just completed an odd or even number row, you can concentrate on just that subset of rows to determine which was the last worked.

Fortunately, the different stitch counts on rows of this lace edging that I used as your skill practice for the dolly shawl can be used to advantage in identifying which row you last worked.

The mystery is easily solved by counting the number of stitches in the above picture. Which even-number row resulted in 5 stitches?

It’s not a trick question. If you said row 4, you are correct. Therefore, the correct row to work next is row 1.

If you were working a pattern where the stitch counts were the same on odd or even rows, then you would need to use some other characteristic (e.g. the position of a yarn over that occurs on one of the rows and not on another).

Questions? Comments? Other strategies you like to use to keep track of which row you are on?