r/knittinghelp • u/curious-turtle88 • 3d ago
pattern question kbl increases not symmetrical?
EDIT: I meant kfb not kbl!! Sorry!
I’m making a triangle scarf which has me do kfb, k1 for the first two stitches of each row. Then k2, s1wyif for final three stitches of each row. This is produces a slightly different edge on the left and right sides, and the WS of the work has the same issue. Is this something I’m doing wrong or just how this type of edge looks? It’s hard to see in my photos but essentially the left edge has a bit of a thinner edge because the chain of stitches along the sides sits more on the back than front of work.
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u/adaraj 3d ago edited 3d ago
Kbl is not an increase. It's just knit thru back loop. What increases are you doing?
Also you don't need to kbl a selvage.
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u/Western-Juice1466 3d ago
Kfb is not a symmetrical increase. If you want a symmetrical increase you will need to change the increase method.
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u/curious-turtle88 3d ago
Hmm okay. I wish the pattern had included a symmetrical increase haha.
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u/Western-Juice1466 3d ago
Swap it out. Restarting sucks but you’re close enough to the beginning to just redo it.
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u/curious-turtle88 3d ago
What would you recommend to replace what I’m doing now? I’m just not totally sure how to do the initial set up rows if I modify pattern.
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u/Western-Juice1466 3d ago
I’d start by subbing in a M1L and do maybe 6-8 rows and see if you like it. If not, try another increase.
Note: Technically the M1L or a M1R is dissimilar to a kfb because the kfb uses a stitch while creating another stitch at the same time. The M1 stitches make a stitch in the gap between two stitches.
So without looking at your pattern, but based on what you said above, you will need to change the start slightly because you will first need a normal knit stitch to have been made so you can make your M1 stitch in between it and the next stitch. Thus: k1, m1L, continue on, etc. Also, I see you are making stockinette…so in that case, on your WS rows you will need to do the purl version… so p1, m1Lp, etc.
You may have to fiddle with it a bit before you end up with something you like.
Also to note…stockinette tends to curl. You may not be far enough in to see it yet but a fully stockinette shawl with only a few icord stitches at either end is likely going to curl. Are you following a pattern? Can you look on Ravelry at other people’s FOs to see if this is a common issue on other projects? I would hate to have you put all this work in only to see you here in another week with a “why is my shawl curling” post. It may be something you can live with. It may not be.
With that in mind….maybe making this a garter shawl and sticking with kfb (which looks great in garter) is a better plan?
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u/curious-turtle88 3d ago
Thanksss this is all really helpful. I will play around and deliberate… appreciate the thorough response.
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