I didn't use enough stitches in my knitting project, do I have to restart?

Question

I'm making a rectangular flat hat for my husband, but misread the pattern and have been doing 30 stitches per row instead of 40. I tend to knit rather tightly, so there's less stretch than usual and ten stitches can really make a difference. If I just kept going and got all of the rows done and cast off, would it be possible to turn it sideways and add rows in that direction to make it wider? Or do I basically just have to restart the whole project?

Answer 1

From what you're describing, it sounds like a tassle hat. My advice is to start over because I'm a perfectionist. If my knitting isn't perfect, I'm not keeping it. If you don't really care about it being exact, you can try to increase. If you increase about 5 stitches on both side, you can get that 10 stitches you're missing. So when you join the hat, it won't be as noticeable and will look like you did it on purpose. There are several ways to increase. You can try the pick up method that will leave a less noticeable look. In knitting, it's abbreviated as (m1L and m1R) for make one left and make one right. You can Youtube how to make ones or use this link. This lady is a great teacher and she also have a video on how to knit tassle hats. Also look at what yarn you're using. If you're using wool yarn, you can try to block it to a much larger size when you're done. If you're using synthetic yarn like acrylic, this stuff is hard to block. Staci Perry also have a video on blocking. Good luck.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlPQBhZ31B4

Answer 2

You could add rows sideways, but it'll be more work than just starting over, and you'll have that weird bit of sideways knitting, and it won't stretch right, etc.



Sorry, starting over is your best bet. If you tend to knit tightly you may want to check your gauge too. I tend to knit tight too, and even on things like hats with lots of forgiving stretch I often have to size up to get a hat that fits.

Answer 3

Personally I would start over, but if you got really far already and do not want to I guess that you could just bind off your hat, but not sew it up right away. Make a long and skinny rectangular piece and sew it to the side of the hat to make the hat wider. If you do good with your sewing

, the extra added in piece might not even be noticeable. I hope this makes sense.



For your tension try this http://newstitchaday.com/how-to-tension-your-yarn-when-knitting/



I hold the yarn by having it over my right pinky, under my two middle fingers, and over my index finger. kind of like this http://www.themakingspot.com/knitting/step-by-step/2-ways-to-hold-your-yarn



It feels awkward at first, but once you get used to it, it will help you keep your tension and stitches even.



Good Luck :)

Answer 4

No I think I'd start all over. I've tried to fix things like that and end up mad at myself for not just doing it right. The time it takes to finish the rows and have it turn out wrong is frustration too. So count it as good practice.