How do you make an open ladder stitch? A specific sweater in referenced.

by Judy T.B.
(Rutland, Massachusetts USA)

drop a st directly above the yfwd st.

drop a st directly above the yfwd st.

You can find a picture of this sweater at www.ravelry.com if you search "Bergere Cropped Sweater." It has what is called an "open ladder stitch" creating a delicate airy look at the top part of the sleeves and bodice of the sweater.

I (and others – experts – I have asked) are baffled, even though the pattern is described as "easy." There are people at ravelry.com who have successfully finished the sweater using the exact same instructions I have. I do not know why I am so STUCK if other people can do it, but I am, none-the-less.

This sweater pattern is worked sideways. It consists of a front piece and a back piece that you then sew together.

So here is what has me baffled:

Right Half Sleeve:
For my size, I cast on 3 stitches.
• Work 4 rows garter (g) stitch, then 2 rows stockinette stitch (st. st.)
• Next row, k3, yfwd, *k3tog twice, yfwd* repeat from * to * twice, then k15.
• Continue in st. st. on the remaining 28 stitches.

Back:
• When work measures 9-1/2 inches (60 rows) cast on 48 new stitches at the beginning of the next ws row.
• Continue in st. st. on the next 76 stitches

Okay, so except for increasing and decreasing some stitches here and there, and casting off the same number of stitches I casted on to begin the bodice, there is not mention of the ladder stitches until the piece is almost to the end of the "Left Half Sleeve." At that point, here's what it says
• When work measures 38 inches total, form the ladders by working as follows: k3, * cast on 3 stitches and let the stitch made by the yfwd at beginning of the work drop, k2 *. Repeat from * to * twice, cast on 3 stitches, let the stitch made by the yfwd at beginning drop, K 15.
• Work 1 row of purl on the 36 remaining stitches.
• Work 5 rows of garter stitch on all the stitches, then cast off.

Where in the world do all the ladder stitches that form all the way across the whole top of the sweater, front and back, come from???!!! HELP!!!

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May 01, 2018
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Dropped Ladder Stitch
by: Ratchadawan

Hi Cass,

Just saw you comment on the video. I didn't have a whole pattern for that ladder stitch. I just worked with what the questioner sent me.

I wrote out 2 similar patterns for you. One is like the one in the video and another is very close to it.

Pattern one.

Cast on multiple of 6 sts plus 6 (for edging).
knit 3- 4 rows for garter st border.
Begin pattern as follow;

row 1: k3, *yo, k3tog, k3tog; rep from * to last 3 st, yo, k3.
Row 2: Purl.
Row 3: Knit.
Repeat row 2 and 3 until desired length Ending with a wrong side row.
Next row (right side): close off row, K3, *cast on 3 sts, drop the next st off needle, k2; rep to last 3 sts, cast on 3 sts, drop the next st, k3.

Knit 2-3 more rows and then bind off. Unravel the dropped sts to form a ladder.


Pattern 2.
Cast on multiple of 4 sts, plus 6.
Knit 3-4 rows.
Pattern row 1: K3, *yo, k2tog, k2tog; rep from * to last 3 sts, yo, k3.
Row2: Purl.
Ro3: Knit.
Repeat row 2 and 3 until desired length ending with row 2.
Close up row: K3, *cast on 2 st, drop the next st of the left needle, k2; rep from * to last 3 sts, cast on 2 sts, drop the next st, k3.
Knit a few more rows for border then bind off. Unravel the dropped sts to form a ladder.

You can try both of them and see which on you like best.

Best regard,
Ratcha

May 01, 2018
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Can you convert this to a scarf pattern?
by: Cass

I would like to make a scarf with this pattern similar to the sample in your video. Can you give cast on and beginning row instructions and what increments of stitches would I need to case on (such as cast on in increments of 4)




Oct 25, 2015
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Casting On New Stitches
by: Ratchadawan

Hi Judy,

I tried to upload a video for you and have been running into a lot or troubles such as black screen and slow upload. I had to do it twice and then wait and wait forever. This is why it took me so long to get it out to you. I understand how you feel having to wait for my response.

Anyway, I hope my video will help you out more or less. I wish you the best and successful with this top. don't forget to send me a photo when you're done. I'll post it here.

Here is a linke to the video I made for you;

How To Form Ladder Stitch





PS. The video is still processing and may take awhile before you can view it.

Oct 18, 2015
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Casting on the 3 sts before letting the stitch made by yfwd at the beginning has me baffled!
by: Anonymous

As stated above, you form the ladders by working as follows: k3, *cast on 3 sts & let the stitch made by the yfwd at beginning of work drop, k2* rep from *to* twice, cast on 3 sts, let the stitch made by the yfwd at beginning drop, k7(9-11-15-17).

I tried a conventional casting on by feeding the stitches back onto the left hand side needle as with any garment. This just made a big hole and clearly showed the casting on stitches in each instance. I then tried knitting 3 stitches into the same stitch (k1, p1, k1) but ended up with the wrong number of stitches at the end and was several stitches short for the row.

Could you please explain how to go about casting on the 3 sts? It should be simple but I just can't seem to get it right?

Thank you.

May 06, 2015
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Ladder Stitch
by: Ratchadawan

Hi Judy,

I think you meant to say cast on more than 3 sts.

The ladder stitches will form after you drop stitches which are directly align on top of the "yfwd" sts your made at the beginning of the pattern. You don't see it yet until you start pulling all those stitches below the drop sets apart.

So, when you're ready to form the ladders, you then do;
k3, *co 3 sts, drop the next st. (this will become ladder once you start pulling them), k2* repeat *_* twice, co 3 sts, drop the next st, k15.

See the above picture where I made a short version of your sleeve. I did the beginning part and a bit of st st and then skip to the part where the ladders are formed. But I think you get an idea.

The first picture shows a drop st after I did the 3 sts cast on and then the second picture show the ladders are made after I pulled the stiches below the dropped st all the way down to the yfwd st. Yours should be longer, of cause.


Then follow the rest of instruction to finish your top. I think the direction is just confusing people more than it should be. I hope my explanation help you understand it better.

Thanks for the question and visiting.

Good luck on your project!

Ratcha

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