Winter solstice shrug errata

There has been progress this week but not all in the right direction. You might recall from my last posts that I was working on two patterns and I was particularly excited about a lacy Kidsilk haze top. One week later, that excitement is somewhat diminished. After emails to the magazine and the designer, I have established that there are many errors in the printed pattern. So if you are knitting the Winter Solstice shrug from Knitting magazine, please read on.

Errors in right and left side: When working the right and left side, you are told to work a certain number of rows before and after the short row shaping. The number of rows is incorrect. You need to work in pattern until the piece matches the measurements given. This will mean working more rows than the pattern tells you. Then work the short rows. You then continue to work straight in pattern. There is only a row count here - I think this is wrong too and I think you should work straight for the same length as prior to the short rows.

Secondly the paragraph starting “neckband casing” had the wrong stitch count in places and was missing some making up instructions. It should read:

NECKBAND CASING
Using 3.25mm needles pick up and knit 49 (54:61:68:77) sts along cast on edge of right body, 17 sts from sleeve top, 49 (54:61:68:77) sts from stitch holder of right body, 49 (54:61:68:77) sts from holder of left body, 17 sts from sleeve top and 49 (54:61:68:77) sts from cast on edge of left front. 230 (250:278:306:342) sts.

Next row (WS): K4 (14:18:20:14), * k2tog, k8 (8:8:9:11), rep from * to last 6 (16:20:22:16) sts, k2tog, k4 (14:18:20:14). 207 (227:253:281:317) sts.

Next row: K4 (14:18:20:14), * k2tog, k7 (7:7:8:10), rep from * to last 5 (15:19:21:15) sts, k2tog, k3 (13:17:19:13). 184 (204:228:256:292) sts.

Beg with a P row work 6 rows
Next row (WS) ridge row: Knit.
Beg with a K row, work 8 rows in st st.
Using 3.75mm needles cast off loosely.

Fold neckband at ridge row and slip stitch in place on WS of garment.
Feed ribbon through casing.

Join back seam for approx. 7 (7:8:8:9)cm from neckband.

If that isn't clear, please contact the mag so they can provide you with the full errata. I don't want to reproduce the whole pattern for copyright reasons.

The good thing I learned from this is that if you are going to frog mohair, it really helps to put your knitting in the freezer for an hour or two first. Apparently the grabby fibres "retract" instead of clinging to one another. I was able to frog the whole right side of the shrug, with the yarn only snapping once. It doesn't look as pristine as it did before I knitted and frogged it but it is still usable and not totally wasted.

To give the magazine and the designer their due, they both responded pretty quick to my questions. I have also knitted patterns from this magazine and this designer before and been very happy with the results. I have lost enthusiasm for this pattern right now - I may give it another go in future but for now, I'm just gonna chalk this one up to bad luck and move on to something new.