lostpurl

I decided to do the Tilty pattern (the one like Drunkards path) for my daughter. The pattern repeat is 13, which is an odd number. I could remove one of the purl stitches to bring it down to 12 or add a few to bring it up to 15. I added 2 extra purls to each pattern repeat. Cast on and did the ribbing. I do not feel the knitting love when I am ribbing. So after 1 1/2 inches of ribbing I put in my usual lifeline. I only do this when I am trying a new pattern. If it has to be frogged, at least I don't have to redo the ribbing. I did two repeats of the pattern and had my daughter try it on. The extra purls pushed the pattern to the sides and made the purl stitches center front. Also the lace was too stretched out for my taste. I mean lace should be stretched out a bit, to show the pattern. But this looked like me trying to wear Paris Hilton's bra. It wasn't pretty.
I decided that I needed to do 6 repeats of the pattern to get a nice looking lace. Stretched but not screaming for mercy. But there was no way I could use the ribbing. It was just too many stitches to add to the sock. So off to the frog pond it went. With its lifeline mocking me.
This is a case where the gauge was spot on, but the outcome not so good. Any way I have cast on 76 stitches for the ribbing, and added two more after to bring it up to the needed number of stitches. Sigh. I have gone down a needle size. Hopefully when she tries it on again, it will not only fit, but look good.
If this doesn't work, I will save the stitch pattern for something more forgiving, like a scarf. Or work it on 0000 needles and give them to Bets for earrings :-)
If it doesn't work I will make the Shetland Rib Lace for me. But so far it is looking pretty nice.