After the initialization section comes the shaping section. There are four basic shaping sub-programs that may be called to build the fabric piece. The four sub-programs are: Border, Band, Symmetric, and Asymmetric. The first code of a shaping sub-program identifies the type of shaping sub-program and the number of shaping instructions making up the sub-program. The following table identifies the base value for each type of shaping sub-program. To determine the number of instructions included in the program, subtract the base value from the the first code of the shaping program. The remainder is the number of additional codes that are part of a shaping sub-program.
| Base Value | Shaping Sub-Program |
|---|---|
| 192 | Border |
| 32 | Band |
| 96 | Symmetric |
| 64 | Asymmetric |
A special characteristic of the band and symmetric sub-programs is that they may contain a divided neckline. When this is the case, 128 is added to the base value, leading to new base values of 160 for the band sub-program and 224 for the symmetric sub-program. More information on divided necklines is provided under the 'Neckline Shaping' heading.
The border sub-program is most often the first shaping program appearing, but it may also be omitted. The message 'END BORDER' appears on the console at the completion of knitting this shaping sub-program. Here is a sample border sub-program:
| Line # | Code | Commentary |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | 195 | Base value 192 + 3 = 195, border sub-program contains 3 more additional codes. |
| 8 | (C) | Users's length in millimeters for 40 rows of knitting. |
| 9 | 7 | Shaping instruction for 'Knit Straight.' See 'Shaping Instructions' heading for information on shaping instructions. |
| 10 | 11 | Parameter for shaping instruction on previous line. See 'Shaping Instructions' heading for information on shaping instructions. |
Although seldom seen, a border may appear more than once in a programme.
The band sub-program is often the next sub-program seen after the border sub-program. It allows the user to knit a gradually and symmetricly increasing or decreasing piece of knitting. The user may specify the ending width and length. This versatile program allows knitting of rectangles and trapezoids of various sizes and is often found in sweater fronts, backs and sleeves. Although seldom seen it is possible to repeat the band sub-program more than once. It may also be omitted, although this is rare. The band sub-program is so named because the PASSAP manual provides an example of it for knitting neckbands and jacket bands. The number of instructions in the band sub-program is fixed at 6. So, in practice you will see 38 given for the the band sub-program. (32 + 6 = 38)
It is possible for the band sub-program to contain a divided neckline. In these cases the base value for this sub-program will have 128 added to it. (32 + 128 = 160; in practice, 38 + 128 = 166)
Here is an example of the band sub-program:
| Line # | Code | Commentary |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | 38 | Base value 32 + 6 = 38, band sub-program contains 6 more additional codes. |
| 12 | 150 | Progammer's stitch count after knitting this section. If this stitch count is greater than the stitch count at the beginning of the sub-program, the stitches will be gradually increased along a diagnol line. If stich count is less, the stitches will be gradually decreased along a diagnol line. |
| 13 | 135 | Ending width for model. This is typically in centimeters, but does not have to be. This measurement may be a body measurement or actual measurement of the model fabric piece. |
| 14 | ** | The user's desired width at end of knitting sub-program. The user must consult the documentation accompanying the programme to determine the unit of measure, typically centimeters, and whether this is a body measurement or a measurement of the finished fabric piece. The console takes a ratio of the programmer's value and the user's value. If the user were to enter 162 in this example, the piece would be 20% larger. (162/135 * 100 = 120%) Please note that that widths may only be increased in form programmes. In reviewing form programs you may sometimes see the width measurements replaced by a pair of 3's indicating that the number of cast on stitches is fixed by the programmer and the user may not alter it to their preference. There is no magic in the number 3; it is just used as a convention. In this instance, the numbers in lines 13 and 14 could be any value as long as they were the same. This can be proved by calculating the ratio. (3/3 * 100 = 100%) Any pair of numbers that give a ratio of 100% means that the programmer intends the width to be fixed. |
| 15 | 20 | This is the model length of this section of knitting in centimeters. |
| 16 | 30 | This is a model length in centimeters, often of the length of the entire piece. Exactly how much of the finished piece is being measured is the programmer's choice. |
| 17 | *** | User's desired length in centimeters. The user must consult the documentation accompanying the programme to determine exactly what is being measured. The difference between this number and the number above determines how many centimeters to add to the band length. For example, if the user enters 35 in this example, 5 centimeters would be added to the band length of 20 to give a new length for this portion of knitting of 25 centimeters. (35 - 30 = 5; 20 + 5 = 25) Lengths may be increased or decreased. In reviewing form programs you may sometimes see the two length measurements replaced by a pair of 3's indicating that the user may not change the length. There is no magic in the number 3; it is just used as a convention. In this instance, the numbers in lines 16 and 17 could be any value as long as they were the same. This can be proved by calculating the difference. (3 - 3 = 0) An increase or decrease of 0 centimeters will lead to no change in length. |
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