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table of contents » chapter 23 (of 29)

23: Working the Neck Band of a Sweater (cont.)

When using a smaller needle, if the decreases that form the slope are six or more rows apart, and the edge stitches are not too elongated, pick up one stitch for every row [pic 25].


25: Using a smaller needle for the band means that the width of the stitches is less. The slope is not very pronounced, so pick up one stitch for every row and the neck will sit flat.

If the shapings that form the V are close together, the slope of the edge stitches will be longer, and there will need to be extra stitches in the band. Measure the required length for the neckband from the point of the V to the shoulder seam, and then measure the number of stitches that equal this length. That will be the number of stitches you will need to pick up on each side of the neck. After picking up one stitch for every row, add the extra increases at regular intervals on the second row of the neckband [pic 26].


26: This slope is more pronounced, and so more stitches will have to be added. Increase at even intervals on the second row to keep the neck sitting flat.

These extra stitches will allow the band to sit flat, but do remember that the stitch sequence must be correct if you are working a rib or patterned neckband.

To knit the neckband with shoulder seams joined, use twin pins or a set of double pointed needles. Work from the centre front of the V, around the back of the neck, and then continue working down to the centre front, decreasing one stitch at each end of every row. This will make a mitred V shape when the seam is joined at the centre [pic 27,28].

   
27: (left) The edges ready to be joined when the neck is mitred.
28: (right) The mitred neck band join.

If you don’t want a mitred centre, keep the edges square, then stitch one end over the other at the centre front [pic 29].


29: An easy and effective way to finish a V neck without a mitre.

Some knitters leave one stitch on a stitch holder at the centre when working a V neck, and use that stitch as the central stitch of the mitre when working a band on double pointed needles. You can find directions in knitting books. My head swims when I think about doing that sort of neck.

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