CRAFTDOODLING DESIGNS UPDATES
Your help is needed, please!
I'm making progress on my Mika Vest 🤞🏼. Some of you might know I'm excited about adding the double-knit armhole trim. I'm also planning to add a double-knit button band.
The photo above might not show it clearly, but there's a 'side seam' on both sides, running from the underarm to the hem. This is a 4-stitch stockinette panel, which I believe complements the double-knit armhole trim and button band (to be worked) nicely and keeps the overall look cohesive. I hope you can spot it better in the image below.
Now, I could really use your input—I'm facing a dilemma with the bottom hem.
Option 1: Adding a double-knit hem
After finishing the body, start the button band on one side at the bottom, continue along the neck, continue button band on the other side and then along the bottom and finish at the point where you started.
The arm hole trim, bottom hem and the button band will all have double-layered stockinette fabric, but the bottom hem will be oriented horizontally, in this case.
Option 2: Folded stockinette hem
After finishing the body, continue to knit a stockinette hem, twice the length needed, fold it in half and bind off. After this, do a double-knit button band.
The arm hole trim, bottom hem and the button band will all have double-layered stockinette fabric oriented vertically.
Option 3: Cut-off look
Continue the stitch pattern (with stockinette side seams) all the way down and bind off. I saw some vests with such a cut-off look, but I am not sure if it would work for Mika.
Option 4: 1 x 1 ribbing
Work a 1x1 ribbing for the bottom hem. It would look fairly cohesive with the stockinette and double-knit portions of the vest.
But the bottom hem will have a single layered fabric.
Options 1 & 2 involve more finishing work.
Options 3 & 4 are definitely easier to knit.
I am inclined to do 1 or 2 but I’m curious what other knitters think. Which option would you rather have in a knitting pattern?
Please vote and let me know which option you think would work best for the bottom hem. If you have any other suggestions, I'd love to hear them in the comments below. Thank you! ♥️
The weather has been kinder this week, and I've started bringing my Chalana Socks with me on my walks. I am using Little Skein’s Targhee Sock Fingering for the socks and her Targhee Worsted for Mika Vest. I am thoroughly enjoying these two projects, thanks to these yummy yarns. 🥰
I had just enough time to pick up this beauty from Sea Change Fibers while at Lambtown, last week.
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Reading Update
Currently Reading 📖
The God of the Woods - Liz Moore
The perfectionist’s guide to losing control - Katherine Morgan Schaffer
Until next time,
Kavitha. ♡
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Option 5: when the body is the length you want, switch to a smaller needle and double the number of sts by working (k1, yo). Then work the lower band in double knitting: on an odd number of sts, Row 1: slip the purl sts and knit the yarn overs. On every subsequent row, knit the knit sts and slip the purl sts. When the band is the desired length, either bind off working k2tog across, or separate the layers by slipping the sts onto 2 needles, then graft.
I do not envy you! At first I thought “what could be so difficult about choosing the hem?” then I saw the options you laid out and yikes too many decisions!!!
Looks like some knitting experts are giving you wonderful support and guidance. Gotta love the knitting community!
Good luck, Kavitha! I’m sure you’ll make the right choice 😊