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.
Oh Sandi, thank you so much. I wanted to do a double knit that lies in the same direction but was not sure of the starting - what is the best way to double the stitches in an ongoing fabric And the ending - I had grafted the double knits on arm hole and will be grafting on the button band. But it was a bit overwhelming to think about grafting a large amount of stitches for the bottom hem. (Especially when grading for more sizes, I want it to remain practical for everyone) I'll look into the k2tog options. Thank you so much again for sharing this with me. ♥️
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 😊
Lol! Thank you Tashay! There's so much to decide about every step of the way. This time I worked up the courage to ask the community on time. Huge love and respect for the hive mind and I am here for this. ♥️
I’m voting for #2 to keep the stitches aligned in the same direction but Sandi’s suggestion sounds awesome. My concern about #1 is the amount of stretch you’ll lose in the bottom band. The textured part will have a fair amount of give and you don’t want a lot of stretch in the arm and button bands. The body of the sweater might blouse out relative to the bottom band. Which might be the look you’re going for.
Thank you Eliza! You are right. The stretch at the bottom band would alter the overall look and that's definitely something to keep in mind while evaluating options. And yes Sandi's suggestion is awesome, I'm mulling over it already.
Option 2 is my favorite, because I have a hypervigilant eye and notice things like stitch orientation. :-)
If you were feeling extra generous, you could include instructions for both Options 1 and 2 in the pattern. AND, a knitter who's confident enough to take on this vest pattern is confident enough to make their own changes to the bottom hem if they don't like either option.
Thank you so much for weighing in, Elizabeth. You know, I never used to notice these things on my own. My learnings are all from the knitting community. ♥️ I am leaning towards #2 or #5 (Sandi Rosner's comment), both of which will maintain stitch orientation. Like you say, someone could always do a good old 1X1 rib by themselves and it'll all look good.
I’m for the tidy options, which seem to be 1, 2 and 5. I didn’t quite understand 6, but that’s cuz the dog demanded attention. For a piece like this, I don’t mind learning a new skill and applying it for miles. 🤪
I don't understand a thing about knitting, but 1 and 2 are the most intelliguble for me. I understand, from the explanation, how both ould look. My only doubt between 1 and 2 has to do with the thickness and weight of having the hem folded. On the other hand, though I get how it would look cohesive to have the bottom with the same vertical direction, I think it being horizontal can fit the design better because it's at the waist. Not sure if I'm explaining myself well enough! Either way, it's looking beautiful, and I'm sure the end result will be great, no matter what you end up deciding. 😃
2 is just plain knit, twice as long as required and then folded and stitched in place to get double thickness
Yes, I thought so too. Horizontal orientation only at the waist while everything else stays vertical would be nice too. It will give a waistcoat sort of look and I was not sure I want to draw the attention there, in this design. Trade-offs!
hmmm... All good ideas including Sandi's. I would swatch-up whichever ones you are thinking about and see how they look. One suggestion for the doubled flat knit bottom is to do a purl row on the fold perhaps with a smaller needle. This makes a nice finished appearance. I would also be considering rounding the bottom front openings ala bolero style. And perhaps offering different lengths. (or knit to desired length?). The curved bottom openings (done by short rows?) might lend itself to the doubleknit finish. Afraid I cannot offer a favorite choice without doing those swatches myself! LOL As I have gutters to clean out and the leaves of 2 giant horse chestnut trees to rake-up this week-end before we get 2 weeks of rainy weather, sorry no time for swatching just now. Good luck!
Thank you Sandy! I am leaning towards Sandi's suggestion. Yes, the purl row gives a neat fold line. I've used the rounded look in a couple designs so far, without the fold line. Bolero style is a great suggestion, although I don't want to be doing it in this particular design. But it would increase the drama in the waist area. Here I want the stitch pattern to be the focal point and the stockinette to silently complement. Does that make sense. 😅 Lol! I hear you about the raking.
Hi Kavitha- I think #2 is the way to, while offering option 4 as a modification in the notes. You might need to swatch all your options, including #5 and see which looks best. It’s really coming along.
#2 is definitely a good solution. I am weighing #5 and #2 currently and leaning towards #5 because that way, it is all the same technique everywhere. Thank you so much for your kind words.
For a simpler option 6 that keeps the orientation of the button band vertical and doesn't involve grafting:
Cast on additional stitches for the body, twice as many as the band is wide plus 2 additional. While knitting the body, when you come to those stitches: knit, slip 2 wyib, knit
When everything including the hem is finished, fold over the band at the slipped stitches and sew to the inside where stock.st meets stitch pattern. Buttons: either as magnets or buttons that are closed by pressure. The magnets can be attached on the inside of the button band.
This solution is from HintermStein's Focus on Lines I just finished last week, and I really like it. I find it easier than doing a vertical double knit, also you have less finishing to do because those button band st are already part of the body.
And I really recommend her patterns, I'm learning so much from her in terms of clarity, size mods and small tricks.
Oh, button band itself will be vertical and the grafting involved is only a few stitches. The button band will become horizontal only at the waist if I do option #1. I am currently leaning towards #2 and #5. Thank you for the suggestion. For this design I have made the body without the button band, but I will keep your suggestion in mind for future. Love Hintterm Stein's work! ♥️
Hi Kavitha - although I'm not a vest person, that pattern is gorgeous. My first 2 choices for finishing options are # 1 & # 2. Both have their advantages & disadvantages. Enjoy designing!
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.
Oh Sandi, thank you so much. I wanted to do a double knit that lies in the same direction but was not sure of the starting - what is the best way to double the stitches in an ongoing fabric And the ending - I had grafted the double knits on arm hole and will be grafting on the button band. But it was a bit overwhelming to think about grafting a large amount of stitches for the bottom hem. (Especially when grading for more sizes, I want it to remain practical for everyone) I'll look into the k2tog options. Thank you so much again for sharing this with me. ♥️
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 😊
Lol! Thank you Tashay! There's so much to decide about every step of the way. This time I worked up the courage to ask the community on time. Huge love and respect for the hive mind and I am here for this. ♥️
I love that you brought the community into the process and shared more of your designing with us!
Aw! ♥️🤗
I voted for #1, but change to Sandi’s suggestion!
Yay, thank you Alexa. I am leaning towards Sandi's suggestion too. ♥️
I’m voting for #2 to keep the stitches aligned in the same direction but Sandi’s suggestion sounds awesome. My concern about #1 is the amount of stretch you’ll lose in the bottom band. The textured part will have a fair amount of give and you don’t want a lot of stretch in the arm and button bands. The body of the sweater might blouse out relative to the bottom band. Which might be the look you’re going for.
Thank you Eliza! You are right. The stretch at the bottom band would alter the overall look and that's definitely something to keep in mind while evaluating options. And yes Sandi's suggestion is awesome, I'm mulling over it already.
I like the second option best but after reading Sandi’s suggestion, I think that would look the best. Besides, we get to try something new.
I am considering #2 and #5 (Sandi's suggestion ) currently. Hopefully we will have a solution soon.
Whatever you decide, I'm sure it'll be fabulous!
Aw, Jodie. Thank you. 🤗
I am loving watching the progress. You are very good at your designs and I so look forward to the finished product.
Thank you so much for your kind words. 💖
Option 2 is my favorite, because I have a hypervigilant eye and notice things like stitch orientation. :-)
If you were feeling extra generous, you could include instructions for both Options 1 and 2 in the pattern. AND, a knitter who's confident enough to take on this vest pattern is confident enough to make their own changes to the bottom hem if they don't like either option.
Thank you so much for weighing in, Elizabeth. You know, I never used to notice these things on my own. My learnings are all from the knitting community. ♥️ I am leaning towards #2 or #5 (Sandi Rosner's comment), both of which will maintain stitch orientation. Like you say, someone could always do a good old 1X1 rib by themselves and it'll all look good.
I’m for the tidy options, which seem to be 1, 2 and 5. I didn’t quite understand 6, but that’s cuz the dog demanded attention. For a piece like this, I don’t mind learning a new skill and applying it for miles. 🤪
Yay for clean finishes!! I am leaning towards 2 and 5 myself. Thank you so much for the reassurance. ♥️
I don't understand a thing about knitting, but 1 and 2 are the most intelliguble for me. I understand, from the explanation, how both ould look. My only doubt between 1 and 2 has to do with the thickness and weight of having the hem folded. On the other hand, though I get how it would look cohesive to have the bottom with the same vertical direction, I think it being horizontal can fit the design better because it's at the waist. Not sure if I'm explaining myself well enough! Either way, it's looking beautiful, and I'm sure the end result will be great, no matter what you end up deciding. 😃
Aw, thank you for weighing in Ana! ♥️
1 creates a double thick fabric from the get go.
2 is just plain knit, twice as long as required and then folded and stitched in place to get double thickness
Yes, I thought so too. Horizontal orientation only at the waist while everything else stays vertical would be nice too. It will give a waistcoat sort of look and I was not sure I want to draw the attention there, in this design. Trade-offs!
hmmm... All good ideas including Sandi's. I would swatch-up whichever ones you are thinking about and see how they look. One suggestion for the doubled flat knit bottom is to do a purl row on the fold perhaps with a smaller needle. This makes a nice finished appearance. I would also be considering rounding the bottom front openings ala bolero style. And perhaps offering different lengths. (or knit to desired length?). The curved bottom openings (done by short rows?) might lend itself to the doubleknit finish. Afraid I cannot offer a favorite choice without doing those swatches myself! LOL As I have gutters to clean out and the leaves of 2 giant horse chestnut trees to rake-up this week-end before we get 2 weeks of rainy weather, sorry no time for swatching just now. Good luck!
Thank you Sandy! I am leaning towards Sandi's suggestion. Yes, the purl row gives a neat fold line. I've used the rounded look in a couple designs so far, without the fold line. Bolero style is a great suggestion, although I don't want to be doing it in this particular design. But it would increase the drama in the waist area. Here I want the stitch pattern to be the focal point and the stockinette to silently complement. Does that make sense. 😅 Lol! I hear you about the raking.
Hi Kavitha- I think #2 is the way to, while offering option 4 as a modification in the notes. You might need to swatch all your options, including #5 and see which looks best. It’s really coming along.
#2 is definitely a good solution. I am weighing #5 and #2 currently and leaning towards #5 because that way, it is all the same technique everywhere. Thank you so much for your kind words.
I like Sandi's suggestion for the hem!
For a simpler option 6 that keeps the orientation of the button band vertical and doesn't involve grafting:
Cast on additional stitches for the body, twice as many as the band is wide plus 2 additional. While knitting the body, when you come to those stitches: knit, slip 2 wyib, knit
When everything including the hem is finished, fold over the band at the slipped stitches and sew to the inside where stock.st meets stitch pattern. Buttons: either as magnets or buttons that are closed by pressure. The magnets can be attached on the inside of the button band.
This solution is from HintermStein's Focus on Lines I just finished last week, and I really like it. I find it easier than doing a vertical double knit, also you have less finishing to do because those button band st are already part of the body.
And I really recommend her patterns, I'm learning so much from her in terms of clarity, size mods and small tricks.
Oh, button band itself will be vertical and the grafting involved is only a few stitches. The button band will become horizontal only at the waist if I do option #1. I am currently leaning towards #2 and #5. Thank you for the suggestion. For this design I have made the body without the button band, but I will keep your suggestion in mind for future. Love Hintterm Stein's work! ♥️
I’m making the Mika hood right now for my daughter for Christmas and am loving this textured pattern. Thanks!!
Oh yay!! Thank you so much for letting me know. ♥️
Hi Kavitha - although I'm not a vest person, that pattern is gorgeous. My first 2 choices for finishing options are # 1 & # 2. Both have their advantages & disadvantages. Enjoy designing!
Thank you so much for weighing in and your kind words Barbara! And Yay for leaning towards clean finishes.