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March 1, 2006

I'm Wondering...

It's Wednesday, and I'm wondering:

What's the best way to do a turtleneck?

I've noticed that many patterns have you bind off some or all of a neckline, only to turn around and direct you to pick up stitches for the collar. Is there a good reason for this, or is it like when Rowan tells you to bind off and seam shoulders when 90% of the time a three-needle bind off is clearly the better option?

As you are all painfully aware, my Olympic sweater is a raglan knit from the bottom up, and I've left the stitches on holders while I debate how to proceed. Put all of the stiches on a circular needle, and knit the turtleneck in the round? Bind off and pick up? Another technique you can tell me about?

Posted by shannon at March 1, 2006 11:07 AM | For related posts: For Me!, Olympic Knitting

Comments

I would just pick up the stitches--no binding off. Unless you think it will make the piece more sturdy? I don't think it should matter much, personally.

Posted by: Mintyfresh at March 1, 2006 12:04 PM

I think you should just knit up from the stitches on the holder. I've seen raglans done like that (not seen any patterns written that way lately). Then you won't have that little seam.

Posted by: Annette at March 1, 2006 12:39 PM

Posted by: lisa b at March 1, 2006 12:44 PM

I vote for leaving stitches live when possible. I would not bind off, especially at the neck which has to stretch to go over the head. My personal exception to this is at shoulder seams, where I often prefer a bindof and seam so that they do not stretch too far out of shape.

Posted by: carrie at March 1, 2006 7:34 PM

I vote for knitting from the live stitches. I don't think that there's any benefit to picking up the stitches, and I think that the neck will be smoother if you keep 'em live.

Posted by: colleen at March 3, 2006 9:33 PM

I vote for knitting from the live stitches. I don't think that there's any benefit to picking up the stitches, and I think that the neck will be smoother if you keep 'em live.

Posted by: colleen at March 3, 2006 9:33 PM