Replies

1. 
   Jean | Feb 01, 2003 02:01am | #1

   Have you considered a zipper?  In any case  this article on cut and sew may be helpful to you. 

   
   

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   Edited 2/1/2003 7:15:55 AM ET by Jean

1. 
   marthasgarde | Feb 01, 2003 05:23am | #2

   Thank you for answering so quickly.  I have been worried about cutting down the front.  I have marked the center row with a white basting thread and have been considering options for preventing raveling.  I thought I should zig-zag on each side of the basiting, then cut between that stitching?  I think i remember reading how this is done, years ago.  The sweater is a beautiful combination of purple, teal, deep blue, and maroon.  The label says made in Nepal.  But it is too warm to wear as a pullover.  And sewing down each side of the basting seems like a challenge as it is loong.  I bought some grosgrain that matches the blue.  I used to knit a lot of cardigans and stopped making buttonholes after about the second sweater as they were a lot of trouble and I didnt button my sweaters anyway.

1. 
   Jean | Feb 01, 2003 05:46am | #3

   The ribbon trim sounds like a good solution.  Your idea of zig-zag to stabilize the stitches should work, but be sure that you don't stretch the knitted fabric in the process. Do  you have a walking foot of some kind on  your machine?  That would be a help. Seems like I remember an article by Elizabeth Zimmerman that was about knitting in the round with steeks and then cutting the work for assembly later. Do you have an old piece of knitting that you could practice on?  Even an old mitten would show what happens to the knit fabric when it is cut.  It might take some of the fear factor away. :)

1. 
   marthasgarde | Feb 01, 2003 06:34am | #4

   Yes, I have a Pfaff with walking foot, but I hadnt thought of practicing on old knit mitten.  Thanks, I cant wait to try!

1. 
   rjf | Feb 01, 2003 02:53pm | #5

   If you run a basting thread along the stitches that will be the edge of the fold, you could sew with the grosgrain on top along the thread and the knitted fabric on the bottom.  I don't think you'd have trouble with the knitted part stretching.  If it looks like it is, try a piece of tissue paper under the whole thing.  You have to approach it unafraid because if you're nervous, the sweater knows it and says "I'm not cooperating!"                                    rjf

2. 
   sewphaedra | Feb 03, 2003 05:41am | #9

   I did that once with a sweater and grosgrain ribbon. I marked the center and straight-stitched on either side with short stitches (you might want that trick of holding your finger in back of the presser foot if the fabric stretches out while it feeds). Then I sewed the grosgrain on each side to make facings (so that the grosgrain was touching when it was buttoned up). Then I made buttonholes. It worked great.

2. 
   rjf | Feb 01, 2003 02:55pm | #6

   How are the socks doing?         rjf

1. 
   Jean | Feb 01, 2003 03:03pm | #7

   Just got some stretch Regia for a second pair along with short #2 circular needles. Haven't  started any yet, though, it's a project to take along on vacation so I have something to do in the car. I just found an article on how to do them on my knitting machine -- that sounds  tempting too. BTW, the shipping charges these  yarn folks charge are exorbitant!! As if they don't make enough on the yarn. Whew!!

3. 
   Jean | Feb 01, 2003 03:18pm | #8

   O my!  I just discovered that the link I thought I had posted had disappeared.  I edited the message , but I'll insert it here again and hope you will see it. http://www.jt-design.com/stephthornton/knitting/bond/list/cutnsew.htm