Holographic Sweater, Exit Front Left
I've decided that I can't start any more sweater projects until I get Mom's sweater done. So, with that in mind, here's my current progress -- adding the button band to the front left of the sweater.
This button band is actually quite clever, now that I've done it. Most button bands don't have any structure, but this one is very solid. First you pick up stitches on the wrong side of the fabric at the base of the band. Then you knit a few rows in stockinette in a needle smaller than the regular project needle. You get something that looks like this from the back:
The Dark Side of the Holographic Sweater
Then you work a Japanese Three Needle Bind Off to bring the flaps together and bind off the edge all together. Click the link above to take a look at how I did it. It didn't seem like a very common technique, so I thought I would take a few pictures in case anyone else wanted to see how it was done. (Hi Mary! I hope this helps make it clear) When you're done with the bind off, this is what you see get:
Puffed Fair Isle
And here's what the whole sweater panel looks like:
One Piece Closer to Victory
The whole effect with the button band is one I am going to tuck away for future reference. I love encountering clever new things, and after my Fair Isle frustration, this made everything better.
Barbara Ann asked about my I-cord maker. I spent a little time with this new toy tonight -- the "Wonder Knitter" which makes the I-cords. It's made by Clover and has a product number 3101. It is easy to use and it comes with two heads -- one which lets you do 3 stitch I-cord and one which lets you do 6-stitch I-cord. It works fine with the worsted weight wool that I tried. Just so everyone knows, this is not a "turn the crank get a cord" kind of thing, There is some loop hooking that you have to do. Overall it does seem faster than knitting I-cord, but it's not instantaneous. It also produces a nice, even cord, which I don't always do when I knit.
Meg asked if I would put links to locations for my favorite Michigan stores in my side bar. You can find them under the Chicago links along with a nice reference page I found with addresses for a lot of Michigan fiber sources.
I put the Skinny Angel Scarf and pattern in my Gallery, you can find it here. It's *very* easy and not a bad option if you have a small amount of a nice yarn.
GREAT technique photos -- I learned something new today, thanks to you!
That version of the three needle bind off was just what I needed! I always have problems with the working yarn being too loose, and that solves it! Thanks for taking the time to share, the cardi looks great!
Holographic sweater looking great, but I want to say THANK YOU for sharing that technique!
Your holographic sweater is going to look great ! Where did you find that pattern ?
I'm excited about using that japanese binding off technique myself. I like reading your blog because you give practical tips.
PS. you sweater is coming along nicely.
Isabelle -- the pattern is actually called "Shadow Boxes Cardigan" by Maureen Mason-Jamieson. I purchased the sweater project as a kit from Shelridge Farm in Canada but I believe that Maureen Mason-Jamieson also sells the pattern from her website.
Hi Theresa,
thanks for the pictures of the bind-off. I read about this technique some days ago und couldn't find anything helpful. And you came just in right, I can use this for my acutal project.
Beate
Thanks so much for the technique - that's a keeper, that is!
Thank you much for the Ann Arbor sources! :-)
I'm intrigued by the Japanese bind off but can't quite get my mind around what is being bound off to what...between the 1st photo and the 1st photo in the close-up link. Did you knit the front of the band as part of the front? If so, and if the addl amount added is what becomes the back of the band (like a facing) then I have it. Just want to be sure because it looks so good.
Thanks
Ellen