Finishing Sitcom Chic

DotMom61 · 09-25-2006, 11:49 PM

I am doing the finishing touches on Sitcom Chic, and the pattern calls for picking up stitches along both sides & the neckline, knitting a row, purling a row & then binding off. Oh yes, and then you "heavily steam" these bands to makes them lie flat.

I was wanting to have a more substantial "border" -- especially since I used Microspun; it's squishy. I'm considering doing a 3-stitch attached i-cord. Any other suggestions? Anyone??

Ingrid · 09-26-2006, 07:51 AM

I've done attached i-cord and love the look of it. It will want to curl down, though, so I've used EZ's method. Make the attached i-cord, but if it curls down, pick up stitches between the sweater and the i-cord and make another attached icord. You'd have two around the edge and they'll be more substantial.

DotMom61 · 09-26-2006, 09:51 AM

Thanks, Ingy!!

Do you mean it would curl down into the sweater??? And the picked up stitches would be in the "valley" between the i-cord and the body of the sweater???

Sounds like it's worth a try -- Lord knows I've done enough attached i-cord to be considered an expert.

Another thought I had was to do some sort of trim that would sort of wrap around the edge of the sweater. I'm not sure how to do this, though.

knitasha · 09-26-2006, 12:21 PM

Be careful, be VERY careful about pressing and steaming Microspun. It's 100% acrylic and could do anything from melt to go limp and shiny from heat and pressure.

The pattern suggests sewing grograin ribbon to the inside of the borders -- a nice inconspicuous way to add crispness and body at the edges and keep them from rolling.

The multiple rows of attached i-cord would help prevent rolling but (to my eye) would bulk up the edges of what is essentially a delicate sweater. Depends on the look you want.

rebecca · 09-26-2006, 12:29 PM

I agree with Ingy, perhaps another, small icord, if one doesn't do the trick. Although, I bet the one attached icord will be perfect

I can't wait to see it

DotMom61 · 09-26-2006, 01:27 PM

Thanks, ladies! I'll hunt down my Microspun swatch & steam & press that to see what the results are.

The original sweater was made with CottonEase, which, of course, was discontinued.

I was thinking that if I like the way this one turns out, I may try some KP Shine for another one. It was really pretty quick to knit despite the fact that you actually have to PURL !

knitasha · 09-26-2006, 04:04 PM

It is SUCH a pretty sweater, and I think it would look great in Shine.
Does anybody else think it could be done in the round to save Julie from all that purling?

janelanespaintbrush · 09-26-2006, 04:14 PM

Originally Posted by knitasha

It is SUCH a pretty sweater, and I think it would look great in Shine.
Does anybody else think it could be done in the round to save Julie from all that purling?

Since it's a cardi, wouldn't that require steeking? Eek! Wait, that would only work for a feltable yarn wouldn't it? Not so much for cotton. I think the only way to get around purling would be to do garter stitch.

Petals · 09-26-2006, 06:40 PM

I made this sweater. I sewed grosgrain ribbon down the front. It adds body and mine seems to lay very nice. I made mine out of cotton fleece. I did consider the i-cord method of finishing though.

knitqueen · 09-26-2006, 06:46 PM

I can't be done in the round because it is a cardigan. The sleeves are done in the round but the body is done back and forth in one piece.