In my last post about the latvian dreaming project (rav-link), I explained how to get from the cast on, to the gussets. Given that I’ve finally gotten past this, I have another post in this series for you.
If you’re doing this shoulders the way I am (dropped), with square armholes with underarm gussets, do what I’m doing. If you’re interested in doing something with shaped armholes or a yoke, I can write something up along those lines (and probably will,) but some prodding on your part might be in order. Anyway, here’s how I’m knitting this:
Once your gusset measures three inches, and your sweater is long enough, place all the gusset stitches on a thread/holder of some kind. and cast on 11 stitches for the steak in the following sequence. D L D L L D L L D L D. You’ll keep the dark/background stitches (D) at the begining and end as well as the center 3 stitches in the same color. Alternate the other six stitches in sucessive rows so that the steek looks like:
DL D L LDL L D LD
DD L D LDL D L DD
DL D L LDL L D LD
DD L D LDL D L DD
DL D L LDL L D LD
DD L D LDL D L DD
When you’re done the dark/background stitches on the side will be the stitches that you pick up, and the center dark stitch will be the stitch that you cut. I’ve never had one of these steeks ravel, but if you have a prefered steek, do that, by all means.
Knit for three inches, or to wherever you want the apex of the V neck to start. I knit three inches, but I like deep yokes and high v-necks, so it’s up to you.
Put the center front stitch on a thread/safety pin. Cast on another steek as above. Decrease on either side of the steek on the next and every alternating row until…
Well that’s the question, isn’t it? All the instructions that I’ve seen suggest that v-necks should be 20% of K or 64 stitches around, That works out to 34 stitches across the front, or 16 pairs of decreases.
To check your numbers, know that neck openings should almost always be between 14-16 inches, or 7-8 inches across the front. Do the percentage system, see what it comes out to, and then check, and then get as close to one of those numbers as you can.
Once you decrease your chosen number of stitches (because even I am not bold enough to say, “the right number”), stop decreasing, and knit until the armhole is deep enough. (Armholes should be, I think around 9-10 inches, but check).
I have a few more tricks up my sleeve (ha!) regarding the collar (a weird place for them I know.) Including shoulder straps and round/crew necks. Anyone interested?
If you have questions please do ask! I’ll be in touch, and I’ll get pictures of my progress up… soonish.
Onward and Upward!