Just in from knitting friend Cathy…..
“I’m so excited because I figured out the practical benefit of ‘smocking’ when a neck ribbing was wonkie…it stuck out. The yarn was chunky-ish…..I’m also perfecting my knitting terminology! The ribbing pulled together perfectly and looks wonderful. Same with the button band!
This is what I was working on (before and after photos) …. the rib ends up looking more tidy.
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- Before Photo
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- After Photo
The method is perhaps called “gather” knitting? I looked it up on line…about “smocking” …. and found “gather.” I had knit the collar ribbing and then the button bands….. and I casted off. I took a carpet needle with yarn…and went from back to front and then front to back thru each rib…at its outer edge. I then gently pulled the thread to gather the rib more tightly.
Does that make sense? Without “gathering” the ribbed stitches, I would have had a ruffle!!”
I think Cathy also said that she used the same size needle for all of the garment (body and bands) and she picked up more stitches than needed for the front band. Sounds and looks like “gathering” was a perfect solution for the “wonkie” neck.
Skein Lane - IN THE LOOP 