How do i finish the front edges of my cardigan?
A little practice can help you finish your cardigan with confidence.
Choose your band style, then use its stitch gauge to calculate how many stitches to pick up along the cardigan edge. Practice the band, buttonhole, and joining method on a small sample first.
Tubular Band for a cardigan Front Opening
How Many Stitches Should You Pick Up?
The band needs to fit the edge without stretching it or adding extra fullness. When picking up the edge onto the machine, multiplying the edge length by the band’s stitch gauge gives you a starting stitch count. Use the band’s gauge, which may differ from your cardigan fabric.
Try This
- Choose your band stitch pattern: ribbed, stockinette, or another pattern.
- Knit a swatch to establish your band stitch gauge.
- Use your garment swatch to test the pickup and band.
- Measure the swatch edge where you’ll attach the band. Multiply that length by your band stitches per inch or cm to calculate how many stitches to pick up.
- Pick up that number of stitches evenly along the swatch edge and knit your chosen band.
- Check that the edge lies flat, without puckering or flaring. If it does, repeat the calculation and method along your garment edge.
Tubular band for cardigan edge
Pro Exercise (Optional): Practice on a small piece of knitted fabric. Include a buttonhole and attach the band using your chosen method. Check whether the edge lies flat before working on your cardigan.
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Included with Knit it Now membership.
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Included with Knit it Now membership.
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Included with Knit it Now membership.
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Included with Knit it Now membership.