are some of the neckline changes. (I really didn't like the neckline in the pattern.) Collars: I picked up as many sts as possible around the neck. Usually 50 on a regular size sweater. The first three I pick up on the outside of the sweater and bind the off as I pick them up. Then the nest 44 sts picked up from the inside as this is what shows. The last 3 picked up from the outside and on the next row they are bound off. This sets the collar back from the edge these 3 sts. (First few I didn't do this and didn't like the way the collar met in front.) There are two ways to make the collar roll. 1) start with a needle 2 sizes smaller than the sweater was k with and work 4 rows, go up one needle size and work next 4 rows, go up to next size and finish collar. This is the easiest way. 2) after picking up all sts on the first row k over to the second shoulder seam. Turn, wrap st, (TW) and purl to the shoulder seam on the other side. TW and k to the last place where you wraped, pick up that wrap with the st and k it. TW and p to last place where you wraped, pick up that wrap with the st and p it. Continue in this manner adding one more st at each edge until there are 5 sts remaining on each edge. Change to garter st and finishe the collar in the same manner of adding a st each row. Ribbed neck. Pick up the sts all from the right side, bo the outter 3 and work on the 44 in k1 p1 rib for approx. 1", work a row of k on wrong side and finish the inside section in k1 p1 rib. (the k on wrong side makes the turning ridge.) I stitch the band down without binding off which makes this very streachy. (BO often is too tight.) There is a thread in the old posting with more hints.

 

 

When putting a cuff on the sleeves (the first and last 35 sts) you k a 1x1 rib for 4-6 rows. Remember that it will be longer than 4-6 rows of garter.

I have also put 1x1 rib on the bottom and front bands of a few sweaters. The bottom one I started on row 101 between the two increse corners. Then started the front bands on row 107.

Knitting can be played with because if it doesn't come out the way you like you just FROG.
Island knitter

Peter Pan Collar:

I do a rounded collar two ways. 1) I short row starting with the back of the neck sts and add one or two sts at the end of each row until I have about 3 sts left on each end. Then I complete the row doing garter or some other edge st.

2)I pick up all of the sts and k a few rows then dec at each edge to round the corners. Sometimes if I'm using a garter st edge I dec inside that.

If you have any patterns with this kind of collar on it take a look at their directions and see what they say. I'm going to have to do another one to double check on what I have done in the past. The sweater that was not short rowed is gone and I'm not positive what I did. I'll get back to you.

Still can't down load the picture.

I find I made a petter pan collar on the doll dress I made for "Sunny" for Easter. I had picked up the sts and then working in st st: ROW 1 k1, k2tog, k to last 3sts, k2tog k1. P the wrong side rows.

ROW 3 sl 1, 1 k, k2tog, k to last 4 sts, k2tog, k1 turn.

You are going to leave one more st on each end of each k row not knitted. Continue this way until you have dec 4 sts each end.

After that you will work on all sts. I finished with a lace st: k1 yo, across (there are no dec in this because I want it to ruffle). P back and repeat this row once. BO on fourth row.

I do these things just seeing if they will work and don't write them down so if I don't have one of them here I don't remember what I did. Yes I do a lot of frogging. <G>

 

I like the stripes better than the variegated too...the striped sweater was definitely a lot more fun to knit. For the collar, I just kinda winged it...I know you don't like that, but I will try to explain what I did...you know that I keep notes of my knitting... let's see now if I can recreate the collar for you.

I picked up approximately 60 stitches around the neckline, using #7 needles. Knit for 5 rows...at the same time...dec 1 st each side each row for 6 rows...then switch to #8 needles and knit for 5 rows... switch to #9 needles and knit for about 15 rows more, or as long as you want the collar. The reason you use the different sized needles is to ensure that the collar rolls nicely.

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Faye;

I'm glad you like the sweaters. When I want to put in a stripe I pick up a new color and start with a right side row [the rows that have dec or inc in them], leave a tail of about 2" and take the first st with the new yarn. Then I hold the tail along the left needle so that I can work it in as I knit. [This can be done after you finish the sweater if you wish.]

The stripes are k of an even number of rows so that the full ridge of the garter st is in one color rather than changing in the middle of a ridge.

I do 2 or 4 rows, what ever I have decided on, in the new color wrapping this yarn around the old color when I come to that edge of the work. This is if I'm doing more than 2 rows so that the old yarn is carried along the edge ready to be used.

When I've finished with the new color I pick up the old color and start working with it. If I'm going to use the 2nd color again I carry it along the edge in the same manner as I did the first color while it wasn't being used.

Since I don't cut the yarn everytime I change colors I don't have a lot of ends to tuck in.

This is so easy and looks professional it is fun to do.

If you don't like to ad-lib with your knitting you could draw a basic sweater shape and play with colored pencils or crayons. Putting in different color stripes in different widths.

Thank you for your kind words.

I have added a hood. You pick up the sts around the neck as for a collar. Then I checked a baby bonnet pattern to see how many sts I needed in the gaugh I was using. I increased at the 'corners' at the back of the hood every few rows to reach the desired number. Then I knit until it was the number of inches that the size of sweater needed.

Then using the center back 3" worth I k across just those sts and at the edge of these sts k the last st with one from the side. I worked to the front edge in this manner.

I don't have a photo yet because I need to get some new batteries for my digital camera.

I will work on doing some better instructions of this hood.
Island knitter