the blue blog archives: tank girl in trouble

Like Deb, my Pagan tank is all done except for the borders around the armholes and neck, which I haven't done yet because I'm too annoyed by them. From looking at the picture, I thought that there might be something different going on at the edges that made them look a little more like a cast on edge than the typical bind off. But after reading the pattern (yes, I know I should have read first!), I see it's just regular old bind off, which I frankly don't like very much. So I'm in search of a way to get what I was picturing before, something that looks more like the yarn just wrapped slanted around the edge. There's got to be neater ways to finish off a neck/armhole.

Those of you who are done, what did you do? Did you like it? Any one else have any thoughts?? I don't crochet, so anything too crochet-y would be too hard for me, I fear. What is a tank girl to do (on the edges of her handknit tank)?

posted by alison at 12:04 am | in tank girls , techniques

Comments

Hi Alison,

ich nehme für die Kanten Krebs-Maschen. Das ist zwar auch crochet, aber wirklich einfach. Ich kann nämlich auch nicht häkeln, aber Krebs-Stich kann ich. Und es schaut sehr hübsch aus. Leider könnte ich es Dir nur auf deutsch erklären...

Gruß, Inga

Posted by: Inga at May 28, 2003 12:53 AM

Crochet is EASY. And, the type of band that the Pagan tank has around the armholes and neck is sometimes called "mock crochet", because it looks like a row of single crochet. Crochet is easier to rip out...try it!

(I'm doing the pick up and bind off for my Pagan tank. But I'll be finishing Smooch with crochet!)

Posted by: Becky at May 28, 2003 1:29 AM

You might try Elizabeth Zimmermann's sewn cast off. I've never done it so I'm not sure exactly how it works but it involves using a yarn needle and sewing the bind-off. I'm sure she describes it in one of her books but I don't know which one. A good reference book will probably also describe this cast-off.

Posted by: Charlotte at May 28, 2003 7:34 AM

Lurker here (hmm, "lurking" sounds sort of lewd!)I just completed Pagan as well. I finished the "pick up and cast off" edges, but I'm not thrilled with the back. The back neck edge is curling towards the right side. I'm hoping that blocking will fix it.

It was fun to watch everyone's progress! If I make this tank again I will need to shorten it.

Posted by: Sharon at May 28, 2003 8:29 AM

what about a slip-stitch edging? I'm did it on Becky's Rebecca dress and am using it now on a little tank top for her. It leaves a little loose ropy edge and is described in Nancie Wiseman's finishing book (I think you knit the last stitch and slip the first stitch purlwise...but check first)

Posted by: Leigh at May 28, 2003 8:41 AM

I was going to recommend the sewn bind off also. It is easy to do and looks very much like a cast on edge. You can find it in Knitting Without Tears. I can't get to my copy right now but if you don't have it let me know and I can email you a description later.

Posted by: Terry at May 28, 2003 8:45 AM

Hi Alison,

I would also recommend what is called Krebsmasche in german. I found you a description here:
http://www.teddys-handarbeiten.de/haekellehrgang-krebsmasche.htm It is in german but it also has pretty good pictures.
A sewn bind off can be found at www.lanagrossa.com under knitting tip/casting off italien fashion.
Good luck finishing!

Posted by: Karin at May 28, 2003 9:08 AM

I like the sewn bind-off, but beware -- it is tedious and it eats a lot of yarn. I think your tankiness is splendid!

Posted by: Sylvia at May 28, 2003 11:05 AM

I was going to recommend the same crochet edging as Karin and Inga. I've seen it called reverse single crochet or crab stitch. I googled 'crab stitch' and got lots more examples. Don't fear crochet. Becky is right, it isn't really any more difficult than knitting. Think about it.

Posted by: michelle at May 28, 2003 11:51 AM

Leigh's mentioned what I'm about to order, the Knitter's Book of Finishing Techniques, I think it's called. There's a pretty good price in the current KnitPicks catalogue.

Posted by: Maggi at May 28, 2003 2:50 PM

Thanks for the info everyone! I've used what Zimmerman calls the cast-on cast-off method before (which is sewn). I tried it on Pagan and for some reason it didn't look as good as it did last time I did it. Maybe because here there aren't any knit rows really, just picked up stiches being bound off.

I have the Wiseman book and looked through it along with my other books. I saw both the crab stitch and the reverse single crochet, but I wasn't sure I could do them. So I appreciate you all letting me know that I should be able to master one of them. I'll see which one I can get the clearest info on (thanks Karin for the links!!) and let you know how it works!

Posted by: alison at May 28, 2003 3:21 PM

Alison, I picked up on the right side and bound off on the wrong side and was pleasantly surprised at how well it came out. I did my decreases one stitch in and the bind off makes it look like a double row. I agree with Sharon, the back neck edge curls out. But my hair covers it. ;) I'll bring Pagan on Sunday and we can compare.

Posted by: Kerstin at May 28, 2003 6:08 PM