In this video Julie will teach you how to add 1 x 1 ribbing to a V-neck using mitered decreases. She'll demonstrate on an Emma Version A, but you could apply this technique to any sweater. We like to add this to patterns when the neckline is more open than we hoped. It's also a great way to clean up the look of a neckline if things got a bit messy.
First, pick up the neckline stitches and knit one round, beginning at the left shoulder/back join. Be sure you have an even number of stitches total by decreasing on the knit round if necessary. We have two tutorials to help you with this: How to Pick-up Stitches Around a Neckline and How to Pick-up Stitches for a Button Band or Collar.
Note: Julie decreased a lot of stitches in the knit round to show how drastically (and quickly) you can bring the neckline in. You may want to knit every stitch you pick up, or decrease every 4, 5, or 6 stitches...it is really personal preference about how much you want to bring the neckline in.
Mark the stitch at the bottom center of the V-neck with a hanging marker. Our Split Ring Markers work well for this (they're what Julie is using in this video).
Count and determine whether you have an odd or even number of stitches between the beginning of the round at the left shoulder and the marked center stitch. Be sure there is an equal number of stitches on the opposite side of the V-neck. If the number is odd, start your 1 x 1 ribbing with a purl. If it's even, start with a knit. This will ensure that your center stitch is a knit. Work one complete round in rib. Begin next round, stopping one stitch before the marked center stitch.
Now it's time to work the mitered decrease (MD). This is in our glossary if you want to find the full description.
The first two stitches on your left needle will be a purl and the center stitch. Slip these two stitches together (as if to knit together) onto your right needle. Knit a stitch, then pull the two slipped stitches over the knit stitch. You've done it! That's the mitered decrease. Now continue in your rib pattern, following the mitered decrease with a knit. You will have three knit stitches in a row; that's okay. The next time you do a decrease it will go back to purl, knit, purl.
Now continue working the rib in the round and using the mitered decrease as much as you'd like. You could decrease every round if you don't intend on adding a wide neckline band. If you're doing a 2" neckline you may prefer to decrease more like every other round.
As you continue working, move the stitch marker up to keep track of the center stitch, and be sure to work the rib stitches as they appear. Every other time you work a mitered decrease, your rib pattern will be thrown off, so knit the knits and purl the purls.
If this look is a bit too formal for you, there are other options for bringing in the neckline. You could pick up the stitches and immediately bind off. You could also crochet around the edges. Just play around with it. Don't feel like you have to throw out a project because a neckline is too open or messy for you - you have options!
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