G’Day all. I just saw a short video of someone using a sewn off bind off to sew in a zipper as she cast off. It was very fast and short, without enough detail to really understand how she did it. It looked like she was grafting the two panels together with a zipper in between. I know if I tried it based on what I just saw, I’d just sew around the zipper and make it worthless. Does anyone know where I can see more detailed instructions for this technique? I’ve always avoided zippered garments because I don’t have a sewing machine. The one I had I got rid of because I really don’t get along well with all those moving parts. Thanks to anyone who can point me in the right direction.
Do you have a link to the video you watched? I can’t comprehend what was happening at all. I sewed a zipper in by hand. I’m nervous about machine sewing hand knits. If I’m going to do another zipper I’ll have to conquer that since my hands hurt for a long time after I got the zipper done.
I wouldn’t attempt a zipper install into a knit without the double sided basting tape Suzanne demonstrates. It worked a treat for me.
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I would just keep typing different searches into YouTube
I’m intruiged to see the original video. Do you have a link?
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I, too, am interested if the original video is found! It reminds me of a technique where one picks up stitches into the zipper itself using a “knit picker” tool, and then binds off those stitches along with the knitting.
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That sounds interesting. Got a link to a video?
It’s good to hear from you!
I’ve watched this over and over, and I think I’ve finally started to see exactly how it’s done. But I need to wait till after Christmas to play with it. A swatch and old zipper should tell me if I’ll ever succeed in knitting a zippered cardigan for my grandson. If anyone knows of a slower or more detailed explanation, I’m still interested. I’ve tried several different searches on youtube, to no avail. But it all has to go on hold for now. Two US based sons and their families are showing up for the holidays, and we just got word we have to move house. So, the next few weeks are a bit full.
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Wow, that’s great! I want to try!
I am SO rubbish at sewing but I love zips, this could be the method for me. I can imagine with this method it would be possible to work out the ratio of how many zip teeth per knit stitch so that there was a predetermined guide as to where to place each stitch. You are right, it looks like grafting, or kitchener, but with the zip fabric between, so a sharp needle is needed instead of a blunt one.
The finished effect looks great on the video. Please share pics if/when you’re able to give this a go.
Sorry to hear you’re having to move house, that’s a lot to deal with. Hope it goes smoothly for you.
Thanks so much for the video. It’s a double knit band on each side of the front. The live sts are then tacked down either side of the zipper. It’s a neat way to attach and enclose the zipper.
Good luck with the move. We’ve recently moved and it did take time and multiple lists to work it through. Hope yours goes smoothly!
GG I found this
TECHknitting: Zippers in knitwear, the no-sewing way, update! .
There’s a video on the second link. I think the first link also has a link to another article with illustrations and one of the articles mentions a different kind of zipper with a more open weave to make picking up through the zip fabric easier. Really interesting although I think at first glance I like the grafted zipper insert method more.
We’ve needed to move for a while now. The electricity in this flat is wonky, and I have nightmares of the place burning down around us! Especially after the massive fire out in Tai Po last week. (We’re in Hong Kong. Tai Po is north of us, a good distance, so we were never in any danger from that fire!) Our landlord just sold this place, and we have till the end of January to vacate. (We were told about it right after I posted my first query about this zipper.) But Christmas comes in between, and with the kids and the grandson coming back, it’s going to be bedlam - even more so with the move than previously anticipated.
However, I have been thinking about this approach to inserting a zipper, and the more I think about it, the more clearly I can see it. The trick is going to be convincing my old hands to translate what I think I see to the knitting. Measuring will be king in this adventure. And figuring out where in HK I can find the right kind of zipper. Starting now, I’m ignoring the whole thing till after the move, just so I have a chance of approaching it from a place of sanity. If anyone has a chance to sort it before I get back, like Christmas will allow it, be sure to let the rest of us know what you discover.
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You have all the priorities right. This can wait until you can give it the time and attention it needs. Let us know how it’s going and all the best.
Thanks. I couldn’t even think how to search. I’ll look at all the info. The Tech Knitter link has a link to a youtube video. I’ve saved it.
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Best of all good things to you and your family. Moving is always a nightmare and at Christmas? Yikes. Be well and stay sane! Merry Christmas and happy New Year to you - and a move that goes smoothly.
Oh, I haven’t seen this before, thanks Lihn for sharing this video! How cool. I’m sorry to hear about your needing to move, but it sounds like a blessing in the end; best wishes with it!
I agree with Creations’ description of the technique specifically as grafting (kitchener stitch), with the zipper simply placed in between the front and back fabric. It’s two fabrics being grafted as Salmonac says; the front one in stockinette and the back fabric with reverse stockinette facing forward. For a slower demo, you can refer to my Kitchener stitch video here on KnittingHelp, it’s literally the same technique. The only difference is you’re passing the yarn through the zipper between working the front and back needles. (For your reference when you are post-move and interested in the topic again!)
I hope you all had a great holiday season with your families! Happy new year to you all!
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Thank you, Amy. I’m a sock knitter, so am quite familiar with the Kitchener stitch. I learned it as grafting before I ever heard of Kitchener.
We receive the keys to the new flat today. Now begins the cleanup and the move. We should be done moving out by the 19th, but the moving-in bit will take a bit longer. Maybe we’ll be finished before the Lunar New Year descends on us. That’s just as big a holiday here as Christmas, Thanksgiving, and all the world’s population’s birthdays all rolled into one. And it lasts about 3-4 weeks. Not that everyone gets that long off work, but that doesn’t seem to stop most folks from visiting, taking one out to tea, and generally making holiday non-stop. I haven’t forgot about this little project. But I really don’t have time to think about it at present.
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We moved not too long ago and it did feel like major challenge. I had a couple of pages of lists to attempt to remember everything that had to be done and when. Somehow it all gets done with planning and a good bit of help from friends. It’ll be worth it when you’re finally in the new place and things start to settle in place. Good luck with the move. We’ll be thinking of especially on the 19th!
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