Holes in neckline - please help!

#1

Hi,

I have knitted my first adult sweater, which has a scoop neck. It’s in stockinette stitch. The scoop neckline is a bit uneven and has holes on the right and left side where the neck swoops down. I added a single crochet border to try and even it up, but the neckline is still uneven/lumpy and has the holes.

Can I fix the holes without ripping out?
Will steaming/blocking help?
Can I add a different border to cover up the mistake?
Is there a way to make the lumpy neckline lay flat and even?

Thanks!
Rae

#2

How far in from the edge are the holes? You might be able to pick up and knit a ribbed border around the edge if you can pick up stitches from past the holes. Are the holes something you can sew closed?

#3

I had the exact same problem with a tank top I made for my daughter last week! And I used exactly the same solution as you did - it’s nice to have crochet skills! It’s still not as perfect as I would like it, so I’m going to use the infamous solution of “making it a design element” - adding strategically placed ribbon bows around the neckline.

As for how the holes got there, I thought it was the yarn I was using, Katia Twist, which is a bit stretchy. Now I think I might have used the wrong type of decreases. Could that be it?

#4

Thanks for the suggestions!

The holes are right below the cast off edge and appear where the decreases are. I think maybe my gauge was too loose. The yarn is stretchy, but I made an effort to cast off loosely so the neckline wouldn’t pull. I think I messed it up the other way by having it too loose.

I think I could pick up stitches below the neck (because the holes are right on the edge). I’ll definitely try to cast off a little more tightly next time. I honestly have no intention of taking the sweater completely apart and reknitting (I’ve seamed all the edges, sleeves, etc).

Any suggestions for what kind of border to put on? I’m a new crocheter (this sweater!). And yes, it’s really nice to have those skills. I guess this is my chance to improve them. :wink:

thanks!
Rae

#5

Would ribbing look ok?

#6

Ribbing would be weird for this sweater, but I did think about a ribbon sewed along with border. Might help.

Thanks again for the suggestions!

#7

Depending on the style of the top, you have several options for a crocheted border. Some of my favourites are to simply sc around; sc with picots {not anywhere near as hard as they look!}; sc, ch1; or rev sc {AKA crab stitch}. You can get a lot fancier with various shells and loops, but for something simple, any of the above options will work.