Hi. I would like introduce a rib waistband and sleeve cuffs as I am not so keen on the curling of stocking/stockinette stitch. I am using Wool and the Gang Feeling Good Yarn and will be using 5mm needles to get the correct tension. I have been advised to double the number of stitches at cast on to ensure the waistband is loose and not fitted. When the waistband is knitted, I was told to halve the stitches by k2 together along the row to bring the stitch count back down to the pattern count. Do you agree - and what needle size should I use please? x
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/756565014/womens-tunic-sweater-knitting-pattern?ref=yr_purchases https://www.woolandthegang.com/en/products/feeling-good-yarn
I don’t agree with casting on double the number of stitches for rib. That’s way to many IMHO. If I were doing this I would consider these possibilities:
- Cast on the number of stitches in the pattern and work the rib with needles a size or two smaller.
- Cast on about 10% fewer stitches and knit the rib with the same needles then increase those stitches into your work for the body of the sweater.
Some people can knit with controlled tension so that the rib worked with the same number of stitches and the same needles as the rest of the project works fine. Since you’re asking I expect this isn’t the case which is OK. You also will want to consider how much, if any, you want the rib to pull in.
Suzanne Bryan has a lot of good videos about knitting ribbing.
2 Likes
Ahhh, my knitting angel - GrumpyGramma 
Thank you so much for your reply. I really, really appreciate your support. I don’t want the rib to pull in but to allow the the jumper to hang freely in line with the rest of the jumper. I will try a 4mm needle to knit the rib. When I get to the stocking/stockinette stitch, am I looking for the edges to be straight in line with the rib with no slope inwards/outwards from the ribbing edges? Thank you xx
I’d swatch and test stitch counts and ribbing types before committing to enough for a sweater. I see now why you were thinking to use more stitches. You might consider seed stitch or garter stitch for the bottom as it won’t pull in but it’s totally your choice. This video compares ribbings and might be useful to you.
1 Like
Oooh seed stitch (or moss stitch as we call it in the UK 
) - yes that will make a perfect band. So, I can keep the same stitch count - what about needle size? I don’t want the bottom of the tunic to taper into the body and want it to hang as loose as the rest of the bottom part of the tunic xx
Ah. Yes, moss stitch. I think it looks good on many garments. I’d use the same needle size probably. Try a swatch and see how it works for you.
Sometimes I just need someone to help me think. I expect that’s what you needed. Enjoy!
1 Like
I’m a large lady so when I knit the ribbing or border for the body of anything I just knit it using the same needles I’ll use for the body. I only use smaller needles when I’m knitting the ribbing or border for the sleeves.
Thank you, Jo. I think i will knit seed (moss) stitch as a band at the bottom of the tunic and for the cuffs, which I would not have thought of had I not posted in this wonderful forum. I am going to knit a swatch using the same size needles 
x
4 Likes
I’ve never done this, but I’ve wondered from time to time if it’s an option because sometimes my knits end up shorter than I’d prefer 
. Where there is just a cast on bottom edge, is it possible to pick up that edge and knit a band, upside down, either in rib, moss or garter stitch? Would it look upside down?
Oh sure, you can do that. It’s not noticeable even in ribbing. And after all, top down sweaters have upside down rib all the time.
@salmonmac I just had to laugh. Yes, top downs do have upside down rib. I think the one I’m working on will have upside down seed stitch at the bottom.
2 Likes
Yes, I’d do seed stitch / moss stitch borders, or garter stich for that matter. The trick to keep the fabric from curling is to have the number of knit (or purl) stiches the same on the right side and wrong side (inside and outside). I sometimes put hems in the edges but it’s easier to do that if you start from those edges. You knit, say an inch, purl a row, knit another inch, fold on the purl line, and on the next row pick up the cast on stiches and knit them up together with the stitches you’re working.
1 Like