Sweater Border Too Tight

#1

I’m working on knitting a tight fit sweater and I’ve finished both the front and back and stitched them together. I’m now working on the arms but when I tried on the sweater to check the length of the arms, I noticed that the cast on edging at the bottom of the sweater is WAY too tight. I don’t know if I just knit it too tightly or cast it on incorrectly. I did follow the pattern to the T but am wondering if there is a way that I can redo the ribbing without tearing out the whole sweater?

If there a loose casting on method that makes for a loose and stretchy ribbing?

Many thanks!
:knitting:

#2

oh, dear! I have seen published patterns where the model looks too big for the sweater…most patterns are modeled in size small…it is VERY important to take the time to make a 4" x 4" gauge swatch.
The ONLY possibility here would be to handwash and block the garment. While it is wet try pulling it into your desired size.

#3

Links in this existing thread on how to redo CO edge. The feasibility will depend on your st patt but if only removing/redoing the ribbing it’s usually very workable.

What CO did you use originally? Did you use a smaller ndl? Is the rib elastic but not the CO edge?

ETA: if you opt to cut off the ribbing and work back down, you can then adjust your BO edge to be as loose/snug as you want (several BO options to choose from).

#4

The long tail cast on has always worked for me, even for ribbing. I find the knit cast on to be less stretchy.

There are videos on the site about the various cast ons.