I NEED A DIFFERENT OLDER SISTER. If I had one, she would know how I should fix this sweater. Margaret does not. And she doesn’t even like the sweater, so we’re done.
Well, really we’re not really done, because despite the fact that Margaret doesn’t knit, somewhere out there is a sister who will step in with the skills to tell me what to do.
I’ve previously gotten all kinds of good advice on other needling issues on our knitalong group on Ravelry, as well as wonderful feedback here on TSP when I suggested we all knit ourselves new wombs. So I just know that someone can tell me what to do. (I’m used to that; on other issues I simply turn to Margaret. Co-dependent? Who cares?! We get the jobs done.)
So: Hot-water wash? Reknit the neck? The dreaded dryer? The problem, as you can see, is that the cotton sweater knit, oh, now 15 years ago, has stretched out so much in the neck that it practically slips off both shoulders; it always slips off one.
Thoughts? Please knitters: Unite and help a sister.
No related posts.
First time here? Here's the idea: 
{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi, came over through Margaret’s blog, even though I’m a bigger knitter than a gardener! (Just started this whole gardening thing!)
I would probably do a hot wash and put it in the dryer, but keep an eye out on it, not just throw it in and walk away. But I’m adventurous like that though. I figure if it doesn’t work, then I’ll just reknit one.
Ps. Apparently, I came over through her tweet, not blog. And I’m on Ravelry too!
Hey there – heard your plea from Margaret (who I am shocked, SHOCKED to hear doesn’t knit!)
Do you have any of this yarn left over? No? Well, if it were my sweater I would do the following:
1. Find a nice, similar yarn – not same color – but same content, that works well with the sweater yarn.
2. Get out the sewing machine and steek around the neck (stay stitching)
3. Also create 2 lines of steeking down the center front. Since the sweater’s stretched, you may want to use this opportunity to lose a little of the bulk by making the lines 2+ inches apart…
4. Cut around the neck and center front.
5. Pick up the sts down up the front, around the neck and down the other front, the knit a new placket / neckband.
I know – it’s drastic. I’m a drastic sort of person.
Good luck – it’s a LOVELY sweater – very nice!
Oh dear, Marion. I’m so sorry, but this nonknitting older sister cannot help you. HOWever, I would be happy to read about it for you, check out the internet, speak to friends who knit, … :)
Dear Jennsquared: So glad you’re with us, no matter how you got here. I am the drastic sister, too, when it comes to these things. And I am grateful for the support. I may try it. Thank you, and please come back here and check up on my knitting and join us on our next knitalong on ravelry, just starting up!
Hi, Annie. And welcome. Oh, I love this. I do. This makes perfecto-mundo sense to me. And I have both more cotton in that color as well as a sewing machine, so you’ve given me choices, which I’m glad to have. No dryer, huh? I worry that it might shrink it overall when it’s only the neck that needs it. The rest–length, sleeves–is perfect. Thanks, knitting sister. Yeah, big surprise, don’t you think, that Margaret doesn’t knit? Such a burrito. http://thesisterproject.com/roach/my-burger-or-burrito-genetics/ Which are you?
Hi, Tammy. Oh, you’re too good to me. Thanks, but I think these women have some great ideas, don’t you?
I have always felt that my role as answerer of all “Urgent Garden Questions” was plenty, frankly, but apparently not, so out I go. I am also pretty good at answering kitchen emergencies (and at making the gravy at holidays). So not a total loss; not witless, even though knitless. Reconsider?
As long as you’re always there for the needling, I think I’ll keep you.
Maybe try threading a “lifeline” through the top of lace stitches and then cut off the collar and unravel it until you only have the “live” lace stitches on the lifeline. Place those stitches on the needles, and knit a repeat or 2 more of the lace pattern, and then reknit the neckline. I can’t really tell how the neckline is knit, but you might want to do something where you’re decreasing the neckline (short-rows along the back?) to bring it in.
Also, maybe you could go in and crochet a row of stitches around the base of the neckline inside the collar? That might help stabilize it, though it wouldn’t fix the problem that it’s too wide.
I have never tried any of this, so good luck. It’s the blind leading the blind.
Hi, Claire. How kind of you. Thank you. I totally understand this, having done something similar for a sweater vest whose armholes got crazy big. So good of you, and funny of you to admit that you’re making this up as you go along. But of course! Come back and keep me knitting, please.
Oh Marion, knit a new one! I would love to see this on you-it couldn’t possibly fit; it looks 4ft wide and 1ft long. It’s beautiful though-put it on an old teddy bear for display purposes!
Hi, Priscilla. While I think you got the dimensions correct, the color is divine, the weaving cables so lovely, that I’m going to take the sisters’ advice above and go the drastic route. And why not?
By the way, Priscilla: Do you think you a burger or a burrito? The sisters need to know. http://thesisterproject.com/roach/my-burger-or-burrito-genetics/#comments
I like the sweater too, and the color is luscious! Reminds me of peonies.
I’m going to second the re-knitting of the neckline suggestion although I’m suspecting that you may also need to undo the seaming at the shoulders and do a wicked decrease to tighten up that area.
The other solution, albeit short-term, is to wear a tank top underneath, slip the ginormous neckline to one side, and just tell everyone that you’re dedicated to bringing back the ‘Flashdance’ look of the 80s. The rest of us will march behind you, wearing our leg warmers (handknit, of course!).
Yo, Roadchick: Brilliant! Particularly since I have not led a parade in oh-too-long, AND since I know most of my friends secretly are hanging on to those legwarmers. I love this. Hilarious. But perfect.
standing up inside the circle of folding chairs
Hi, my name is Roadchick, and I still have my legwarmers from the 80s.
Ha ha ha ha ha. My name is Marion, and right next to my leg warmers in my closet I have an iridescent purple jumpsuit. Oh, that closet thing. http://thesisterproject.com/roach/not-my-sisters-closet/
Ya might try warm water and a watched dryer. The thing about cotton yarn I have found…it will stretch right back out…
Hey, Becky. Yes, I fear that it will stretch right back. I remembered that when I began to ponder why it is I have only knitted one thing from cotton in all these years. Sigh.
Today I am driving a few miles north to visit a sister-friend to learn (I’d say relearn but I never achieved needle independence) to knit.
The project is for a good cause which will help me be more patient (do you hear that universe? I am stating my intention so you please will pay attention!).
I have plenty of time – three full months – I have all the supplies – now I need the knowledge and the starting off push.
And that is where the sister/friend comes in. She will give me that push. And other pushes prn along the way. Accountable, I will work on this and not simply start and throw it aside in frustration (as I have, er, “understood others to do”).
Wish me luck?!
Dear Deb: TSP wishes you luck and admires you mightily for taking up the good cause of becoming more patient. I’m working on that one, as well. So do let us know how both the knitting and the calming goes for you. We’ll be waiting to hear. Knit on, sister.