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Inverleith KAL - Working the split hem and binding off
Welcome to the Inverleith KAL! We're knitting Inverleith, a boxy tee with beautiful drape and a novel construction, between July 15 and September 16, 2019. Jump in anytime and join us on the Ravelry forums for discussion, questions, and chat. Tag your Ravelry project with #inverleithkal to be entered for prize drawing in September!
One of the great things about knitting a short-sleeved sweater from the top down? Once the body is done, there’s so little left to do! Today we’ll take a look at Inverleith’s split hems and purled bind offs and complete the body.
Working the Split Hem
When your sweater body is the desired length from the underarm less 2”, split for the front and back hems by knitting across the front to the side marker and removing it.
You can slip the back stitches to a holder or another needle (as I have), or just leave it on your circular needle while you work the front hem.
Now we’ll be working across the front stitches only. Turn work so the purl side is facing and slip the first stitch purl wise, with the yarn in front of the needles. Purl to the beginning of round marker and remove it.
Turn and slip the first stitch as if to knit, with the yarn in back of the work, then continue across the row.
Continue working back and forth on the Front stitches until the hem measures 2”. The slipped stitch provides a nice edge to the hem, while the purl stitches help keep it from rolling.
P2tog Bind Off
When the front hem is complete, work a p2tog bind off on the right side as follows: p2tog the first two stitches.
Slip the stitch from the right needle back to the left needle.
P2tog and repeat, slipping the stitch from the right to the left needle each time.
This creates a tidy edge.
Back Hem
Return the back hem stitches to the needles if necessary. On the back, we’ll be picking up an extra stitch on each end to help reinforce the point where the fabric splits.
With the RS facing, insert the right needle tip into the center of the stitch to the right of the first stitch on your needle.
Rejoin the yarn by leaving a tail, and wrapping the yarn around the needle as if to knit. Bring this new stitch through to the front, then knit across the Back hem stitches.
At the other end, work the last stitch on the needle then insert the right needle tip into the center of the next stitch.
Pull up the new stitch.
Now continue working back and forth on the back hem only until it matches the front, and bind off.
Next time we'll take a look at the sleeve construction and finishing! We're so close! Don't forget to join us on the Ravelry forums and tag your Ravelry project with #inverleithkal to be entered for prize drawing in September!Also in Journal
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