How to Knit a V-Neck

To start the neck, place the center-stitch of the front of the sweater on a holder.

To figure the spacing of the decreases: Take the number of rows in which you need to decrease (gauge × length-of-V) and divide that number by the number of decreases needed to make the number of front shoulder stitches the same as the number of back shoulder stitches. This will determine how many rows you need to work between decreases.

Work the decreases on right side rows only. Work the decrease as evenly as possible in the 2nd or 3rd stitches from the edge, never in the edge stitch.

Example: To work simple V-neck Shaping (decreasing every right side row)

1. Work to the center point and place a marker on the last wrong-side (purl side) row before beginning the neck shaping. Work the rest of the row.

2. (right side, knit side) Work to four stitches before the marker, work two stitches together for a right leaning decrease (k2tog) and then work to the marker. Leave remaining front stitches on a holder (These will be the left front of the V). Turn the work and work to the end of the row (wrong side, purl side). Repeat these two rows until the v-neck is the desired depth and front shoulder stitches the same as the number of back shoulder stitches.

3. Join yarn on the right side at the center front and work the other side of the v-neck (left front) by working two stitches, then work two stitches together for a left leaning decrease (ssk, or sl 1, k1, psso) work to the end of the row and turn the work. Work to the end of the row (wrong side, purl side). Repeat these two rows until the side shaping matches the other side (front right v-neck).

When working neck-band: Using a circular needle, pick up sts evenly around the neck. Work to one stitch before the center-stitch, slip 2 sts together as if to knit, k1, and pass the 2 slipped sts over the knit-stitch (s2kpsso). (This makes the center-stitch lay on top.) Do this every row for 1 or 1-1/2 inches; bind off loosely.

(s2kpsso)

This video shows you how to make this decrease (wait to the end!)

An easy way to increase stitches evenly

One thing that you will find in patterns very often are directions to increase stitches evenly across a row.  The directions might say "inc 21 sts evenly" or "inc evenly to 71 sts".  Doing this requires simple 4th grade math and is a lot easier than it sounds like it should be.

Shaping a Sweater Yoke for Better Fit with Short Rows

Some of us are working on the lovely petal cardigan which I re-designed and sized up for adult sizes.  In our first class we talked about improving the fit so that the front neckline doesn't ride up uncomfortably.  This improvement in fit can be achieved with short rows.

socks working the toe

We are near the end of knitting our first sock!  Here I discuss working the toe decreases.  Feel free to post questions here, or join our facebook group.

Sock Knitting: How Much Yarn Do You Need

The first question in sock class was how much yarn do I need. here are some guidelines:

How to Cast Onto Double Pointed Needles

I'd like to call this series the buffet sock series.  Its the first sock class I've taught and we covered a little bit of everything.  Dpns, magic loop, 2-circs, and pick your favorite ribbing.  At least we stuck to cuff down knitting.  Next time we'll go toe up.

We started at the cast on ... option 1.  Double pointed needles.  (stay tuned for the follow up videos)

The Not So Common Lace Cast On

This is a very pretty cast on.  It is rather fussy to work, and if you hold the yarn in your left hand, it is rather awkward to work, but nonetheless, it is worth the work.