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31 Comments

  1. April
    January 8, 2022 @ 11:57 pm

    Thank you so much. I made my husband a Flax sweater, which he loves, but the neckline has stretched wider than he likes due to the weight of the sweater, as you describe. I’m so happy to see that I can fix it by removing the ribbing around the neck and re-doing the neck.

    • Emily Wessel
      January 9, 2022 @ 8:52 am

      Best luck with it! ~ Em

  2. cadobe
    November 27, 2021 @ 4:50 pm

    Thank you so much for this tutorial with such clear directions AND helpful pictures! I’ve knitted another designer’s sweater and the neck opening is too large for my husband’s comfort. I am eager to try this fix to “save” the project.

  3. Pat
    November 26, 2021 @ 4:51 am

    How do you do the crochet chain fix?

    • Alexa Ludeman
      November 26, 2021 @ 11:48 am

      Hi Pat – You will work a crochet chain in each stitch at the base of the collar ribbing

    • jennifer.
      February 1, 2022 @ 8:59 pm

      I think she’s referring to the slip stitch, as the chain is not a stitch that is worked into other stitches. A quick google search for crochet slip stitch will bring it up.

  4. Suzanne Roberts
    July 15, 2021 @ 9:19 am

    This was so helpful. I started Spector (Joji Locatelli) twice as I thought the neckline was too snug. I am a loose knitter so have come down a size with the needles and this seems to have worked judging by my blocked swatch. However the neckline still seems too tight. It goes over my head but looks more of a mock turtle than a crew neck.

    Anyway I went ahead with the yoke thinking that after blocking the neckline may “give” somewhat. If it doesn’t then I think I have the confidence now to cut the ribbing off and redo it with larger needles.

    Thank you. Your tutorials are always very informative.

  5. Woolybear Knits
    July 15, 2021 @ 8:38 am

    Wow, this is just what I needed. I have been so frustrated with trying to adjust the neckline on some of my more recent sweaters. THANK YOU!!!! YOU ARE AMAZING!!!

  6. Kristan
    April 20, 2021 @ 12:36 pm

    Thank you so much for this tutorial! I have a sweater knitted with birthday yarn where the neckline stretched out. I was just going to live with it, but now I can fix it! So excited!

  7. Olivia
    April 19, 2021 @ 5:40 am

    I need to add length to so many sweaters, it looks scary though!

  8. Turner Houston
    April 12, 2021 @ 8:03 am

    WOW–what a great service you have provided! Thank you for the clear, in-focus photos and your patient coaching! I *know* I am going to have trouble with a bottom-up knit little girl’s jumper as the neck stitches look dodgy–too loose. I was thinking maybe I should try an i-Cord seam since the neck does need more structure, per your blog post. I have not yet started the finishing on the neck, so this is really helpful.

  9. Lisa Schwarz
    April 12, 2021 @ 5:32 am

    Hello, This is sooo helpful! I have one sweater that I love that was a bottom up sweater, that has the reverse problem. It’s cropped and love it, but when I wear it, the back tends to swing out from my body and ride up a little. I love the sweater and really don’t want to knit it a second time to make it a bit longer, but maybe cutting off the bottom ribbing and adding some length then redoing the ribbing will work. Have you ever had that problem with the back of cropped sweaters not laying flat against your body and being shorter in the back? Will adding some length fix it or would short rows be the fix for that? If so, how do you know where and how many short rows to add?

    Thank you for your tutorials. I learn something new every time!

    Warmly, Lisa Schwarz

    • Alexa Ludeman
      April 12, 2021 @ 2:42 pm

      Hi Lisa – I would give adding length a try, but I think that’s probably the designed fit of the sweater. A little swingy if it’s got some positive ease.

  10. Laurie
    April 9, 2021 @ 3:27 am

    Oh this is just what I needed! I tried to unravel the neckline of a top don sweater haha, it didn’t work indeed… I have two sweaters to fix and your advices are just great!!! Thank you so much!

  11. Chloe
    April 8, 2021 @ 11:40 pm

    Thank you for this! It’s so useful.
    What if you’ve bound off your ribbing from a top down sweater too soon? Can you pick up the stitches again without indoing the bind off and continue the ribbing pattern? Many thanks for your help.

  12. Kelli Page
    April 8, 2021 @ 4:28 pm

    Great suggestion about prepping neckline for a top down knit with a heavier weight yarn, Thanks!

  13. Genevieve Jones
    April 8, 2021 @ 3:43 pm

    Can I shorten a top down cardigan in this way ?

    • Alexa Ludeman
      April 9, 2021 @ 11:36 am

      Hi Genevieve – For a top-down cardigan you should be able to just unravel the ribbing and add some length

  14. Shannon Carroll
    April 8, 2021 @ 2:29 pm

    Super helpful! Thank you for a great tutorial!

  15. A Moon at the Park
    April 8, 2021 @ 12:34 pm

    Thank you so much for this lovely tutorial! It helps a lot. Question: when knitting a top-down sweater ribbing-first (such that the sweater hangs from your ribbing cast-on as you describe), what cast-on method do you recommend to keep that edge firm and un-saggy while still allowing it to go over your head? Thank you as always for your guidance as I navigate this new world of sweater knitting!

    • Alexa Ludeman
      April 8, 2021 @ 1:43 pm

      Hi! It takes a little trial and error. I use a long tail cast on and mine is on the firmer side, but it’s heavily dependant on your cast on tension and a bit on knitting style. If you find your necklines are coming out too wide you can try casting on with a smaller needle, using a smaller needle for your ribbing, or casting on fewer sts and then increasing after the ribbing.

  16. Dorith Wielinga
    April 8, 2021 @ 11:45 am

    Thank you so much!
    I’m knitting bottum up the Clayoquot cardigan at the moment and I’m in doubt of the lengths of the sleeves.
    Do I understand correctly that I can make the sleeves longer just by picking up the stitches and cut the ribbing?
    Doesn’t that affect the knitting direction?
    Thanks again, Dorith Wielinga
    Netherlands

    • Alexa Ludeman
      April 8, 2021 @ 1:41 pm

      Hi! – You can definitely do that to lengthen the sleeves. The change in direction isn’t noticeable in stockinette so don’t worry.

  17. Anita
    April 8, 2021 @ 11:39 am

    Oh man, I could have used this tutorial a week ago! I ended up doing sweater surgery to fix a top-down Strangebrew collar that was not sitting right.

    There was a lot of tension in the house as I did this but now I love the neckline!

    • Alexa Ludeman
      April 8, 2021 @ 1:44 pm

      So worth the effort change it! Well done!

  18. tinaor
    April 8, 2021 @ 7:23 am

    Necklines on bottom up sweaters are often a challenge, particularly when working with a firm yarn such as a cotton or cotton mix. Would love hints on how to make it neater.

    • Alexa Ludeman
      April 8, 2021 @ 1:44 pm

      Hmm, is it the ribbing that isn’t neat? I would try going down a needle size or 2.

      • tinaor
        April 9, 2021 @ 5:51 am

        No it’s picking up stitches around the neckline and finishing off, sometimes with just a row of knit or otherwise ribbing – just so often get a bit of a holey look when picking up.

      • Alexa Ludeman
        April 9, 2021 @ 11:35 am

        Hi – Sounds like maybe there is an issue in how you pick up and knit those sts. Is it possible to send a pic to tincanknits.com? It might help me diagnose the issue.

      • tinaor
        April 12, 2021 @ 2:19 am

        I shall consider that when I get to my next neck pick up, thank you. Meanwhile I have just rediscovered a basic knitting book and will take another look at the section on picking up stitches. I have been knitting for years, maybe I’ve just made things up as I go along lately!

  19. jmbjerke5
    April 8, 2021 @ 7:11 am

    This was great!!!! Thank you

    Sent from my iPhone

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