Date: Wed, 24 May 1995 08:53:44 -0500
From: MsMikel@aol.com
To: Multiple recipients of list <knit@geom.umn.edu>
Subject: Knit: more on double neck

I want to share with the listers a double neck trick that I learned from a
woman in Edinburgh last April. 

I was sitting on a bench in the sun knitting with my bamboo needles while
waiting for my roommate to return from the Scotch whiskey center where he
went in search of the ultimate simgle malt Scotch.

A spiffily dressed (in hand knit cardigan and matching hat) woman walked past
me and then returned veeeeerrrrry slowly.  Finally she sat to discuss the
bamboo needles.  She had never seen them and I, of course, was delighted to
sing their praises.  

She eventually shared with me the way she had done the neck of both her
cardigan and coordinating u-neck vest.  I have since tried this and it works
really well.

After picking up the stitches for a crew or u- neck knit one row INCLUDING
(very important) a strand of perle or string-like thread of a different
color.  Knit the required length of ribbing.
  For a 1 x 1 rib use a k2tog, YO for the turning row.
  For a 2 x 2 rib purl a row.

Then  make the same number of rows in rib (this will be the inside of the
neck).   For the cast off row pick up the stitch from the all knit row at the
beginning of the rib that is in line with the stitch on the needle, put it on
the left-hand needle,  knit/purl it together with the stitch in the last row
and then bind off as if you were normally binding off.  This makes a nice
chain stitch on the inside of the sweater.

I found that I need to use a needle in the bind-off row at least 2-3 sizes
larger than the rib needle.

Of course, you remove the marker thread when you are through.

This really works!  With a heavy yarn (more than a 4-ply) I think that I
might move down one needle size for the inside of the rib or make the inside
of the rib one shorter.

  Mikel Shilling
  Green Valley, AZ        MsMikel@aol.com