Bond Buzz, Issue #64
August 16, 2010
Free from Bond America

Welcome to another issue of the Bond Buzz!

The Case for Knitted Casings – A Whole New Approach to Knitted-In Gatherings!

This month I thought we’d explore some of the newer applications for casings, some that you may have seen used in garments in stores – or will see once you start looking around at the fall sweaters to get inspired.  Casings aren’t just for sweatshirt hoods or skirt waistbands.  The very imaginative ideas that Kathy Perry came up with illustrate just how versatile the technique of casings is.  So let’s go…

This technique is something you probably learned to do from the casing technique described in the pattern book that came with your machine, but it’s the application that’s different this time.

Determine how deep a casing you’d like, calculate the row count, then double it to allow for folding and hanging. (If desired, you can add an extra turning row in a larger keyplate – or make a decorative turning row by converting a center row to knit.) While it’s not difficult to count down the number of rows for the casing, to make picking up that row of stitches even easier, use a marking thread held together with your yarn on the row of stitches to be picked up.
Knit the desired nuber of rows for your casing.  Using your one – or, faster, your 3-prong – transfer tool, pick up the stitches from the first row of the casing (in our case, the one with the carry thread) and hang those stitches onto the respective needles.  Tip: I use my finger to hold down the casing stitches so they don’t pop off the needles while I’m lifting the one row. There will be two stitches on every needle. As you continue to lift up the stitches across the row, you may want to use one or two claw weights, depending on the width of your piece. Put the needles in FWP with latches open and, using a larger keyplate, knit one row slowly.

GAUGE
In Eyelet Pattern stitch with KP#3, 15 sts and 24 rows = 4”/10 cm

KNIT STITCHES USED
Stockinette stitch (St st)
Eyelet Pattern
Eyelet Pattern - See Chart (mult 11 sts + 2)
Remove the 3rd st from end and replace it on the ndl to the right. *Remove the foll 8th st and replace it on the ndl to the left and the foll 3rd st and replace it on the ndl to the right. Repeat from * across row. End with the 3rd st from the end replaced to the left. Put empty ndls in WP with latches open and K 1 R. K 1 R and repeat.

CROCHET STITCHES USED

Single Crochet (sc)

Picot Crochet

Picot Crochet
Sc in first st, *ch 3, sc in same st, sc in next 3 sts; repeat from *, end ch 3, sl st into first sc. Fasten off.

NEEDLES REQUIRED 101

NECKWARMER

• Using KP#3 and closed CO method (chain), CO 101 sts. COR. RC=000.
• Top Ruffle: K 2 R. Start Eyelet Pattern and work to RC=024. Stop Pattern and K 1 R.  
• Casing: K 1 R holding thread with yarn to mark row. K 6 R. Using the transfer tool, lift the loops of the marked row onto the ndls (there will be two loops on each ndl). Put all ndls into FWP with latches open, change to KP4 and K row slowly. RC=033. Change back to KP3.
• Bottom Ruffle: K 1 R. Start Eyelet Pattern and work to RC=062. Stop Pattern and K 2 R.
• BO using loose chain st.

He re’s how your neckwarmer will look after removing it from the machine (note that the photo shows the neckwarmer with the crocheted edging and cording threaded through, which you will be doing next.)

FINISHING

• Remove marking thread.
• Top Ruffle: NOTE - Due to nature of Eyelet Pattern, the Top Ruffle (only) will have a slight scalloped edge. With RS facing, work 1 R sc (loosely) into CO edge making a tight sc 3 rows down between eyelets - to emphasize scallop.
• Bottom Ruffle: With RS facing, work 1 R sc (loosely) and then turn and work 1 R picot crochet. This ruffle is longer and will show below the top ruffle.
• Weave in ends. Steam crochet edges lightly.
• Using Embellish Knit, make a 45" cord. Use safety pin to thread cord through casing. Knot ends. Gather and tie as desired.  

Here’s the neckwarmer with the underside up (at left), which also looks great, and another shot of the edge of the neckwarmer (at right) from the wrong side so you can see what the stitching will look like as you’re making the piece.

Gathered Front Cardigan

Take a peek at our Gathered Front Cardigan. Gathered (aka ruched, pronounced: rooshed) front jackets are everywhere this season and there’s no easier way to make them than with a super-simple casing on the USM. With just the addition of a large-hole wood bead, you can gather the fronts – or just let them hang straight. It’s all about options this fall!

Enjoy!

Cari Clement
Bond America

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