Hem Replacement

   

Recently, I talked about replacing an intarsia block of colour without ripping everything back.  The Lucy cardigan needed another fix.  The turquoise in the first six rows creating the hem also had to be replaced.

Replacing the Hem

I took the time to tediously rip back only to discover that knitting doesn’t easily rip out from the cast-on edge.  Next time I do this I’ll use scissors and cut it off.

After all the turquoise stitches were removed I placed the live stitches on a needle, joined the pink yarn and started working in stocking stitch.  After six rows were worked, I decided I wanted to try a bind off that looks exactly like a long tail cast on (my favourite cast on).  I knit a tiny swatch and then unpicked the cast-on edge to determine the path the yarn takes.  Out came my trusty tapestry needle and I was able to emulate it.

The Bind Off

Step 1

Slip the tapestry needle into the first two stitches on the needle as if to purl.  Pull the yarn through leaving the stitches on the needle.

Step 2

Slip the tapestry needle into the first stitch on the needle as if to knit.  Pull the yarn through and drop the stitch from the needle.

Repeat Step 1 and 2 until all the stitches have been removed from the needle.

This bind off gives the same effect as a long tail cast on. With the turquoise replaced by the pink, I was able to finish off my sweater in time for the Knit-Out last weekend.