Well, I have been accused of being brave for just cutting off my ribbing (no, just lazy) and have been asked for a tutorial. I have always wanted to do a tutorial, I'm kind of a geek that way. So here it is.
Here lies my Gigi swatch awaiting surgery. I like to pick a row a few rows up from the ribbing, so I can see better when I start cutting. I take a smaller needle than what I was originally knitting with and start weaving it through the right side of each stitch all down the row. There we go, all the stitches threaded on the needle. I choose to cut 2 rows down from the row my needle is holding. This gives me some room for error and shaky hands and helps me not accidentally cut through some of the plies being held on the needle (like I did the first time I tried this) , plus then I have a tail to work with when I am done. Take a deep breath, clear toddlers out of the room, and start cutting. After cutting, I tease the extra yarn out of the stitches left on the needle. A whole bunch of little cut pieces will rain on your carpet as you are doing this. And, all done. See all the stitches safely on the needle ready to start knitting again. One stitch is lost when performing this amputation, so be aware of that, when you continue knitting. I hope that was helpful. Please let me know where I could have been clearer. And that is my first tutorial, I feel so proud :-)
wow! I'm impressed too. You should start a knitting show, you could be rich!
Posted by: graceej | February 21, 2006 at 09:28 PM
Thank you sister, dear, for your vote of confidence, but I have a lot and more to learn :-)
Posted by: Areli | February 21, 2006 at 09:39 PM
You make it look so easy! Thanks for the tutorial. I'll have to try it sometime. Now to figure out how to get the toddlers out of the room.
Posted by: mamma | February 22, 2006 at 05:09 AM
Thanks for the tutorial. I found it informative and entertaining. Also happened to be perfect timing since I need to do this to a sweater I'm not wearing because it's too short.
Posted by: Rita | February 22, 2006 at 09:07 AM
Wow, very cool. And proof you do swatches too!
Posted by: turtlegirl76 | February 22, 2006 at 10:48 AM
Excellent! Funny because I just had to do something similar to my sweater in progress!
Posted by: Sarah | February 22, 2006 at 12:12 PM
Good tutorial, baby, it's nice to see all those years of private school haven't gone to waste. Thanks for not blogging our swatching fiasco.
Posted by: graceej | February 22, 2006 at 01:48 PM
Oh my. I nearly had a heart attack. Good thing my daughter was in the other room while I did.
Posted by: Wendy | February 22, 2006 at 07:53 PM
very clear instructions, super pictures!(and just what I need, in order to know how to extend the kid jumpers I am going to make for my ds, 2 years old)
Posted by: Lara900 | February 23, 2006 at 04:37 AM
Great information, thanks! I am going to try it on a swatch sometime soon....
Posted by: Annie | February 23, 2006 at 06:48 AM
Wow, that's a great tutorial. Thanks for showing us that scissors CAN be your knitting friend...
Posted by: Jen | February 23, 2006 at 03:36 PM
Very nice! I've linked to this in my blog post on the same topic.
Posted by: Sara | February 23, 2006 at 03:46 PM
Thanks!! You make it seem simple.
Posted by: Hillary | February 26, 2006 at 03:20 PM
Holy Mother of God. You've got some balls! (And I mean that in the best possible way!)
Posted by: Annie | June 02, 2006 at 07:05 PM
thanks a bunch for this tutorial, I recently took scissors to my sweater in which I made the sleeves a skoosh too long and then too short! This really helped me be a little more om' scientific about it.
Posted by: jae | June 07, 2006 at 07:27 AM
Thank you so much for this tutorial! I have to cut a sweater because I did not realize it was a provisional cast on edge - I have been so scared and reading this I *think* I can do it! Of course mine is with KSH and in rib so may the force be with me ;) THANK YOU FOR THIS!
Posted by: adore_one | July 20, 2006 at 03:49 PM
Thank u, thank u, thank u...
Posted by: Nora (Black Dog Knits) | September 30, 2006 at 02:34 PM
Areli, I'm with your sister! I was holding my breath until I saw the last picture! LOL Good Lord, you got guts, girl! It's true - you never stop learning. Thanks so much for this stunning tutorial. Jo-Anne
Posted by: Anonymous | January 01, 2007 at 05:48 PM
Wow!
So I saw your mom and sister the other night and asked how u were and much to my surprise I learn you are dipping toes in a different ocean. Ironic that it takes such a move to finally get a hold of you. I'm a firm believer in better late than never. Your family is beautiful just as you are!
I love your site and have booked marked it as favorite. Knitting is a passion of mine as well. In fact I'm accepted at the University craft fair with my hand knit and felted bags. This is my first year and I'm getting lots of great comments. Hopefully I will sell enough for a new gitaur. My true passion!
I started by felting a bogo bag. It wasn't quite what I was after so I made my own pattern and have since sold some, gave a few gifts and have 20 ready almost for the show. I'll figure out how to send you some pictures.
Did I ever tell you one of my most treasure pictures is of you on your wedding day? I will send you that as well before the end of the year (I promise)
I want you to know that even though so much time has gone by and life is busy (and full) I do think of you often. I think of all you kids often.
All my love to you always,
Auntie Chris PS: there is always a ps in my letters,
I hope to "talk at you soon". It seems that
by the end of a busy day in the world of
retail, I communicate by email with most
people. I find it a good way to visit
with out leaving home.
Posted by: Auntie Chris | September 28, 2008 at 10:42 AM
My daughter sent me wool for New Zealand. I was so excited to have it, it still smelled like sheep!!! I made a sweater and it was to short. Thank you so much for showing me how to lenthen it. now i will beable to ware it.
Posted by: Kathy Keller | January 03, 2009 at 08:48 AM