DIY Network

Contrasting Bands and Cuffs Contrasting Bands and Cuffs From "Knitty Gritty" episode DKNG-112

(Continued from page 1)

Jazz up a pair of jeans with funky knit cuffs!

Jeans
If you want to add on to something that isn't made from a knit fabric, you aren't out of luck. The technique described below can be used for the hem of pants or a skirt, the cuff of a jacket, a collar.... really anything you want to knit a little punch to.

Materials
Pair of jeans (trimmed to Capri length, if desired)
One skein Crystal Palace Splash (variegated eyelash) in 7235 Picnic, or color desired
Double-pointed needles or small circular needle (size 5)
Heavy-duty thread
Sewing needle

If you're using a garment that you typically wash in the machine, you probably want to look for a yarn that can stand up to that (children's jeans with hand-washable embellishments are more museum pieces than functional clothing). If it's a vintage wool coat that you are embellishing, however, go ahead and use that gentle-care yarn!

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Steps
1. Decide how wide you want the knitted border to be; you may wish to shorten the pants to make room for the cuff.

2. If your jeans have a thick hem, cut it off; then turn, press and seam a new hem.

3. Make a swatch with the yarn to measure your gauge per inch.

Figure D

4. With heavy-duty thread and a sewing needle, sew a blanket stitch around the hem of the pants (figure D). Make as many stitches per inch as your gauge sample indicates. For instance, if your yarn knits at 4 stitches to the inch, then make 4 blanket stitches per inch on your garment. Make these stitches a bit loose -- you want to be able to put a knitting needle through them.

5. Once you've sewn all the way around the hem and secured the thread, you're ready to begin knitting.

6. Using a small-gauge knitting needle or crochet hook, pull the yarn through each sewn stitch and slip the stitches onto a knitting needle. Once you've got stitches picked up all the way around the hem of the jeans, knit the cuff in the round.

7. Work the last few rows in garter stitch to prevent the cuff from rolling, then bind off loosely.

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RESOURCES :

Pronto Yarn
Suggested retail price: $5.50
Color: Coral (4442)
Berroco Inc.
Check Website for local retailers.
Website: www.berroco.com

Glitz Yarn
Suggested retail price: $8
Color: Regalia (9776)
Berroco Inc.
Check Website for local retailers.
Website: www.berroco.com

GUESTS :

Kristi Porter
Technical editor, Knitty Magazine
Website: www.knitty.com