"Converting" a turtleneck sweater into a crewneck? archived

I dont knit or sew so I may be completely wrong but wouldnt it be easier to do something to open up the neck? Something like cut the neck to be a little shorter then cut it down the center right up to the neck line, make button holes and attach buttons to the neckline a few inches up on either side to keep the front of your throat open (which I am guessing is part of the problem with turtlenecks). I think it would be easier to finish off that part then the whole neck and still have it look nice.

If these are manufactured sweaters, rather than handknit, then I don't think you will be happy with an alteration. Cutting into knitted fabric can be done, but unless it's intentional (planned for, as in a steek), it will ravel. Is the neck funnel a tube, or does it have a machine-sewn seam, can you tell?

If, on the other hand, you are lucky enough to be the owner of two handknit sweaters, it would not be difficult for a good knitter to rip out enough of the turtleneck to turn it into crewneck.

themis - Thanks... I don't want to open it too much and wonder about reinforcing buttonholes as well, as opposed to just the outer collar... have one where it buttons across the shoulder and up one side of the neck, but I'm generally wearing these over a dress shirt or oxford, so I need to be a bit careful of allowing for the collar.

jr - Both of these are technically handknit sweaters. The yellow above is cashmere (fine threadwise, though with a massive heft and more loosely knit), and the other is a blend of cashmere, camelhair, and either mohair or alpaca (can't recall)... this one is very, very tightly woven.

I believe I have a hunk of spare threads for each, if that makes any difference.

You won't need the extra yarn if you find someone who can ravel the necks down to the desired point... that would provide plenty of spare yarn for a new bind-off once it's low enough for you. But you would need a knitter with more nerve than I've got. :wink:

Unless there's some serious sentimental value, I suggest that you just donate the things, and then get something you would wear.

peggyC-- No nerve? You? Never. :bigsmile:

nohero- There really isn't any sentimental value to either of them, but I suppose there's always eBay. Plus, if I buy another sweater I may get (justifiably) shot by ctrzwife.

You might get shot if you keep buying cashmere/alpaca/camelhair/mohair... those are all pretty pricey fibers! But that yellow sweater is very attractive... it would be a shame to waste it.

Too bad there isn't a knitting equivalent of the alterations people at dry cleaners. :wink:

JR, someday you are going to have to show me what steeking is all about. I've gone through a bunch of pattern books that include this technique, and it still scares the crap out of me. (Yes, really, Consonant Guy.:tongue

PeggyC, the first time takes some nerve! Elizabeth Zimmermann once said that after cutting a steek, one should drink a glass of wine and go lie down in a darkened room.

I once took a class with Alice Starmore (at the late, lamented Tomato Factory in Lambertville) where she made it look easy. Something like this:

Posted By: j rElizabeth Zimmermann once said that after cutting a steek, one should drink a glass of wine and go lie down in a darkened room.

I completely disagree. You need to drink the wine BEFORE cutting the steek. I would probably pee myself. But wait... where's the rest of your post???

Thought I'd share my first thought when reading this thread title...cervical effacement...turtleneck to crew is the image I use to explain!
Not helpful, I know! :tongue:

Thanks for (over)sharing, Doula. :wink:

:bigsmile:

http://www.1cascade.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=3459

Who knew they came in blue stripes? :shocked:

OMG. For those too lazy to cut and past the URL... http://www.1cascade.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=3459

Steek video won't embed, so here's a link. Sorry for the drift, ctrzaska!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZnigwAP2iY

AND the thread has now taken one of those detours from which it will never recover. That's my prediction. :rolling:

I think you need to change from html to text, or vice versa, to get that embedded video to show up...

let's see...

Turtleneck to crew. I wasn't thinking uterus or sweater. And that there was the rare occasion when my mind went straight to the gutter, without any assistance from the usual suspects.

:rolling:

See? I told you we'd never get back from this thread drift.

Well... I do own a sweater (stolen from an old boyfriend) that is a cotton knit, machine made. He received the very tight crew neck as a gift, took it to the local dry cleaner and had the resident seamstress convert it to a boat neck. It was done by rolling the edge.

I am not certain I would want to risk that surgical procedure with such a high quality sweater though! Without lusting too much...they are very handsome. Perhaps you would consider selling them!:smile:

Posted By: doulamommaThought I'd share my first thought when reading this thread title...cervical effacement...turtleneck to crew is the image I use to explain!
Not helpful, I know!

the mental images now when I pull a sweater on over my head

Hank, yeah, tell us about it.

how detailed should I get, j r? this is a family oriented website after all...dysfunctional family-oriented, but still family

Nah, we just have different points of view! Here's Weezer with my favorite song about sweaters, to distract us.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHQqqM5sr7g

Drat, why won't my videos post?

Posted By: hankzona

Posted By: doulamommaThought I'd share my first thought when reading this thread title...cervical effacement...turtleneck to crew is the image I use to explain!
Not helpful, I know!

the mental images now when I pull a sweater on over my head

it's like being born every time! ;-)

Posted By: meandtheboysTurtleneck to crew. I wasn't thinking uterus or sweater. And that there was the rare occasion when my mind went straight to the gutter, without any assistance from the usual suspects.

:rolling::rolling:

Randomest. Thread. Drift. Ever.

Maybe your sweaters need a moyel?

I like the idea of going from turtleneck to boatneck instead. I think it would be a little less complicated and more forgiving as boatneck collars can get away with a little more flounce. And Lord knows ConsanantMan could always use a little more flounce...
I love to sew, especially handwork. I think I will pick up a turtleneck from the thrift store tomorrow and try this technique. I'll let you know how it comes out.

HA! (A Jewish weaver may not be a bad idea, come to think of it...)

Flounce shmounce. But still... I don't have the shoulders for a boatneck.

Posted By: ctrzaskaI don't have the shoulders for a boatneck.

:rolling:

Now I am imagining Ctrz wearing a flashdance sweatshirt with his party pants! This is so unfair!