Comments on using cotton (worsted weight) yarn for a seamless sweater, please. Thinking about stability. Is it more likely to stretch out of shape? Does a false seam (as in a Guernsey sweater) add any stability? Thanks, all.
I’ve done a lot of sleeveless cotton in the round. Full sweaters I have done in pieces. That said, cotton will hold its shape better in texture or seed stitch rather than plain stockinette. That said, my husband doesn’t love wool, I made a fisherman’s style sweater for him in cotton. He loves it, but it is HEAVY!
Excellent. Your mention of texture adding to stability is great. Don’t think I have enough yarn for all over texture, but perhaps seed stitch where there would normally be seams would help stabilize things. Thank you.
I would say that and maybe at hems? I did this one in bamboo (similar shape issues—though different than cotton) and it has held up well over the years.
Also excellent. Like the way the seed stitch is framed with (I think) reverse stockinette.
You are correct
I’ve not done it, but adding a faux seam, like a slip stitch or twisted stitch in the line of knit stitches where a seam would be is also a trick I read about. I’ll find the book and see If it has a fuller explanation than that - it might be it was more a visual thing than a stabilizing thing…
Cotton knits tend to shrink shorter but not so much narrower. If cotton is not preshrunk can totally change finished item. I find cotton seams tend to be stiffer than more elastic fibers so a simple clean join causes less bulky distortion. Your idea of stabilizing in pattern would most likely give best outcome.
Thank you, Karen. This is heartening.
I’ve not knit one yet, but Guernseys/Ganseys are knit in the round from the bottom up to the under arm with faux seams of a narrow column of knit-purl pattern, sometimes, I think just seed stitch. I’ll have to look at some patterns to get specifics before I start. I like the twisted stich idea too. Thank you.
Found it
Not a ton of info but a few options…
Perfect. You are so fine. Thanks ever so…