Laura wondered about the i-cord on Ballerina, “I am not clear on why you added the i-cord to the bottom edge since there is already a knitted-in i-cord finish to it.”
Susan answered this question in an old post here. Basically, it is because the built in i-cord is not very attractive from the inside*. With a swing coat, like Ballerina, it is possible that the hem will show because the back is longer than the front. Doing applied i-cord afterward makes for a better looking finish:
Susan’s Mermaid at top of photo, Ballerina at the bottom.
*PS from Susan: I should clarify: Hanne’s built-in i-cord is not very attractive from the inside — she does it this particular way in order to have single color i-cord at the hemline even though you are knitting 2-color stripes as shown in Mermaid above.
In general, it is absolutely easy to have built in i-cord on either edge of a garter stitch strip of any width:
For a 3-stitch i-cord edge on ONE side of garter stitch:
Row 1: knit to last 3 sts, bring yarn forward, slip last 3 sts to right hand needle one by one as to purl; turn
Row 2: knit
For 3-stitch i-cord edge on BOTH sides of garter stitch:
All Rows: knit to last 3 sts, bring yarn forward, slip last 3 sts to right hand needle one by one as to purl; turn
Love the colors and I absolutely agree about the applied I-cord as the perfect finishing touch!
Comment by Karen B. — December 9, 2007 @ 5:16 pm
I am going to have to learn that applied I-cord finish. It does look much nicer. What a long list of knitting to-do’s that I have.
Comment by Denise — December 10, 2007 @ 7:23 pm