Red White Gansey on May 29

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Gansey front and back are both knit to the shoulder seam. One shoulder seam is done and the neck gusset inserted.


The neck opening is done like this:

• The tops of the front and back are straight up - not a bit of shaping - and all stitches are left on the needles.
  
• The shoulder seam is made with a three needle bind off on the outside of the sweater.
  
• The last stitch of the bind off is the beginning of the gusset.
  
• The gusset is knit back and forth picking up a live stitch from the front or back needle on every row.

The neck gusset is the neck shaping. No decreases, no sewing. It's so slick I don't know why more sweaters aren't knit this way.

Next, after doing the second shoulder seam and gusset, I'll pick up stitches and knit the neckband.

The pattern shows a rolled neckband, but I'll be doing a 1x1 ribbing instead. No reason other than personal preference.

Many sweater patterns (but not this one) save the neck ribbing until the sleeves are done, but I never do. In order to judge the final sleeve length, it's important to have the neckline finished so it's tightened up and sitting where it's going to sit when the sweater is done.

Pattern: White Gansey from Beth Brown-Reinsel's Knitting Ganseys

Yarn: Knitpicks Swish, a worsted weight superwash wool

Color: Pepper Red

Needles: Knitpicks Options #3

Gauge: 6 stitches/inch, 9 rows/inch in stockinette. A very firm gauge for this yarn but great for showing stitch definition.