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Member Lesson
Finish a Clean Neckband
Learn how to finish a clean, professional neckband after shaping or cutting your knitting.
If neat necklines have felt intimidating, you’re not alone. This is one of those finishing steps that gets easier once you can see it and try it on a real swatch first.
Download the neckline template printable
Finish a Clean Neckband
Follow These Steps
- Watch the lesson all the way through (04:28) before touching your knitting.
- Practice on a swatch before trying it on your project.
- Establish the correct number of stitches for your band piece.
- Scrap on (waste yarn and ravel cord).
- Knit the first side of the band - grading the tension as you go.
- Scrap off the stitches from the first side of the band.
- Hang the garment edge with the wrong (private side) facing you.
- Rehang the first band with the wrong (private side) facing you.
- Pull all needles out (stitches behind the latches).
- Close the latches.
- Knit the second side of the band - grading the tension as you go.
- Close the sandwich: Pick up the initial cast on stitches
- Loosely bind off the stitches.
Watch the lesson
Grade the band tension
By grading the tension as you knit the band, the band will lay flat against the body and not pop out.