Zippers...

Oooh, I can't answer your question, Carol, but I will be eagerly awaiting any answers you get because I'm almost done knitting a cardigan which will need a zipper.

LauraJ

Carol, Whenever I use a zipper on my hand knit sweaters, I hand sew them in. I don't have any problems with it. If you want more specifics, let me know.

Janise

Actually, I have worried about putting them in but when I actually got to the point of doing it, it wasn't too bad. I have just put them in by hand in cardigans for my grandkids. I used pretty sturdy jacket type zippers (they ones that open all the way) and basted them in first to get them placed correctly before sewing them with a backstitch. There is probably a way to use a sewing machine on some of them but I never have. The sweaters are worn by active kids and the zippers are still there - so it must work ok.

On Fri, 22 Apr 2005 22:09:59 GMT, "Carol In WI" spewed forth :

Not difficult at all. Possibly daunting the first time you do it.

A tip I learned from another knitter is to baste together the edges of the opening where the zipper will be installed - this helps ensure that everything stays straight and hangs evenly when the finished item is zipped. I do baste bias tape in behind the zipper (between the zipper and the knitting) before I machine-stitch the zipper into place. Two rows of machine knitting on each half of the zipper and that puppy ain't going nowhere. So to speak.

Tip: if you machine-stitch the zipper, use low tension and shortest stitch length available on the machine.

Hi Carol! Well... I would've THOUGHT they were, going by my mother's habit of changing every single pattern that used them.... she'd ALWAYS put buttons and buttonholes in, rather than put in a zipper, yet she was a fantastic seamstress... so... all MY life, I either avoided those patterns, or adapted just like she did... but then.... one day about

20 or more years ago... I REALLY wanted to HAVE a zipper in a jacket-sweater I was making... and lo and behold... twasn't difficult at ALL! JM2C, Hugs, Noreen

Hi Noreen,

I agree with you, they aren't that bad to do once you do the first one. I've put in over twenty or more in the Mary Maxim sweaters I've made and like the others have said baste it in first, then handsew.

Hugs,

Nora

You know what? I *PAY* people to put zippers in my hand-knits. I hate doing them, and can never get them to work out properly. I do them in sewn garments, but not knitted ones. Sigh!

Hugs, Katherine

first

handsew.

sewn

LOL, Katherine! Guess what? I simply cannot sew a zipper into slacks/pants/jeans... so I PAY too, lol! Course, Don spoke out of turn once, and guess what? I don't have to pay anymore, cuz he can DO IT, lol! Noreen

Wish I lived close enough to take advantage of Don!

Hugs, Katherine

handsew.

Oh, Katherine, I would share him, too! He is SO good! He bakes! He does the vacuuming! He'll do just about anything! Hugs, Noreen who KNOWS she has a REAL keeper!

Hugs, Katherine

sweaters

hand-knits. I

properly. I

We-ll.... Mike and Theresa are 'supposed' to get married, but I think it's a rebound thing. Thing is... even if he WERE fully single, he's a chauvinist.... so I would'nt GO there, lol... now, however, cousin Ron IS single and very MUCH like Don... lives in Shawano, WI, Karen!!!! Hugs, Your SIS, Noreen

Hi Noreen,

My dishwasher will be fixed tomorrow and boy am I ever looking forward to that and he is too. LOL Yes, Tom gets the cast off in the morning.

Hugs,

Nora