Often, knitting instructions call for you to pick up a certain number of stitches
evenly along an edge. If you don’t think you can do this by eye, you can place
markers at regular intervals along the edge to ensure that you pick up stitches
evenly. If you don’t pick up stitches evenly, your final result will look decidedly
off: It will cinch in or look stretched.
1 Place pins, spaced evenly apart, along the edge where the stitches are to be
picked up.
Note:Instead of using pins, you can tie bits of yarn as markers at even intervals along the edge.
Finishing Details
chapter 122 Calculate how many stitches should be picked up between markers by
dividing the total number of stitches to be picked up by the number of
spaces between pins.
3 Pick up the appropriate number of stitches between each pair of markers.
How to Pick Up Stitches EvenlyFAQ
My instructions call for picking up a large number of stitches
continuously along the button bands and around the neck all
at once. How can I fit so many stitches on the needle?
You should use a flexible circular needle to pick up and work stitches
on long stretches. You will not be using the needle to knit in the round;
instead, you’ll use it to work back and forth, as you would with straight
needles. If you’re not sure what length to use, simply measure the
length of the edge on which you need to pick up stitches and use the
closest length of circular needle. Circular needles also work very well for
collars and neckbands, so if your project calls for this type of treatment,
be sure to equip yourself with the proper size of circular needle.