Waist Not

 Once again, a bit of knitting has pleased me greatly.  This is the inside casing of a waist band.  Just look at those beautiful stitches where the inside is knit with the public side.  One stitch at a time it works so perfectly.

There was a time that I feared such fiddly work.  It just seemed so tricky and complicated.    Over time, and with faith in my own ability, making a hem  or casing look neat and tidy from both sides is actually quite easy.

First, I start with good light.  Whilst sunshine is my preference, a bright and non-glaring lamp also works well.  

This is one of those tasks that I avoid doing in the evening.  Body rhythm being what it is, history tells me to join stitches in the morning or early afternoon.   Late afternoon and evening are lacking in patience and make for much frustration with the process.

For me, the folded casing or hem is a "one fell swoop" task.  Unless there is and ample uninterrupted  space of time, I don't even put the first stitch in place.  Oh sure, I'll pop a marker in stitch number one and smooth things out to see how everything is aligning.  But no stitchy stitchy unless there is time, time and more time.

If you've never turned a casing the basics are actually quite simple.  

1. Knit stitches as called for - often 4 - 6 rounds or 1/2 to 1 inch or some other specified measurement.
2. Purl a round - or do picot stitches if it will show in the wearing.
3. Knit the same number of rounds as at first
4. Fold along purl row and line up stitches nice and smooth and straight.
5. Pick up (with left needle tip) a stitch from the cast on edge and knit it with the first stitch on the needle, making sure that the stitches are lined up and no skipping occurs.
6. Do that around until the last 10 - 12 stitches and work those with out picking up.  This leaves a hole in the casing so that elastic can be inserted later.
7. After the elastic is inserted, sew the casing closed.

From the public side, it looks this smooth.  The purl round (#2 in above description) makes a nice straight turning ridge.

Pattern:  Bell Curve Skirt by Kira Dulaney  which can be had on Knitty here.