Picking up stitches

by Lurene
(California)

I am working on a sweater (from the top down) and need to lengthen the back. I have picked up stitches (and I must say, very neatly) but when I start knitting they look like they have been added on! not just a continuation!

Am I trying to do the impossible or approaching it wrong?

Anxious to continue.

YOUR ANSWER

Hi Lurene,

Unfortunately no matter how carefully you try to pick up the stitches, it is still going to look like it has been added on.

The only way to get the effect you want is to actually unpick the cast on edge and a row or two from the bottom and pick up the exposed stitches.

Then you can continue knitting and it will look the way you want it to. But be warned, this particular trick can be more difficult than it sounds. Not the picking up or the knitting bit, the unpicking bit!

I have done it in the past quite successfully but found the process of unpicking the cast on edge very frustrating.

Good luck!