I’ve reached the ribbing. It’s going fine. But I have questions and I figured the Blogville hive mind will have answers. I knit the vest on size 7 needles which coincidentally is what the designer used. When she got to the ribbing she used a size 4 needle. I have never done ribbing with a needle that many sizes smaller. The ribbing is narrow, only 3/4 of an inch. Is the 3 needle sizes smaller the magic that will keep the narrow ribbing from rolling? Does anyone have experience with this?
Next up is the bind off. The designer has suggested one I’ve never done. One I’ve never even heard of. It’s called the Italian bind off. I’ve found a couple of videos on YouTube so I’m ready to go. Has anyone used this bind off? Will it help prevent the ribbing from rolling?
I promise to tell you about my experience with the 3 needle sizes smaller ribbing and the Italian bind off. Hopefully tomorrow because if I don’t get this thing blocking by Friday night I won’t have it dry for photos on August 31.
NothingButKnit 
I don’t think I even have circular needles that small! (Maybe some secondhand bamboo straight needles, though.)
I think the smallest I’ve gone working ribbing for a garment is just one or two sizes smaller. As for the bind-off, I’ve always had issues with mine being too tight with the recommended size for the project, so for projects that require the piece to fit around me, I usually go up a needle size for the bind off to try and ensure that it isn’t too tight. This really depends on your personal knitting style and how well you know it. If you think you might have issues with the bind-off itself, change to one you’re more comfortable with if needed, or knit up a small swatch using your stitch pattern and try practicing the recommended bind-off on that before trying it on the project itself.
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well- it looks like the IT bind off is like Kitchener on and edge, but everybody says that B word along with the ribbing type. It’s also sewn. How much patience do you have? elasticity seems to be the reason to use it, so maybe that’s why the pattern wants smaller than normal needles for the band? Tight needle size but lots of give. It’s not the same at The “Jen’s super stretchy BO”. That gives very nice neckbands on sweaters. SO – bottom line, try it and see. After the 31st, if you don’t like it you can always take it out and redo it for yourself how you like- just don’t split any threads today!
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I’ve only gone down two needle sizes for ribbing. I can’t wait to see what this does!
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Looks very nice!
I have not yet knit a sweater, so I have no experience to offer.
I have tried “Elizabeth Zimmerman’s Better Bind Off”. It is done with a needle like Kitchener too. I don’t know how it compares to the Italian one. Hers seemed easy to learn.
Mostly I use Jen’s Super Stretchy bind off.
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Just waiting to see what works. I have no clue! I do a bigger needle for bind off all the time
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I want to see if the bind off with much smaller needles works. I have never heard of that or the Italian bind off. I’m feeling like a newbie knitter today.
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No clue, so I’m watching!
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That’s a pretty dramatic needle size change for ribbing – I’m looking forward to seeing what it looks like! I have not done the Italian bind-off. Will have to look that up!
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I usually go down 2-3 sizes. The sts look better and because there is so much stretch in ribbing, but I’d BO either in a bigger needle or use Jeny’s.
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I am waaaaaay behind on my blog reading. I look forward to seeing how this turned out.
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