Hemming knitwear
I have this Aran cable knit sweater which is too long in the body. I wonder by how much do you think I should have the bottom hemmed? Also, is there a better way of doing it then cutting the existing hem, cutting a portion of the sweater and reattaching the hem?
First pic is full length, second is having the hem (7cm) rolled back under, 3rd and 4th are having a bit more rolled under. Full length of the sweater is 66 cm. Interestingly, I have a hoodie of the same length but it doesn’t seem (I think) too long on me. Is it because the two fabrics bunch differently? Or because of the front pocket of the hoodie? Attached a picture of it for comparison.
18 Replies
You can't cut knitwear the same way you can woven fabric. It's not impossible but a talented knitter would have to break and reknit at the bottom. It's not something your average alterations place can tackle and I'd be amazed if you could find someone.
Might be possible to serge the heck out of it? I suppose you would disconnect the waistband, remove the excess length from the torso, and then reattach. Using a serger or overlock machine like you would when sewing jersey certainly isn’t the “proper” way to finish knitwear, but some knit garments are made this way.
Yes, this is what me, and the person who’d do the alteration had in mind. It’s not proper, but it has to do it, because as Elvander said I won’t find anyone who’d reknit the thing.
I just need to decide by how much I want to shorten the sweater - the is what I’m asking for advice on.
I don't think your sweater is too long in the body at all
Long sweaters kinda annoy me, so I get it, but this does look good as is.
i don't think this looks too long fwiw
Really? I thought it’s too long on me. Then I might cancel this idea and leave the sweater as is, that would be best, I just need to make myself comfortable with its length. Thanks all!
I agree that’s it’s not too long
It’s long but not unfashionably long, if that makes sense
You could roll the hem, @Elvander has done it in a couple fits and it looks great.
I have a near identical sweater I bought recently. I just roll that badboy
derek guy (@dieworkwear)
i've seen so many retailers do this, and i don't get it. a good sweater should have a hem that can be adjusted on your hips and create a little pooch around your belly.
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to jump in here, is it fine to roll/cuff the ribs of a sleeve if a jumper is slightly too long in the arms?
yes, absolutely
some sweaters are made for that
Dehen for example have a weird hem on the sleeve if you don't cuff them
cool - good to know! Mine doesn't have a rib as prominent as that, I just didn't want it to look too obvious that I was rolling it because it was slightly too long (which I am 
)
)I do it on almost all of my knits
Lots of rolled hems here:
https://www.reddit.com/r/NavyBlazer/comments/xx5xoq/shetland_sweater_inspo/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb3x&utm_name=mweb3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button
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From the NavyBlazer community on Reddit: Shetland Sweater Inspo
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