T-Shirt Neckband
I've nearly completed the neckband on my version of the Nothin' But a T-Shirt. For those unfamiliar with this pattern, it has you pick up stitches around the neckline in a contrasting color. Knit 5 rows in stockinette stitch. Work a purl row on the right side for a turning ridge. Knit 5 more rows in stockinette stitch. Bind off all stitches, fold to the inside, and sew in place.
Of course, I had to do things a little differently. First, I finished both shoulder seams so I could work in the round. Then I picked up stitches around the neckline in the main color before switching to the contrasting color. In that way, the transition between the two colors appears smoother around the curves. Next, I knitted one extra round in the contrasting color before the turning ridge to make up for the pick up round being in the main color.
Previously, I ended up with a rather floppy neckband. In an attempt to prevent that this time, I worked 6 decreases on the final round before the turning ridge -- 4 in front and 2 in back where the slope of the neckline shaping begins. (In the first photo, you can see my stitch markers at each of these points.) After the purl round, I worked 6 increases in the same spots as the decreases. Hopefully these adjustments will help the neckband lay flatter.
Finally, instead of binding off and then sewing the neckband, I am currently grafting the live stitches straight off the needle (as you can see in the second photo.) I think this creates a more flexible and less bulky finish. If all goes well, I may yet complete this sweater before the end of the month.