A Zipper Story

I've decided to give BPT a zipper. My first zipper was last year, and I have learned so much since then that I am hoping for a better result.  One thing I learned is that dark colors hide a multitude of sins when it comes to stitching.  I also know now not to skip a single step and not to rush.  OK, enough lecturing, how about if we pump up the volume around here and talk zippers!

Step One:  Assemble your materials: blocked sweater, zipper*, needle and matching thread, basting thread in contrasting color, yarn and crochet hook, pins, and Nancy Wiseman's Finishishing Techniques, which will be your guide.

*zipper: You might be lucky to find one off the shelf at your local shop, but ever since Margene clued me in to Zipperstop I don't bother running for zippers anymore. Last week, I stuck a snippet of yarn and my measurement (taken from the blocked sweater) and a basic description of what I needed it for (medium weight hooded sweater) in an envelope to them, and I had a perfectly matched zipper in three days, total cost under $5.00.

Step Two:  Single crochet a stabilizing edge around the border where the zipper will go.  Since this is a hooded sweater, I am going to put the edge all the way around.  Try to keep tension loose enough so the edge stays flat.  Why does crochet make me feel like I have hulk hands?

Step Three:  Pin zipper in place.  I like to place pins in 1 inch intervals because then I know the zipper will line up for sewing.  I pin with the zipper closed, and I try not to pin although the way through the back of the sweater or to the carpet below.  Now my neck hurts, my fingers are pricked and my thoughts turn to getting some other things done around the house.

Time to call it a day!  Tomorrow?  Basting, stitching, attaching ribbon. 

Comments

[Melanie]

I'm terrified of putting in a zipper! Thanks for posting such good photos of the process.

I think the best tip is the last one--if you're tired, put it down and come back to it later.

[Margene]

You're leaving us hanging! Looks great so far.

[Annie]

I will definitely be referring to this entry (if) when I get to this stage with my BPT. Looks great!

[Lauren]

Oh so THAT's how you pin zippers in place. I was confused. What was the ratio of crochet to knit stitches? 1:1? On the basketweave, I picked up 1 for every 2 knit stitches and didn't know if that was normal.

[Siow Chin]

I tried to attach a zipper once and it's all wonky. Thanks for the great tutorial, Mary Beth, I'm looking forward to the next lesson.

[Jean]

Dangnargit! lol. I wish I'd known about Zipperstop a few weeks ago! Thanks for the great tip!!

[Kim]

Ohmygosh, you and Chris are freaking me out over here--since I posted today about not knowing how to put a zipper in my latest project. Too funny!

Can't wait to have you model BPT for us!

[jessica~]

Putting in a zipper is so intimidating!! I will take notes from this post when it comes time for me to put in a zipper. Thanks for the Zipperstop link!!

[Kim]

:::peeking in to see the rest of the zipper story:::

[Term Paper]

I tried to attach a zipper once and it's all wonky. Thanks for the great tutorial, Mary Beth, I'm looking forward to the next lesson.

[Tom Callaghan]

This is SO cool. As a newbie-ish knitter, I was agonizing over how crummy my vest would look with buttons instead of a zipper, but had no direction on what to do. Thanks! This site rocks!