Repair a Stretched-Out Neckline

Easy Instructions to Bring Shape Back to a Knit Top

Apr 13, 2008 Maire Loughran

A simple blanket stitch and crocheted edging will bring new life back into stretched out knitted top necklines.

Sometimes even with the best of care, the neckline on knit tops gets stretched out of shape. Maybe the top wasn't washed properly or was pulled out of shape when it was put on or taken off. Sometimes those knit tops with the oversized necklines (meant to be layered with a tank beneath) get a bit too oversized with normal wear and tear.

Whatever the cause, if the rest of the top is in good shape, it is easy to reshape a stretched out neckline. These instructions work best on thin knit tops that are made from knit fabrics such as cotton, linen/silk blends and bamboo.

The technique used in this article is twofold. First, a blanket stitch stabilizes the neckline. Then, a row or more of crochet is used to draw the neckline back in. Both the blanket stitch and the crochet technique are beginner level.

Supply List:

Extremely thin in diameter silk or cotton yarn. While at the craft store use a skein of embroidery floss as a guide. For a thin, closely weaved knit, the yarn should be no thicker than the floss.
Crochet hook. Choose one with a small hook appropriate to the width of the yarn. In other words, does the yarn fit comfortably under the hook on the needle? Check out Image 1 below for a visual on this.
Large eye sewing needle.

Black cotton yarn was used in the article for the blanket stitch so as to provide more contrast between the stitch and the garment. If one is not a blanket stitch pro, it's probably a good idea to use a color that is very close to the garment being repaired.

The cotton yarn used for the crochet trim can be any color: contrasting, complementary or matched as closely as possible.

Let's Get Started:

Starting at one of the shoulder seams work the blanket stitch completely around the neckline of the top until reaching where one started. Knot the yarn or weave it into the top to secure the ends. Already the neckline should look better. Depending on the amount of stretch, this stitch might be enough to bring the neckline back into shape.
Next use the yarn and crochet hook to create a new edging. Make a slip knot on the crochet hook. Leave a tail of about 4 inches.
Reference Image 1. Starting at one of the shoulder seams, insert the crochet hook under and through the top of a blanket stitch and hook the yarn.
Pull the yarn through the black blanket stitch loop. There are now two loops on the crochet needle. Reference Image 2.
Bring the yarn over the hook from back to front and grab it with the hook. Pull this section of yarn through both loops that were sitting on the hook. One loop now remains on the hook. Reference Image 3.
Work around the neckline of the garment until back at the starting point.

It's suggested that three rows are crocheted. For the second row, pick up the top of each crocheted loop similar to the move used to pick up the top of the blanket stitch.

While crocheting the third and final row, skip picking up the top of one crocheted loop every two inches. Skipping a stitch in this manner will act to draw the crocheted edging in so that it fits close to the body and does not gap forward.

When done, either tie the loose end to the slip knot tail or weave both ends back into the crocheted edging.

This technique is very versatile - it can be used to lengthen sleeves or add length to the bottom of a knit top as well.

The copyright of the article Repair a Stretched-Out Neckline in Sewing/Needlework is owned by Maire Loughran. Permission to republish Repair a Stretched-Out Neckline in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.