{{Short description|Knitting technique}} [[File:Knit gathers pullover.jpg|thumb|Gathers knit into a pullover sweater using stitch decreases.]] In knitting, a '''gather''' draws stitches closer together within a row of knitting. Common methods include:
* In '''binding''', a yarn loop is passed over 2 or more stitches in the same row (usually adjacent to the binding loop); also known as a ''pullover stitch''. * In '''clustering''', the yarn is wound laterally around a set of stitches in the same row, possibly several times; also known as a ''wrap stitch''. * '''Smocking''' is a sewing or embroidery technique in which the tiny pleats are drawn together with thread or yarn. Before the development of elastic, smocking was used to create a stretchable, flexible fabric panel.
==Related techniques== thumb|Ruching created by sewing stitches down the centre of a fabric strip, then pulling one end of the thread to gather the fabric. In the sewing technique '''ruching''' (pronounced {{IPAc-en|ˈ|r|uː|ʃ|ɪ|ŋ}}, {{respell|ROO|shing}} also spelled '''rouching'''), a large number of increases are introduced in one row, which are then removed by decreases a few rows later. This produces many small vertical ripples or "ruches" in the fabric, effectively little pleats. The technique of '''shirring''' produces a similar effect by gathering the fabric into two parallel rows (not necessarily horizontal), usually achieved through smocking.
==References==
*{{Cite book|last=Hiatt|first=June Hemmons|title=The Principles of Knitting|publisher=Simon and Schuster|year=1988|isbn=0-671-55233-3|oclc=17325110|pages=55–56, 82–83}}
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Category:Knitting methods for shaping