How can I turn up the sleeves on a knitted dress?

[HollyGoHeavily]

My DD has a lovely chunky knitted dress which fits perfectly except that the arms are about 12 cm too long. If I just turn them up and sew then she will have double thickness wool practically up to her elbow which will be uncomfy and hot. Is there a way of chopping off wool without the whole sleeve unravelling? Can I hem it to keep the knitting stiches in place or will that be a disaster ?? Help!!

[understand now why dress was a bargain emoticon ]

You might be able to unravel the knit on purpose as it were, from the ends of the sleeves and then cast off when you get to the length you want: assuming you have needles or a crochet hook and the necessary skillZ :)

Oh crikey - no i don't think i could manage that! I was rather hoping someone would tell me that sewing it tightly with thread would stop it unravelling. Oh well - it may be heading for ebay! Thanks :)

Could you put elastic in the cuffs so they can be hitched up (or would that look daft?).

Hmm - maybe I could do that. Off to investigate...

If you zigzagged/overlocked a line around the sleeve it would not unravel when you cut it. you could then turn over the end and tack it down. But this would in all likelihood make them flare out like crazy - if you're happy with the bell sleeve look worth a try?

Some ideas in the comments here:
youlookfab.com/2009/01/16/knitwear-alterations/

There's also woman with a blog who specialises in taking in and altering knitwear, and she just sews it. I'll see if I can find it - she has some fairly interesting creations that start "I bought this from the charity shop for two pounds, took it in at the side, added frills down the front etc. etc."

I've had a go at pinning it and I think florence is right - the sleeves do go a bit bell-shaped. I think the shape of the dress can take it though as it has a slightly flared hem, and I don't think DD will mind or notice too much.

Thanks for the link vesela - interesting ideas!