? re "slip first stitch for nice edge"

Are you slipping the first stitch purl wise?

I use a "one stitch" selvage edge when I knit sweaters...particularly "pieced" sweaters...along the body seam edge and the sleeve seam edge I start and end every single row with a k stitch. This will NOT affect any stitch pattern but creates a nice selvage edge that makes seaming so much easier.

The slipped stitch edge is wonderful for sleeveless tops and some scarves too!

It took me awhile to accept this slip first stitch on scarves and it is wonderful Thank you..

If you think it works on scarves..try it on a sleeveless top!

Yes, that is exactly correct. I like the look, but don't always think to do it!

Yes, that is what I do. Simply slip as if to knit or if the first stitch is a purl, then slip as if to purl. Hope this helps.

I am currently working on knitted mitered squares made on straight needles and using double decreases in the middle to make the mitre. The pattern slips the first stitch as if to knit, does the row in garter stitch except for the double decrease and then purls the last stitch. This makes a nice edge finish or an easy edge to pick up stitches for the next attached square.

My 'skinny' scarf is looking real good. Am using a slip one knit wise at the beginning with a 4 st garter border. I am knitting 4 at the end and slipping one at the beginning. The scarf has a reversible lace center. It has a nice rhythm to the pattern and is laying flat--yea!!!!

Next challenge is a cabled scarf that doesn't roll.

courier770 said:

I'm working on a cable scarf that isn't rolling at all. I "borrowed" the cable pattern from a cape I am making...added 3 stitches on each end and I knit the first 3 and last 3 stitches on every row..no rolling. This photo was taken a week or so ago, I've gotten a bit more done since then.

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Great idea! So you have no stitches between the two cables - garter on each end, two cables in the middle. Looks lovely!

Thanks. I'm using an unusual combination of yarns...a strand of Alpaca and a strand of laceweight mohair, that was wound together using a ball winder...soft as butter!

don't know how accurate the photo color is, but it looks luscious. i am a big purple fan!

pfflyer said:

Claire said:

Regarding pattern instruction that says slip first stitch for a nice edge (particular for scarfs, etc.), does that literally mean to simply slip the first stitch on the row (as though knitting it) from left to right needle and continue the pattern on the second stitch on?

I think so, but want to be sure. It looks odd when I do it....

Click to expand...

That is exactly what it means.
Does look good when finished.
this scarf has a slipped stitch edging.

Click to expand...

Gorgeous!

Yes, that's it. and then slip it purlwise on the reverse side

I sometimes forget to slip the first knit stitch also, I am confused over the purl stitch . Do you slip it off also? I am making a cable scarf and it is rolling on the edge? I am wondering if I crocheted around the edges if it would look better? I have just learned how to make a cable on a scarf, but as I said it has a rolled edge for some reason. Thank you Jean

Jean, you slip "purlwise" as if to purl the stitch...it does help keep the rolling under control.

I'm currently going through a mess with copyrighting some patterns for publication..one is a cabled scarf. Making a "selvage" edge is important to keep rolling minimal. You can start and end every row with a knit stitch to create a nice edge that won't interfere with your cable pattern or do the "slip stitch" edging. I really prefer the begin and end with a knit stitch..but that's just a personal thing.

My understanding of the roll is the different tensions front and back. To add injury, the cable itself creates even more tension on one side and so the edges tend to pull in. The only solutions I have come across are to create a selvage with several stitches (3-5) that are done in garter stitch or moss stitch which is a bit stiffer. But some stitches in some yarns will just do what they want to do. I think you need to do swatches before beginning the project and play with it to see what works best for that particular design.

yes it does. It will give you a nice edge and not a bumpy one.

The problem with a 3 - 5 stitch "edge" is that it will often fold...not roll but fold *sigh*. A "one stitch" edge..either slipped or knitted selvage edge, neither rolls nor "folds".