[AmyKnits]

Can you attach a photo, Jessica-Jean? As I said, I don't want to recommend something that doesn't work, but it does for me. Every time.... I have added all sorts of photos with all sorts of examples with all yarn and weights and it prevents the curling EVERY time.

I have also seen not only the Lichen shawl pattern, but now several others that call for this technique to prevent the edges from rolling. Several cardigans call for these slipped stitches for the edgings so that the edges remain in stockinette and to prevent curling.

The link I provided earlier explains how to do the technique and touts a non-rolling edge as well as a few others below. Most of them say to use a three stitch edge, but as you can see... I have achieved a non-roll edge with only two stitches and this technique.

All I can say is that it is worth a try!

http://happyknits.com/blog/i-cord-edging-so-simple/

http://www.verdigrisknits.com/2013/02/built-in-i-cord-perfect-edges-everytime.html

http://www.knitdarling.com/2011/i-cord-edging-tutorial/

The world's fastest knitter uses this technique, but she slips the LAST three stitches instead of the FIRST three.... same result. I noticed when done on stockinette it does not show on the front of your work. (as in all of my examples) When knitting in garter stitch, of course the three (or two as I use) slipped stitches will appear as stockinette.

http://pulsh.blogspot.com/2009/01/knitted-on-i-cord.html

This technique leaves stockinette with no obvious edge. Why else would so many people be using it if there were no advantage? There is NO change in the look of the stockinette, so there would be no reason all these people would be using and recommending it if NOT to prevent rolling of edges. Right?!

Lots of people are using it with great success. I am sorry for those of you who are having difficulty.

 

[IndigoSpinner]

Double knit has, by definition, the same number of knits and purls in any given area, so it doesn't roll.

 

[Jessica-Jean]

Can you attach a photo, Jessica-Jean?

Good thing I hadn't yet ripped it out!
I just lay a sheet of paper over it on the scanner, so it's not as bright as it would be had I closed the scanner top. That wasn't an option, as it would have squashed the curling. Curl, it does. When I pulled out the needle, it coiled up like a scroll!

 

[IndigoSpinner]

Good thing I hadn't yet ripped it out!
I just lay a sheet of paper over it on the scanner, so it's not as bright as it would be had I closed the scanner top. That wasn't an option, as it would have squashed the curling. Curl, it does. When I pulled out the needle, it coiled up like a scroll!

That's what mine looked like (except that I used yarn that was a tan color).

 

[AmyKnits]

That's what mine looked like (except that I used yarn that was a tan color).

Well, all I can say is that it has worked for me every time and for all the knitters who have knitted the Lichen shawl as well as those videos I attached! Also several knitters on this thread and all but two of you that have tried it.

Again, worth a try as it clearly works for some!

 

[archer]

Thank you, Amy. I have put this on one of my 3x5's. I guess this dates me, when I hear talk about data bases. I think this will be very helpful in the right situations. thank you again. archer

 

[Mayberry Gal]

Amy, I tried it on a simple lace scarf-Caron Simply Soft with a #9 needle-NO curled edges! Yippee!! Thanks

 

[AmyKnits]

Amy, I tried it on a simple lace scarf-Caron Simply Soft with a #9 needle-NO curled edges! Yippee!! Thanks

:thumbup: :thumbup: Thanks for letting me know!

 

[Irene P]

I sometimes use crocheting to finish the edges, working one row of single crochet and a second row of reverse single crochet (working the single crochet from Left to Right - or Right to Left, if left handed.) This tends to give the edging a nice finish. Of course, you would use the appropriate size crochet hook to go with the kind of yarn you are knitting with.

 

[Jenny.Wren]

Thank you for this information. I assume that you add 2 stitches to each side of the pattern when you get started.

 

[elsie lacey]

Dear Amyknits,
Many thanks for your clear instructions on stockinette stitch curl prevention.

 

[Irene P]

I join the yarn and chain 1 to start since I use the single crochet.

 

[Irene P]

I join the yarn and make 1 chain to start since I will be working with the single crochet.

 

[knitpresentgifts]

Great tip and thank you Amy!

 

[sanditoes48]

Thanks so much for this tip!! You are always so helpful. :wink:

 

[IndigoSpinner]

OK, I knitted another swatch, and meant to get back to you on it.

I went back to the original instructions just in case I had made a mistake. I intended to take a photo, but it's late at night and I intended to reply before this, and I'm just too tired to take a photo.

It still rolls just as much as if I hadn't done anything on the edge. I really don't see how it could possibly do anything else.

I've knitted a garter stitch border and seed stitch border and other kinds of borders on stockinette stitch, and the borders don't roll, but as soon as you get to the stockinette stitch, that rolls, no matter what kind of border you put on it. I don't see how you could think that putting I-cord on the edge would make it stop rolling. And I can't believe that anybody who actually tries this would think it works.

Although, the item you were originally knitting seemed to have about a 45 degree angle for the edge. An edge that runs at about 45 degrees on stockinette won't roll, so maybe that's what's happening. The angle means the sides are trying to turn under, but it's equally an end, and that tries to turn up, so the two tendencies cancel each other out, and it's easy to make that edge lie flat.

If you knit with a slightly larger needle, it will roll less. If you steam block stockinette, it will roll less.

But stockinette rolls. Putting an I-cord on the edge doesn't stop it.

 

[stirfry]

OK, I knitted another swatch, and meant to get back to you on it.

I went back to the original instructions just in case I had made a mistake. I intended to take a photo, but it's late at night and I intended to reply before this, and I'm just too tired to take a photo.

It still rolls just as much as if I hadn't done anything on the edge. I really don't see how it could possibly do anything else.

I've knitted a garter stitch border and seed stitch border and other kinds of borders on stockinette stitch, and the borders don't roll, but as soon as you get to the stockinette stitch, that rolls, no matter what kind of border you put on it. I don't see how you could think that putting I-cord on the edge would make it stop rolling. And I can't believe that anybody who actually tries this would think it works.

Although, the item you were originally knitting seemed to have about a 45 degree angle for the edge. An edge that runs at about 45 degrees on stockinette won't roll, so maybe that's what's happening. The angle means the sides are trying to turn under, but it's equally an end, and that tries to turn up, so the two tendencies cancel each other out, and it's easy to make that edge lie flat.

If you knit with a slightly larger needle, it will roll less. If you steam block stockinette, it will roll less.

But stockinette rolls. Putting an I-cord on the edge doesn't stop it.

I gave up trying to knit my Harry Potter scarf in stockinette and am doing it in rib stitch. I looks great. No rolling and the colors blend in nicely on both sides. No matter what I tried with the stocking stitch it rolled.

 

[damemary]

Thanks for sharing Amy.

 

[FearNoKnit]

Hi Amy, the pattern really sparks my interest and I'd like to try it. Can you tell me where to find it? Also, I tried your instructions on a swatch and it worked for me. Thanks!

 

[AmyKnits]

Hi Amy, the pattern really sparks my interest and I'd like to try it. Can you tell me where to find it? Also, I tried your instructions on a swatch and it worked for me. Thanks!

Thanks for letting me know!!! I just used this technique on another baby cardigan and it worked fabulously, again.

There seem to be a couple (2 exactly) who have tried and have not seen a difference... still trying to figure out what they are doing wrong.

Anyways, the original pattern I discovered this technique on was the Lichen Shawl available on Ravelry.

However, since learning this technique, I have found it on MANY patterns as well as a HUGE selection of videos explaining how to use the same or similar technique to keep stockinette from rolling. I did not discover this... there are apparently countless of pattern designers who are using this technique and a multitude of videos demonstrating using this (or a version of this) technique to prevent stockinette from curling.... I just passed it onto my KP friends. :thumbup: :thumbup: