Putting a neat selvedge on whilst knitting is an excellent way to help finish a garment neatly. A well made selvedge can create an edge which will block easily and will also help in providing regular bumps or edge stitches for sewing up, which is helpful in matching pattern knitting and stripes. It will also provide a nice finish to a garment with open edges, such as a cardigan or scarf.
Making Selvedges within Pattern Knitting
First of all it's important to be aware when pattern knitting that quite often it will be necessary to incorporate the selvedge stitch into the pattern as it will not be stated within the written instructions. Usually all that is needed is to change the first and last stitch of each row to the desired type of selvedge, and remember each time a row is worked how the edge stitches will be worked. This will have no effect on the main body stitches at all, and these selvedge stitches will disappear when they are sewn up.
The Slip Stitch Selvedge
There are two types of selvedges which are good to use. One is the slip stitch selvedge. To knit this, insert the right hand needle into the first stitch of the row as if to purl, slip it onto the needle and continue knitting in pattern till the last stitch of the row. When the last stitch of the row is reached knit into the back loop of this stitch. Repeat this procedure every row. The slip stitch selvedge provides a nice looped border which is great for any kind of open edge.
The only thing to remember with the slip stitch selvedge is that although it can provide a very attractive open edge it is not always so good if it is placed at an edge which is going to be sewn up. It can sometimes look a little loose and if stitches are to be picked up along an edge worked this way it may well be necessary to knit into the back loop of each stitch as it is picked up.
Knitting into the Back Loop Selvedge
Another type of selvedge which is good to use is simply knitting into the back loop of the first and last stitch of every row. It's great when sewing up stripes or patterned areas because all that is necessary to match the pattern when sewing up is to count the bumps which this method produces at the end of every second row.
Summary
- Use the slip stitch selvedge for open edges.
- If it is used for an edge which is going to be picked up, knit into the back of each stitch loop.
- Use the method of knitting into the back loop of the first and last stitch for any kind of pattern knitting or sewing up within the body of a garment.
Gillian Buchanan - Gillian has over 40 years' experience in hand knitting and crochet, having learned to do both as a small child. For two years she authored ...
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