Happy Monday! Let’s start off the week on a positive note with an exciting giveaway! Want to win some cool prizes from our yarn stash? Just answer this week’s question in the comments section below. Yet, it’s just that easy. Last week we asked you to share how many WIPs you had going, but this week we’re sticking to knitting tips.
To enter into today’s giveaway, just answer this question in the comments:
How do you keep the edges of your knit or crochet projects nice and neat?
Let us know below in the comments. We’ll be keeping an eye on what you post, and if you’re lucky you can win something fun AND be featured on Stitch & Unwind tomorrow!
- Contest open to US and Canada residents 18+
- One comment/entry per person.
- Contest closes October 1, 2012 at 11:59p CST.
- Please answer the question in the comments below in order to be entered.
- Winner will be posted on this blog.
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I like to slip all my first sts, but then again, when I am working on my garter stitch blanket, I like the bumps!
When knitting, slip stitch the 1st stitch to keep the edge neat and even.
In crochet, I place a stitch marker in the 1st and last stitch of each row. This ensures I am placing my hook into the correct loops and not over/under shooting hook placement in those stitches.
I have been slipping the first/edge stitch of each row rather than knitting it as instructed. At least in a scarf, it appears to give the edges a neater and straighter appearance.
I slip the first stitch when knitting
I try and keep my edges neat by keeping the same tension through out the project. This is hard for me.
When knitting I slip the first stitch and knit the last, when crocheting if possible I single crochet the edge to give a neater appearance.
i slip the first stitch..
and the last stitch. its seems to work.. when im doing scarves
Rather than chain 3 at the beginning when doing double crochet, I chain 1 and double crochet right into the first stitch – this makes a much better edge.
good question:)….I don’t always have neat edges or guess not…but it does help to slip the first stitch either purl wise or knit wise depending on the pattern…..was told this a long, long time ago….yikes:) Thank you for the chance to win….
Sliiiiiip stiiiiiiiitch!
I don’t know exactly who invented the slip stitch for making edges in knitting/crocheting but its soooo simple and worth doing!
Gotta love the slip stitch!
In crochet, I pay attention to whether the turning chain counts as a stitch to make sure the edges look neat. If I am making a small item such as a dishcloth, I will add a border around it to make everything look neater.
I slip the first stich every row. Makes a nice edge.
Slip the first stitch on knitting.
When knitting I slip the first stitch of each row. Makes a nice smooth edge and great when sewing pieces together!
If I’m knitting a blanket, shawl or something where the edge shows I slip the 1st stitch purl-wise. If the edge is going to be seamed the first stich is slipped knit-wise.
Everyone already stole my answer. It seems to be the easiest thing to do — just slip that first stitch and knit the last.
Neat edges? Working on it. Every project I get a little better. I slip first when I knit. Bumpy edges are my own personal touch to a crochet pattern. Hee hee.
When crocheting, I will use an extended single crochet for a double crochet as the first stitch to reduce the thickness at the edge.
I just learned from reading the comments here to slip the first stitch. Awesome! Thanks everybody! I’m going to do this from now on.
Slipping the first stitch in knitting & doing a single crochet or another stitch to finish the edge in crochet.
I slip the first stitch and knit the last stitch.
nice n tight all the way thru
I slip the first st on flat knitting. On circular knitting there is no end st to worry about.
I just follow the pattern. Usually it tells you how to have a neat edge.
I try to keep the edge of my knitting neat by keeping the tension even.
I always slip the first stitch of my row when knitting and keep it snug when crocheting. That keeps my corners and edges tight and clean.
Never, Never ever twist the yarn or you piece of work!
If I’m doing stocking stitch I like to slip the first stitch of each row.
When crocheting, the end where I chain X number of stitches always seems tighter than the other end. So I go up a hook size or 2 for the chain, then go back to the size hook I’m going to use for the rest of the project.
I was trying to even out the stitches when I was done with the project. Now I’ll try the slip stitch!
I always slip the first stitch of each row.
I also slip the first stitch of each row when knitting! 😀
I try and keep the same tenson threw out my project and crochet an edge aound the whole thing for a nice look
I slip the first stitch either knit-wise or purl-wise, depending on the pattern.
Actually, my edges are a problem. Thanks to all the comments, they won’t ever be again.
I knit the first and last stitch /
I guess I need to remember to slip st the first stitch like most have already suggested.
While I’m knitting, I try to keep the same tension throughout my work. Recently I’ve tried slipping the first stitch at the beginning of each row which does help to make a neat edge. I guess you’re never too old to learn something new. I’m 69 and I’m still learning.
I find basically be consistent and for first rows I count stitches even on big garment. Sometimes I slip stitch all around the project and then block.
When knitting I slip the first stitch of the row, just learning crochet so only do blankets at the moment and put a edge on them to make them neat
hugs
Angie
When crocheting, I either add a border or I stretch the work as I go to keep the edges even. When there are color changes I make sure that I use a Russian knotless join or I work the tails in as I crochet
Keeping an even gauge and slipping the first/last stitch both help to keep edges even.
If neatness counts (and sometimes it does!) I’ll add a border around the edge of the project. It’s absolutely amazing how big a difference a row of sc can make!
Well, the easiest is what everyone has been repeating, slip either the first or last stitch at the ends of rows……but, i also like to sometimes go back and crochet either single cochets or slip stitches, or get fancy and do some scallops ( crocheted)! I have also taken a YO like 5 stitches from the end of my work ( like for a sweater) and then folded the edge and sewn it flat for a cute picot edge………there are so many things you can do to “finish”! Thats the beauty of knit and crochet!!
I like to slip the first stitch purl wise and knit through the back loop on the last stitch to keep my edges neat.
I slip the first stitch when I knit to keep the edges neat.
When crocheting I have a habit of counting my row stitches. I always go up a hook size when chaining the foundation row, and I SC a boarder around alot of my pieces.
When knitting I slip the first stitch of each row. Makes a nice finished edge. Add a border. Don’t do much crocheting. Have knitted for 51 years.
I try to keep the tension tight and even to keep my edges neat.
In crocheting I like to chain 1 and then do the first stitch in the chain. It tends to keep the edges looking neater for me.
I never really thought about it, but I guess I just try to keep the tension even, and the edges seem to come out okay. I will try the slip stitch that everyone else is using, and see how it works for me.
slip the first stitch…
I don’t have a secret. I just pay attention to my project and the edges take care of themselves.
Neat edges are sometimes hard for me in crocheting. It is something I constantly work on. However, I’ve found that if I pay close attention at the ends an beginning of rows, I can keep them neat and straight. I also work in my ends as I go, crocheting over the ends along the row. I love giveaways and there are a lot of great ideas above.
I slip the first and last stitch knitwise. I find this keeps the edges nice and neat, less curling
I ALWAYS slip my first stitch for pretty edges!
I just try to keep my tension as even as possible.
I like to knit through the first and last stitch.
Oops…I meant knit through the back of the first and last stitch.
i slip the first stitch on each row as i knit to keep a straight edge. when crocheting, i chain 1, sc in the same place, then chain one for dc, 2 for treble, etc., and continue on for the row and work the last stitch in the sc or last chain to end the row. i like straight edges!
I usually knit the first couple of stitches
It depends on the pattern. Sometimes I slip the first stitch of each row when knitting. Sometimes I knit the first and last stitches (for easier seaming). My neatest edges are when I work in the round. 😉
For neat edges in crochet, after creating the turning chain, I remove my hook from the work before I actually turn the project. After turning, I put the hook through the empty loop and continue. It’s an extra step, but it is worth it. It makes edging so much easier too. Also, I can’t stress this one enough, BLOCK your project if you want neat edges. Edges are so much neater and cleaner if they are blocked. Hope this helps someone!
I slip the first stitch to keep the edges neat. My mother told me this MANY MANY years ago and I have never forgotten.
I never knew that there was anything that you could do to straighten up the edges….thanks for all the tips. I love it when I learn something new…
I knit the first stitch f every row.
I try, I’ve gotten some good ideas from reading these comments.
For my edges I try to go as slow as possible when I get to the edge and make the correct stitch…In crocheting when you don’t add a chain stitch or too many chain stitches in turning the edge goes crooked….So I try to remember or write it down on paper as I go….
I take the hook out, then turn my crocheting and then put the hook back in. I have also gone back down the row of edges and single crocheted in each end row to make a super neat edge.
I knit the first and last stitch of every row.
In crochet, particularly Tunisian crochet, I add 2 or 3 rows of single crochet stitches to keep the edges from curling.
I always slip the first stitch purlwise and knit the last stitch on every row. This makes a neat edge for seaming or knitting on.
I have 3 projects going right now.
Slipping the first stitch as if to purl, leaves a lovely edge on your knitting.
I usually slip my my ends in knitting. It leaves a
Very neat edge and doesn’t roll on my work
If I can, I use a seed stitch border. If that’s not an option, slip the first stitch (knitting).
I hate to repeat, slip the first stitch
I slip the first stitch of each row.
In knit, I slip the first stitch. In crochet, I learned when working dc rows, to work the first stitch as an hdc – it leaves less of a hole.
I slip the first stitch, at least when I remember to.
I’ve been told for years to slip the first stitch of each row, but I find this actually gives me messy edges, instead, I tighten up the second stitch on the row, just a little more, to get any extra tension out of the edge stitch, works like a charm, I also find these stitches to be easier to pick up from.
I slip the first stitch purlwise, when the directions call for it. The sweater I’m currently working on looks fine as is. My Kollage Square needles make lovely, uniform stitches.