A step-by-step tutorial for a very smart edge technique that will keep stockinette stitch stay flat.
Stockinette stitch is one of the first knitting stitch patterns any beginner will learn. It’s not only easy to knit, but it also looks super smooth and pretty. There is just one problem: When you knit it flat, it keeps rolling in on all sides. In this tutorial, I want to show you a very ingenious edge that helps to prevent that.
It’s important to note that this edge alone will only be able to fix part of the problem. The sides will still curl, and so will the fabric further up the fabric (if you want to know how to fix that, read my full tutorial to prevent knitting from curling). It is, however, a very good start!
Let’s show you how to knit it!
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Instructions: How to knit a no-curl edge for stockinette stitch
This edge requires 2-5 rows of fabric as a base. Then you lift stitches further down from the wrong side back to the knitting needle and this will create a solid ridge that fixes curling.
Instructions
- Cast-on as many stitches as you want using a long-tail cast-on.
- Knit across 3 rows in stockinette stitch starting with a purl row.
R1: purl across
R2: knit across
R3: purl across
Consider adding the selvage of your choice to prevent the sides from curling as well.
- On the right side, slip the first stitch after your selvage knitwise.
- Pick up the purl bump one row below the slipped stitch on the wrong side.
Here's a close-up shot from the wrong side showing which purl bump you need to pick up.
- Slip the loop back to the left needle but keep the right needle in the stitch.
- Knit the extra loop through the back loop.
- Pass the second stitch on the right needle (the one that you've slipped) over the first stitch.
This will tie these two layers together.
- Repeat steps 3-6 until the end of the row/start of your selvage.
Notes
Instead of starting on the wrong side with a purl row, you can also knit across the first row. Then you only need to knit two rows before you start with step 3. I personally feel that an in-pattern edge looks better but definitely try out both.
Knitting this edge will require a bit of patience and practice. At first, picking up these loops from behind might feel a bit cumbersome. Once you fall into a rhythm, I do feel it’s somewhat easy. Besides, I feel this edge is a little bit less intrusive than other ways to prevent the edges from rolling in.
Anyway, that was my little edge trick to keep Stockinette stitch from rolling in. Comment if you still have any questions.
Unfortunately I cannot understand this at all. Do you have a video on it please?
There is a video attached to this post, Rachel. And a video available on my second youtube channel!
I couldn’t understand any of it either Rachel!
can you use this for top down knitting?
well, you probably could. I haven’t tried it, tho.
You’d have to bind-off right after the actual pattern row.
Thanks for this trick! I’m going to give it a try. I agree it does seem a bit fiddly, but it’s only one row at the hem and then you’re off for the rest of your project!
Thanks for info. It is a little difficult to understand what you are saying but I will give it a try.
Anyway of fixing after the item has been knitted?
Maybe do the same on the back side with a thread and needle, so combine 2 purl bumps that are above each other vertically every time.
Sew them together to take away the tension that makes the front side pull together, so create a contra-tension on the back.
Thanks for the ideas. I really like the lace edge — it really gives interest to a simple one color scarf. I will give them all a try.
Very well explained, thank you!
It didn’t seem too difficult to understand, but I think Susan was correct: a little fiddly but then you are done for the rest of the project. The pictures brought it home for me.
Is the back side simple purl stitches?
Good explanation, easy to understand, thank you
Thanks so much Norman! I love your Nimble Needles YouTube channel, and learn so many cool things!
I love your tutorials, your instructions are clear and easy to follow and pleasantly presented.
Whenever I have a “how to”, I go to Nimble Needles. Thanks, Norman.
Marianne
Me too: I like your explanation for this one – never thought of it.
You have plenty of very useful tips, Norman. I find especially useful your sock knitting tips – short row heel.
Hello Norman,
I’d love to see a supplement that uses this technique to “unroll” or “deroll” a stockinette cast off.
Karen
Clear and helpful, as always. You’re a genius, Norman!
I saw a comment above from a couple months ago where another user suggested a way to duplicate this on the cast-off edge. Would you also recommend revisiting the wrong side and connecting together some adjacent purl bumps, or do you have a different suggestion?
I love the idea of finishing a stockinette cowl without having to rely on ribbing!
i haven’t tried this myself but theoretically speaking it should work. But I don’t think I have the time to write a tutorial on this right now.
Thank you for a clear and well-explained video – I don’t know why, Norman, but I’ve just tried this with an aran weight yarn (I used a crochet hook to find the loops at the back) and after 5 rows of stocking stitch beyond the technique you’ve so kindly taught us, it still curls up! What have I done wrong, do you think? Will blocking solve it? It’s for a short jacket whose knit edges are curved at the hem and cuffs, but the sample I knit was just a basic 20-stitch try-out. I’ve given up on this pattern half a dozen times as no ‘no-curl’ technique has so far lived up to its promise! Is it the yarn (handspun shetland aran weight)? Hope you can help a bit further – with thanks!
I love this! I’m using a fluffy, blown yarn, which made it hard to find the purl bumps at first, but then I decided to turn my chair toward my computer screen for strong backlighting, and I was able to see the silhouette of the stitch I needed from the front, so no more tilting my work.
Thank you!
wow thank you so much. this is now my favourite CO/finishing technique when I don’t want the slightly casual look of ribbing or similar. For finishing a hem or cuff, I combine with JSSBO:
Yo, slip knitwise, pick up purl bump 2 below, ktbl, pass all stitches over leftmost on right needle.
How would this be adapted for knitting in the round? Thanks so much!
I don’t quite see how there is a difference? I mean…the row you knit the actual technique in is a right side row. So it will be the exact same – except for a slight jogg at end of the round you will not be able to avoid