Knitting question
Knitting question
#1Knitting question
Posted: 12/3/08 at 12:26am
As I completely rip out all the work I did tonight-
When knitting a scarf, how do you keep the side edges from curling in? Anyone?
#2re: Knitting question
Posted: 12/3/08 at 1:22am
You don't, if you are knitting it in only stockinette stitch (knit one row, purl one row). By it's nature, it curls.
Try adding four garter stitches at the beginning and end of each row. Or four seed stitches. That should stop the curling.
Or you could make the scarf using only garter stitch (only drawback there is garter stitch is a yarn hog). Garter stitch won't curl.
#2re: Knitting question
Posted: 12/3/08 at 5:42am
yes unfortunately this will always happen. sometimes knitting it a bit looser helps but not much. This is why most knitters have to 'block' their garments. Any good knitting book will list a wet and dry way to block- but honestly Ive had better success taking things to the dry cleaner and asking them to block my knits. So sad you unraveled!
If you knit every row like humbug suggested (garter) you get a bit of a ribbed affect and it will be pulling in both directions ultimately staying flat.
#3re: Knitting question
Posted: 12/3/08 at 10:42amJane2, try slipping the first stitch of every row, instead of knitting it. This may help.
#4re: Knitting question
Posted: 12/3/08 at 11:01am
ok, I actually did knit the first and last two stitches of each row of my stockinette, but it still rolled in. I think I'll try all knit on this scarf, and thanks so much, you guys!
I hate blocking because it flattens the stictches!
iflitifloat
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/10/03
#5re: Knitting question
Posted: 12/3/08 at 5:21pmI second Mominator's suggestion. I've done that a couple of times with success, but tend to forget about it when starting a new project.
#6re: Knitting question
Posted: 12/3/08 at 5:32pm
So in other words, you just slip the first stitch onto the needle? How does that very end of the row get longer if you don't knit it?
I could be having a slow moment, bear with me...
TheatreDiva90016
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/10/04
#7re: Knitting question
Posted: 12/3/08 at 5:38pmTry crocheting
#8re: Knitting question
Posted: 12/3/08 at 5:46pm
I'll have you know I'm a pretty good knitter AND crocheter, thank you! 
CJR
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/14/03
#9re: Knitting question
Posted: 12/3/08 at 6:03pm
It curls whether you knit or crochet!
Block it when you're done - that's your best bet.
If in Heaven you don't excel, you can always party down in hell...
iflitifloat
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/10/03
#10re: Knitting question
Posted: 12/3/08 at 6:03pm
I'm actually working on a scarf. Let me go figure out what I mean. I know it works, but damn if I remember the specifics.
I'll be back in a few...
iflitifloat
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/10/03
#11re: Knitting question
Posted: 12/3/08 at 6:07pm
OK...got it....
Knit or purl to the end of the row. Turn, and instead of knitting or purling the first stitch, just slip it, and go on with your work as usual. It won't end up increasing or decreasing the number of stitches if you do it right. It creates a tighter edge, sort of, and inhibits the rolling effect.
StockardFan
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/19/08
#12re: Knitting question
Posted: 12/3/08 at 6:19pmI don't know why I even clicked on this thread. I know nothing about knitting.
iflitifloat
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/10/03
#13re: Knitting question
Posted: 12/3/08 at 6:22pmNeither do I.
StockardFan
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/19/08
#15re: Knitting question
Posted: 12/3/08 at 6:39pmYep, just slip that 1st stitch on to the other needle. If you need some more help, try www.knittinghelp.com
#16re: Knitting question
Posted: 12/3/08 at 6:49pm
Ditto the LOL, iflit!
Mom-if you can believe it, I"ve been knitting my whole life. I know what you're saying, and I probably have done it before but I didn't remember how.
What I'm doing now is knitting the whole thing, using pretty thick all cotton yarn. so far, so good but I can already see a tendency to curl.
CJR - you're probably right, I'll have to block.
iflitifloat
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/10/03
#17re: Knitting question
Posted: 12/3/08 at 7:24pmDamn you all. I just ripped out the scarf I was making and started over with the non-curl technique.
#18re: Knitting question
Posted: 12/3/08 at 7:27pmI'm sorry for chuckling....
iflitifloat
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/10/03
#19re: Knitting question
Posted: 12/3/08 at 7:30pmIt's kind of the story of my knitting career... everything I've every made has been knit three times over.
#21re: Knitting question
Posted: 12/3/08 at 8:13pm
Jane - do you know about www.ravelry.com? If you're a knitter, you absolutely MUST have ravelry in your bookmarks. You have to register (its' free) but it's worth it - they have over 250,000 knitters registered. If you can't find a pattern, or an answer to a question there, it doesn't exist.
#22re: Knitting question
Posted: 12/3/08 at 8:16pm
Yep, I'm registered with them, humbug, thanks!
For all you knitters-do you ever buy yarn from ebay? oy, one year I got carried away and spent over $600 on yarns. I didn't even need them, but if I saw a fabulous looking yarn, I bought it!
Seriously though, with the price of yarns and everything else these days, you can do quite well on ebay.
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