I am currently working on an afghan that the pattern states if you are working with circular needles to knit one row, purl a row for the next 10 rows to create the border which I did.
Then for the pattern rows it calls to alternate from knitting the first and last 10 stitches of the first row then alternate to next row of purling the first and last 10 stitches and to continue this throughout the pattern. I have done about 50 rows and the bottom border and side border are curling. If I continue is there a way to straighten this out when I am done??? :XX:
Curling Garter Stitch? Help!
I am trying to picture this. I understand you’re working with a circular needle, but are you knitting in the round or knitting back and forth (flat) on them? If knitting back and forth in rows, if you knit one row then purl one row (for your borders) then you will get stockinette stitch, which curls.
If you are working in the round you will get garter stitch, which doesn’t curl. Is it a double-sided afghan being knit in the round? I can’t picture it.
Anyway, if you want garter borders and are working back and forth in rows, then you knit all border stitches regardless; no purling.
If you’re using a circular needle working back and forth it sounds like you should be alternating 10 stitches on each edge in knit and purl, then doing the opposite in between. On a row you start with knit 10, then purl to the last 10 and knit those, on the next row purl 10, knit to the last 10, and purl those. That would give you a border that wouldn’t curl.
If you still need help, check out the sticky on this forum about curling.
Yes for the bottom border I worked knit a row, purl a row for 10 rows as the pattern stated. Then after the border was done and I got into the pattern itself each row I either knit the first 10 stitches and the last 10 stitches or purl the first and last 10 as pattern states to make the border on the side of blanket. I hate to rip it out as I have put so much time into it so far. i was just wondering if when I am done there is a way that I can straighten this out. I plan on placing fringe on the top and bottom thinking this may way the curling down but what about the sides?
You know the book i am working out of states that if you are working the garter stitch on straight needles knitt each row but if you are working on circular to knit a row then purl a row…I should of listened to my woman’s intution and done straight knitting…
Well–
It sounds like what you are doing is knitting a flat object on a circular needle; the purpose for that in the case of an afghan is to accommodate all those stitches, not to knit something round. So when this is the case, you actually are knitting straight, treating the circ as if it were two regular knitting needles.
Too bad the instructions told you to do something different if using a circular needle. Those instructions would apply only if you’re actually knitting in the round.
I understand that the directions were a bit misleading but my question is after my afghan is done is there anything I can do to straighten out the curling???
Since it’s an afghan, the weight of it may prevent much curling. You can wet it and lay it flat when you’re done. If it still wants to curl, you can pin it down until it dries. That should hold it.
Oh, I see what you mean. You’re into it pretty far to go back and start it all over.
I would take Ingrid’s advice. If after that it still curls, you could think about maybe knitting on a border in garter stitch on the sides you don’t fringe, doing it in garter stitch. An inch or so might uncurl it.