Getting a nice looking edge on garter stitch border

#1

I’m doing a blanket with a built-in garter stitch border – knit first 6 and last 6 stitches of every row. What stitch should I do to start each row to get the best look? If I follow the pattern and just knit, I get the little bumps on the vertical selvedge. If I bring the yarn in front and purl slip the first stitch of every row I get a nice chain edge. But I worry that it will not be a “tight” edge and will loosen up with time. I won’t be adding more border or sewing a seam, so I don’t need the chain edge to pick up stitches, I just think it looks better.

Any other suggestions/tips? All the websites just talk about clean edges on stockinette stitch. Thanks!!

#2

Welcome to KH, Susie!

I’ve done the slip stitch border on a scarf and never had a problem with it loosening up. I like the way it looks, too.

#3

And thanks for the welcome!!

When you slip stitch your scarf edge, did you slip as if to purl or knit? and where is your yarn – front or back? Do you do this just at the beginning of each row?

#4

Most people say to slip purlwise with the yarn in back. You can try it other ways and see which you like best.

#5

I’ve recently discovered that I really like the finished edge when I slip the last stitch, purlwise, with the yarn in front. I tried doing it on the first stitch, but I kept forgetting to slip it.:teehee:

#6

You get a nice chain edge if you slip purlwise with the yarn in front and then knit the last stitch.

You could try it both ways on a little swatch though to see which way you like best.

#7

thanks all for narrowing down the possibilities of purl/knit/front/back/first/last/etc/etc … now I’ll just make those sample pieces with each suggestion and see what I get!!

#8

You don’t have to do a separate sample, just make one with a few inches done each way.

#9

I knit the last stitch in each row, slip the first one as if to purl, put the yarn between the needles to the back and continue knitting. Works like a charm.

#10

Yup, I usually slip my first stitch as well - I love the edge it gives my projects. What I learned on a scarf pattern I made a while back was that if the first stitch presented itself as a knit stitch, slip it with yarn in back as a knit stitch. If the first stitch presents itself as a purl stitch, slip it with yarn in front as a purl stitch. I haven’t really played around with other variations, but I’m really happy with my edges when I follow that guideline.

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