I’m knitting a scarf in1x1 rib, what is the absolute best way to knit the edges for the neatest look. I’ve read so many different conflicting ideas, I just want to know which one is best - although I appreciate it’s personal preference
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Best is so subjective. What are you wishing to accomplish on the edges? Do you want add a border or ???
GG’s suggestion of a border works nicely. There are also a couple of ways of working the edge sts for a neat edge.
What stitch are you using at the edges on your scarf, e.g. garter stitch, stockinette or something else.
Here’s a tutorial for a slip stitch edge that works nicely with garter or stockinette.
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I discovered my slip stitch edges aren’t all that nice looking (i think it’s just me, they look good on tutorials). I made a buttonband recently in rib (so not a scarf but the outer edge was important to me) and after several swatches I decided the best result in my knitting was 1 extra knit stitch on the right side.
On a 1 × 1 rib this would mean
RS row k2, (p1, k1) to last 3 sts, p1, k2
WS row p2, (k1, p1) to last 3 sts, k1, p2
The very outer knit stitch curls in on itself and sort of disappears from view on the right side and sits almost on the wrong side as a rolled edge.
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Thank you - I’m definitely going to try this idea. I didn’t want a border really, so this seems like a good option for a neater edge
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I wasn’t going to add a border, the pattern looked like it was just 1x1 rib but now I’m wondering if I should and do ithe scarf seed stitch rather than rib
What’s your pattern? Can you link it? I might try knitting the edge stitches for a column of garter stitch at the edge.
There is no pattern- just wanted a very simple scarf for a 17 year old, nothing fancy. Thought a rib might fit the bill but now I’m wondering if I should try something different. I’m used to more complicated things like intarsia and cables, when it comes to simple stuff it seems I’m stumped 
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Either rib or seed stitch would be lovely in a scarf. It’s your preference both would be nice for a teen’s scarf.
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I agree with salmonmac seed stitch looks nice and dont curl. Enjoy your knitting 
Maybe the stitch will depend on the yarn.
Many times i think im going to do one stitch pattern only to find the yarn doesn’t really want to be that stitch pattern but loves being worked in another.
I did a large linen stitch swatch today, linen stitch is lovely in either 1 or more colours but my yarn didnt agree. This yarn enjoys stockinette, brioche, twisted rib cables. I had another yarn really wanted to be worked held double or stranded colour work, it didn’t like a single strand stockinette at all!
Maybe a swatch of rib and continue it in seed and then maybe another stitch and one of them will show itself as the right one.
Pique rib is nice, bit different to rib, nice both sides.
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What about an i- cord edge as you go?
Add three extra stitches each side.
RS row , knit three, pattern to last three stitches, slip these purlwise with the yarn in front.
WS row, is the same! Knit three, pattern, slip last three purlwise with yarn in front!
It gives a lovely edge!
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That’s a lovely idea- thank you
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I find doing 1stitch in garter stitch on each side gives a neat result
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I am currently knitting a cardigan and the edge is an 8 st 1x1 rib. What the pattern does is as follows:
RS: knit 2, (p1, k1) 3 times, at the opposite end it’s (k1,p1) 3 times, k2
WS: (k1, p1) 4 times, at the other end it’s (p1, k1) 4 times…
At first I thought (weird), but it turned out nice. Here’s what it looks like. I am showing back (at top) and front (bottom. The cardigan is knitted with reverse stockinette stitch so the front looks like the back…
. Hope this helps…
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Looks very nice. If i have my logic turned on it result in a stockinette edge stitch but a garter second stitch?
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Very pretty knitting overall (as ever) and a neat, interesting edge.
I think there’s 1 garter stitch at the edge, as every row starts and ends with a knit stitch? The rest of it is 1x1 rib.
Neat trick to try to remember for another day!
That’s lovely- I’m going to try this idea. Thank you, and your knitting is beautiful
I think i was asleep, i only read half the row!
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