I'm worried that I have a problem!! I am in the middle of knitting a short cardigan thingy, which I am really liking, but.... the bottom edge is curling up, and I just know that it would annoy me incredibly if it did that once it was finished.
The pattern I am using has no rib or any "bottom edge" - but launches straight into the pattern (a kind of lace diamond effect).
Any thoughts on how I could sort this out - or why its happening??!! I'm wondering if blocking might help, but never having done this (shock horror!!!), I don't really know. I would be really upset if I finished the whole thing and then ended up not wearing it cos it had a weird curly edge!

Any suggestions....? :help:

(I was going to add a picture to show what I mean but the camera has no batteries at the mo!)

couldnt you put a few rows of garter stitch or would that conflict with the pattern?

Stocking stitch always curls:mad: If you haven't got too far then you could rip it out and start again but start with either a rib/garter stitch/moss stitch. Depending on the pattern, one of those may look OK.

and if you dont want to rip - who can blame you - then you could finish it off and then you'd be able to decide what sort of edging you'd like to add on.

If you are confident enough you could pick up stitches and put an edging all the way round. There's plenty of choice!

I would have though that it was fixable by one means or another. Depending on what yarn you are using it may block out a bit, if it's acrylic then maybe not. I'd add a garter stitch lace border after it was finished, it might add half an inch to the length but that's all. It might sort itself out when it's done and blocked anyway.

It's nothing you've done, stockinette rolls because one side of the knit stitch is bigger than the other and it wants to curl. If you've got equal numbers of each side of the stitch (knits and purls) such as seed stitch, moss stitch in its many formats, rib or garter then it just sits there all flat and obedient.

We'd love to see your curly edging when the batteries oblige.

Curly Whirly, yes. Curly Watts, no. Curly Knitting - never!

Sorry it's not a helpful post, but I'm bored and taking out on you :roll:

If you are confident enough you could pick up stitches and put an edging all the way round. There's plenty of choice!


Yeah, it isnt that difficult - just fiddly cos you've got to be careful about the measuring up which does need to be fairly meticulous in order not to pull the finished knitting or to be so slack that it's all over the place.

I often add a round or two of crochet to curling edges - gives a nice firm edge and I find it easier than picking up a large number of stitches to knit. Also, I find it much easier to pull back if the edging is puckering or flaring and needs more or less stitches.I also use crochet instead of buttonhole bands, and to add length/width to something that is just too small. A trick I learned from my Grandma! I use single for a neat, unobtrusive edge, double or picot if I want to make it more of a feature. I tried crab stitch once and that gave almost a corded edge look to it, which was nice too.

I often add a round or two of crochet to curling edges - gives a nice firm edge and I find it easier than picking up a large number of stitches to knit. Also, I find it much easier to pull back if the edging is puckering or flaring and needs more or less stitches.I also use crochet instead of buttonhole bands, and to add length/width to something that is just too small. A trick I learned from my Grandma! I use single for a neat, unobtrusive edge, double or picot if I want to make it more of a feature. I tried crab stitch once and that gave almost a corded edge look to it, which was nice too.

Talking about crab stitch thats something that I need to learn as the edging for the Jaden sweater Im going to be starting soon has it. Bearing in mind that I have never crocheted how would I do crab stitch? Sorry for going OT :D

Talking about crab stitch thats something that I need to learn as the edging for the Jaden sweater Im going to be starting soon has it. Bearing in mind that I have never crocheted how would I do crab stitch? Sorry for going OT :D

I'll go even more OT by saying you shouldn't be going OT because you are a GL. Now, how OT is that? :help:

I'll go even more OT by saying you shouldn't be going OT because you are a GL. Now, how OT is that? :help:

But asking about crab stitch isn't being totally OT is it being that it is a valid edging to stop stocking stitch curling :P

Talking about crab stitch thats something that I need to learn as the edging for the Jaden sweater Im going to be starting soon has it. Bearing in mind that I have never crocheted how would I do crab stitch? Sorry for going OT :D

Yikes, I'm probably the worst person to try to explain crochet because a) my grandma never actually taught me to crochet and I only taught myself about 18 months ago -I learned it all from various books/online stuff and have never actually watched a proper crochet-er doing their stuff, so there is a good chance my technique is unorthodox (= wrong!) and b) I learned the American terminology which is different to British...
It took me a few months to learn the basic stitches and master the granny square. However, if I can do it, anyone can, and I am really glad I learned as its come in so useful - I like it combined with knitting. I am sure that if you have someone to show you in person you could pick it up in a few sessions. Crab stitch is basically single/double crochet done from left to right in stead of right to left. Its an easy stitch if you have someone to show you the basics - I have a feeling there are far better crocheters on this forum than me who could maybe point you in the right direction?

But asking about crab stitch isn't being totally OT is it being that it is a valid edging to stop stocking stitch curling :P

You apple gised for going OT! So, you must have thought you were going OT! OK, let's find something interesting to discuss now :D

You may have to come to a crochet class LisaH .........

When are your crochet classes starting Jill? I have lots of patterns I want to knit that have some crochet involved.

When are your crochet classes starting Jill? I have lots of patterns I want to knit that have some crochet involved.


27th May 7-8p.m

Thanks for the suggestions about the curly knitting - I knew it was worth asking!:D
I don't feel inclined to rip it all out as I've already done the back and one front piece... so will probably go for the option of picking up stitches and doing some kind of edging. And when I get to the sleeves I might do a couple of rows of something else first to give them an edge - would a couple of rows be enough?
Or I might "bite the bullet" and force myself to learn to crochet, by doing a round or two of crochet .... we'll have to see!

(was going to include a photo of my curly edges but have now misplaced the camera!)

couple of rows of garter stitch will give you a nice firm edge if that's what you're looking for & I definitely wouldnt start ripping away for something like that either - all that blood sweat n tears to get there. :)

I agree, a couple of rows of garter stitch gives a good edge to stocking stitch. I would consider what it is going to look like though, especially as you're going to edge the back and fronts.

Think it should look great. The instance when I had to do something like this was with a gorgeous purple mohair yarn which knitted up very loose in stocking stitch (regardless of needle size) and owing to the type of yarn stocking stitch was all that was suitable.

In order to give the jacket some "body" I ended up lining it and knitting up an edging with garter stitch which made all the difference and it was wonderfully warm.