Pretty Edges

Last year I started knitting a Ballband Dishcloth and quickly discovered that the edges come out a little funky. In order to neaten them up a bit, I decided to work a slip-stitch selvedge. Then I figured out how to handle changing colors and carrying the color not in use up the side.

After much experimentation, here is my method for making pretty edges:

• Cast on two extra stitches (one for each edge). For the regular dishcloth, this means casting on 47 stitches instead of 45. To make a different width, just make sure to cast on a multiple of six plus five. Don't forget that the stitch at each edge is outside the pattern as written.
• On every row regardless of whether it is a purl row or a knit row, slip the first stitch as if to purl with the yarn in front and knit the last stitch. I was surprised to find there are numerous ways to create a slip-stitch selvedge, but I think this is the simplest to remember and the easiest to do.
• When changing colors, work the last row of the old color up to the last stitch. Bring the yarn to the front (to the wrong side of the work) and drop it. Pick the new color up from under the old color taking it over the old color and between the needles to knit the last stitch. Since the edge stitches are only worked on every other row, this step is necessary to keep them lined up with rows of the same color.

Although I developed this method for the Ballband Dishcloth, it could be adapted for any narrow stripe pattern where the edges need to look pretty.

tags: knitting  selvedge  ballband dishcloth