The easiest way to keep the cast-on edge of stockinette fabric from curling is to add a border in a non-curling stitch pattern like ribbing, garter stitch, or seed stitch.
But when we want to preserve the sleekness and elegance of stockinette stitch throughout the project, we have to find a way to keep the edge flat without changing the texture of the fabric.
The cast-on method described in this tutorial is one of those ways.
The two steps that we are going to repeat as we form this cast-on edge will make the fabric a little bit thicker without changing the look of the stitch pattern.
This added thickness is just enough to keep the edge flat. For even better results, block the edge after the project is finished.
We’ll discuss these two steps a bit later in this tutorial, but first, let’s set up the work for this incredibly helpful method.
SETUP – CASTING ON STITCHES FOR A NON-CURLING EDGE
Align two needles and use them as one to cast on stitches with the long-tail cast-on method.
Take one needle out, leaving all stitches on the other needle.
Turn your work and purl all stitches for one row.
If you want to use this method to cast on stitches for a seamless project, then don’t turn your work and knit all stitches for one round instead of purling them.
Stretch the fabric sideways to relax the cast-on edge.
Because we cast on stitches with two needles held together, by stretching the fabric we reveal the longer strands that form the very edge of the work.
These strands are laid out in a braid-like pattern with one leg of each section of the braid closer to the purl side of the work.
When we do the “no-curl” trick in just a moment, we’ll be looking for that leg of each part of the cast-on braid.
Turn the work upside down so that the cast-on edge is at the top of the knitting needle, and the working yarn is at the right side of the work.
If you are working in the round, rotate the fabric around the knitting needle to move the cast on edge to the top of the needle with the purl side of the work facing you.
Without changing the position of the fabric, take the needle with the stitches in your left hand. Now you are ready to make this cast-on edge a “no-curl” one.
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STEP 1 – PICK UP A STRAND FROM THE EDGE
With the working yarn at the right side of the work, insert the tip of the left needle from the bottom up under the closest leg of the part of the braid that is on top of the first stitch from the tip of the left needle.
It is easier to do when we hold the cast-on edge with our right hand pushing the strand of the cast-on braid that is closer to the purl side of the fabric onto the knitting needle.
STEP 2 – KNIT THIS STRAND TOGETHER WITH THE STITCH
Knit the first stitch together with the picked-up strand.
Repeat these two steps to knit each stitch with the corresponding strand from the cast-on braid.
First, move the fabric up to better see the cast-on edge, and pick up the leg of the braid that is closer to the purl side of the fabric.
Then, knit this strand together with the next stitch on the left needle.
Work to the end of the row or round.
Once you work a few more rows or rounds in stockinette stitch, you will see that the edge looks like a delicately hemmed stockinette fabric.
If you like to treat your projects with matching cast-on and bind-off edges, use the No-Curl Bind-Off method to close the stitches once the project is finished. The edge formed by this type of bind off is almost identical to the edge we’ve just created.
And if you’d like to keep side edges of your projects from curling, use the methods described in the “How to Keep Side Edges from Curling?” mini-course.
SAVE IT FOR LATER:
This and 41 other in-depth tutorials are part of Knitting Collection #6.
