The Perfect Finish - Professional Finishing Techniques

Edges of knitted fabrics can sometimes be a little untidy, the cast-on and off can be a little loser or tighter than the rest of the fabric, and simply for further decoration to your fabric or garment, finishing techniques will create the perfect finish.

There are a vast range of techniques that can be applied to fabrics, and just some of these will be covered in the knitshop's 'Professional Knitting Finishing Techniques' workshop.

The Perfect Finish - Finishing Techniques Workshop:
25 and 26 November, 11am - 1pm from £12.00 per 2 hour session

Casting off

Simple but effective is the cast-off technique. It is key to keep your tension the same as the entire fabric, but more easily said than done, for many people a cast-off will result in a taught tension.

The best way to describe casting off, is to knit two stitches as you have been the entire fabric. The second first of the two stitches is dropped, by being looped over the second stitch and then off the end of the knitting needle, leaving one stitch on the needle.

Knit a second stitch, and repeat the above by dropping the first stitch, looping it over the second and off the needle. Carry on the process, being very careful with your tension, until one stitch remains. I usually cut the remaining yarn and bring it through the last loop and create a knot and weave the yarn back in.

Odds and Ends

All knitted fabrics will have yarn ends, either from yarn breakages, changing colours or similar activities that leave yarns hanging from your fabric. The best way to finish off your fabrics is imply to weave these ends in on the wrong-side of the fabric so it is less likely your stitches will come apart and the ends are tucked away neatly and safely.

Crochet hooks or darning needles are ideal to weave the yarn back into your stitches, however simply threading a sewing needle will achieve a similar finish.

Binding or Stitch decrease.

Another ideal way to finish a fabric is the 'fashioning' or decreasing of the fabric and stitches. Usually this will be used for garment finishing techniques for sleeves, necklines and similar.

Again a similar technique to casting off is used, however the fabric is not cast-off all in one row. Decreasing the number of stitches by casting off a few stitches with each row is the usual pattern. Decreasing will usually occur on the edges of the fabric, each garment will propose a different pattern which, should be followed to achieve the best fit and finish for your project.

Linking

Linking pieces of fabric is a great way to eliminate or finish edges, but also to create a new finished edge. Linking can be done by hand or on a linker. Two edges are cast onto needles and then can be immediately cast off or knitted further so two edges make one. Linking also means two different knitted fabrics can be linked together, and this can be a form of finish. One example is; a fine knitted strip linked to a chunkier fabric. This is a perfect edge for a cardigan. Another example is a ribbed edge, such as a cuff, can be linked to a chunkier and wider sleeve.

Mattress Stitch

The perfect seamless seam. This works best on chunkier yarn, finer yarns require patience and small stitches. But the results is a fabric that has a seam, but it is invisible.

Firstly iron flat your fabrics and lay them flat side by side, correct side facing upwards. The aim is to stitch together the selvedges so they continue and give the illusion of a continuous fabric. Use a sewing needle and the same yarn the fabric is knitted with and use a stocking stitch to join the pieces. Pull tight.

Ribbed Edge

A basic technique is ribbing. This technique is simple and adds a little elasticity to your fabric. However incorporating elastic with your knitting yarn can added elasticity to create edges such as cuffs, waistbands and more.

The rib technique uses knit and pearl stitch in the same row. Knit three stitches, pearl three stitches, knit three stitches and carry on until the end of the row. On the next row, you'll need to stick to your three stitches pattern, but where you did three knit stitches, this time do three pearl stitches. This will result in a vertical stripe design with knit and pearl stitches on the same side of the fabric.Ribbed edges can be linked onto a fabric or you can integrate the stitch from another.

Felting

Sometimes a finishing technique can be felting your fabric. Some projects may require a combination of felted and non felted fabrics. Mixing non felted and felted pieces creates a wonderful and original finished project. Always test your yarn to see how much it will shrink by when felted. And similarly if you are adding a felted piece, make sure you knit-it up large enough to shrink. Felted panels can be cut to size.

If you do want to participate in one of our workshops please reserve a space at http://www.knitshop.co.uk/156-workshops - all our workshop are held at the Boutique Outlet in Lee Green.

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