Technique Thursday: Knitting on a Perpendicular Edge

For today’s Technique Thursday, I’m going to show you how to add a perpendicular edge to a piece of knitting. Perpendicular edges are frequently used at the bottom of shawls, like my two designs Anchors Aweigh and Joyful Crescent, but they can be used on garments as well.

I have a new pattern being released tomorrow called Quiet Waters. My very first garment design, it is an A-line tank and is finished at the bottom with the same wave lace edge as my first shawl design, Anchors Aweigh. I’ve wanted to used this edge at the bottom of a garment since designing Anchors Aweigh.

Here is the video. Written instructions will follow below.

Written Instructions

1. Using DPN and knitted cast on, cast on the specified number of stitches for your perpendicular edge pattern.
2. Row 1: Beginning on WS, work pattern row one across to the last stitch, (in the case of the video, it is simple garter stitch). Slip the last edge stitch as if to purl with yarn in front. Bring yarn to the back and knit the first live stitch of the shawl or garment. Pass the slipped stitch over. Turn.
3. Row 2: With yarn in back, slip the first stitch as if to purl and work across to the end. Turn.
4. Continue to work these two rows until all live stitches have been knit. Bind off.

Another way to join the perpendicular edge instead of slipping the last stitch of the edge, knitting a live stitch and passing the slipped stitch over, would be to knit or purl (depending on your pattern) the last edge stitch and the live stitch together.

Please let me know in the comments if you have found this video and instructions helpful. Happy knitting!