The less cutting we do on a knitting project, the less ends we will have to sew in! But how do we carry the yarn up the side or inside of our project without having an obnoxious pop of the wrong color? This blog post will show how to carry the unused strand of yarn up the wrong side of your knitting. Learning how to "lock" or twist the two strands of yarn will create the best results and this SDK Blog post contains a step-by-step photo tutorial & a video to show you how.
Before we get going I do want to make note that the fabric used in this blog post was created by knitting flat in garter ridge. But this technique work just as well when working in the round or in stockinette (or even lace and textures).
Learn all about how to keep that edge stretchy when striping or carrying yarn in this SDK Blog post!
Interested in learning 5 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Carrying Yarn Up the Wrong Side of a Knitting Project?
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Four Variations (and when to use them)
The pattern featured in this SDK Blog Post is the DK Beckley Shawl.
The yarn featured in the DK Beckley Shawl is dyed by The Frosted Stitch, Marine & Jolly Sailor Bold on Deep Freeze DK.
The yarn featured in the swatch used for demonstration is dyed by Bad Sheep Yarn, Spiced Current and an OOAK on BSY Worsted.
The trick to carrying yarn up the side of a knitting project and having fewer ends to sew in
Carrying yarn up the side (or inside when working in the round) of our knitting project creates fewer ends to sew in because less cutting = less sewing! But how do we keep that edge looking nice? The key lies in "locking" our carried strand down with the working yarn. This trick is accomplished with a little twist. By adding just one twist, the carried yarn will become pinned to the project by the working yarn. The locked strand and the working yarn pinning it in place is often referred to jointly as "a tuck."
Before I show you how to do it, lets look at what it is we are trying to accomplish. Check out this image of the edge of the DK Beckley Shawl below. The unused strand was carried along the edge as it was knit. From the right side it is minimally visible. From the wrong side it is clearly visible, but tastefully locked in place with four tucks visible.
Four variations (along with when and why to use them):
There are three variations to this little twist trick. Each one modifies where the twist takes place and each one has its own benefits and drawbacks.
The first variation involves creating the twist before knitting the first stitch. The benefit is ease to the knitter. The drawback when working flat is a more visible carried strand and a less stable or sturdy edge. However, if the project is going to be seamed or if an i-cord edging will be applied, the carried strand can be hidden. When working in the round, the benefit and drawbacks are somewhat negated because it isn't any easier or harder than adding the twist one stitch later, and there is no edge!
(My favorite variation when working flat.) In the second variation, the first stitch is knit prior to the twist so that the carried strand is locked between the first and second stitches. This is the variation shown in the images below. The benefit is that the carried strand is tucked in to the wrong side of the work, making it less likely to be visible from the right side. It also creates a more sturdy and smooth looking edge. The drawback is the fiddle factor. It is not as simple as adding the twist before knitting the first stitch.
The third variation is to lock the carried strand every four or even six rows rather than every other row and is most often used with weights of yarn that are bulky or heavier. The benefit is two fold: less "popping through" of the carried strand (which is more likely in heavier weights of yarn) and reduced bulk of the fabric. This is especially useful with bulkier yarns when working in the round. The drawback is that the longer a strand is carried without locking it down, the more likely it is to snag. I never advise carrying a strand more than 1 inch or 2.5 cm.
(My favorite variation when working in the round.) The fourth variation is to stagger the tuck, sometimes adding the twist before the first stitch, sometimes locking the carried strand between the first and second stitch and other times between the second and third strand. The benefit of this is that it minimizes the visibility of the carried strand when looking at the right side of the fabric. The downside is that when viewed from the wrong side there is a kinda sloppy zig-zaggy line of contrast color demanding our eye's attention. When the wrong side will not be visible (such as in mittens, socks, a sweater, or a hat) the downside is negated. But when working flat on a project like a shawl or scarf where we will get a peek at the wrong side every now and again, the downside can be blaring.
Step By Step Tutorial: How to Carry Yarn Up the Wrong Side of a Knitting Project (and have less ends to sew in)
It is super duper important that we pay attention to which way we make that twist: with our working yarn twisting over the top of the carried strand and then closer to the knitters body. In an upcoming blog post, I'll show you why, but for now, just trust me on this one!
An SDK Video Tutorial: How to carry an unused strand of yarn up the side of a knitting project
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I hope you found this helpful and are able to use this trick to cut down on the ends you have to sew in! Let me know what you think in the comments.
Happy Making! ~Sönna
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