Pattern:

Scalloped Knitting Edge Stitch

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It’s amazing what you can do with two pattern rows when you’re knitting. This scalloped knitting edge is exactly what I’m talking about – the perfect way to add a special touch to the edge of a knitting project. It’s no where near as complicated as it looks, either!

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This sample is knit with size 3 crochet thread on bamboo knitting needles.

Scalloped Edge Stitch

Cast on a Multiple of 11 + 2, when you’re finished you’ll have a Multiple of 6 + 2

1) purl

2) k2, * k1, slip it back to left hand needle, pass next 8 stitches over it and off the needle, yo 2 times, knit the slipped stitch again, k2*

3) k1, *p2tog, slip 1 yo off, (k1 in front of loop, k1 in back of loop) 2 times in yo loop, p1* k1

4) knit

 

k = knit

p = purl

yo = yarn over

p2tog = purl two stitches together


 

Technique Photo Tutorial:

 

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Cast on your stitches (a multiple of 11 + 2). I used a 1 needle cast on. Purl 1 row.

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Knit the first 2 stitches for selvedge, then knit 1.

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Slip the last stitch you knit back to the left needle.

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Lift the next 8 stitches over the stitch you just moved.

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It will look like this. I had the best looking scallops when I pulled up the yarn tightly on the stitch the other 8 were all looped over.

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Yarn over twice.

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Knit 2 to finish the repeat, then knit 1 to start the next repeat.

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Slip it to the left needle and continue the repeat until the end of the row.

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Turn it around and knit 1, then purl 2 together. If you’ve never done that before it’s exactly what it sounds like. Work it like any other purl stitch, but with 2 stitches together instead of 1.

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Drop one of the yarn overs off the needle.

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Now turn the big loop around. Pass it to the right by placing the right needle into the back of the loop as shown.

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Then pass it back to the left.

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Knit the stitch like usual, but don’t pull it off the left needle.

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Knit into the back of the loop and pull it off the needle.

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Pick the loop back up with the left needle as shown. Knit into the front and back of the stitch again.

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I know all that turning, dropping, and picking up seemed a bit silly, but I swatched more efficient methods and none of them looked as nice as this.

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Purl 1 stitch and then start the repeat over with the purl 2 together. At the end of the row you’ll knit 1 selvedge stitch.

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I’ve added a few rows of stockinette here to show the finished effect. If you wanted your scallops tighter you could use 1 yarn over instead of 2, but it’s probably important to test that to be sure it won’t pull on whatever you knit above it.

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I think the ‘back’ side of these scallops are just as pretty as the ‘front’!