Comparing Selvedge Edges

Selvedge stitches are worked at the edge of a knitted fabric and have many different purposes. In this video, Mary Beth Temple explores three different selvedge treatments and shares the advantages to each one so you can determine which one is best for you and your next knitting project.

STOCKINETTE STITCH SELVEDGE EDGE

This selvedge is a stitch that is worked in Stockinette stitch (knit on Right Side/purl on Wrong Side). It’s commonly used for garments, or any project that needs to be seamed together. The single Stockinette selvedge stitch will be used for the seam, and typically won’t be visible from the Right Side (or public side) of the project. Mary Beth notes that it’s easy to pick up and knit stitches in this selvedge edge as well.

SLIPPED STITCH SELVEDGE

The slipped stitch selvedge is created by slipping the first stitch of every row. Mary Beth slips the stitch as it’s presented. In the video, her swatch is worked in Stockinette stitch. Therefore, she slips the first stitch on the Right Side as if to knit and slips the first stitch on the Wrong Side as if to purl. Mary Beth likes using this selvedge for picking up and knitting stitches, like when creating a gusset in a sock with a heel flap. This selvedge can also be used for decorative purposes, as it creates a clean edge.

GARTER STITCH SELVEDGE

The garter stitch selvedge stitch is created by knitting on both the Right Side and Wrong Side of the work. Mary Beth has a single garter stitch selvedge, but a wider garter stitch selvedge is often used to create a border around a stitch pattern. Like the other selvedges shown in the video, a garter stitch selvedge can easily be picked up and knit to work the knitting in a different direction.