Comments on: How Do I Knit a Selvage Stitch? Here’s how…

By: janet

janet — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 17:23:29 +0000

I have also been knitting for years and never ran into a selvage stitch before. I have done this process but it was not called a “selvage”. This can make some knitters shy away from some good patterns. Thanks for the explanation of the different methods and why.

By: Jane

Jane — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 14:26:07 +0000

Do I use selvedge stitches along the armhole edge also? I have added one selvedgestitch along each side of the front of the sweater but I am not sure if I should continue them into the armhole?
Thanks.

By: Theresa M

Theresa M — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 20:01:29 +0000

I have never used a selvage stitch, tho I have knit for years, but since it is a block patterns for a church project afaghan, I needed to know how to…. I usually use a garter edging and had not been familiar with the term “selvage”
Thanks for the web site at it took me over a hr. to locate one which actually described it in detail. Thank you

By: JoLene Treace

JoLene Treace — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 20:32:32 +0000

Thanks for the link, and the interesting post. A selvedge stitch is simply the edge of the fabric. Whether a knitter consciously choses one method versus the other in worker it is what we actually have choices and control over.

I think some of the confusion lies in there being specific stitches called selvedge stitches. In reality whether you think you are knitting one or not, they are always there.

You have some very good points regarding the choices we have, and yes some people do get quite “you have to do it this way” in order for knitting to look good.

I like to experiment and see what works best for me, while having certain things that I recommend in my patterns. I usually recommend that the selvedge stitch (the stitch at the edge of the fabric regardless of the pattern stitch being used) not be used in shaping, for example, simply because seaming is usually easier if it isn’t. In the end, it is the knitter’s choice and we all have to knit to please ourselves.

Interesting post, and food for thought.