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Colorful knitting, crochet, latch hook and macrame from craft book author & designer Heidi Gustad.

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How to Knit Neat Linen Stitch Edges / Funkasonic KAL

January 14, 2016 12 Comments

Learn one simple trick to knit neat linen stitch edges. Take your knitting to the next level with this easy video tutorial that helps SO MUCH when knitting socks, scarves and cowls.

I was originally going to do our second knit along post this week about how to work a short row heel turn, but I realized there was one more linen stitch tutorial I really want to share, in addition to Monday’s basic overview of how to work linen stitch. Today’s Funkasonic post is just for the knitters out there working on the Funkasonic Mukluks pattern, so if you’re only making the mittens, keep plugging away on those jogless stripes – we’ll get back to you in a minute! :)

For a list of all knit along posts so far, scroll to the bottom of this post. For an overview of what’s going on with our knit along in the first place, read this.

How to Knit Neat Linen Stitch Edges

When you knit a flat piece of fabric that switches colors, uses garter stitch, or any number of other things, it’s hard to get a clean edge. Many beginning knitters, once they’ve gotten the hang of juggling the needles and yarn and understand how to form a knit stitch, realize they have an issue with the stitches on the ends of their rows. Mainly, budding knitters with a good eye wonder why the ends of their rows are too loose and/or look like they’re covered in knots. (I was for sure in this boat myself as a baby knitter!) There are many ways to neaten sloppy knit edges, but forming a chained edge is my favorite. Even if I’m not just working garter stitch, slipping the first (or last) stitch of a row while knitting flat forms a lovely chained edge that is useful in knitting at all skill levels.

How does this apply to the Funkasonic Mukluks? Knit mostly in the round, this literally only applies to the heel flap section of the socks, which is worked flat. As you’ll see in this new tutorial video, slipping a stitch at the beginning of each row of the heel flap forms a gorgeous chained edge that alternates colors, forming a pretty braid. Later on, after you’ve worked your heel turn, that pretty edge makes picking up stitches along your heel flap to form the gusset a breeze because you’ll simply pick up stitches through each V of the chained edge, making your life SO MUCH easier!

Bonus: The point in your sock heels where the heel flap and foot of the sock meet will be much prettier if you use this slipped stitch trick – check out the video for a side-by-side visual of what I’m talking about.

Double Bonus: Even if you’re not knitting the mukluks, and want to try my Faux Woven Cowl pattern, you can take that to the next level with this trick. By slipping that first stitch of the row as shown in the video, your edges are neat, chained and squared off, rather than knotted. Who knew how much a slipped stitch could do? 

Learn one simple trick to knit neat linen stitch edges. Take your knitting to the next level with this easy video tutorial that helps SO MUCH when knitting socks, scarves and cowls.

Past Funkasonic Knit Along entries

  • announcing the KAL (+giveaway!)
  • Old Norwegian Sock Cast On tutorial
  • how to knit two color brioche in the round
  • jogless stripes & linen stitch tutorials

Filed Under: Knit Along, Knitting, Knitting & Crochet Tagged With: cuff down socks, ewe ewe yarns, funkasonic, funkasonic mukluks, funkasonickal, gusset, heel flap, kal, knit along, linen stitch, mittens, mukluks, neat edges, poststitch, sock knitting, socks

About Heidi

Heidi Gustad is a craft book author, designer & creator specializing in yarn crafts like knitting, crochet, latch hook & macramé. Her first book, Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker, is out now.

Previous Post: « Jogless Stripes & Linen Stitch / Funkasonic KAL
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Comments

  1. Mary from MN

    January 16, 2016 at 11:06 am

    Your teaching skills wre excellent as is the quality of your video. I knew the edge trick but not the linen stitch. Thanks for teaching me as I have a difficult time reading knitting instructions.

    Reply
    • Heidi

      January 17, 2016 at 7:48 pm

      Thank you! Glad to hear whenever someone appreciates my videos!

      PS: My grandma, also a Mary from MN, is the woman who taught me to knit. :)

      Reply
  2. Mary V.

    April 9, 2016 at 1:46 pm

    Beautiful work! I’ve been wanting to do something like this for a long time and you’ve given me the best explanation of how to do it. Thank you so very much!

    Reply
  3. Dayana

    April 23, 2016 at 3:13 am

    Thank you, that looks really good! I didn’t like how loose my edges look, can’t wait to try this for a scarf I’m starting on.

    Reply
  4. Pam

    September 15, 2017 at 3:13 pm

    I enjoy your blog and appreciate your attention to detail I have been having more than my share of trouble with the linen stitch…after about 8 rows a ‘ridge’ starts to form. I have no idea what I am doing wrong. Any thoughts?

    Reply
    • Heidi

      September 16, 2017 at 7:28 pm

      Can you send me a photo? I’ll be glad to take a look: heidi @ handsoccupied.com

      Reply
  5. Kathy Evans

    December 5, 2019 at 11:53 am

    Love your video about clean edges but how does one join the second colour of yarn when the first stitch is slipped.

    Reply
    • Heidi

      December 5, 2019 at 4:52 pm

      Just like joining a second color at the end of the row. The difference will be that your end to weave in will be hanging from the second stitch of the row instead of the first.

      Reply
      • Kathy Evans

        December 6, 2019 at 11:53 am

        Thank you very much for your reply it it a great help

        Reply
      • Kathy Evans

        December 6, 2019 at 11:56 am

        Thank you for your prompt reply it is of a great help to me.
        Kind Regards
        Kathy

        Reply
  6. Lori

    July 24, 2021 at 11:51 pm

    This is exactly what I was looking for! I’ve made a test swatch and my RS left edge looks beautiful, but the braid up the RS right edge where the color changes happen is tight. Any tips for making the right edge slipped stitches the correct tension?

    Reply
    • Heidi

      August 9, 2021 at 1:06 pm

      That’s a great question! You can compensate by manually working looser when you’re slipping stitches on the other end, but it’s an imperfect solution. I haven’t tried this myself (because i think it could be annoying to actually do 😅), but you could experiment with using a cable needle or use a double wrap to address the tension. I hope this is helpful!

      Reply

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Heidi Gustad from Hands Occupied / Craft Book Author and Knitting, Crochet, Latch Hook and Macrame Designer

Hi! I’m Heidi (she/her/hers), a craft book author & pattern designer specializing in knitting, crochet, latch hook & macrame. Really anything with yarn! ❤️  My work combines vintage and modern design elements, featuring bold colors and graphic motifs.

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Helping yarn crafters untangle various techniques on the internet since 2010
🧶 Really into intarsia
Stay up-to-date 💌 & shop the latest patterns ⤵️

Heidi Gustad 🧶 knitting & yarn crafts
Wow! I am floored by the awesome response to the S Wow! I am floored by the awesome response to the Spiral Hill Sweater Vest. Thank you. 🙏🏻❤️ If you love this pattern & didn’t know already, we are going to be doing a knit along (KAL) from October 1-29 featuring this spooky sweater vest & lots of tutorials, especially for the intarsia part. 
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Later today my newsletter will be coming out with additional Knit Along details, so if you’re not already signed up, now is a great time - the 🔗 is in my b1o. 
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Pictured: My Spiral Hill Sweater Vest pattern from the new Nightmare Before Christmas knitting book by @tanisknits. Model is wearing size 1 with 2” of positive ease, knit in @brooklyntweed Imbue Worsted. Vest images via @insighteditions 
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#spiralhillsweatervest #handsoccupied #nightmarebeforechristmasknittingbook
At long last! I can share the Spiral Hill Sweater At long last! I can share the Spiral Hill Sweater Vest, my contribution to the new book Disney Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas: The Official Knitting Guide to Halloween Town and Christmas Town, out now! 🎃💀 
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I’m hosting a knit along (KAL) October 1-29 for anyone who’d like to knit this vest along with a group & learn a little about intarsia while we’re at it. I’ve got weekly tutorials planned to help you knit this worsted weight sweater vest, and there’s a prize package giveaway at the end for KAL participants too. Details are on my site - you know where to find the 🔗 I think. 😉
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Book by @tanisknits 
Publisher @insighteditions 
Yarn @brooklyntweed Imbue 
Find it wherever fine books are sold. 
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#handsoccupied #nightmarebeforechristmas #intarsia #sweatervest #knittingpattern #knittingbook #spiralhill #knitting_inspiration #knitting
Since there was some interest in stills of my WIPs Since there was some interest in stills of my WIPs closet after this weekend’s quick tutorial, here are few. ✂️ The tutorial is one post back in my feed as a video.
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As you can see, I didn’t worry about the wire hangers all being perfectly uniform, but it doesn’t matter to me. Also, this closet holds a lot! Despite that, it is already at capacity. Since the hanging bags don’t appear to be recyclable, I want to reuse them as long as possible. Who knows, maybe this will be a way to limit my WIPs? 😅
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P.s. In the third photo you can see how I use this system to store the original swatches, scraps, yarn ball bands, & notes from a design project all together. 
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#handsoccupied #wips #craftstorage #yarnstorage #yarncrafts #knitting_inspiration #craftstudio #craftroom #craftcloset
How to convert a closet into WIPs storage with jus How to convert a closet into WIPs storage with just a few supplies ✂️
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When I was a librarian, we would use these hanging bags to circulate books with audiobook CDs. They came to mind when I wanted to develop a filing cabinet-like system for my differently-sized WIPs. To fit in my studio closet, a standard bedroom closet, they just needed custom hangers. 🤙🏻 
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HOW TO MAKE THE HANGERS
1. Carefully cut approx. a 9” (23 cm) length of flexible 3 mm aluminum wire.
2. Near the end of a large knitting needle or dowel, wrap the wire around it as you would a twist tie. 
3. Bend the other end into a hook shape, perpendicular to the circle shape you just created. 
4. Hang like a hanger in a closet, as shown. 
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#handsoccupied #handmadelife #knitting_inspiration #craftcloset #craftroom #craftroomorganization #craftroomstorage #craftroomdecor #crocheter #latchhook #knittersofinstagram #wip #wips #hangingstorage
It’s time for the monthly review and giveaway! T It’s time for the monthly review and giveaway! This go around, get to know two new sister yarns from @manosyarnsusa, Marla and Sami, and enter to win a skein of each to try for yourself. 
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What makes these yarns sisters is that, while dyed differently, they’re the same weight and come in intentionally coordinating color palettes. For my review, I opted for a sky-inspired combo of Sami in Natural and Marla in Nube. 🌧️ 
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Check out the full review & enter the giveaway at the link in my bio. 
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#handsoccupied #yarnreview #manosdeluruguay #knitting_inspire #crochet #yarngiveaway #knitters #yarn #crochetersofinstagram
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