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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 (she/her) is a craft book author & designer specializing in yarn crafts. Her work combines vintage and modern design elements, prioritizing color and graphic motifs. Her first book, Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker, is out now.

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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), and I’ve been helping yarn crafters untangle various techniques on the internet since 2010. I got my start here, as a blogger, and since then I’ve shared more than a few tutorials here and on YouTube as I’ve grown as a pattern designer. 🧶 

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Heidi Gustad 🧶 knitting & yarn crafts

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Knitting & yarn crafts designer 🧶
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Stay up-to-date 💌 & shop new patterns ⤵️

POV: Showing you how my new Bevelled Tank pattern POV: Showing you how my new Bevelled Tank pattern fits with no ease vs. 4” of positive ease. There’s a bit more length to the cotton (brighter color) sample, but both are cropped and feature shoulder seams designed to sit an inch back onto the shoulder instead of on top, giving it a little swing. Length is easily adjustable for folks looking for less of a crop. 
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Pattern: Bevelled Tank by @handsoccupied for @pompommag x @hobbii_yarn summer 2024. Available for free from Hobbii at the 🔗 in my profile.
Yarn pictured: @kelbournewoolens Skipper and Camper. 
Dress form is adjusted to a 36” chest and ~5’3”ish in height. 
Human has a 40” chest and is 5’5”.
Both skirts are vintage.
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#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #handsoccupied #intarsia #handmade #knitting #colorwork
Let’s talk about fit and ease! . During the Beve Let’s talk about fit and ease!
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During the Bevelled Tank design process for @pompommag, I knit 2 samples using 2 different @KelbourneWoolens yarns. One was in Skipper (100% cotton, second photo) and the other was in Camper (100% 2 ply wool). The Skipper sample was knit for a 36” bust, which measures in at 40” with 4” of positive ease. And I knit the Camper Sample for my 40” bust with a 44” finished measurement. (BTW, I’m 5’5” for folks that find that measurement helpful in visualizing fit.)
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Based on the size chart for the Bevelled Tank, that means I knit one size 3 sample and one size 4. As designed, I conveniently fit a size 4 as intended with 4” of positive ease. When I wear the 3, there is no ease at all because the garment and my body are both 40” in size. Comparing the 2 garments, you can see how the fiber content (cotton vs. wool) and fit (no ease vs. 4” of positive ease) makes a difference in the look and feel of the finished garment. 
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These samples are a great way to compare what ease looks like on different bodies. While I can fit both a size 3 and 4, the garment with no ease feels more like pajamas or a bralette when I wear it. On the other hand, when I wear the one with 4” of positive ease, I feel comfortable enough to wear it to work, even as a crop top. Plus, it leaves me with enough room to layer it with a nice button down if I’m not feeling the cropped look one day. 
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I’m curious - how would you style this tank? Would you modify it with a few stockinette rows for added length? I’m so curious now that this pattern is finally out in the world. :) 
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#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #bevelledtank #handsoccupied #knitting #intarisa #handmade #kelbournewoolens #croppedsweater #summerknits
After a 6 month hiatus, I am happy to say I’m ba After a 6 month hiatus, I am happy to say I’m back with a brand new pattern in 9 sizes, and it’s FREE as part of @pompommag x @hobbii_yarn’s summer design collection! (Link is in my bio.)
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In my December newsletter, I announced that I was soliciting test knitters for a pattern that had originally been selected for the summer ’24 issue of Pom Pom Quarterly magazine. However, the magazine ceased publication after its spring ’24 issue, leaving in-progress designs unpublished. (It happens.) As a result, I’d begun the long process of editing, testing, and photographing the pattern for independent release through the Hands Occupied pattern shop and Ravelry.
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Before I was done with that process, Pom Pom Quarterly’s former editors reached out with an exciting proposal for the pattern. Post-magazine, they’ve begun to partner with yarn companies to produce high quality pattern collections. They wanted to include designs from the would-be current issue of Pom Pom Quarterly in a new collection for Hobbii yarn, including my Bevelled Tank. I worked with the same technical editors I would have for the magazine on this one, and as you can see from the photos, Pom Pom’s team did an amazing job of styling the garment to the beautiful standards they’re known for.
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You can learn more about the pattern on my blog and get the free pattern from Hobbii yarn - links to both in my profile. I’ll post sizing info in the comments for quick reference too. 🧶
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#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #knitting #intarsia #sponsored #colorworkknitting 
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Photos: @dianascarrunz 
Model: @angel.jade_
Here’s a nice throwback for you: my take on a vi Here’s a nice throwback for you: my take on a vintage knitting pattern from 1938 called the Fernlace Pullover. A pattern so nice, I knit it twice.
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Yellow version 💛: knit with Despondent Dyes’ Vintage Vixen Sport after attending a @squidneyknits vintage knitting retreat in 2019 & learning *so much*. Paired with a self-drafted circle skirt pattern. 
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Blue version 💙: knit with @eweeweyarns Ewe So Sporty in Sky Blue. Paired with the 1940s Boardwalk Duet sewing pattern from @decades_of_style 
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Head to my stories for 🔗🔗 to the handmade wardrobe blog posts I wrote about each take on the Fernlace Pullover, working with a vintage pattern, where to find vintage patterns (including the one I used), & some thoughts on sizing. 
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Image descriptions available in alt text. 
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#handsoccupied #handmadewardrobe #fernlacepullover #vintageknitting #vintageknittingpatterns #knitting_inspiration
Frogging is a word in the knitting world that mean Frogging is a word in the knitting world that means to rip out your knitting. It’s called frogging because frogs say “ribbit,” and when you’re tearing out your knitting, you will “rip it” out, and that sounds like ribbit. No really. 🐸 Did you know this fun fact? 
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P.S. I did like this design concept, but to make the pattern more knitter friendly as well as more wearable, I am making some tweaks to the construction. Excited to share when it’s ready! 🥰🧶
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Yarn: @blueskyfibers Woolstok North in Morning Frost & Highland Fleece 
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#handsoccupied #knitting #frogging #blueskyfibers #knittersofinstagram #blueskymakers #knittingvocabulary #bsfmakers #knitdesign
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