Joining a sideways edging
There are many ways to join a sideways edging to the main knitting. This is the variant I use when I want to hide the seam.
Kitchener stitch – stocking stitch
Kitchener stitch can be used to join two sets of live stitches together. The technique creates an invisible join, as the yarn mimics the shape of the stitches.
Duplicate stitch
The duplicate stitch is worked over the finished knitted fabric. It is most often used on stocking stitch, and replicates the look of the stacked columns of V stitches. You can use the duplicate stitch in the same way you would use embroidery; by using a different colour you can add a decorative element to your project. Alternatively, the duplicate stitch creates a double layer of fabric, so if worked in the same colour as the base layer, it can add reinforcement to weaker areas of your project.
Provisional Cast-On with a crochet hook
A provisional cast-on is a handy trick to know when hand knitting. The idea is that the stitches that you cast on are held on waste yarn. You can then work your piece of knitting, knowing that your stitches are safe. When ready, you can peel away the waste yarn and have lovely row of live stitches to work with. This allows you to knit away in the opposite direction without having the need of grafting or seaming. Or, it can form the basis for a more complex cast-on such as the tubular cast-on. Once you know this technique, you'll find many place to use it.
Turkish Cast-On
The Turkish Cast-On is a relatively simple cast-on for knitting. It allows you to start knitting in the round, but with an enclosed end. Think the start of toe-up socks, or maybe the top of a mitten or hat. It avoids the need for grafting or seaming.
1 to 5 increase
Often in lace knitting, or when working closed loop cables, you want to increase a large amount of stitches. As always, there are several different techniques to work these increases. In this post, I concentrate on the 1 to 5 increase, but these techniques can be adapted to suit any number of increases from one stitch.
Pin-hole Cast On – with crochet hook
A pin-hole cast on consists of typically very few stitches, tightly arranged around a circle. There is either no hole in the centre, or one small enough for a pin. It has a number of uses, mainly when starting small, working in the round from the centre out. You might use it to start a top down hat, or for an afghan worked from the centre.