I am knitting a scarf with a seed stitch border, stockinette interior.

I am very familiar with seed stitch. And do not have a problem with the seed stitch knit/purl pattern – could knit this in my sleep.

However I find I do not like the “edges” of the scarf in seed stitch. I have been slipping the first stitch knitwise (following the seed stitch pattern) and then bringing my yarn forward to purl the second stitch and back to knit etc… See page 208 in Vogue Knitting.

I really like the edging on a simple stockinette stitch. I like the way the slipped end loop “lays” flat. I find in the seed stitch, it does not lay flat but seems to have small “bumps”.

I would like to add, I am waiting on the Basic, Basic, Basic Correspondence course to arrive and all of a sudden I have the most critical eye…

Is there a way to get the seed stitch end to “lay flat” or am I “stuck” with this small irregularity?

David

Regardless of my stitch pattern, when I am slipping the first stitch, I like to end with a knit stitch and then slip that first stitch purlwise.

See if you like the look. If not, try experimenting with doing what you are doing but slipping the first stitch purlwise, or working the last stitch as a purl and slipping the first stitch knitwise, or working all stitches on a row. Depending on the yarn and the particular project, you may decide you prefer one look over another.

The seed sts. is one of my favorites as well. I have not had this problem with it or may be I have not noticed it. I hardly ever slip the first sts when knitting. It may be that I just don't knit patterns with that type of instruction.

Good question David!

One other point, I'm sure you will hear this from higher sources, but I was told NOT to slip the first stitch on any of the swatches to be sent in. As for a personal pattern, that is another matter. Good Luck

David,
My experience with seed stitch is that since it is a 'bumpy' stitch your edges are going to be 'bumpy'. Even with slipping the first stitch I think you will have that effect. I personally am not a fan of slipping the first stitch, but that's just me. Everyone does what looks good to them. I don't know of any way to make the edge look flat, but at least now you're really looking at your knitting and this is good.