Many times, after you’ve put away your knitting needles, you see the project edges curling. This makes your project unprofessional and sloppy, hiding your hard work. So, what can you do to get smooth, polished edges? And why does this happen? Let's explore the reasons and fixes so knitting projects always have a polished appearance. Neat edges can elevate your knitting to a new level, whether you're creating a blanket, snug scarf, or complicated sweater. You can refer to our blog on how to knit edges to make your project masterpiece and put them to use in your project. In this blog, we'll explore how to stop knitting from curling, why it happens in the first place, and tips to knit edges that stay flat.
Why does knitting curl in the first place?
Before jumping into fixes, it helps to know the cause. Plain stockinette stitch — all knit on the right side; all purl on the wrong side — curls because each stitch is very slightly shorter on its knit face than on its purl face. That small imbalance pulls the fabric toward the knit side at the top and bottom edges, and toward the purl side along the vertical edges. It isn't a mistake in your knitting; it's simply how a knit stitch is shaped.
That's also why my knitting curling on the sides is one of the most common questions beginners ask — the sides curl because the vertical edges have no opposing tension to balance the knit stitches against, unlike a bordered edge.
This is also why blocking alone rarely fixes curling for good. Wet or steam blocking can flatten a piece temporarily, but once the fabric relaxes and gets worn or washed, the curl tends to come back. The most reliable fixes work with the structure of the stitch itself, not just the finishing.
Explore Techniques to Knit Neat, Non-Curling Edges
There are several techniques you can try to prevent curling edges, whether you're figuring out how to prevent curling edges when knitting for the first time or troubleshooting a project that's already underway. If you just want a quick answer for how to stop knit from curling, start with a border stitch or a slip-stitch selvage — both are covered below. We will share some methods that will make your project the perfect aesthetic. Let's get started with your double-pointed knitting needles or circular ones.
1. Adding Slip- Stitch Selvage
The term selvage refers to the right and left side piece of knitting. As you know, curling occurs due to yarn tension and fault lines. If you're looking for how to knit without curling edges along the sides specifically, this is one of the simplest fixes: add a slip-stitch selvage. Using this method, the first stitch of each row is slipped purlwise, or with the yarn in front. This keeps the edges from curling and smooths them out.
How to do it:
- Slip the first stitch purlwise on each row, with the yarn in front.
- Follow your pattern's instructions to knit or purl the remaining stitches.
- To keep it balanced, always knit the final stitch in the row.
2. Add a Garter Stitch Border
A garter stitch is inherently flat and one of the most reliable non curling knitting stitches for a border. You can either add garter stitches to the sides of your fabric or knit every stitch in the first and last few rows to make a garter stitch border.
How to do it:
- Right Side: Knit across all the stitches
- Wrong Side: Knit two stitches, purl all stitches, and then stop two stitches before the edge, knit two.
- Depending on the size of the project, add 3 to 5 garter stitches at the start and finish of the row. You can learn how to knit garter stitch through our blog.
3. Try Seed Stitch Border
You can use a seed stitch similar to a garter. The seed stitch is functional and aesthetically pleasing since it adds texture and keeps things from curling. Refer to our blog for how to knit seed stitches on circular needles.
How to do it:
- Right Side: P 1, K1, P1, Knit across, P1, K1, P1
- Wrong Side: P 1, K1, P1, Purl across, P1, K1, P1
4. Add Rib Stitch
Adding a rib stitch is another way to prevent curling. You can add flexibility by ribs stitch. It's ideal for necklines, cuffs, and sweater hems. In the rib pattern, alternating knit and purl stitches in the same row or rounds. Learn through our blog how to knit the rib stitches.
How to do it:
- Along the edge, switch between knit and purl stitches.
- To give the ribbing additional rigidity, use a tighter tension.
5. Adjust Yarn Tension
Yarn tension can have a significant impact on your project. Your edge stitches will appear uneven and curl more if they are too tight or too slack. Working on this is one of the most useful things to learn if you're still figuring out how to flatten knitting curling for beginners — tension habits, more than any single fix, shape how a whole project behaves.
How to improve it:
- When knitting, practice maintaining a constant tension.
- To evenly guide the yarn, use your fingertips.
- Try several needle sizes to see what suits you best.
6. Add a Crochet Border
You can strengthen the edges of your item with a crochet hook if it is already curling. To stabilize the edges, crochet a border around them. You can do this by adding a row or double chain stitch to either side.
7. Lining the Fabric
If you know sewing, it would be easy for you to add a lining at the back of your fabric. But make sure your yarn weight should match the yarn fabric. It is essential to block the project before you sew. We recommend picking up the sharp finishing needle and lining it by hand.
8. Blocking Your Knitting
The secret technique of all knitters is blocking. Curl can be avoided by reshaping your piece and setting the stitches with steam blocking or wet blocking. The blocking method depends on the yarn used and the stitch patterns.
How to block it:
- Using lukewarm water, soak your project for 30 minutes.
- Don't wring it, and gently squeeze out the extra water.
- For the appropriate shape, lay it flat on the mat and allow it to dry fully.
No-Roll Bind-Off Techniques
A no-roll bind-off knitting method won't fix curling on its own — the bind-off itself is too small a section of fabric to hold back a whole curling piece — but paired with a non-rolling edge knitting technique like a border or folded hem, the right bind-off can soften the edge and give a cleaner finish. Two worth trying:
- Purl bind-off on the right side: Instead of binding off in knit, bind off purlwise on the public side. This adds a small ridge that curls in the opposite direction to the stockinette below it, which can help balance a rolled edge.
- I-cord bind-off: Worked with a few extra stitches slipped and knitted together as you go, this creates a firm, rounded edge with more structure than a standard bind-off. It works especially well on wool and other elastic yarns, though it can be less effective on slippery cotton or linen blends.
How to stop knitting from curling in the round
Circular knitting doesn't escape curling — since every round of plain knit stitches is still stockinette, the same tension imbalance applies. The difference is where it shows up: in the round, curling appears at the top and bottom edges of the tube rather than the sides (there are no side seams to curl).
Three fixes, in order of how much extra fabric they add:
- Ribbing — a few rounds of 1x1 or twisted rib at the cast-on/bind-off edges, ideally on a needle one size smaller for a crisper hem.
- Garter ridges — alternating a knit round with a purl round to break up the stockinette right at the edge.
- Folded hem — the lightest-weight, most invisible fix: knit a few rounds, purl one round as a turning ridge, knit the same number again, then fold the extra fabric inward and stitch it down. This is the best answer if you want to avoid a bulky border but still stop the bottom edge from curling.
Mastering these techniques will open countless opportunities. It all comes down to employing the proper methods and tools to stop knitting from curling and knit clean edges that lie flat. Whether you're blocking your finished work, experimenting with garter or seed stitch borders, adding a slip stitch selvage, or working out how to stop your knitting from curling in the round, every fix here starts from the same idea: balance the tension the knit stitch naturally creates. Every effort you make moves your project closer to a polished finish.
With the Lantern Moon collection, explore knitting accessories and enjoy knitting!