Double Hems

Double Hem Knitted Together

Double hems are great alternative to typical ribbing. They keep a stocking knit garment flat and with some creativity can be used in many ways.

Here's how it's done:

Cast on and then work 6 to 8 rows even. Then knit on the purl side row instead of purling. Work the same number of rows (6 or 8) as you did previously, even.

Then pick up the cast on stitches with a thin needle.

Then knit the two stitches, one from the cast on edge and one on the other needle together.

Continue along this way until you reach the end of the row.

It even looks nice and neat on the back.

Double Hem Sewn Together

You maybe creating double hems that you can't knit together, like at the cast off edge. These you'll need to sew together.

Here's how it's done:

As you near completing a piece knit on row on a purl side row. Work 6 to 8 rows in stocking stitch and then cast off.

Fold at the row you knitted instead of purled. Pin in place and begin sewing ever other stitch into place.

Be careful not to pull the stitches together tightly. You want the final result to be clean and smooth.

Here's the pattern I designed using double hems at the bottom and neck of the sweater.

Click here for the pattern.

images taken from Big Book of Knitting by Katharina Buss, pages 58 -59.