How to Make Neat Side Edges in Eastern (Russian) Knitting

This tutorial is about a distinct feature of projects knitted using the Eastern (previously known as Russian) knitting style – neat side edges. No matter whether edges are exposed (like edges of a scarf, for example), or hidden inside a seam, each edge is always decorated with a lovely chain of stitches.

It happens because in Eastern knitting selvedge stitches are considered to be an integral part of any knitted piece. I remember when my aunt taught me to knit many years ago, she told me right away that I should slip the first and purl the last stitch of every row. It was a rule and I followed it without even giving it much thought.

Judging from the habits of other knitters who practice Eastern knitting – the knitters that I’ve met in person and those whom I watched on YouTube – it seems that they were also taught this rule.

So far, I haven’t seen a single piece knitted using the Eastern knitting style that doesn’t have well-formed edges. And from the look of those edges, they are probably formed using the same rule that I’ve learned from my aunt years ago – slip the first and purl the last stitch of every row.

Let’s see how this simple technique works step-by-step.

This method is very common in the Eastern style of knitting, but it also works if you knit using any of the classic knitting styles. In classic knitting, we purl stitches differently than we do in Eastern knitting. That’s why in a piece knitted using a classic style of knitting, the stitches at the edges of the fabric will be bigger and more open, but they will still look nice and clean.

To learn more about the Eastern style of knitting, consider taking a self-paced online course – Eastern (Russian) Knitting Simplified.

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The full step-by-step photo tutorial about this method, is a part of the Knitting Collection #5. Once you order your copy of this collection, you will instantly receive a “big PDF” (336 pages!) with this and 46 other tutorials included in the collection.

You will also receive three knitting patterns as a special bonus, so go ahead and get it all right now before you forget 😊

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