New Knitter -- My Scarf Won't Lay Flat

[Christian]

Hello,

I have knitted my very first scarf. I knitted the whole thing in
stockinet stitch and the edges curl. I've read a few things about how
I should have put an edge on it, but is there anyway to make it lay
flat now? I really like it except for the curling.

Oh, and it's acrylic yarn with wool stripes ( I know now you're
not supose to mix :-P) I thought about ironing it, but you're not
supose to iron acrylic right?

Any help would be appriciated.

Thanks,

Christian

[res09ahq]

Christian:

A couple things immediately spring to mind. The first is that your gauge for
the acrylic yarn differs from the gauge for the wool. Mixing yarns can be
tricky since different yarns have different stretch and can vary in
thickness, ply, and twist among other factors. Secondly, I do not know how
you introduced the new yarn at the beginning of each row. Even if your gauge
for both yarns is the same and the fibers have nearly the same thickness and
stretchability, your introduction technique may be off enough to elongate
the beginning stitches enough to make the edges wavy. You canNOT iron
acrylic and even some wool yarns cannot withstand ironing. If you like the
overall look of the stripes and you want to salvage the garment, then
perhaps your can use a crochet hook slightly larger than the largest
knitting needle you used (think millimeters) and do a single crochet stitch
around the edge of the scarf. This way, the wavy edge will look like it is
suppose to be that way. It is tough when the first of a project doesn't come
out like you want it, but there is always some thing to learn. Perhaps the
next time you can knit a sample swatch, after double checking your gauge. I
hope this helps.

Cathleen

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[Sonya Cirillo]

Have you washed it yet? If not, wash it using washing directions for
the wool (most likely hand wash in cool or lukewarm soapy water) and
then lie it flat on a towel to dry - hand 'blocking' (shaping) it. . .
this *usually* eliminates the curling of the edge or reduces it so it
isn't quite so annoying. . . the curling isn't from mixing yarns - it's
from the stitch itself. . . you don't want to mix yarn types because of
what might happen when they are washed :)

If it's still very obnoxious and you want to try it (this could have
very mixed results!!!!) you could try carefully steaming it: place a
towel over the top and gently steam by pressing down for a few seconds,
lift the iron and reposition it. . . DO NOT SLIDE. You have to be
careful with the wool - it could start to 'shrink' and/or felt which
would be noticed immediately since the acrylic yarn won't.

Or you could bite the bullet and 'frog' and redo the scarf - adding an
edge and don't mix yarn types.

Good luck and what's up for the next project?

Sonya

[The irvine's]

Stocking stitch will always curl in on itself to my lnowledge.It
doesn't have anything to do with tension.

Most of the scarves I made this winter are in stocking stitch & the
only reason the lay flat is because I've sewn them into a tube.

The only other way to get them to lay flat is to either always knit
your first & last 4 stitches to give you a border, or put a border on
later.

The garter stitch ones lay flat.

Hope this helps:>)

Trish

[marlene]

would you consider a crocheted border or would that look
stupid?..marlene