Casting On and Binding Off to Match: The Rolled Edge

Rolled edge coils smoothly

Resilient and strong willed

Beware flaccid yarns

Technically speaking, it doesn't matter precisely how you cast on or bind off (as long as you do it loosely), because the very edge of the fabric is hidden in the roll, but there is still lots of scope for exploration.

The elasticity of your yarn matters a great deal. The worsted weight BFL above is a tightly spun wool  - its roll snaps into place like a coiled spring.

A less elastic fibre combination like the camel-silk will roll too, but it also doesn't take much handling to relax it.

Clearly, swatching with the chosen yarn is critical - left to its own devices, how far will it roll, how determined will it be to stay put?

Round knitting has circumferential tension to hold things in place... like folding back a cuff:

Which could negate the roll, as easily as preserve it. The tension will be greatest when the circumference is smallest - so the effect would be greater at the border of a wrist than a hip; more prominent stretched (like a hat band) than relaxed.

The rolled edge can solve the problem of cast on/bind off tension for an elastic edge (as long as you cast on or bind off the roll loosely) and provides a more robust edge surface for heavy wear (TechKnitter has a great treatise on why this is so.)

It resolutely maintains the stockinette gauge inherent to its nature, however:

Which makes it a prominent design feature, rather than an unobtrusive beginning or end. Will the ribbing spend its functional life around a head, fully expanded to match the roll, or is it destined to stretch over a heel or hand, snapping back to hug the smaller body part?

Will the roll be a stabilizing asset or a bunching-in liability on the edge of an expanding stitch like garter or seed?

Resources:

TECHknitter (Really, that's all I could find. Most knitting resources seem to treat this as a sort of a default, no-brainer edging.) 

Anything to add?

Comments

[Annepålandet]

I like it. I often use the rolled edge for stockinette knitting in mittens and hats. It's also very good for felting - mittens for example.
When I knitted Millers Hat (BFL Worsted), I used this edging instead of following the pattern. It turned out great, I think - looks almost like a cord (http://www.ravelry.com/projects/annepaalandet/millers-hat).

[mary lou]

This is great and so nicely written. Thanks. I kind of know this about the rolled edge, but having it all put into words and lovely photos is excellent. I'm about where you are on the process/product continuum.

[Jan]

Really good haiku!

[random Cindy]

more please. :)