Pick Up & Knit

There are times you may want to avoid seaming and work new stitches directly from the existing knit fabric. Generally, stitches are picked up along edges, like the cast-on, bind-off or side edges. You can also pick up stitches along a curve or when working certain types of sock heels. This creates a seamless look on garments and socks and allows you to avoid sewing pieces together.

Your pattern will tell you how many stitches need to be picked up and knit. When picking up and knitting stitches, you are pulling new loops of yarn up through your knitted fabric and onto your knitting needle to be worked. You can both pick up and knit and pick up and purl stitches. Which you do depends on the look the designer is going for in the piece.

With the right side of the fabric facing you and working one stitch in from the edge, insert the tip of the knitting needle in the space between the first and second stitches. Wrap the yarn around the needle. Pull the loop through to the front. Repeat until you have picked up the number of stitches indicated in the pattern.