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Hand knitting › Shaping and edges

Picot cast-off

A cast-off edge with a tiny pointed bump (picot) every few stitches, like a lace trim. Before casting off a few stitches, a couple of extra stitches are cast on at the start of the needle and cast off at once; they stand up as a little point.

What you work it with

Hand knitting · Tools: Needles for the yarn (cast on the picot stitches with the knitted or cable cast-on); blocking pins.

Symbol chart

One or two repeats of the stitch pattern, drawn as seen from the right side.
1234Knit on RS, purl on WSNo stitch (skip this square)Make 1 (increase)Read from the bottom: RS rows (odd) right to left, WS rows (even) left to right.

Steps

  1. Work to the last row.
  2. Cast on 2 stitches at the start of the left needle (cable cast-on).
  3. Cast off 4 stitches.
  4. Slip the stitch left on the right needle back to the left needle.
  5. Repeat 2–4 to the end.
  6. Fasten off; pin out each picot when blocking.

The full card

What it looks like
A cast-off edge with a tiny pointed bump (picot) every few stitches, like a lace trim.
How it behaves
Decorative and a little looser than a plain cast-off, so the edge does not draw in.
How it works
Before casting off a few stitches, a couple of extra stitches are cast on at the start of the needle and cast off at once; they stand up as a little point.
Tools
Needles for the yarn (cast on the picot stitches with the knitted or cable cast-on); blocking pins.
Parameters
Classic: cast on 2, cast off 4, picots 2 stitches apart. Bigger points: cast on 3, cast off 6.
Steps
1) Work to the last row. 2) Cast on 2 stitches at the start of the left needle (cable cast-on). 3) Cast off 4 stitches. 4) Slip the stitch left on the right needle back to the left needle. 5) Repeat 2–4 to the end. 6) Fasten off; pin out each picot when blocking.
Charting
Read from the right side: the m1 squares on the top row are the 2 stitches cast on for each picot; the grey squares below are placeholders, since those stitches only exist in the last row. The whole top row is then cast off.
Limits and common problems
Picot stitches cast on too loose look floppy; keep them firm. Count so the last picot lands at the end.
Combines with
Stocking stitch (stockinette), Garter stitch, Eyelet rows (simple lace)
Pieces and assembly
Edges of baby cardigans, sock cuffs, shawl edges, a sleeve hem.

Written in our own words from machine manuals, knitting references and swatching. Knit a test swatch before a whole piece.

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