Close the loops elastically with a needle. Handicraft tricks: how to close elastic loops with a needle. Wrong side closed with elastic method

Closing the loops with a needle allows you to achieve a “machine” look to the edge of the product. The edge of the canvas is quite elastic.

In this master class I will show three options for closing loops: for 1x1 elastic, for 2x2 elastic and for stockinette stitch.

1. Closing the elastic loops 1x1

It will be easier to close the loops if you distribute them on two knitting needles, separating the knit and purl stitches. Place the knitting needle with knit stitches in front, with purl stitches in the back.

In order not to get confused, remember the rule: the needle must enter each loop 2 times, but in different directions - with front side on the wrong side and from the wrong side to the front side.

To close the loops, cut the thread 2.5-3 times longer than the edge of the product and thread it through a needle with a blunt end.

Insert the needle into the first stitch on the front needle from the wrong side, then into the first stitch on the back needle from the right side.

Then repeat the following steps:

1. Insert a needle into the front loop from the front side in the same way as you insert a knitting needle when knitting a front loop. Insert the needle into the next knit stitch from the wrong side, like a knitting needle when knitting purl. Slip 1 knit stitch from the needle and tighten the thread.

2. Then insert the needle into the purl loops: first, the needle from the wrong side, as when knitting the purl, into the next loop - from the front side, as when knitting the front. Slip 1 purl stitch from the needle and tighten the thread.


Repeat steps 1 and 2 until the end of the row.



2. Closing the loops of the 2x2 elastic band

To close the 2x2 elastic band, you must first re-slip the loops so that they are located as in the 1x1 elastic band. To do this, knit row 1 as follows:
- if the rib starts with 2 knits: knit, leave knit on the auxiliary needle before knitting, purl, knit from the auxiliary needle, purl, and so on until the end of the row,
- if the rib starts with 2 purls: purl, leave the purl on the auxiliary knitting needle behind the knitting, knit, purl from the auxiliary knitting needle, knit, repeat until the end of the row.


Then close like a 1x1 elastic band.

To make the edge of the elastic more elastic, before closing the loops, you can knit several rows of hollow elastic (knit the front ones in each row, remove the purls without knitting, thread before work).


In a similar way, you can close the loops of a 3x3 elastic band.

3. Closing stitches in stockinette stitch

Closing stitches in stockinette stitch is similar to making a back stitch.

Insert the needle into the first loop from the front side, as when knitting, then bring it out from the wrong side to the front side into the second loop. Insert the needle again into the first stitch in a back-to-back motion, then back-to-back into the third stitch. Tighten the thread.



Even novice craftswomen quickly learn to close the edge of a product in the usual way. However, when it comes to, for example, the bottom of a sweater or cuffs, it becomes necessary to know how to perform elastic closure of loops. The article will discuss several options from which you can choose the one that is acceptable in your case.

Many craftswomen prefer to close the loops with a needle and appropriate thread; we will describe not only such methods, but also options with knitting needles. They are suitable for both experienced craftsmen and beginners.

Two loops each

This method is done with knitting needles. It is mainly used in the manufacture of such things as shawls, blankets, scarves, in processing the bottom of dresses, and in shoulder products. But it is not suitable for closing elastic bands, since the edge may stretch too much.

When you have reached the intended edge of the product, use the right knitting needle to knit two loops together. We transfer the loop that we received again to the left knitting needle and so on until the end.

Facial surface

For products whose edges are knitted stockinette stitch or some other pattern, you can use the following method. Slip the first stitch onto the right needle and yarn over. We will make the second loop according to the pattern. Then, using the left knitting needle, we lift the first one that was removed and yarn over. With the right hand we pull through them the one that we knitted with the pattern. We repeat this combination until the end of the row. We make sure that all the loops are uniform and the yarn overs are not too loose.

Closing the elastic bands

Closing a 1×1 rib can also be done with a needle, but we will describe how to do it with knitting needles.

  1. First, we make a yarn over ourselves. The first loop is knitted as a knit stitch;
  2. Insert the left needle into the first stitch on the right. We pull the second loop through it and remove it from the right knitting needle;
  3. Yarn over yourself again, the thread should be in front of the work. The next stitch should be knitted as a purl. Now we have three loops on the right needle;
  4. We place the thread behind the work. We remove the first and second loops of the right knitting needle, while it is necessary to stretch the third through them;
  5. Yarn over yourself again and knit the next stitch. Slip the first and second stitches of the right needle over the third so that they are pulled through the third.

Repeat steps three to five until the end of the row. But we will look at closing the 2x2 elastic using a needle.

We will need a needle (preferably with a blunt end) and the end of a working thread three meters long.

First step. We start work from the front side. Insert the needle into the initial knit stitch, bring it out to the wrong side and grab the second knit stitch. We pass the thread and remove it from the left knitting needle.

Second step. Now we again pass the needle through the first knit stitch and into the third loop, which remains on the knitting needle and is purl.

Third step. We move the needle to the front side and insert it into the second front loop, then from the wrong side we grab the fifth, which is also the front one.

Fourth step. From the wrong side we insert it into the third purl loop, and from the front side into the fourth purl loop.

Fifth step. We return to the front side again and thread the needle into the fifth front loop. From the wrong side we grab the sixth front one.

Sixth step. From the wrong side we pass the needle into the fourth purl, from the front side - into the seventh purl.

Repeat steps three to six until the row is completed.

Smooth diagonal edge

  1. We will knit the first two loops as knit stitches. Next, moving from left to right, use the left knitting needle to pick up the first knitted loop, and draw the second one through it. This leaves the right needle with just one stitch. Knit the next stitch on the left needle using a knit stitch. And we thread the loops one into the other in exactly the same way. Thus, we should have the first four loops closed.
  2. Next we knit all the stitches with simple knit stitches. Turn the piece over and purl it to the end of the row until two stitches remain on the left needle.
  3. Purl the remaining stitches together. Turn the work over and repeat the second and third steps until the row is completely closed.

"Jenny" method

Here again you need to work with a yarn over. We perform a reverse yarn over.

This means that the thread is thrown in the opposite direction compared to the classical method.

We insert the left knitting needle into the yarn over and pull it over the knit stitch we just knitted.

Now we perform the traditional yarn over. And knit a purl loop.

We insert the left knitting needle into the yarn over and pull it over the knitted loop.

Pull the right loop over the left one and remove it from the left needle.

Thus, first we carry out the operation with a double crochet (each loop on the right knitting needle is processed in this way), and then on the left knitting needle, threading one over the other, we remove the loops until we close the row.

Here are some ways to elastically close a hem. Try any of them, choosing the one most suitable for your product and comfortable for you to perform. Below is a selection of videos on closing rows for clarity.

Video on the topic of the article

2 years ago

Whatever product you try to knit, at a certain moment the work on it ends and what remains is a seemingly simple, but often difficult step - closing the loops. You can’t just remove them from the knitting needle, because the fabric will immediately begin to unravel: you need to make the right edge, but how exactly? There are many ways - the same knitting needles, crochet, needle, as well as the intricacies of this process, which you need to become familiar with even before you start knitting.

How to close loops when knitting correctly?

Before considering specific diagrams that can be used to guide you when completing work on a product, it is worth understanding some basic nuances. Firstly, figure out how to close the loops with knitting needles at the end of knitting, preferably on a straight section - for example, when creating a scarf, and not on the neck of a sweater. This way you will quickly get the hang of it and see any errors associated with the process. Secondly, remember that each product has its own specific method of closing loops - more precisely, for each type of fabric:

  • If the fabric is homogeneous and will not shrink, you can use a standard direct closure.
  • If you are covering the top of a sock made with an elastic band, the edge of a sleeve on a tight-fitting sweater, or other areas that stretch, it is better to use a needle closure pattern that does not create a harsh edge.

As for the chain, which is formed in the process of closing the loops according to the traditional pattern (it will be described below), it does not always have to be visible: You can make purl loops, and in this case the chain will turn out at the back. Although most often the most in a simple way becomes a replacement for the loop closure scheme.

The tail that you receive as a result of completing the work (thread used in the process) should be left long if you later need to sew this edge with another (for example, you closed the loops on half of the trouser leg and plan to connect along side seam with the second half). If the product is completely finished, the tail is tied in a knot, inserted into the closing row or an edge perpendicular to it (if any) and hidden on the wrong side. The excess is easily cut off.

Some more useful tips:

  • If the last row (closed) turns out very tight, change the knitting needles to larger ones, or be careful not to tighten the thread too tightly - straighten and stretch each knitted final loop before moving on to the next one.
  • It is recommended to fasten openwork fabrics using the yarn over technique - this will make the row more airy.
  • When working with braids, it is advisable to knit a separate small test fabric on which you try several stitch closing techniques, otherwise the edge may wrinkle. Often, when creating such a pattern for the final row, it is recommended to decrease 1-2 loops for each braid.

In general, despite the abundance of subtleties and recommendations, the process of closing loops is not as complicated as it might seem: these are the basics that every craftswoman can handle, even those lacking experience.

Experts advise starting to master this task with a classic straight closure, which will give you a smooth and tight edge. This is mainly used to cover scarves, shawls, the bottom of sweaters, and cardigans. After mastering this technique, you can move on to more complex ones. The algorithm is like this:

  1. Traditionally, lower the edge loop onto the working needle on the left without knitting.
  2. Knit the next one, focusing on the pattern chosen for the fabric: i.e. front or back.
  3. Then insert the left needle into the edge (slipped) loop (direction from left to right) and pull to the left. In this case, on the working (right) one, you need to hold the 2nd loop and carefully pull it into the hole of the 1st, which is held by the left one.
  4. As a result of this step, you are left with the number of loops “N-1”, where “N” is the original number.
  5. On the working knitting needle, where there is 1 loop, take a new loop (3rd in a row from the entire row), also knitting it according to the pattern - knit or purl. Repeat the step for her, inserting the left needle and pulling the stitch through the stitch.
  6. Follow the steps described above until you have an even braid that covers the fabric. At this point, there is only 1 unknitted loop left on the working knitting needle.

Here the question becomes relevant: how to close the last loop when knitting? The principle of operation is the same, only slightly modified. Transfer this loop back to the left needle, insert the right one into it (in a straight direction), stretch it a little and pass the thread through it. If it comes from a ball, it should be torn off first (leave the end so long that you can either remove it 2-3 cm down or use it later to join the edges). Tighten well to secure.

As for how to close the loops when knitting in the round, if the fabric is a straight pipe (i.e. no elastic band is needed, etc.), then the scheme is similar. The only thing that changes: the loop, which is the first on the working needle, needs to be fully knitted, and not removed, since it is not an edge stitch.

On products that end with an elastic band and must maintain elasticity, it is recommended to perform the final row with a needle - the result will be a machine knitted seam. The main working tool is a needle with a wide eye so that the thread you knit with can fit in, as well as knitting needles half a size smaller than those used to do the work before. The scheme is as follows:

  1. Distribute the stitches of the last row so that only knit stitches fall on the 1st needle, and only purl stitches on the 2nd needle. This will help you not get confused in your work.
  2. Cut the thread you knitted with so that its length includes approximately 3 times the width of the edge that needs to be closed. Thread the tip into the needle.
  3. Transfer the first 2 knit stitches, completely removing them from the knitting needle, to the tip of the needle. Pass the thread through them.
  4. Next, go to the purl stitches: insert the needle into the first one in a simple direction, but the second one needs to be picked up from the left edge, as if wrapping it. Remove both and also release them onto the thread. No need to tighten.
  5. Take the removed secured knit stitch, insert the needle into the free outermost knit stitch on the knitting needle and pull through both threads.
  6. Repeat the previous step for the purl stitches, only remembering that the 2nd loop is caught with a turn.
  7. Continue connecting and closing the loops in pairs, thereby imitating a fold. Be sure to control the thread tension, otherwise the edge will begin to wrinkle. The last free loop is closed in the same way as in the classical method.

This pattern of closing loops is recommended for elastic bands made according to the 1*1 pattern (alternating 1 loop at a time). Working with larger designs is a little more difficult, but general principle similar: You need to separately close the front and back loops, alternating them with each other.

Each craftswoman, carefully knitting her product, tries to make not only a hat, sweater, dress or socks look beautiful. It is equally important for her that the edge of the product is neat and not too tight - this will make it more convenient to wear things. And no matter what kind of thing the craftswoman knits, she wants to be sure: everything should turn out as well as possible. What needs to be done to ensure that closing the loops with a needle is done correctly, we will learn from this article.

Doing it is right

So, the process of creating a new thing is coming to an end. The only thing that remains is to finish it so that the edge of the product is elastic. It is both beautiful and convenient. This is precisely the method that is called closing the loops with a needle. Because it is with the help of this little assistant that you can complete the work very carefully. It's not that difficult to do. But mastering the process will allow the edge to look as if the product was made in a factory. Using a needle, it is convenient to close the edges of the necks. This is especially true for huge and high collars on sweaters and jumpers.

An embroidery needle will do. It should be thick, with a blunt tip and a large ear. You need to close the loops with a working thread, leaving its end in advance, the length of which should be approximately three times the length of the edge to be closed.

Closing knit stitches with a needle (as well as purl stitches) will not cause any trouble even for less skilled craftswomen. There's nothing particularly complicated here. The loops of the last row remain on the knitting needle. Working thread It’s better to cut it off, leaving a tip of three lengths (as mentioned earlier). Thread it into a needle. Insert the needle into the first loop from the “face”, pass the thread through it and remove it from the knitting needle. Leave the second loop, untouched, on the wrong side. Now insert the needle into the third loop from the wrong side and pull the thread through it. Insert the needle into the second loop from the “face” and bring it out into the fourth loop from the wrong side. Do the same until finishing work.

Understanding rubber bands

It is a fairly convenient option to complete the work. Only 1x1 and 2x2 elastic bands can be closed in this way. Then the edge of the product will lie naturally and can stretch freely.

The loops are closed using open loops. In order for them to be quite even and not to unravel, you should finish knitting this part in several rows, which are connected with an additional thread. Usually their number ranges from three to ten. The knitting needle is removed from the loops, the edge of the part must be carefully ironed using a damp cloth. Now undo the rows that were previously knitted with additional thread. Thread the main thread that remains from knitting into a needle with a large eye, make a neat seam along all open loops, and place the product with the front side facing you for convenience.

One knit, one purl

How to close the loops with a needle in a 1x1 elastic band? Our article will help you figure this out.

From the front side, insert the needle into the first edge and second loops. The part must be folded towards you, and the needle must be inserted from the inside out into the first and third loops. Then insert the needle from the “face” into the second and fourth loops and from the wrong side into the third and fifth.

Closing the loops with a 1x1 elastic needle will not be difficult, the main thing is not to mix anything up.

So in a simple way, inserting the needle into two loops at once, alternately from the front and back sides, close the loops along the entire row.

Knit two, purl two

What needs to be done to close the loops with a 2x2 elastic needle? First things first.

From the front side, insert the needle into the first edge and second loops. Having folded the prepared part towards you, insert the needle from the wrong side into the first and third loops. Then from the “face” you need to insert the needle into the second and fifth loops, and from the wrong side - into the third and fourth. From the front side - again in the fifth and sixth loops.

That's it. Closing the loops with a 2x2 elastic needle is completed.

Elastic neck closed with a needle

How to properly process the edge of the neckline? If the neck of the model is narrow, then you need to close the loops loosely, otherwise when worn, the item will not look very aesthetically pleasing due to the fact that the loops bulge. But there is one way to avoid this problem - closing the loops on the neck with a needle. It is also called the Italian method.

First you need to knit two or four rows with a 1x1 elastic band. If knitting goes in a circle, you need to do it like this. First row: only knit stitches are knitted; purl stitches should be removed. Without knitting, leaving the thread before work. In the next row, knit only the purls, just carefully remove the knits, the thread will be at work.

You need to measure the thread from last loop(the length is approximately three times the length of the neck) and cut from the skein. Thread it into a knitted needle (it has a blunt end compared to a regular one). Insert the needle into the first knit stitch on the knitting needle so that it comes out on the right side.

Now you need to pull out the thread and insert the needle into the next purl (the needle should come out with the tip towards the craftswoman). Remove the purl stitch from the needle and insert the tool into the next knit stitch. Pull the needle and yarn through and you get a structure of three loops on a thread. There is no need to tighten too much.

Closing loops with a needle requires very careful and attentive work, so you need to monitor your every action.

Correct repetition of actions - a neat edge

Let's return to the purl loop: insert a needle from the wrong side and bring it to the front side. The loop will be on the thread, now you can remove it from the knitting needle. It turns out a kind of imitation of the front loop.

Do not pull the thread from the purl loop, but insert the needle into the next purl loop. Remove the loop from the knitting needle. Stretch the thread and insert a needle into the knit stitch, which was removed from the knitting needle in advance, and out of the knit stitch, which is still on the knitting needle.

This creates a “snake” that smoothly flows from loop to loop.

So you should braid the loops around the entire circle. Having reached the last loop, remove the needle from the purl loop.

Insert into the last knit stitch, bring it out into the first knit stitch, and then from the wrong side into the last purl stitch. When the entire circle is knitted, you need to secure the remaining “tail” and cut off the unnecessary thread. The result is a very smooth edge, and also quite elastic - it allows the head to pass through and fits snugly to the neck.

These tips can provide all possible assistance to those knitters who are not yet knitting aces. But if you follow the suggested recommendations, they should not have any difficulties.

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