The Knitting "F" Word

(kids cover your ears) F-F-F-Finishing, yes, there it is, I said it, out in public for all to view. The one word we all live in fear of and say with disgust. How many times have you called your knitting buddy excited to share with them “Finally, I cast off that sweater, but now I have to “F” it.”

But really, what does that word mean and why are we so negative when we speak it. So what if it means you have to weave in all 36 ends in that Fair-Isle Sweater, sew miles and miles of seams, pick up and knit the endless button band. We need to stop cursing under our breath and realize that Finishing is a good thing and when done properly your project will be taken from Homemade to Handmade. That sweater in the boutique window is knit the same as yours, with the same materials, and is finished using the exact same techniques we all know and hate.

One of the first steps to ensure the project is finished properly will begin even before you cast on, by reading the pattern completely, and ensuring that you have the right materials for the job. And never underestimate the power of swatching and blocking, both will become your instant finishing friends. Swatching is going to let you know before even casting on the project if the yarn and the fabric it creates will even be what you imagined it to be. If not don’t fear, the project will still be made, you will just need to find another yarn and re-swatch to ensure you have the fabric you desire. Once that is all done and you have knit up all pieces, blocking will be the next important step in the process, this will allow you to size the pieces to match the schematic, as well as flattening the edges to make your seaming easier to complete.

If you don’t already own a good set of reference books I would suggest you go to your local yarn store and spend some time to find the match for you. The one that I can’t live without is the Principles of Knitting by June Hemmons Hiatt. This is my reference for all things in the knitting universe including finishing, which is explained very clearly, covering seaming, buttonholes, etc, with detailed photographs. I also have on hand Shirley Paden’s Knitwear Design Workshop: A Comprehensive Guide to Handknits, when you look through the pieces in this book, each and every one of them could be gracing a fashion runway, and that is was drew me to this book. The detailed instructions in both these publications will help you to achieve your Boutique ready finishing. Another very comprehensive guide is Finishing School: A Master Class for Knitters by Deborah Newton, well laid out and packed with user friendly information as well as amazing patterns and a great section on embellishing with non-knitted items.

With the amount of time and money we invest in our knitting projects those few extra hours spent at the end are equally, if not more, important, so Just take your time and enjoy the “F”inishing journey.