How to Knit With Invisible Elastic

Invisible elastic keeps your knitted items fitting perfectly.

How many times have you discovered the cuffs of your knitted socks or sweater stretched out after just a few wearings? Try incorporating lightweight invisible elastic as you knit to keep the fit snug wear after wear. The newest products are made from Elastane, the same fiber as Lycra. They are easy to use and won't change the gauge of your stitches. Say goodbye to saggy socks and stretched out cuffs and collars.

Things You'll Need

• Invisible elastic for knitting
• Yarn for your project
• Knitting needles
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Use the elastic together with your regular yarn for the best results. Knot the elastic and the yarn together and cast on the required number of stitches for the cuff or other project requiring elastic.

2. Knit the ribbing as usual, using both strands. The elastic is undetectable even if it moves to the right side of the knitting. Continue knitting until you finish the area which needs elastic reinforcement.

3. Cut the yarn and the elastic leaving about 3 inches. Resume knitting with yarn only, making certain to tie the new yarn to both the old yarn and the elastic. Knotting the elastic will keep it from unraveling later on.

4. Finish the project as usual, incorporating the elastic wherever necessary.

Tips & Warnings

• You can stitch invisible elastic into a finished project if you need a little extra support. Turn the garment inside out. Thread a regular sewing needle with elastic, anchor the thread to the area and sew rings of elastic into the existing stitches. Pull slightly if necessary to bring the garment back into original shape and tie off by sewing a few times into the same stitch before cutting the elastic.

References

• Industrievereinigung Chemiefaser: Elastane fibers
• Madeira: Elastic Thread