Gathered Woven Closure

An improved approach to closing off the last few stitches of a circular item
by Jackie E-S

A popular and easy way to end off the top of a watch cap, mitten tip, sock toe, and similar circularly knit items, is to decrease down to a few stitches, cut the yarn and run it through the remaining live stitches. Then, just snug up to close the hole.

But, have you ever been disappointed by a loose and lumpy look to this finish? Here's my suggestion for an improved method –

1. Cut yarn and thread a blunt sewing needle as usual.
2. Run yarn through remaining live stitches twice.
   Note: It helps to keep the stitches on the needles while you do the first pass.
• First run the yarn through the front of the stitches (i.e. purlwise).
• Then through the back (i.e. knitwise).
3. Remove stitches from needles and snug up the yarn end.

The woven alternation of front vs. back makes the closure more stable and flatter.

If this description of how to do the Gatherefd Woven Closure is too pithy for you, the detailed photo step-by-step on my KnitHeartStrings member blog is for you!

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