All versions of the picot hem are worked on an even number of stitches.
Worked at the cast on edge
Knit Flat – When you don’t need to seam your work
Cast on an even number of stitches using a provisional cast on
Work 1 – 2 inches of stocking stitch
Next Row: K1, *yo, k2tog; repeat from * to last stitch, k1. This will form the picot edge when the hem is folded.
Work 1 – 2 inches of stocking stitch, beginning and ending with a purl row. You will be working one more row than you did before you worked the row of eyelets.
Now fold the hem and join the edges as follows:
Unzip your provisional cast on and put the stitches onto a needle. Fold the hem up, with the wrong sides facing each other. Knit 2 together along the row, knitting one stitch from the front needle together with one stitch from the back needle.
Knit Flat – When you do need to seam your work
Cast on an even number of stitches.
Work 1 – 2 inches of stocking stitch
Next Row: K1, *yo, k2tog; repeat from * to last stitch, k1. This will form the picot edge when the hem is folded.
Continue your knitting as required by your pattern. Seam all your pieces.
Fold the hem up with the wrong sides facing and stitch it down on the wrong side of your work, being careful to catch only the back of the knitting as you sew so that it doesn’t show on the right side of your work.
Knit In The Round
Cast on an even number of stitches using a provisional cast on
Work 1 – 2 inches of stocking stitch
Next Row: *Yo, k2tog; repeat from * to the end of the round. This will form the picot edge when the hem is folded.
Work 1 – 2 inches of stocking stitch. You will be working one more row than you did before you worked the row of eyelets.
Now fold the hem and join the edges as follows:
Unzip your provisional cast on and put the stitches onto a needle. Fold the hem up, with the wrong sides facing each other.
Knit 2 together along the row, knitting one stitch from the front needle together with one stitch from the back needle.
At the cast off edge
Knit Flat
Knit to the point where you want your picot hem to start (the picot edge)
Next Row: K1, *yo, k2tog; repeat from * to last stitch, k1. This will form the picot edge when the hem is folded.
Work 1 – 2 inches of stocking stitch, beginning and ending with a purl row.
Cast off.
Fold the hem down with the wrong sides facing and stitch it to the wrong side of your work, being careful to catch only the back of the knitting as you sew so that it doesn’t show on the right side of your work.
Knit in the Round
Knit to the point where you want your picot hem to start (the picot edge)
Next Row: *Yo, k2tog; repeat from * to the end of the round. This will form the picot edge when the hem is folded.
Work 1 – 2 inches of stocking stitch.
Cast off.
Fold the hem down with the wrong sides facing and stitch it to the wrong side of your work, being careful to catch only the back of the knitting as you sew so that it doesn’t show on the right side of your work.
Tip
If you are using a yarn that is thicker than fingering weight, you might want to work the part of the hem that will be on the inside of your knitting with slightly smaller needles to help stop the hem from flaring outwards.