Tea Cosy Knitting Tutorial of How to Pick Up Stitches from the Cast-On Edge for a Stretchy Hem

Learn how to knit a neat, flexible hem by picking up stitches from the cast-on edge; perfect for picot trims, tubular shapes, and seamless joins in your tea cosy projects.

When designing my knitted tea cosies, I often include creative techniques that go beyond the basics. These methods aren’t just decorative; they’re practical, structural, and sometimes a little unexpected. One technique I regularly use in my tea cosy knitting patterns is picking up stitches from the cast-on edge and knitting them together with the live stitches on the needle. It’s a clever way to create a stretchy, seamless hem and while it might sound intimidating at first, it’s actually very simple once you’ve seen it in action.

How to Pick Up Stitches from the Cast-On Edge for a Stretchy Hem

I remember being a knitter following other people’s patterns and feeling a bit nervous when I encountered something unfamiliar. That’s why I make knitting help videos to support anyone working through my designs. If a pattern includes a technique that might feel like a dip into the unknown, I’ll walk you through it step by step. In this particular video, I demonstrate how to pick up stitches from the cast-on edge onto the left-hand needle and knit them together with the next stitch, just like a standard knit two together (K2tog).

This technique is especially useful for creating a picot hem, which adds a decorative edge while keeping the finish neat and flexible. In the video, I use this method to complete the hem of the School Teacher tea cosy’s dress, giving it a polished look that’s built right into the knitting; no sewing required.


Beyond hems, this stitch is brilliant for shaping larger tubular sections in your tea cosy projects. For example, the George and the Dragon tea cosy uses this method to form the dragon’s body, and the Cheeseburger tea cosy relies on it to shape the bottom half of the bun. It’s a versatile technique that adds structure and stretch, making your tea cosy easier to fit over the teapot while maintaining a snug, professional finish.


One of the biggest advantages of this method is that it avoids the need to sew two rows together later; a process that can be fiddly and hard to explain, especially when trying to identify the correct row to stitch. Instead, this knitting join technique creates a flexible, integrated connection that moves with the fabric. That’s crucial for tea cosies, where the cast-on edge often needs to stretch diagonally around the widest part of the teapot. A rigid seam would make fitting the cosy nearly impossible, but this method ensures a firm yet stretchy join that holds its shape and hugs the pot beautifully.

If you’re new to this technique, don’t worry; it’s easier than it sounds, and once you’ve seen it demonstrated, you’ll feel confident using it in your own knitting. For more support, check out the TeaCosyFolk YouTube Help Videos Playlist, where I share tutorials for all kinds of stitches and techniques used in my tea cosy patterns. You can also explore the Cosy Companion Guidebook for written guidance and tips.

Whether you’re knitting a mythical creature, a seasonal character, or a classic tea cosy design, mastering this stitch will elevate your work and make your cosies both functional and fabulous.




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