TeaCosyFolk Guide to Knitting Into Back Loops for a Neat, Stretchy Hem

This page is part of the TeaCosyFolk Cosy Companion Guidebook and it focuses on how to knit into the back loops from the cast‑on edge. It’s a really useful technique for creating a neat, stretchy picot hem, and it’s something I use in lots of my tea cosy patterns. If you’re looking for help with picking up stitches from the cast‑on edge, how to knit a picot hem, or how to make a flexible knitted hem that fits easily over a teapot, this guide and video will walk you through everything step by step.

This photo shows the knitted hem worked straight into the cast‑on edge, creating a smooth, flexible finish without any sewing.

How to Knit Into Back Loops From the Cast‑On Edge

Knitting into the back loops from the cast‑on edge is one of those techniques that looks a bit mysterious at first, but once you’ve seen it done and tried it a couple of times, it becomes second nature. In this video I walk you through the whole process step by step, showing you exactly where to put your needle and how to pick up each stitch cleanly from the cast‑on edge. It’s a brilliant method for creating a neat, stretchy picot hem, and it’s something I use in lots of TeaCosyFolk patterns.

I like this technique because it gives a much more elastic finish than sewing the hem up. When a hem is sewn, it can lose some of its stretch, and that can make it harder to get the tea cosy over the teapot. By knitting the hem instead, the bottom edge stays flexible and has a lovely flush finish that blends beautifully into the rest of the cosy. It’s also quicker than sewing, and I know many knitters prefer to keep their needles in their hands rather than switching to a needle and thread.

Another big advantage is that you can see the stitches clearly along the cast‑on edge, so you’re never guessing where to go. The video shows you exactly what to look for and how to work into those back loops with confidence. It might feel a bit fiddly the first time, but once you get the hang of it, it’s a breeze and very satisfying to do.

You’ll find this technique used in several TeaCosyFolk designs, including the Halloween Skull Quality Street Box Cover, the Sugar Lump Ant Tea Cosy, the Big Wheel Tea Cosy, the Japanese Pagoda Tea Cosy, the Robin Hood Tea Cosy, and the Bingo Tea Cosy. If you’re searching for how to knit into the back loops, how to pick up stitches from the cast‑on edge, how to knit a picot hem, or how to create a stretchy knitted hem for tea cosies, this video will guide you through everything you need.

Tea Cosy Designs With This Knitting Technique: Knitting Into Back Loops From the Cast‑On Edge

The Titanic Tea Cosy uses this knitted‑hem technique to keep the bottom edge lovely and stretchy.

The Life of a Sunflower Tea Cosy begins with this flexible knitted hem, giving the cosy a smooth base that stretches comfortably around the teapot..

The Big Wheel Tea Cosy has a neat lower edge that billows out beautifully, with the cast‑on‑edge pickup row creating the perfect shaped base.

How to Knit Into the Back Loops From the Cast‑On Edge Help Video

Related Topics

How to Mark Along a Row in Knitting – the technique that helps you find the exact back loops when you return to knit the hem.
How to mark along a row in knitting

Overlap Joining in Knitting – a seam‑free joining method that keeps your knitting stretchy, making it a good partner to cast‑on‑edge hems.
Overlap joining in knitting

Pick Up Stitches from the Cast‑On Edge FAQ

Can I sew the hem instead of knitting it?

You can, but a sewn hem is never as stretchy as a knitted one because the sewing stitches pull the fabric together. It’s a bit like tying a loop of yarn tightly around the tea cosy; it won’t stretch or give, and it becomes almost impossible to get on and off the teapot. And remember, when the cosy goes on, the teapot will be hot, so you don’t want to be wrestling with it.

What’s the right way to pick up stitches under both legs of the cast on?

Look at your cast‑on edge straight on; not from the side of the rows. It looks like a row of little chain links. Each link is an oval that interlocks with the next. When you pick up stitches from the cast‑on edge, your needle should go under both the front and back of each little chain. This gives you a firm, tidy pickup and a hem that sits beautifully.

Why do my picked‑up stitches look twisted?

If your stitches look twisted, it usually means the needle has gone under only one leg of the little chain instead of both. When you go under both legs, the stitch sits straight on the needle and the hem folds beautifully. If you only catch one leg, the stitch pulls sideways and twists. It won’t ruin the cosy, but it won’t look as tidy.

How do I stop gaps forming between the picked‑up stitches?

Gaps happen when the needle scoops up the yarn too loosely. Make sure you’re going under both legs of the chain with your left‑hand needle, and once you knit it together with the next stitch, the fabric settles and the gaps disappear.

How do I know I’ve picked up the right number of stitches?

Count the little chain links along the cast‑on edge. Each one should give you one picked‑up stitch. If you get near the end of the row and you can see you have one or two more stitches on the needle than you have little chain stitches on the cast‑on edge, you can go into the same cast‑on stitch twice. But I wouldn’t do this more than twice because it can give the work a twist.












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Commonly asked is whether to go under one loop or both cast‑on edge when picking up stitches for the hem.