I’m hoping you might be able to give me a solution as I have a daughter in high stress mode at the moment! She’s just finished a knitted scarf which has taken her ages - but, it’s curling up on the edges and she doesn’t know how to make it lay flat. She’s tried making it wet and pegging it flat down the sides as it dries, but it’s made no difference. Is there something else she can try that might work? I’ve suggested ironing it, but I’m not a knitter and don’t know what would help?
Thank you so much! 
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It depends largely on the type of stitch pattern and yarn she used - some will just curl and flatly refuse to change shape (stockinette stitch, for example). Most effective fixes are made during the making process - there’s all sorts of different stitches and techniques to add to the edges of your project to stop curling.
It sounds like she’s already tried wet blocking, which should help with most natural yarns, at least temporarily. Ironing with high steam and a pressing cloth will probably be no more succesful than the wet blocking she’s already tried (by the way, did she pin it out when wet and let it dry completely?).
A few other options:
- Add a crochet or knit border on the edges by picking up stitches (lots of tutorials on YouTube) and maybe tassels on the ends?
- Line the scarf with a fabric
- Embrace the curl and wear it proudly - all beginners make at least one of these!
Hope she finds a solution she’s happy with 
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Ah Debbie, thank you so much!
The wool is acrylic, and slightly fluffy (a nightmare apparently!) - she tried wetting it, folding it in half and then hanging it over the shower screen with a loads of pegs down the side. Had it hanging up for 2 days but as soon as she took the pegs off it curled back up again.
I’ve suggested ironing but she’s nervous of the wool, so I did suggest she tries the steam mop and as she goes along tightly wrapping it in a towel (kind of swiss roll like), then leaving it for a couple of days to completely dry again. She’s tried adding a border but apparently that didn’t work, I guess it could be the wool type maybe.
She’s a keen crocheter and knows what she’s doing with that, but knitting is proving to be a different beast!
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Another curly knitter here. I normally avoid the problem by knitting everything in the round but that doesn’t help your daughter. When I have had to knit something flat I solve the curling issue (and somehow I manage to get the long edges to curl one way and the short edges to curl the opposite way) by picking up the stitches and knitting a border in the round I just have to remember that I don’t need to pick up a stitch for every row. (forgot that once and it turned into a big wavey mess that had to be undone)
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I agree about knitting a border, it would be best if she did it in rib, I do mine in 2x2 rib, which is 2 stiches knit, 2 stiches purl etc or knitting the border in garter stitch (thats what I do when i knit baby blankets) and solves the curling issues.
Crocheting a border would work, too I should think.
xx
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Great, thanks so much Natalie!
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I hope it won’t put her off doing more knitting in future - those of us who crochet and knit are quite rare and should be encouraged! 
I’ve found a couple of videos that she might find useful:
Ways to stop curling for finished pieces and future reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hc4jvzSnDuc
How to block acrylic yarn with exactly the same curling problem: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=ZpbubQDa5UA&t=462
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Washing is more effective than just wet blocking. Curling acrylic is impossible to fix due to the nature of the material.
Be careful about hanging or using any weight on a knitted item, especially wet, as it might stretch and that won’t be repaired. Acrylic doesn’t have memory and won’t bounce back into shape - but even if it did it the finished item might be ruined.
I never use iron for anything to do with knitted garments, so I don’t know how that works.
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Oh you’re all so lovely, thank you so much for all your help! 
I can only reiterate what others have said about adding a border as some stitches (stocking stitch for instance) will always curl.
For blocking I use a clothes steamer but I don’t actually touch the garment, I just hold it very close. I never iron knitting/Crochet even though some fibres say they can be cool ironed.
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My bookmarks need a seed stitch border to keep them from curling, and are wet blocked until they dry naturally. As others have said, it might be worth trying to pick up stitches and add a border!
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Acrylic yarn behaves differently from say, Merino. It’s much lighter and hasn’t the heft to stop it curling. At least that’s my experience. Also, check out the tension. If it’s too tight or the needles are too small it may cause curling.
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Great tips, thank you - I’ll be sure to let her know!
