Shannon & Jason's Blog

Technique Tuesday - Duplicate Stitch

8/5/2014

Technique
Duplicate Stitch

What is it?

The Duplicate Stitch technique is used to join the last stitch of a round to the first stitch of a round by creating a "duplicate" top on the skipped stitch it is worked over. The tail of the yarn is woven over the first stitch of the round in such a way that the front and back loops of that first stitch are duplicated. This creates a clean finish for the final stitch of a round and makes a nearly invisible join.

Why use the Duplicate Stitch?

Duplicate Stitch is a FAB method for finishing or binding off circular crochet and knitting projects.

Who amongst us has not gotten to the end of a crochet motif and been a little stumped by what to do to finish off that last stitch? How to make it look neat and clean without looking like we just reached the end of our project and tied a big ol' knot in it?

And who in our ranks has lovingly hand stitched a pair of toe-up socks and gotten to the bind off at the cuff just to sit there and stare at it hoping some divine messenger from the knitting ultraverse will magically grant us the ability to fuse our stitches with the power of our mind? What… just me? Fine… just me…

For the photos of this tutorial, we used a circular crochet motif to demonstrate. But don't stop there, with a little practice this technique makes invisible finishes for the cuffs of circular crochet or knit socks and sleeves, as well as the edges of top down hats and pullover sweaters.

Duplicate Stitch Tutorial by Shibaguyz Designz

The bottom line is, anywhere we work in the round or in a spiral and end with an open tube of some sort (hats, sock and sleeve cuffs, hems), we need to fasten off or bind off in such a way that the edge of our finished project doesn't look like it was gnawed on by a demented badger.

You work diligently to make a beautifully crafted project, add this technique to your skillz to help make sure your finishing is up to par with the rest of your work!

Break It Down

Here is the Duplicate Stitch technique broken down for you step-by-step with photos by Shibaguyz Photography for visual cues to help you through.

Step 1: Work last stitch of round and cut yarn leaving about a 6” tail.

Step 2: Draw last loop of stitch still on the hook (or needle for the knitters) all the way through until the tail passes through the stitch.

Step 3: Thread tail through yarn needle.

Step 4: Skip the next stitch (this is the FIRST stitch of the round you just made).

With your yarn needle, run the end of the tail under both top loops of the next stitch (the SECOND stitch of the round you just made) and pull yarn through.

Step 5 & 5a: Insert needle back through where the tail originally came from (last stitch made) and behind your work.

NOTE: The photo for Step 5a shows the BACK of the work so you can better see where the yarn needle should come out in order to really tuck that yarn tail away securely.

Step 6: Snug yarn to cover skipped stitch with duplicate stitch just made.

NOTE: Ensure duplicate stitch has the same tension as all your other stitches.

Step 7: Weave in the tail.

TAADAA!!

Make sure you bookmark this post for future reference and download a free copy of the Duplicate Stitch tutorial from our online store by clicking the photo of our infographic style tutorial below.

Duplicate Stitch Tutorial by Shibaguyz Designz Free Download

Thanks for stopping by for Tutorial Tuesday! Check back for more tutorials, patterns, and inside info from the studios of Shibaguyz Designz.

Stitch On!
S&J

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