Tip Tuesday: Finding the Grainline on Knits

Hello! Welcome back to another Tip Tuesday! If you made it through Monday- you’re off to a good start! Our Air Conditioning broke in triple digit temps, and my sewing machine went on strike, so I’m going to put this one down to survival!

That said, I’ve got a fun video for you today on how to find the grainline on knits. All patterns have grainline marked on the pieces (or they SHOULD). The grainline almost always runs parallel to the selvedge of the fabric (the manufacturer’s logo or blank line along the edges, explained more in my video), and the stretch usually runs the other direction.

The grainline is easy to find on wovens, which tend to be more stable and fold easily. However, knits can be somewhat different. Here’s the method I use for finding the grainline in knits along the fold. Hope it’s helpful!


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4 Comments

  1. Jan Murry on July 26, 2017 at 7:17 am

    Thanks – always struggle with this!!

  2. Diana on December 27, 2019 at 10:45 am

    Very helpful! Thank you!

  3. Ellen on May 17, 2020 at 5:10 pm

    Thanks for the help! It seems that you have to fold wrong sides together in order to see the knit ribs because the back of the fabric looks like the “purl” side. Is that how you usually cut out your knits? I layed out my fabric and measured the selvage edge to lay even but can see it doesn’t look on grain at all. I’m going to try your technique

    • Sarah on May 17, 2020 at 9:32 pm

      Yes, I usually cut with the right side up. I’m not a knitter, so I’m not 100% sure which is the purl side- lol! Some fabrics ARE off grain- and sometimes you want to cut them in the opposite direction (like with customs that have 4 way stretch but have less show through when stretched on the cross grain).

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