Make This Undulating Edge Knitting Pattern – Video Tutorial

There is something deeply satisfying about a knitted edge that moves. Not the straight, predictable border that runs along the hem of most projects, but one that rises and falls in a gentle wave, giving any piece an organic, flowing quality that looks far more complex than it actually is. The undulating edge is one of those techniques that experienced knitters tend to keep in their repertoire for years, returning to it whenever a project calls for a little extra personality. If you have been curious about how to achieve this effect, this tutorial will walk you through every step, and the accompanying video breaks down each stage so you can follow along in real time.

Whether you are working on a shawl, a blanket border, the hem of a sweater, or even a decorative scarf, the undulating edge pattern is versatile enough to fit almost any project. It does not require advanced knitting skills, but it does reward attention to detail. Once you understand the logic behind how the waves are formed, you will find yourself adapting the pattern in all kinds of creative directions.

What Is an Undulating Edge?

An undulating edge is a knitted border characterized by a series of smooth, repeating waves that travel horizontally across the work. Unlike a picot edge, which creates small pointed peaks, or a simple ribbed hem, which is relatively flat, an undulating edge has a pronounced rise and fall that gives it a sculptural quality. The waves are typically created through a combination of increases and decreases worked at specific intervals, and the rhythm of those increases and decreases is what determines how dramatic or subtle the wave effect appears.

The technique has roots in traditional lace knitting, where similar undulating shapes appear along the outer edges of shawls and stoles. Knitters in Shetland, in Estonia, and in many other traditions with deep lace histories have used wave motifs for centuries. The modern version you are learning here is a simplified interpretation that can be applied as a standalone border or integrated into a larger pattern.

What You Will Need

Before you start, gather your materials. You do not need anything specialized for this pattern, and the supplies you likely already have in your knitting bag will work perfectly.

For the sample shown in the video, the following materials were used: a smooth, worsted-weight yarn in a solid or semi-solid color (since stitch definition matters here and busy variegated yarns can obscure the wave), a pair of US size 7 or 8 circular needles (or straight needles if you prefer, though circulars give you more room to maneuver with the stitches), a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, scissors, and a row counter if you find it helpful to track where you are in the pattern sequence.

A smooth yarn is strongly recommended, at least for your first attempt. The undulating edge depends on the knitted fabric draping naturally into its wave shape, and a yarn with good stitch definition will show off the movement beautifully. Once you are comfortable with the technique, you can absolutely experiment with textured or halo yarns, but clarity of construction is your friend while you are learning.

Gauge and Swatching

If you are adding this edge to an existing project, you will want to make sure your border yarn and needle size match the fabric you are attaching it to. A border that is too loose will ruffle and pucker, while one that is too tight will pull the fabric and restrict its drape.

For a standalone swatch to practice the pattern, cast on a multiple of stitches that fits your chosen repeat (more on that in a moment) and work a few rows of seed stitch or garter stitch to stabilize the base before beginning the undulating border. This gives you a clear view of how the edge behaves without the visual distraction of a stockinette curl.

Understanding the Stitch Pattern Logic

The undulating edge is built on a simple principle: where you add stitches, the fabric grows and pushes outward, and where you remove stitches, it draws back inward. By alternating these increases and decreases in a controlled sequence, you create the wave.

Most versions of this pattern use a repeat of approximately 10 to 12 stitches, depending on how wide you want each wave to be. For this tutorial, the repeat is 12 stitches, which creates a medium-width wave that is generous enough to be clearly visible but not so wide that the border becomes overwhelming on smaller projects.

The increases used in this pattern are yarn-overs (YO), which create a decorative eyelet at the peak of each wave. The decreases are worked as k2tog (knit two together) or ssk (slip, slip, knit), depending on which direction they lean. Right-leaning decreases (k2tog) are used on one side of the repeat, and left-leaning decreases (ssk) are used on the other, which gives the waves their smooth, symmetrical shape.

The Pattern Setup

Cast on a multiple of 12 stitches plus 3 for the border stitches on each side. If you are working a practice swatch, casting on 39 stitches gives you three full repeats with the border stitches included.

Work two rows in garter stitch (knit every row) to create a stable base that prevents the cast-on edge from rolling. This garter foundation also gives the bottom of your border a clean, flat appearance.

Row-by-Row Instructions

The following pattern is written for flat knitting. If you are working in the round, you will need to adjust the wrong-side rows accordingly.

Row 1 (Right Side): K3, YO, k1, ssk, k3, k2tog, k1, YO, k2; repeat from to to last 3 stitches, end k3.

Row 2 (Wrong Side): K3, purl to last 3 stitches, k3.

Row 3 (Right Side): K3, k1, YO, ssk, k1, k2tog, YO, k3; repeat from to to last 3 stitches, end k3.

Row 4 (Wrong Side): K3, purl to last 3 stitches, k3.

Row 5 (Right Side): K3, k2, YO, sl1-k2tog-psso, YO, k4; repeat from to to last 3 stitches, end k3.

Row 6 (Wrong Side): K3, purl to last 3 stitches, k3.

Rows 1 through 6 form one complete wave unit. Work this sequence as many times as needed to reach your desired border depth before binding off, or continue directly into the body of your project.

The three-stitch garter borders on each side (those k3 sections at the beginning and end of every row) keep the edges tidy and prevent them from curling. They are a small detail that makes a significant difference in the finished appearance of the work.

Reading the Wave as You Knit

One of the most helpful things you can do as you work this pattern is to stop periodically and look at what is forming on your needles. By the time you have completed two full repeats of the six-row sequence, the wave shape will be clearly visible, and you will begin to see how each row contributes to the overall movement.

The yarn-overs are your landmarks. They appear as small eyelets in the fabric and mark the crests and troughs of the wave. Once you can identify them visually, you can use them to orient yourself if you lose your place in the pattern, which is particularly useful if you put the work down mid-row and come back to it later.

If you are a visual learner, the video tutorial linked with this post is especially valuable here. Watching the needles move through the increases and decreases in real time makes it much easier to internalize the logic of the pattern than reading a written description alone. The video pauses at each key moment to explain what is happening and why, so you can follow along at whatever pace feels comfortable.

Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Even relatively simple patterns have their stumbling blocks, and the undulating edge is no exception. Here are the most common issues knitters encounter and how to address them.

The first issue is a wave that looks lopsided or uneven. This almost always comes from working the yarn-overs inconsistently. A yarn-over that is too loose will create a large, sloppy eyelet, while one that is too tight will pull the surrounding stitches out of alignment. The fix is to practice wrapping the yarn at a consistent tension, and to check that each yarn-over is oriented correctly on the needle before you work into it on the next row.

The second issue is a wave that refuses to wave — the fabric looks relatively flat even after several repeats. This usually happens when the increases and decreases are being worked in the wrong positions within the repeat. Double-check that your ssk and k2tog are placed correctly, because swapping them will cancel out the directional lean of each decrease and flatten the curve.

The third issue is a wave that puckers or gathers instead of lying flat. This is typically a tension problem. If your yarn-overs are much tighter than your regular knit stitches, the fabric will bunch. Try going up a half needle size or consciously relaxing your tension on those specific stitches.

Variations on the Basic Pattern

Once you are comfortable with the 12-stitch repeat, there are many directions you can take this technique.

A narrower repeat of 8 stitches creates a tighter, more frequent wave that gives the edge an almost ruffled appearance. This works beautifully on delicate accessories like lace shawlettes or small bags. A wider repeat of 16 or even 20 stitches produces a broader, more dramatic wave that makes a striking border on blankets and throws.

You can also vary the depth of the border by working more or fewer repetitions of the six-row sequence. A single repeat produces a subtle, almost-there wave that is elegant and restrained. Three or four repeats builds up a deep, undulating ruffle that becomes a major design feature in its own right.

Another interesting variation is to work the border in a contrasting color. When the wave is picked out in a different yarn, its structure becomes even more visible, and the finished piece has a bold, graphic quality. This approach works particularly well on children’s knits, where a bright, contrasting border adds visual interest and playfulness.

If you want to use the undulating edge as an all-over stitch pattern rather than just a border, you can do that too. Simply extend the repeat across the full width of your fabric and eliminate the garter border stitches. Worked this way, the pattern creates a flowing, wave-like texture that moves across the entire surface of the fabric, which is stunning in a simple throw or a wide, drapey cowl.

Attaching the Border to an Existing Project

If you want to add an undulating edge to a project you have already completed, you have two main options. The first is to pick up stitches along the edge of the finished piece and work the border outward from there. The second is to knit the border as a separate strip and then seam it to the finished piece using mattress stitch or a three-needle bind-off.

Picking up stitches is generally the tidier approach and creates a seamless transition between the body of the work and the border. To pick up stitches along a bound-off edge, insert your needle through the center of each stitch from front to back, wrap the yarn, and pull through. Work enough stitches to create a multiple of 12 plus 3, adjusting slightly if needed by picking up in alternate stitches at one end.

Along a selvedge edge (the side edges of a piece worked flat), the ratio of stitches to rows is different. A standard guideline is to pick up approximately 3 stitches for every 4 rows, but you should swatch and check that the border lies flat before committing to the full length of the piece.

Finishing Your Work

Once you have completed the border, bind off loosely. A loose bind-off is essential for maintaining the undulating movement of the edge — if the bind-off is too tight, it will constrain the waves and force the edge to lie flat. A useful trick is to bind off using a needle one or two sizes larger than the needle you knit with. This almost guarantees a relaxed, flexible edge.

After binding off, weave in your ends securely and wet block the finished piece. Blocking is not optional with this pattern — it is the step that truly sets the waves and allows the fabric to relax into its full shape. Pin out each wave crest to its full depth while the fabric is still damp, and allow it to dry completely before removing the pins. The difference between an unblocked and a blocked undulating edge is dramatic. Unblocked, the waves will be present but compressed. Blocked, they open up beautifully into the smooth, flowing shape you have been working toward.

Using the Video Tutorial

The video companion to this pattern covers every stage described above in real time. It begins with a material overview, moves through the cast-on and setup rows, demonstrates all three right-side row variations with close-up footage of the needle movements, and ends with the bind-off and a quick look at the blocked sample so you can see the finished effect.

If you find yourself unsure about any written instruction, the video is the place to go. Visual knitting learners in particular will find it much more intuitive to watch the pattern emerge in video form before attempting it from the text alone. Timestamps in the video description allow you to jump directly to whichever section you need, so you are not forced to rewatch the entire tutorial every time you need a quick reminder.

Feel free to pause, rewind, and work side-by-side with the video at whatever pace you need. Knitting is not a race, and giving yourself time to process each step before moving to the next will produce much better results than rushing through.

Final Thoughts

The undulating edge is one of those patterns that will serve you for a lifetime of knitting. It is technically accessible — there is no complicated cable work, no intricate colorwork, and no stitches that will intimidate a confident beginner — but the result looks polished and considered in a way that elevates any project it touches. Once you have worked it a few times, the six-row sequence will become second nature, and you will be able to introduce it into new projects with very little thought.

The most important thing is to enjoy the process. Watch the waves form as you work, take your time with the blocking, and appreciate the way a simple alternation of increases and decreases can produce something that looks genuinely beautiful. That is, in the end, what knitting is about: finding the technique that transforms yarn and needles into something with its own character and life.

Happy knitting, and enjoy the wave.