Quick fix: Slip the first stitch of every row purlwise with yarn in front, then move the yarn to the correct position before working the next stitch. This creates a clean, even chain along both edges.
What you are seeing
The edges of your flat knitting look uneven — some stitches are tighter, some looser, creating a zigzag or bumpy selvedge (the woven edge of the fabric). This makes the piece look amateurish and makes seaming much harder.
Why it happens
- Inconsistent tension on the first and last stitch of every row
- Knitting (instead of slipping) the first stitch, which creates a larger, looser loop
- Holding the yarn at different angles at the beginning of each row
Fix it now
- For existing uneven edges: block the piece. Wet blocking often evens out minor selvedge inconsistency by redistributing yarn. Pin the edges to straight lines while damp.
- Going forward: at the start of every row, slip the first stitch purlwise (insert needle as if to purl, slip without knitting) with the yarn held in front. Then move the yarn to the back before knitting stitch 2.
- This creates a neat chain stitch along each edge that looks tidy and is easy to seam into.
- For the last stitch: knit or purl it at your normal tension — don't pull extra tight.
Prevent it next time
- Make slipping the first stitch a habit from row 1 of every project.
- At the end of each row, don't pull the yarn extra tight — the last stitch can loosen on the next row if it's too snug.
- Use a consistent yarn hold — if you switch between English and Continental, tension will vary.