I've been knitting for several years now, but the edges of my projects always turn out wavy and messy. I've tried different techniques, but nothing helps. Maybe there's some secret I'm missing?
Wavy edges often happen because of incorrect tension on your edge stitches. The main rule: always slip the first stitch of the row without working it (as if it's already been worked), then work the last stitch normally. When you slip the first stitch, keep the yarn on the wrong side - that creates a neat edge. Your tension should be even; don't pull the edge stitches tight and don't leave them loose. Try slipping the first stitch with the knit side of the needle, even if you're working purl rows - that gives a neater edge.
One more thing - check if your edge stitches are too wide. If the edge is wavy on smooth fabric, you might be closing off stitches wrong at the end. Edge stitches should be the same size as your main stitches - if they're noticeably bigger, the fabric will wave. Try experimenting on one project: knit a few centimeters the regular way, then a few with slipping the first stitch, then with tight tension. Once it's done, you'll immediately see which method works best for your needles and yarn weight.
One more tip: pay attention to the yarn itself. With some materials - especially slippery or very thin ones - the edge just doesn't form well because of how they physically behave. In that case, a weight helps - clip it to your last stitch while knitting so your tension stays constant.
Edge stitches are really a skill in themselves, and often the problem is just that we knit them too tight. I struggled with wavy edges for a long time before I figured it out: you need to work the edge more loosely than the main fabric, literally loosen your tension by half a shade. Try slipping the first stitch as usual, but knit the second stitch with noticeably looser tension - that gives the edges evenness and elasticity. Also, it matters which edge technique you're actually using: if you knit the last stitch of the row with a special technique (like through two strands, or on the other hand make it really loose), the edge becomes much neater.
The problem often isn't just the edge stitches themselves, but that when you switch to thinner needles (like for ribbing) you forget to do the same for the edge - it stays too loose and starts to wave. Try knitting your edge stitches with a needle one size smaller than your main fabric; this will give them the tension they need and a neat edge.
And one more thing: if you're knitting with doubled yarn or using bulky yarn, simply slipping the edge stitch might not be enough - you'll still end up with a loose edge. In that case, knitting the first stitch through the front loop with tension helps, or even alternating methods on consecutive rows.
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