SELVEDGES

SELVEDGE (known as selvage in US English) is a ‘self-edge’ or self-finished edge that does not require any finishing. The term comes from dressmaking, where it refers to an edge that doesn’t need a hem or bias tape to prevent fraying or unravelling. Selvedges can be used in knitting at the side edge of a flat fabric, and have one of two functions: either to provide an edge that makes seaming or picking up stitches easier and neater, or to give a decorative finish to an edge where no other finish will be applied –