If you find you've missed a loop or your stripes are not aligned then it's best to pull out the seam and start again (see 'unpicking in the event of a mistake' below). The mattress stitch seam is used to join the two halves of the project to form the finished sweater shape. SweetGeorgia is an artisan yarn and fibre arts company that creates luxury hand-dyed yarn, fibre, patterns, goods, and education for a global community of knitters, crocheters, spinners, and weavers to bring joy through colour and craft. and 2 is an upper bar (mountain, frown, n etc). Introducing SweetGeorgia’s all new Advent! Then weave in the ends (I usually weave them in along the seam selvedge although bear in mind that depending on the yarn you've used this can make the seam a little bulkier). We are only open for pickups at this time. Thanks! Sign up to stay in the loop with all the updates, exclusive patterns, and promotions for SweetGeorgia. | A little flock ». You'll get weekly inspiration and updates as well as access to our exclusive "Secret Stash" projects and more. It’s been a lot of fun sharing steps along the way as Felicia has been knitting her Sailing Sweater project (design by Beckie Paul). There was an error submitting your subscription. 4. By browsing this website, you agree to our use of cookies. Keep working up along the length of the seam, alternating between the right hand side and the left. When seaming garter stitch I don't sew through the stitches on every row. Here's a seam joined by sewing through a stitch from every row (both purl bumps on one row and smooth bars on the following row), it looks messy to me: And here's a seam sewn by just using the stitches from the alternate 'bumpy' rows, which I think looks neater: Simply use the same principles as for seaming reverse stocking stitch by sewing through upper bars on one side of the seam and lower bars on the other. The yarn used in this project is our SweetGeorgia Mohair Silk DK in Arbutus. And now that the blocking is finished and the pieces are dry (click here for the wet blocking tutorial), it’s time for Felicia to seam together both knitted pieces using the mattress stitch as called for in the pattern. *Going back briefly to point 2 above. At this point it does not matter if the stitches are loose (see below). Unapologetic colour and craft since 2005. In order to seam reverse stocking stitch all you need to do is be consistent. By clicking below, you agree that I may process your information in accordance with these terms. The main issue is making sure that the stripes line up nicely. Some people seam through 2 bars each time, now if you have a very long length to join this is probably a good choice but as all my patterns deal with small pieces I always seam through a single bar as I feel it gives a neater seam on most knitted fabrics. Seaming garter stitch: In garter stitch every row is knitted, forming distinct purl ridges across the fabric. I have a friend who parents three kids and races a... We use cookies to improve your experience on our website. At this point it does not matter if the stitches are loose (see below). This is what that seam will look like. Seaming. Assuming you are starting with the tail from the left hand piece: 1, take the yarn across to the right hand piece and sew downwards through a stitch on the cast on edge; 2, now sew upwards through the corresponding stitch on the left hand piece. Step 1. 2019 Holiday kit patterns now available for individual download! Join our community of SweetGeorgia knitters and spinners, makers and crafters. But on the very edge of a garter stitch row, there’s another “step” down or up at the very edge. Closed Saturday, Sunday and statutory holidays. I tend to use the lower bar for the right hand side of the seam and the upper bar for the left hand side but it doesn't matter which side you chose as the 'upper' and which as the 'lower', all that matters is that you are consistent once you have chosen. This stitch is worked a bit differently from how you would seam together two stockinette pieces, so we’ve put together this short video to help show how it was done! Then just re-thread your needle and continue seaming. This could either be a length of the same yarn your piece is knitted in or one of a similar colour. Simply find the point that you need to unpick to and slide the tip of the needle underneath the stitch at that point and pull the working thread gently all the way through so unravelling all of the mattress stitches above that point. Unless otherwise instructed don't pull too tightly or the seam will pucker and become rigid (sometimes this will be useful depending on what you are seaming). Christmas in July! You can easily learn how to use the mattress stitch and use it to join knit pieces as needed. Sometimes if your mind is wandering you can accidentally jump across channels between stitches. In garter stitch every row is knitted, forming distinct purl ridges across the fabric. Instead I ignore the bars on alternate 'smooth' rows and just sew through stitches on the 'bumpy' rows. Once you have completely joined the sides it's best to tie off the end you've sewn with (to the cast off end from the piece) in order to anchor the seam and then weave in the ends (I usually weave them in along the seam selvedge although bear in mind that depending on the yarn you've used this can make the seam a little bulkier). Driven by a life-long love of colour and craft, Felicia started the sweetgeorgia blog about knitting, spinning, dyeing, and weaving back in 2004. Vancouver BC, V6P 3G2 Canada, Pickup hours: 10am-5pm weekdays
Now check your email to confirm your subscription. Socks for instance are definitely better without seams but when it comes to toy knitting I'm a firm believer in seams as an integral part of shaping the finished toy. The seam is on the wrong side (the back or hidden side) of your work, so it will not be visible. You either love it or hate it. If you have any questions ask away in the comments below and I'll do my best to answer them and if you have anything else you'd like me to cover in a future tutorial please let me know. For mattress stitch on garter stitch… Please try again. It’s been a lot of fun sharing steps along the way as Felicia has been knitting her Sailing Sweater project (design by Beckie Paul). When sewing stripes it's obviously important that they line up. Learn more about MailChimp's privacy practices here. Before you begin, it's best to consider what you are going to sew your seam with and whether you are going to use the cast on tail end from the knitted piece or use a new length of yarn. I do appreciate you stopping by though. Join us for some mystery knit-along fun this September! And now that the blocking is finished and the pieces are dry (click here for the wet blocking tutorial), it’s time for Felicia to seam together both knitted pieces using the mattress stitch as called for in the pattern. Here's a picture to show what I mean: 1 is a lower bar (smile, valley, u, etc.)