I know that
many of you feel that your work is sometimes spoiled because your sewing up or
joining is not as neat as it could be.
So, I thought I
would show you how I do it.
There is often
no right or wrong way in knitting – and perhaps you use a different method.
That’s fine!
All I can say
is, this is the way I was taught and it works for me.
 |
| Flat Seam |
If you knit my
patterns regularly you will know that I slip the first stitch of each row
knitwise, and knit the last stitch of every row.
There are only
2 exceptions to slipping the first stitch of a row –
1.
After
a cast on row – the first stitch is knitted, not slipped
2.
When
joining in a new colour – again, the first stitch is knitted, not slipped
By slipping the
first stitch and knitting the last stitch, you will have a stable edge and a
little ‘bump’ at the row edges. One ‘bump’ for every 2 rows worked.
When it comes
to joining together two parts or sewing a seam, it is easy to join the ‘bumps’
and this keeps the seam neat and even.
How To make a
flat seam ~
·
Place the two knitted pieces evenly on top of
each other, with the right sides together
·
Use the tail from the cast on or cast off, and
thread it on to a tapestry needle – or
if you are using a new length of yarn, leave a 3” tail for darning in later
·
Insert the needle from back to front through
the first 2 ‘bumps’, and pull the yarn through
·
Insert the needle from back to front through
the next 2 ‘bumps’, and pull it through (don’t pull too tightly or you will
pucker the seam)
·
Continue in the same way until the entire seam
has been joined
·
Cut the yarn, leaving a 3” tail - weave in this
tail, plus the tail you left at the beginning of the seam
I hope these
photos help ~ sometimes it is easier to see, than to picture in your head!
I have used a
contrasting colour of yarn to show you more clearly how it looks.
Garter Stitch
Stocking Stitch
Of course you
don’t use a contrasting colour to join !
This is how my
seam looks joined with the yarn I used to knit the pieces ~
I use this
method for 95% of my makes. It looks good, and does not leave a bulky seam,
which is important for baby garments in particular.
This type of
flat seaming is also known as whipstitching.
If you are
joining 2 pieces of different sizes (for example – for a frill), place safety
pins at regular intervals along the seam and spread the extra evenly, to ease
in the extra length equally along the join.
But, there are
times when this method just does not work.
It is not
suitable for stripes, Intarsia or Fair Isle patterns which use several
different colours of yarn. For this type of work I really recommend that you
use mattress stitch. It is a little tricky to master at first – but the results
are well worth your efforts. The are a
few good tutorials for mattress stitch on YouTube.
Please let me
know if you have found this ‘How To’ useful.
I am happy for you to use my patterns for your own use or for charity donations.
In addition: You can gift or sell any finished items you make from my patterns.
However, please do not copy my patterns
Copyright © 2021 ‘made by marianna’ All Rights Reserved
This pattern (the information and photos) may not be copied or reproduced
or republished on any other webpage or website.