The Knitters Bible0

other garment details

Sewing up

Whenever possible sew the pieces together with the yam they are knitted from. If the yam is something that will break easily or has a pile. like chenille. use a plam yam in a matching colour. Check that it will wash the same as the kmtting yam. Do not use the long ends left after knitting the pieces; always sew these in before seaming. If you have to unpick the garment for any reason. the ends may start to unravel the knitting. Use a tapestry needle and an I8m (45cm) length of yam. The action of taking the yam through the work too frequentły can fray it.

Mattress stitch

To get an invisible seam use mattress stitch. This is worked from the nght side. making it easier to match pattems such as fair isle. and shaping details. like on a sleeve. Place the two pieces to be joined side by side on a fiat surface.

Secure the yarn by weaving it down the edge of one of the pieces. bringing it to the front on the first row between the comer stitch and the second stitch. On the opposrte edge. insert the needle from back to front on the first row between the comer stitch and the second stitch.Take the needle back to the first edge and insert rt from back to front through the same hole. Puli the yam up tight to draw the pieces together.

Joining two pieces of stockinette (stocking) stitch Work row by row and use for vertical seams like side and sleeve seams. Secure the yam as given above.Take the needle across to the opposite side and insert it mto the first row again from front to back take it under the horizontal strand of the row above and puli the yam through.Take the needle across to the other edge. insert the needle into the first row again from front to back and take it under the honzontal strands of the two rows above. Puli the yam through. Insert the needle into the first edge again. in the same hole that the yam came out of and take it under the horizontal strands of the two rows above. Contmue zigzaggmg between the edges. workmg under two rows each time. Puli the yam up every few stitches to draw the seam together: not too tightly. the seam should not pucker the fabric.

Joining ribs

This is worked row by row. In kl. pl nb work through the centre of the first stitch so that half a stitch is taken up on each side. Work under one row at a time. Puli the seam together and a whole stitch will be formed. so the nb is not interrupted by the seam. In k2. p2 rib work as given for st st. taking up a whole stitch to keep the rib correct.

Joining two pieces of reverse stockinette (stocking) stitch Work row by row and use for vertical seams like side and sleeve seams. Join the lower edges and work as above but instead of workmg under two strands. work under one strand only. Insert the needle from front to back under the honzontal strand of the row above and puli the yam through. Take the needle across to the other edge and insert it from front to back under the top loop of the second stitch. Take the needle back to the other edge and work under the strand of the row above. Contmue in this way. inserting the needle under the top loop of the second stitch on one edge and under the horizontal strand between the first and second stitches on the other edge. One side of the seam takes in one and half stitches and the other takes in one stitch but this weaves the rev st st together so the seam is invisibłe.

Joining two pieces of garter stitch

This is worked row by row the same way as for rever$e stockinette (stocking) stitch. working under the top loop of a stitch on one side and the honzontal strand between stitches on the other side.