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donnawatk
Seriously Hooked
660 Posts |
 Posted - 01/02/2006 : 6:14:22 PM
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Hi I read on the forums that you are not suppose to put the right sides together like you do when you sew. What or How do you get smooth seams. I'm making a baby sweather and would like it to have smooth seams. Thank You
Donna |
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COgirl
Permanent Resident
USA
2176 Posts |
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Diva Ree
Gabber Extraordinaire
537 Posts |
Posted - 01/02/2006 : 7:35:03 PM
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| If you don't have a book on "how to knit" handy, sometimes pattern books and most magazines have a section towards the back that explains how to do a few seaming techniques. |
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KathyR
Permanent Resident
New Zealand
2969 Posts |
Posted - 01/03/2006 : 3:16:51 PM
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I am kind of embarrassed to add my piece here as I have been knitting for what seems like forever. But I must admit that I have never used mattress stitch on seams.  I taught myself to sew seams in quite a different way, but the end result is usually pretty good.
I have tried to use the mattress stitch many times but could never work out how to actually hold the knitting or keep it together while carrying out the stitching. Diagrams do not help at all here!  Could someone please give a link to photos of someone using the mattress stitch or perhaps give instructions on how they hold the work?
KathyR
Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength. |
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GFTC
Permanent Resident
USA
6331 Posts |
Posted - 01/03/2006 : 4:37:10 PM
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If you have access to the first Stitch n beach book there is a section on seaming and it explains the mattress stitch in such a way that you will be able to follow it. It talks you right through it and the sketches are excellent. You will even be able to attach the sleeves professionally.
I always did a backstitch on seams. Once I got this book I figured out mattress stitch and now my seams are flat and beautifu! I also recommend this book for kitchener stitch.
GFTC of NYC |
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The Irish Ewe
Permanent Resident
USA
1052 Posts |
Posted - 01/05/2006 : 08:39:32 AM
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As with casting on, binding off, and everything else in knitting, there are at least 16 gazillon ways to seam.
Well, maybe a few less, but you can whip, mattress, or backstitch. You can also seam by cathing two of the horizontal bars on the right side of each piece you are seaming. Makes an invisable seam, but does leave a large selvage on the wrong side.
You best bet is to make up a whole boat load of swatches, and practice each seaming method until you find what works for each section.
The Irish Ewe
Norway, Maine
http://www.TheIrishEwe.com |
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alliwenk
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
373 Posts |
Posted - 01/05/2006 : 5:35:28 PM
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Mattress stitch, while not the only way to seam, is simply the best for nearly all side seams. It is nearly invisible on any pattern, leaves almost no bulk, and it has a bit of stretch unlike backstitching or overcasting.
To answer KathyR, I pin my pieces wrong sides facing together every few inches while seaming. Mattress basically matches up stitch for stitch so it is difficult to screw it up :). Also, I seam from the extremities (bottom side or wrist) toward the underarm so that if I am off a stitch or two I can fudge where it can't be seen.
I highly recommend Janet Szabo's "The 'I Hate to Finish Sweaters" Guide to Sweater Finishing," or, for the more visual learners, Leslye Solomon's "Sweater Finishing" vhs tape. I bought both from patternworks and they were reasonably priced. Janet Szabo's booklet is full of wonderful info and diagrams. |
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Erinplus3
Chatty Knitter
USA
189 Posts |
Posted - 01/05/2006 : 5:48:13 PM
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| I bought "The Knitters Book of Finishing Techniques" last year and it has changed the way my sweaters look. Much improved, and they looked pretty good before that. I will never part with this book. I never understood how important it was to have a good reference on finishing, but after buying this book, I get it now. |
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