How to Seam Bound Edges in Knitting
Once you've finished knitting the individual pieces of your project, there are literally dozens of ways to seam them together. It's important to first understand the basic "mattress stitch," used for seaming together two pieces that have stockinette stitching along the edges. The basics of seaming your knitting will always be the same, regardless of which method you use. Seaming creates a sturdy, invisible join that brings your project to a satisfying completion.
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Instructions
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Place the two pieces to be seamed next to each other on a table, right side up with bound-off edges facing each other. At least one of the two corners facing you should have a tail of yarn remaining from the cast-on edge. Thread the needle with the tail of yarn.
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Insert the needle from back to front through the lowest corner stitch of the piece opposite the piece that has the tail end of yarn. For example, if the yarn is attached to the piece on the left, draw the needle through the piece on the right. Pull the yarn through, leaving a little bit of slack.
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Insert the needle from back to front through the lowest corner stitch on the piece that has the tail end of yarn. Pull tightly to bring the two corners of the two pieces together.
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Pull apart the space between the last stitch of the row and the bound-off edge stitch on the lowest row of the piece with the tail, and you will see a small horizontal bar. Insert the needle through this bar from bottom to top. Leave some slack in the yarn rather than pulling it tight.
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Insert the needle through the identical horizontal bar on the opposite piece, but one row higher, and pull the yarn through. Try to leave the same amount of slack as in your first stitch and in every stitch from here on.
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Repeat this process, pulling the yarn through one horizontal bar on each piece of knitting, moving up one row each time. When you have reached the end of the seam, the seaming yarn will have created a loose zigzag pattern between the two knitted pieces.
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Press the two pieces of knitting flat against the table with one hand to keep them still. Pull the remainder of the yarn taut, drawing the two bound-off edges of your work completely together. The zigzag of seaming yarn will disappear as the two pieces of knitting are joined.
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Cut the yarn used for seaming and weave in any loose ends.
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Tips & Warnings
Before seaming, it is recommended that you block each piece of your work to its desired size.
Research the type of seaming that you should use for your particular project. Some methods of seaming primarily create a strong join, while others allow more give and flexibility to the fabric (ideal in shoulder and sleeve seaming, for example.) In addition, slightly different techniques are needed to create an invisible seam with stockinette stitch than with garter stitch or other combinations of stitch patterns.
For a stable join, it's best to start seaming with a length of yarn that is already attached to your work. If using a separate piece of yarn, make sure to reinforce both ends of your seam to avoid the yarn slipping out.
You can wet and gently press the seams just after they are sewn. This reduces the seam's bulk and firmly sets the yarn used to make the seam.
References
- Square, Vicki; "The Knitter's Companion"; 2006
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
