Finishing Guide: Perfect Seams Every Time
Many dread the finishing stage, but with the right techniques, it's the most rewarding part – where the garment finally comes to life!
Why Care About Finishing?
You've spent hundreds of hours knitting a beautiful sweater. It would be a shame to ruin the overall look with bulky or uneven seams. Good finishing gives the garment a better fit and longer durability.
1. Preparation is Key
Before you reach for the darning needle, block your pieces. When the knitwork is flat and the stitches have settled, it's much easier to see where to insert the needle.
Weave in all loose ends except those you'll use for seaming. A good rule of thumb is to weave the yarn tail through the purl bumps on the wrong side, in a zigzag pattern, for about 2 inches (5 cm) before trimming.
2. The Magic Mattress Stitch
This is a knitter's best friend. Mattress stitch is worked from the right side and becomes completely invisible when you tighten the yarn.
3. Setting in Sleeves
When setting in sleeves, it's wise to use small clips or safety pins to secure the sleeve cap to the armhole at several points. Start at the top shoulder seam (center of the sleeve cap) and work your way down towards the underarm on each side.
Here you are often seaming a horizontal edge (bound-off stitches on the sleeve) against a vertical edge (side stitches on the body). Thread the needle under one whole stitch on the bound-off edge, and then under the horizontal bar between the first and second stitch on the vertical edge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which yarn should I use for seaming?
Preferably use the same yarn you knitted with so the seam blends in. If the yarn is very thick or textured, you can split the ply or use a thinner yarn in a matching color.
How tight should I pull the yarn when doing mattress stitch?
Pull the yarn just tight enough for the pieces to come together without puckering. A good tip is to gently stretch the seam lengthwise afterwards to even out the tension.