Autumn Cape 2016 A long Term Project Sleeves Part 2

Autumn Cape 2016 A long Term Project

Sleeves Part 2

I have continued knitting the first Sleeve in Stocking Stitch. I decided that once I reached 50 rows (25 knit and 25 purl) that I would sew up part of the Sleeve. This is so I could gauge more accurately how it would fall when worn.

Sleeve 1 50 Rows Side View

Mattress Stitch

I am going to try a new method of sewing up. Normally I tend to use Blanket Stitch. However this time I am going to try my hand at Mattress Stitch also known as Edge to Edge Stitch. This stitch was recommended to me by Eleanor of Knit Nottingham. It apparently leaves an invisible seam.

Although I do have a book I have been a little hesitant to try. This stitch is supposedly best for joining items such as a button hole band. For seams that need strength such as sides a Back Stitch is recommended. I am trying the Mattress Stitch on the Sleeve as there is no strength required. This is due to the fact that the weight is on the top of the piece and the seam to be sewn is underneath.

Sleeve 1 50 Rows View from Underneath

Mattress Stitch is a little difficult to explain. Even after reading the book I was a little uncertain. Therefore I resorted to YouTube. After watching the demonstration I had a go. Here is what I did.

Sleeve 1 50 Rows First Step

Thread the needle with yarn and join by making a few stitches at the back of the Sleeve at the beginning of the gap.

Sleeve 1 50 Rows First Step New Colour

The above photograph is pretty much the same as the previous one except I decided that I would change the yarn colour to make it stand out whilst explaining Mattress Stitch

Sleeve 1 50 Rows Pinned

Before I started the stitching I just pinned it at the top to make sure that I had it level. A safety pin would have been ideal but I didn’t have one handy.

Mattress Stitch Full Diagram

 

I have endeavoured to design a diagram to show how Mattress Stitch is sewn. Please bear in mind that this is a 2 dimensional representation of a 3 dimensional work. I am not an artist so this is as good as I can do.

Looking at diagram A, it shows the path of the needle. As you can see the grid represents the knitting albeit in a squared off version. The curly bits on the ends are the edge of the knitting.

I have moved a couple of stitches in from the edge. If you slightly pull apart the stitches you should find what looks like a ladder. After securing the yarn at the back I pulled the needle through the first rung to the front of the work. I have started on the Left hand side but it doesn’t really matter.

  

Mattress Stitch Diagram A

Then I moved across to the Right hand side. If you look carefully at the Red line representing the yarn the needle goes through the First Stitch of the ladder then underneath the rung and up into the Second Stitch.

Mattress Stitch

Next I take the yarn across to the Left hand side. I put the needle through the Second Stitch of the ladder then underneath the rung and up into the Third Stitch.  I continue this weaving pattern through all the stitches until I reached the top.

Mattress Stitch Diagram B

Gently pull the yarn from both ends. This will mean that at the bottom you will be holding where you fastened the yarn.

Mattress Stitch Diagram C

As you pull the yarn the edges will begin to come together.

Mattress Stitch Diagram D

All that is needed now is to sew in the ends and begin knitting again.

Acknowledgements

‘The Knitter’s Handbook’ published by Hamlyn Pg71

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0y3kF_tr4sU&list=PLZOrQFNvYC_tZp3pt_VzwDL3rGVNSLHS6