Have you ever knitted a jumper/cardigan and then put it into the naughty corner because you can't bring yourself to stitch it all together? I used to be like that, spending money on good yarn, spending hours knitting it following a pattern only to shove it into a project bag (and hide it in the loft)!
It really isn't that difficult once you get the hang of it. Mattress stitch is one of those techniques that once you master it you think how on earth did I ever get by without it!
It's basically verticle seaming, creating an invisible join between the the front and back of your jumper (the two pieces of your knitting). You can use this technique for stocking stitch or ribbing, most jumpers have both so this is perfect.
Honestly, a little practice and a lot of patience it will be a lightbulb moment so it really is worth the effort learning how to do it.
The reason for my blog post today is because I posted a little video clip to show my Instagram followers the magic of mattress stitch. Every time I seam a jumper I'm still amazed at how it works. It's even better whn you work in stripes! A little bit of patience and working out where the stitches go and why is all you need.
Here are some photos of how I do it. Please excuse my tatty nails, I've not had a manicure in three months and gardening is now my other hobby.
If you pop over to my Instagram stories you will see the little video clip of me pulling the stitches together, magic. I'll store it in my favourite stories so you can refer back to it if needed.
Basic tools/equipment I use
Clover blunt tapestry needles
Fiskars 13cm needlework scissors (mine were bought in John Lewis)
Pedros Plaques needle minder
First you need to lay out both your pieces (front and back) next to each other right sides facing up, with bottom edges towards you. Grab a blunt tapestry needle ( I use Clover) and thread a long piece of your yarn left over from your jumper. I'm using the main colour, you won't see the stitches because they are invisible.
Join the bottom edges (your 2 x 2 rib as an example) using a figure 8, working through the two threads on the cast on row. You can use the long tail if you used a long tail method or the joinning colour. I have tried both methods.
Picture 1
This picture shows the running stitches. You are going to locate your running stitches, these are the threads between the first and second stitches on each piece. I've shown mine on the bottom knitted piece. To locate this easily I gently pull apart the first two stitches to see the series of horizontal running threads that connect them (shown in picture 1)
Once you get the hang of this you will know where they are without the need to gently pull apart your work. Be patient you will get this I promise.
Picture 2
This picture shows the two pieces of work held together and the mattress seam forming locating the top running stitch. You are going to zig zag between the top running stitch and the bottom running stitch shown in picture 3 all the way along your first side (first seam) (and use the same technique for your sleeve)
Picture 3
This shows the two pieces of work held together and the mattress seam forming locating the bottom running stitch. You are going to zig zag between the top running stitch (picture 2) and the bottom running stitch shown in picture 3.
Picture 4
This shows the two pieces of work held together and the knitted stripes matching up. You just continue in mattress stitch for each side, working backwards and forwards zig zagging across both pieces of your work, picking up the running stitch and when you genetly pull the stitches up, the stripes should match up like magic. As you go along gently tug the stitches to bring the two sides together. Don't do this too tight because your work with ruffle up behind you!
Mattress stitch is used for all knitted jumpers I make, not just stipey versions, but I have a thing for stripes at the moment (lockdown madness perhaps)
Picture 5
This shows the two pieces of work held together and mattress stitch when you genetly pull the stitches up, the stripes should match up.
Picture 6
This shows the inside seam, looking very neat and professional!
If you have any questions or get stuck please send me a message via my Instagram account
It really isn't that difficult once you get the hang of it. Mattress stitch is one of those techniques that once you master it you think how on earth did I ever get by without it!
It's basically verticle seaming, creating an invisible join between the the front and back of your jumper (the two pieces of your knitting). You can use this technique for stocking stitch or ribbing, most jumpers have both so this is perfect.
Honestly, a little practice and a lot of patience it will be a lightbulb moment so it really is worth the effort learning how to do it.
The reason for my blog post today is because I posted a little video clip to show my Instagram followers the magic of mattress stitch. Every time I seam a jumper I'm still amazed at how it works. It's even better whn you work in stripes! A little bit of patience and working out where the stitches go and why is all you need.
Here are some photos of how I do it. Please excuse my tatty nails, I've not had a manicure in three months and gardening is now my other hobby.
If you pop over to my Instagram stories you will see the little video clip of me pulling the stitches together, magic. I'll store it in my favourite stories so you can refer back to it if needed.
Basic tools/equipment I use
Clover blunt tapestry needles
Fiskars 13cm needlework scissors (mine were bought in John Lewis)
Pedros Plaques needle minder
 |
| basic tools/equipment needed |
First you need to lay out both your pieces (front and back) next to each other right sides facing up, with bottom edges towards you. Grab a blunt tapestry needle ( I use Clover) and thread a long piece of your yarn left over from your jumper. I'm using the main colour, you won't see the stitches because they are invisible.
 |
| lay out both of your pieces side by side right sides up |
Join the bottom edges (your 2 x 2 rib as an example) using a figure 8, working through the two threads on the cast on row. You can use the long tail if you used a long tail method or the joinning colour. I have tried both methods.
 |
| Figure of 8 start at rib |
Picture 1
This picture shows the running stitches. You are going to locate your running stitches, these are the threads between the first and second stitches on each piece. I've shown mine on the bottom knitted piece. To locate this easily I gently pull apart the first two stitches to see the series of horizontal running threads that connect them (shown in picture 1)
Once you get the hang of this you will know where they are without the need to gently pull apart your work. Be patient you will get this I promise.
 |
| Picture 1 running stitches |
Picture 2
This picture shows the two pieces of work held together and the mattress seam forming locating the top running stitch. You are going to zig zag between the top running stitch and the bottom running stitch shown in picture 3 all the way along your first side (first seam) (and use the same technique for your sleeve)
 | |
| Picture 2 top row of running stitches |
Picture 3
This shows the two pieces of work held together and the mattress seam forming locating the bottom running stitch. You are going to zig zag between the top running stitch (picture 2) and the bottom running stitch shown in picture 3.
 |
| Picture 3 bottom row of running threads |
Picture 4
This shows the two pieces of work held together and the knitted stripes matching up. You just continue in mattress stitch for each side, working backwards and forwards zig zagging across both pieces of your work, picking up the running stitch and when you genetly pull the stitches up, the stripes should match up like magic. As you go along gently tug the stitches to bring the two sides together. Don't do this too tight because your work with ruffle up behind you!
Mattress stitch is used for all knitted jumpers I make, not just stipey versions, but I have a thing for stripes at the moment (lockdown madness perhaps)
 |
| Picture 4 the two sides held togther to line up the stripes |
Picture 5
This shows the two pieces of work held together and mattress stitch when you genetly pull the stitches up, the stripes should match up.
 |
| Picture 5 pulling the two sides together |
Picture 6
This shows the inside seam, looking very neat and professional!
 |
| Picture 6 the inside seam |
If you have any questions or get stuck please send me a message via my Instagram account
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