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Seamlessly Simple

Writer's picture: Anna GravesAnna Graves

Openwork Lace Top with Ribbon Detail


Welcome to the new website! I hope you've had the chance to browse through the pages and the shop, check out the hints and tips and maybe sign up to become a member.

Members have the opportunity to download free patterns, connect with other members, ask questions in the forum and share pictures of their progress and work.


I've just recently finished this openwork lace top, with short sleeves, moss stitch yoke and ribbon detail. It looks just as good teamed with a pencil skirt and heels as it does with capri pants and ballerina pumps - it's so versatile! I love the 'blouson' shape from vintage styles so much, they hide a tummy, drawing the eye up to the bust and shoulders. The wide rib detail, such a common feature on vintage styles, draws the eye to the waist and creates that hourglass silhouette, so familiar with the 50s look. This pattern will be available soon on the website, so keep checking the website or stay in contact with my social media platforms for more details.


Today's blog is about knitting seams. Seams take a handknitted garment to the next level, giving it a professional look, and ensuring the best finish. This helps create a garment which wears and launders well and looks just as good in five years as it does the day it was first blocked. But do you know there's more than one stitch to use for seams? Or which stitches are used for which edges? Read on to learn more!


The main stitch that knitters use is back stitch. This is a super strong stitch, as it's doubled by the action of moving backwards and forwards to create the stitch, so is perfect for shoulders and setting in sleeves. Set in sleeves is the best way to create the professional look, and I'll write a separate blog on set in sleeves, as that's a subject all on its own! The shoulders and sleeve areas are places on the garment that take a lot of additional stress from the garment being pulled on and off, so having a sturdy stitch is vital for best results.



backstitch creates a strong bond between the front and back of the garment
shoulder seams with backstitch


backstitch is sewn here through stitches and the lacework pattern, taking care not to stretch the sleeve or the armhole
sleeve in backstitch (topside)



underside of sleeve and armhole showing the above and below stitch so common to backstitch
backstitch on sleeve (underside)

For side seams, the best stitch to use is mattress stitch. This isn't to be confused with the embroidery mattress stitch which is an edging stitch used for garments and blankets. The knitted mattress stitch is sewn from left to right over a few rows, taking the half stitch from the back side and the half stitch from the front side of the garment to create an invisible seam. Mattress stitch lies flat, so doesn't add any bulkiness to the garment.



here the increase on the front worked on each row, sits perfectly against the back which doesn't have the same increase
mattress stitch side seams



mattress stitch creates a flat seam and looks neat and tidy
mattress stitch side seams (underside)

I hope you've found this blog useful. Whether you're new to knitting, or an experienced knitter, well sewn seams can ensure a garment doesn't pucker, pull, misshape or in the worst case scenario, unravel.


Until next time - happy knitting!

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