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If you’re looking to knit two pieces of fabric together, there are a few different techniques you can use. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at how to do it using the mattress stitch and how to use crochet to join the pieces together. We’ll also provide some tips on how to make the join as seamless as possible. So, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced knitter, read on for some helpful advice!
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How to knit two knitted pieces together
There’s always a bad moment when you have to sew two knit sections together, and it may be especially awful if one of them is extremely huge. For example, fold the brim of a hat in half and sew it in place or fold an edge of a blanket for a really sharp finish.
If you despise sewing, the sections should be knit together as you go. When I make winter hats for children, I frequently use this method. I’m knitting live stitches and cast on/off stitches in this tutorial; however, if you have all live stitches or all cast on/off stitches, etc., you may also do so.
Let’s get started with what you need to do. I have a hat brim that needs to be folded and stitched together.
- STEP 1: Fold or put two pieces of knits in line with each other.
- STEP 2: Find 1st stitch of the back piece…
- STEP 3: …and pass it onto your left-hand needle.
- STEP 4: Knit 2 stitches (one from a back piece and one from the front piece) together.
Now, repeat the process with each of your stitches.
Three-needle cast off or three-needle bind off
This is because it’s a fast, straightforward approach to connect two live stitches together and cast them off at the same time. It’s fantastic for use on the shoulders of a garment since it provides the firmness of a seam without requiring much effort. Because of this, it’s not suitable for socks since the seam might irritate.
- Attach the two pieces you wish to connect (let’s say, for example, the back and front of a jumper) until they are finished. Do not cast off.
- To form the jumper, lay out all of the pieces on a flat surface with the wrong sides facing each other and the live stitches at the top. Because this is what you can see whichever side you look at, it will be the inside of the jumper, so there will be a seam on the inside.
- Hold the needles together as though they were one and you’re about to knit the first stitch. Simply swap the stitches to a spare needle if one is pointing in the wrong direction.
- Knit the first stitch of the front piece and the first stitch of the back piece with a third needle.
- Pass the first stitch over the second, as you would when cast off, and work the second stitches of each piece together.
- Repeat step 5 until you have only one loop left. Finish it off and tuck in the ends. For a looser cast off, use the third needle again; for a tighter cast off, use the fourth or fifth needles instead.
Kitchener stitch or grafting
Kitchener stitch (also known as grafting) is a cast-off and a seam in one, like the first method. It creates an extra row of stitches, making it virtually undetectable, which makes it great for socks or other places you want an invisible seam. This method is suitable for men’s or women’s shoes. You may use either knitting needles or a darning needle to accomplish it. The latter, as seen in the following video, is an example of this approach.
If you’re grafting peaches, make sure to use a slightly different approach than if you’re grafted apples. If you’re working in rib or moss stitch, the addition of an extra row of stocking stitch will stand out.
Mattress stitch
Even though this isn’t technically a “knitting stitch,” we couldn’t have a guide on connecting up knitting without including mattress stitch. Although it is a sewing stich, it is quite simple to learn, therefore it’s well worth knowing about.
Mattress stitching is an incredibly strong, durable way to finish a project. It’s a fantastic method to join two stocking stitch or garter stitch pieces without creating any visible seams. It’s also useful for making a hat on two needles that you knit in the round.
If you’re connecting two pieces knit from garter stitch with mattress stitch, the procedure will be somewhat different. You may utilize the rounded bumps that protrude at the end of each garter stitch row instead of utilizing the strands between the columns of stitches. These come in pairs, with an upper and lower bump on each row.
- 1. Working from the bottom up, alternate between the bottom bump of one piece and the top bump of the other while stitching. Continue in this manner until you reach the top (lower – upper – lower – upper).
- 2. When you’re finished, take a minute or two to double-check that the connection thread isn’t too tight; this might cause your work to pucker. As usual, weave in the finishes.
Crochet
As you may imagine, we love crochet just as much as knitting! Slip stitch or double crochet is one of the simplest ways to join your knitting. This is achieved in the same manner as the three-needle cast off above and produces a similar seam-like effect. It’s possible to work around corners, which is fantastic if you’re finishing a bag.
- 1. Place the two halves together with the right sides facing up.
- 2. Crocheting through the ends of two pieces simultaneously without leaving a gap is difficult to do, but it’s not impossible. Thread the crochet hook under both pieces as near to the edge as possible. Let a loop of yarn slip through your fingers.
- 3. Place your hook through the gap and pass the first loop over the second. Pull a second loop through the next open space. Overlap both loops to form an X shape. Repeat with another hook if necessary.
- 4. Repeat this step until you reach the end of the seam. Make sure your tension is consistent across the board. You could require a different hook size than the one you’ve been using.
How to knit two pieces together
There are a few different ways to knit two pieces together, and each has its own benefits. Mattress stitch is strong and durable, while crochet is a great way to join knitting around corners. Whichever method you choose, make sure to double-check the tension so that your work doesn’t pucker. As always, weave in the ends when you’re finished.
