I've been sewing today. Those of you that know me, know that I detest finishing. I would much rather be knitting than blocking, mattress stitching and weaving in ends. However, even I can see that the end is near.
Here are a few tricks that I just couldn't live without.
(1) Short row shaping the shoulders and doing 3 needle bind-off. That leaves me with 2 less shoulders seams to sew-up.
(2) Attaching the sleeves to the body and then sewing the sleeve seam and the body seam together. Good-bye to the days of sewing the sleeve in, inside out and having to re-do it.
(3) Mattress stitch instead of backstitch means that I can see what I'm doing as I'm attaching. It means an invisible join and allows me to line up all my rows for a really neat finish.
(4) I'm also a big fan of steaming the pieces instead of pinning and blocking. It's a lot faster to do. Although I still always properly block and pin anything lace patterns.
So what next?
Should I go work on that boring peace shawl edging?
Or should I be really naughty and cast on something else like this or something like this or this. I might just go do Billie since I haven't worked with wool for a while and Emma's one for her chick, just look so fab.... and it doesn't have sleeves, so I should finish it before starting the lacy sweater knit-along.
"(2) Attaching the sleeves to the body and then sewing the sleeve seam and the body seam together. Good-bye to the days of sewing the sleeve in, inside out and having to re-do it."
Whatchew talkin bout? You sew the head of the sleeve in, then work down from the sides of the sleeves all the way down the side seam? Wild! Crazy! I'll try it!
Hang in there! I finished Chamomille this past weekend! It's worth it.
Posted by: Janet at February 16, 2004 07:00 PMI learnt to sew as I learnt to knit and had to sew up that raglan sweater 4 times before it began to look decent so I know where you are coming from. Having read your posting, I will start learning all of these 'less sewing' techinques very soon.
Ick. Sewing up. Me too! I had 2 things needing sewing up at the start of the weekend, and I did one. Lord knows how long the second one will have to languish!
IT looks great!!
Posted by: Kristine at February 16, 2004 01:30 PMThos - nothing wrong with making a man sweat :-).
Laura - Go on ... jump in head first. The only bit on this sweater that seems difficult is the edging. If you find it too advanced, you can always use a garter stitch border. It'll still look sweet.
Jacinta - I was naughty. I cas on Billie last night.
Posted by: Polly at February 16, 2004 07:35 AMHey Polly
If you have the chance to be naughty then that has to win out!
Thanks so much for your great tips on finishing. I'll definitely be referring them when I get good enough to need them.
Confession: Even though it is sooooo out of my league, I ordered the needles and yarn for the lacy sweater. If some of you more experienced knitters don't mind some stupid questions from a newbie I'm going to give it a go. If I really, really can't do it I'll just put it aside until I can. I have some cheap yarn I've been practicing with, and have been pouring over the pattern. So far I've figured out how to do the diagonal edging. Woo hoo!!
Isn't James getting a bit nervous with you knitting all the children's garments? I know I would be if my S.O. would do so. (Not that I have one.)
Posted by: Thomas at February 15, 2004 09:26 PM