Let's Knit Magazine - Your knitting, your style

Hello All,

Can any one tell me what top sewing means? I’ve finished knitting a cardigan for a colleague’s baby and the pattern says to top sew it together. I know what this means on a sewing machine, but not sure about knitting. I don’t want to make a mistake.

Thank you muchly,

Sammy xx

I don’t know, but can you see on the pattern what it looks like?

No, it would help if there were some explanation/diagram etc. How would you suggest/recommend I stitch the cardi together?

Sam xx

As it is for a baby then you need a fine seam, no nasty lumps or bumps. I usually use mattress stitch as it makes a nice seam. What are the sleeves like?? Raglan, set in or square????

Just put ‘knitting - top sewing’ in on Google, and it says on the Angel Yarns forum that top sewing is also known as mattress stitch, shows you how to do that in back of magazines!

I wonder if it is an “americanism” as I have never heard of it called that before.

Probably, I got the Knitting Answer book, and thought ‘what the heck is seed stitch?’ Its moss stitch, so alot of that book doesnt make too much sense!

Thanks for the assistance guys, I’ll look up mattress stitch in my mags and take it from there.

Love Sam xx

No problem, makes a change for me to be able to help, I’m usually asking for it!

Is mattress stitch just over stitching two pieces together? Lordy but I am learning so many new things its great. I am kniting a deep V cardi but as I like to knit the bands up with the fronts would the kaiser stich keep it looking good? OH MY GOD I meant the kitchener stitch.  I have a doughnut for a brain and everything falls throught he middle. LOL

If you are sewing the front bands on then mattress st is ideal as you can see the results as you go up a lot better and your band lies flat.