Slip Stitch Edges

Use a slip stitch as a decorative front edge on sweaters or the edge of scarves and afghans but never use it where you are going to sew a seam such as on sweater front and back or sleeve pieces. It’s not a strong enough edging to hold a seam stable.

Sewing Seams

If you need to sew seams together, use a sewing pressing ham. The knitting pieces will stay in place and the ham is curved just enough to let you easily pick up the seam edges for a mattress stitch seam. You can also sew while it is in your lap or on the tabletop.

Seaming Pieces Together

A good way hold the pieces together when sewing the finishing seams on a sweater (and to match up seam lengths) is to use the old fashioned wooden spring type clothes pins. You could also use the miniature ones that you can find in the dolls and toys departments of craft or toy stores.

Making Ribbing Look Seamless

To make separate piece ribbing seams look like they were knitted in the round, make sure you knit your ribbing this way.
•For K1, P1 ribbing, use an even number of stitches. On wrong side rows, P1, K1 to the last 2 stitches and end with P2. On the right side rows, start with K2 and then repeat the P1, K1 ribbing to the end of the row.
•For K2, P2 ribbing, use a multiple of 4 stitches plus 2 stitches (i.e., 42 stitches). Knit the wrong side rows using P1 to start, then repeat the K2, P2 ribbing to the last stitch and end with a P1. The right side rows start with K1 and then repeat the P2, K2 ribbing to the last stitch which will be a K1.

When sewn together, the seam will be invisible.