Best way to sew on edging?

#1

Hi - I have finished a baby cardigan and have knitted the lacy edging and am now struggling to find a neat way to attach one to the other!

The cardigan fronts are cast OFF edges at the bottom. and the back is cast ON edge at the bottom (am embarrased to admit this is because I made the fronts too long and had to undo and reknit the fronts after they were seamed to the back so they would all be the same length!! :oops:

The edging is a decorative band with eyelets
(if it helps the pattern is:
Row 1: (rs) K1, K2tog, yf, K2, (yf) twice, K1
Row 2: K2, K1 tbl, K2tog, yf, K3
IRow 3: K1, K2tog, yf, K5
Row 4: Cast off 2 sts, K2 tog, yf, K3)

so I kind of have a knotty edge on the band and regular stockinette on the actual cardi - what on earth should I do?? Have experimented with various things and always ends up looking a mess!

This is my first creation so please be gentle with me - am just an enthusiastic novice! I’d be grateful for any help or suggestions - if anyone knows you guys do!!!

thanks
emma

#2

I would probably try some variation of Mattress stitch since the edges will be on the inside of the sweater. You’ll probably have to pick up a stitch on each side rather than the bar on each side, but it’s the best seam I know.

#3

thanks Ingrid - followed your advice and it looks pretty good (if I do say so myself!!)

thanks again
emma

#4

Wow! You must have been sitting there with needle in hand! :wink:

#5

yep - certainly was! Realised I was trying to do mattress stitch (i.e. going between the bars) and not under the actual stitches. AM in love with mattress stitch, so clever!

#6

I can honestly say that discovering mattress stitch made a world of difference for me. I used to love to knit but hated the way my seams looked.

#7

I’m another one to vouch for the mattress stitch/seam. I HATE how slow it goes for me, but the end result is so worth it.