Slipped first stitch

lmvclearwater · August 22, 2016, 11:34pm

I just watched a couple of the videos and found the ones on finishing very helpful. I have always managed to sew things together by trial and error, and they turned out OK. I want to knit a sweater that does not have raglan sleeves, which I have not done before. Any advice on the edges to make the sewing up easier would be helpful. I am also wondering…what is the advantage of slipping off the first stitch? That is, slipping the first stitch off a row as if to knit or purl, and then knitting or purling it normally on the next row. I have never done that before, and don’t understand the purpose of this technique. Thanks! Lisa

Jan_in_CA · August 23, 2016, 2:21pm

The purpose of it is to make a nice clean edge when that edge will show. If the garment is to be seamed you don’t need to do it since you are seaming the with the first stitch in anyway.

MerigoldinWA · August 23, 2016, 2:21pm

I can’t think of anything special you need to do to the edge to make sewing up easier. I know some people recommend slipping the first stitch to make sewing up easier and in a few situations this is true. When I made the Einstein Jacket, for instance, part of the directions tell you to do this and in that case it was the right thing to do. But unless the directions tell you to do it I don’t recommend it. It is easier to do the typical mattress stitch without having that slipped edge. I agree with Jan, it is best used on items like a scarf where the edge will show and even then you don’t [I]have[/I] to do it.

I thought of one thing. I usually like to work in my ends that are at the edge before I sew, or at least work them a tiny bit away from the edge. I find it snugs up the edge stitches a little and I like that, but others may disagree.

lmvclearwater · August 23, 2016, 7:28pm

Thank you for the explanation. I also learned a bit more about this groovy, informational website today! I am planning to knit the Chic Cable Sweater that I got from Ravelry. It is a RedHeart pattern, very cute. I have always done raglan sleeves in the past, so I am a little nervous about sewing up a different kind of sleeve. It is good to know I can come here when I need help! Lisa

lmvclearwater · August 23, 2016, 7:28pm

MerigoldinWA:

I can’t think of anything special you need to do to the edge to make sewing up easier. I know some people recommend slipping the first stitch to make sewing up easier and in a few situations this is true. When I made the Einstein Jacket, for instance, part of the directions tell you to do this and in that case it was the right thing to do. But unless the directions tell you to do it I don’t recommend it. It is easier to do the typical mattress stitch without having that slipped edge. I agree with Jan, it is best used on items like a scarf where the edge will show and even then you don’t [I]have[/I] to do it.

I thought of one thing. I usually like to work in my ends that are at the edge before I sew, or at least work them a tiny bit away from the edge. I find it snugs up the edge stitches a little and I like that, but others may disagree.

Thanks Marigold! I did find you on Ravelry. I plan to update my profile and perhaps put a picture in here on my days off. My Drops with lace sweater turned out well. I haven’t made a garment in about 15 years, so I am proud of that accomplishment! I am excited to start a new one! Lisa at the beach