There are occasions when you want to create a really neat join between two seamed pieces, especially when this join is at the top of the piece and so very visible. Within my patterns this occurs at the top edges of both the removable shoes (soon to be released) and some of the designs in my ‘bags, backpacks and baskets’ pattern.
Above is a picture of the top seam that you’re aiming to achieve:
And here’s a little tutorial on how to work it…
Normally when you cast off you cut the work from the ball and thread this tail through the final stitch on the needle in order to secure the cast off row and prevent it from unravelling. But that creates a little nubbin at the end of the row and can interfere with a neat join when you start to sew an attaching seam.
So instead, when you have your last stitch at the end of your cast off row, cut the work from the ball and pull on the loop of this last stitch, like so:
Keep pulling that loop until the cut tail is pulled all the way through, effectively unravelling half of this final stitch:
Then thread a tapestry needle with this cast off tail end and sew through both arms of the edge-most stitch on the opposite side of the seam:
Then sew back across the gap and down through the stitch that the tail end is emerging from:
In doing this you have replicated a cast off edge stitch to span the top of the seam between the two pieces (see image at the top)
And then you can continue seaming the two pieces together using mattress stitch ( Mattress stitch seaming tutorial can be found here)
I hope this helps you to get neat and attractive edges to the seams at the top of your removable shoes and bags, happy seaming 🙂
J x
little cotton rabbits 
Thank you for making everything so clear and easy to follow! Looking forward to the shoe patterns. =)
Something so simple that makes such a difference. I’ve been knitting 62 years and not seen it before. Thank you
Oh thank you so much for that tutorial! It’s always so nice to have a neat and clean edge. Can’t wait for your new patterns!
That is so clever … thanks for sharing Julie!! 🙂
V x
It looks the same like the way with crochet in the round. Thank you for the tutorial.
I love these little tips! Thanks so much Julie!
Yippee!! I’ve been waiting for this pattern!! Thanks, Julie!! Can’t wait to knit them!! They are adorable!!
Thanks Julie. I do this as well. The new patterns are so much fun!
Good day, I just need to tell you that I am able to follow you Christmas stocking directions perfect, I understand everything you say, your directions are very clear. I have tried to use various patterns in magazines and from other people, they all are too confusing. I have been knitting since I was in 3rd grade, I’m now 70 and still knotting. The only thing I changed is the language that is spoken. I now live in the USA instead of Germany. German instructions were also alway clear to me.
Thank you so much.
If you have a pattern for socks for people to wear I’m probably going to buy them.
Have not he led your whole website yet.
Thank you so much for this! I love your patterns and the way you explain all the little details which make such a difference to the finished result 😃
I am making my first little bunny and am working on the striped sweater for the male bunny. I am unsure if I have added the sleeve 1, front, and sleeve in the correct order snd am about to add the back and want to do it right. I am using a circular needle. On my circular needle from left to right I have the sleeve 2 the front then on the right side sleeve 1. Is this correct?
Also, years ago I lived in England for a year and have always loved teapots and English tea and teacups. Do you have a pattern for a tea cosy with flowers on top?
Thanks for your help!
Jill from Wisconsin.