I used a tasty German mixture with wild garlic and chili flakes that we got as a gift, but almost any fresh or dried herbs will do.
Well, back to the cardigan. To sew everything together I used the ordinary back stitch. At least I thought it was ordinary. But a while ago I talked with someone who always used mattress stitch and didn’t know how to do the back stitch. For her, and others who have never back stitched their knitting together, I’ve sewn a part of the side seam with a contrasting thread and taken pictures.
Mattress stitch is worked from the outside. It is very precise and best for very delicate knitting and for matching up stripes. Back stitch is much faster and works well for anything else. It is worked on the wrong side of the knitted fabric. First everything is pinned together with the right sides together.
Pretty cardigan! The older I get, the more I appreciate simple designs with beautiful details, I will check this one out.
I always use mattress stitch for sewing, as backstitch would seem bulky to me, but I’ll give it a try on a rustic yarn. Did you also use backstitch on the sleeve caps?
Yes, also on the sleeve caps. Just make sure to stitch close to the edges and bulkiness won’t be a problem.
Wat is het vest mooi geworden voor je dochter, prachtig resultaat!
Dank je wel!
The cardigan is beautiful, and oh, those burgundy leaves . . .
Thank you! The trees are now suddenly turning colour, too. Beautiful reds and yellows everywhere.
Perfect cardio and in my favorite color. I have eyed that pattern several times and I think you’ve convinced me to buy it.
Backstitching is also really common in sewing, and is less likely to unravel if the thread breaks than mattress stitching (because each stitch is basically covered twice). I have had to unstitch it in a lot of antique quilts and it really resists!
That’s interesting, about the antique quilts. Did you repair them? I hope you’ll enjoy knitting the cardigan as much as I did!
Een mooi vest Marijke!
En een fijne post om te lezen.
Dank je Marieke, en fijn weekend verder!
I had no idea what mattress stitch was, until I googled it. I think it’s called maskstygn in Swedish. I usually choose patterns without stitching, I like to finish the whole garment at the same time.
Lovely color indeed, one of my favorites. And ooh that store!
I get that, that you choose patterns without stitching. It isn’t my favourite passtime either, but I think seams can also give a garment a little more stability.
Such a lovely post! The cardigan is a pretty, classic design. I’ve made the Churchmouse slippers and love that pattern!
Your photographs are amazing, and including the gorgeous foliage growing on that structure, thus tying in the deep, rich shade of the sweater, provides such a visual feast!
Ah, yes, I know those slippers – it’s a very popular pattern, too. The cardigan was a great pattern as well. I’ve enjoyed knitting it very much, and I think it is that which speaks through the pictures. Glad you enjoyed it!