From: annduncan@iname.com (ann) Subject: [BOND] Kitchner stitch Date: Tue, 15 Jul 1997 22:01:49 GMT Kitchner stitch is weaving the open stitches together to make it look like it was done in one piece. It is used only for the 'working' edge of a piece - where the stitches are still open Various seam styles are used to provide different finishes and support along the seam. The kitchner stitch is "soft" - just like the fabric - and will stretch. So you wouldn't want to use it for shoulder seams if you had a stretchy fabric that could be pulled out of shape by the weight of the sleeves. The advantage is it is flat and completely invisible. The more common alternative for the shoulders is to bind off, then seam the bound off edges to the inside. The bound edges provide support to prevent the weight of the garment from pulling the shoulder out of shape. Still another alternative is to rehang the facing sides of the pieces together and knit a row across both stitches, then bind off those stitches. This leaves a join with more give than the bind off-then seam, and less than the kitchner. A blind seam is invisible from the front, but leaves the last stitch from each piece folded to the back so therefore has extra bulk. But it is very good for providing support and strength while still being somewhat elastic. I have also done a variation on the blind technique using only the outer edge of a stitch that leaves a flat, nearly invisible seam. It is stretchier than the blind seam so wouldn't be appropriate for a high stress area. I used it to join the sections of a sweater to make the front and back big enough. (This was before I got my second machine to make a double bed.) If I hadn't been doing a pattern stitch that would have shown the join, I would have used the seam-as-you-go because it leave a very nice, flat, almost invisible join. And the added advantage is it's done once it comes off the machine! (I REALLY hate taking as long to seam as it took me for the sweater!) While I haven't tried it myself (other than experimenting) you can also use the method of rehanging the stitches, knitting a row, then binding off when you are finishing edges. What I found in my experiments that fine gauges - with high number of rows per inch - were too tight to make this an easy solution. The heavier yarns - using KP 3, 4 - had enough give to rehang. Hope that helps! Ann Duncan - The Computer Tutor annduncan@iname.com wanda@mclv.net aduncan@mclv.net _________ Date: Wed, 21 Oct 1998 13:40:13 -0500 From: Jody Tapleyhttp://www.homestead.com/BondClub/FriendshipAfghans.htmlSubject: Re: [BOND] sewing up sweater I do all my seams on the machine itself. Hang the first piece back on your needles with the right side facing you. Push behind the latches. Hang the second piece on the same needles and push behind the latches. Then knit one row, and bind off. Presto! This makes a much nicer seam than any I've been able to do by hand or any other method. Hope that helps. Jody in Granbury, Texas jodylt@itexas.net ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 21 Oct 1998 14:15:47 -0500 From: "Dean Yotter" Subject: Re: [BOND] sewing up sweater Pam do you know how to do the mattress stitch and also called something else? That's how you sew up the seams. Also you can backstitch the seams and also a crochet backstitch. Hope I helped you. Do you have the book that came with your Bond. It has the instructions on sweater finishing. Betty in West kansas ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 2 Oct 1998 10:57:51 EDT From: Munderliz@aol.com Subject: [BOND] Joining Technique I have a joining technique to recommend (as a "graduate" of Camp Iwannaknit Super Beginner School, I think I'm "entitled")..... The baby blanket is knit in 3 panels. As I was knitting the left panel (when looking at the Bond), I put an eyelet one stitch from the edge every 4th row on the left side edge. When knitting the center panel, every 4th row also, on the right side edge, use a 2-prong transfer tool, reach through the eyelet hole of panel #1, remove 2 edge stitches from the needles and pull them through the eyelet hole and rehang them on their needles. Be sure to make another eyelet hole on the left side edge of this row also for joining to panel #3. Then knit the row as usual. This makes a seam that looks like braiding (a little) and is very easy to do. It's especially nice with the 2 different colors on right and left side. Liz Bremerton WA ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 4 Feb 2000 17:56:50 -0600 From: stitch@ruraltel.net (Shannon and Eric R.) Subject: [BOND] alternative joing method Recently I purchased an out of print book on afghan by Alles Hutchinson. This book is really great and has some wonderful tips and patterns. She calls the joining most of us use the Hairpin Lace join. She gives another alternative call the Big Knit Stitch that my friend Marilee has tried out and it is so pretty and less open. You will be picking up loops just as you would with the braided join but instead of picking up two from one side panel and pull two from the other panel you do this: pick up one loop from the panel on the right and one loop from the panel on the left (two loops on hook); again pick up one loop from the panel on the right and one loop from the panel on the left and this time pull those two loops through the two on the hook. Continue picking up one from each side and pull through the two on the hook. This produces a really pretty join that looks like and oversized knit stitch going up the strip. What makes this really neat for us (we are working on Friendship afghans) is that the join is almost identical to the mock cable stitch! I could probably get a couple of pictures put up if you guys need to "see" how it comes together. I was really excited to find something different :-) Shannon aka Quilty stitch@ruraltel.net Otis KS USA Taking time to stitch isn't a luxury ..... it's a necessity! Check out our Bond Club Friendship Afghan page!
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Author : Steph Thornton.
Last modified on : 8th February 2000.