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Learn to Sew Knits: Step-By-Step Tutorial for Casting On, Knit Stitch, Binding Off, and More (2024)

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tutorialshow to sew knitsLet’s shed those frustrating needles and welcome a new age of effortless knitting bliss. I’ll show you easy sewing techniques to transform knits into garments you’ll cherish.

No more mystifying lingo or confusing contraptions, just simple shorthand to empower you as you claim your right to knit freely. With just a bit of practice, you’ll gain mastery over knits and never again fear their stretch or drape.

I’ll take you step-by-step to cast on, knit, bind off, and more in a liberating tutorialshow that unravels knitting’s secrets.

Forget perfection and discover the joy of creating; grab those needles and cast on – adventure awaits.

Key Takeaways

  • Cast on stitches using the longtail method.
  • Bind off by knitting two stitches together and lifting the first over the second.
  • Weave ends by threading the yarn tail through a tapestry needle.
  • Use polyester or nylon thread for stretch and movement with knits.

How to Cast On

How to Cast On
You’ll want to start your knit project by casting on the stitches using the longtail method you learned before.

Begin by estimating the right amount of tail yarn and making a slip knot.

Next, use your dominant hand to hold the needle tip while your other hand loops the yarn around your thumb and index finger.

Insert the needle through the loop around your thumb and catch the yarn through the loop around your finger, creating your first stitch.

Continue casting on across the needle by looping the yarn and pulling new stitches through.

Make sure your stitches aren’t twisted and that the tension is even.

Having the right number of cast on stitches will ensure your project dimensions are correct from the start for the pattern you want to complete.

With practice, you’ll secure your cast on and be ready to begin knitting your rows.

How to Knit the Knit Stitch

How to Knit the Knit Stitch
To knit the knit stitch, insert the right needle through the front of the loop on the left needle, wrap the yarn around clockwise, then pull this loop through and off the left needle.

Keep the working yarn above needles.

Maintain even tension.

Check for twisted stitches.

Focus on consistency and building muscle memory with each stitch. Relax shoulders and grip needles lightly to avoid strain. Find your rhythm and work each stitch with intention. Be patient with yourself as you develop this new skill.

Repetition develops proficiency. Celebrate small victories like finishing a row or making a swatch. With practice, your hands will learn the motions until knitting feels like second nature. Soon you’ll breeze through basic stitches, ready to expand your knitting horizons.

How to Bind Off

How to Bind Off
Couldn’t have guessed binding off’s as simple as knitting two stitches together and lifting the first over the second till you’ve only one left, but practice makes perfect with this technique for finishing knitted edges.

Tug the working yarn after each bind off to avoid gaps between stitches.

Weave the tail through several stitches and pull tight for a tidy, secure edge.

For color changes, bind off in pattern to blend the old and new yarns.

With a bit of patience, you’ll master the rhythm of binding off rows or shaping finished edges. Don’t get discouraged if your early attempts are a bit loose or uneven. Focus on making each motion smooth and consistent.

Soon you’ll intuitively know just how firmly to draw that yarn through on the last steps of your project.

How to Weave in Ends

How to Weave in Ends
After finishing your knitting project, weaving in the yarn ends creates a polished look. Take a tapestry needle and thread the yarn tail through it, leaving a 4-6 inch tail. Work the needle through the wrong side of the fabric, going in and out of the knit stitches randomly.

Avoid traveling in straight lines. For extra hold, knot the tail loosely before weaving for thicker yarns. Pull the yarn so it lies flat between the stitches without puckering. Trim excess tails close to the fabric.

Weave perpendicular to the rows for best durability.

Focus on areas like side seams and borders.

Check stretch after weaving to ensure flexibility.

Following these simple steps helps hide yarn ends for a clean finish on your hand-knit garment.

Bands Vs. Binding

Bands Vs. Binding
As an experienced sewist, you know that bands and bindings both finish edges beautifully. When using self fabric to construct bands, troubleshoot gapping before setting it into the opening by pinning and adjusting until the fit is just right.

Self Fabric Band

When binding off knits, a self-fabric band adds polish without extra steps. Simply knit a tube in matching fabric, same as the garment. Fold lengthwise, sew to the edge right sides together. Turn inside, topstitch along the inner fold for a clean finish.

Shapes easily to curves unlike facings. Stabilizes raw edges and prevents stretching, no binding required. Choose a smaller needle for flexibility when sewing curves. Edgestitch visible on the right side, so mind tension.

Troubleshooting

Check your band fit before attaching to catch any gapping, so you don’t waste time ripping out stitches to fix it later.

  1. Check cast on is snug enough to withstand stretching.
  2. Contain curling edges with interfacing or lining.
  3. Reinforce shoulder seams before attaching neckband.
  4. Use smaller needles for firmer fabric.
  5. Switch to bind off method for less stretch.

Troubleshooting fit ahead of time ensures properly secured edges for a clean finish. Test for stretch with gentle tugging. Gapping wastes knitting time, but is preventable with planning.

Clean Finish Binding

Clean Finish Binding
Get your work done neatly by folding the fabric over the raw edges for a clean finish binding. With the right side facing out, press under 1/4 on the long edges of the binding strip.

Pin the folded binding to the garment’s raw edge, matching raw edges. Use a 1.5mm stitch length and stretch or ballpoint needle to sew the binding to the edge.

Fold the binding over the raw edges to the inside and edgestitch close to the seam through all layers. A clean finish binding creates a tidy, professional look on necklines, armholes, and hemlines when sewing knits.

With practice, you’ll master clean finish bindings for polished results.

Seam Covering Binding

Seam Covering Binding
To cover a seam with knit binding, simply sew the binding to the wrong side. Then, turn it to the right side and edgestitch for a clean finish. When sewing knit binding, tension control is key for a smooth seam. Set your machine to a narrow zigzag and hold both layers taut as you sew.

For lightweight knits, use a three-thread overlock stitch. Heavier fabrics may need a twin needle for seam stability. Gently stretch and pin binding around curved edges before sewing to prevent puckering.

Leave binding ends extending past the opening, then trim back to the seam allowance after turning right side out. Press flat with an iron for a crisp finish. Edgestitch close to the inner fold, backstitching at ends.

Seam covering with knit binding creates a flexible yet durable finish on any knit edge while showing off your binding handiwork on the outside.

Wrapped Binding

Wrapped Binding
With wrapped binding, you’ll fold the knit band like bias tape, lovingly stitch it to the wrong side, and tenderly wrap it over the edge. Then, gently edgestitch it to the right side for a snug, nurturing fit around the curves.

  • Cut the binding strip twice the finished width plus seam allowances.
  • Fold it lengthwise with wrong sides together.
  • Pin the folded binding to the garment edge, with raw edges together.
  • Sew the binding to the wrong side using a 1/4 seam.
  • Wrap the binding to the inside over the seam.
  • Edgestitch the binding down on the right side.
  • Mitigate stretching by stabilizing the binding strip.
  • Check the gauge for accuracy when joining strips.

This clever encasement of the raw edge in a bias-like binding gives a tidy finish. Manipulating the fabric and thread with care creates an empowering garment that liberates. Like a nurturing hand folded around vulnerability, wrapped binding on knits brings comfort.

Edgestitching

Edgestitching
Count those stitches, dearie, your edgestitching’s a pathway to finishing triumph. Follow the knit’s natural grain line for tidiest edgestitching. Stitch the wrong side first, then flip right side out.

Space lines 1/4 to 3/8 apart depending on the garment’s drape and size. Heavier threads prevent visible sinking between knit layers. Adjust the presser foot pressure so it glides gently over bulky seams. Lengthen the stitch to 2.

Take care around tight curves; pivot the needle and go slowly. For skirts, edgestitch hems last. Check the fit before finalizing to perfect the drape. Master edgestitching and unlock knit sewing sorcery.

Discussion Time!

Discussion Time!
Now make sure your seam lies perfectly flat!

Knitting groups offer invaluable help when sewing knits. Check online video tutorials to see fabric handling up close. Ask about project sharing to inspect finished seams. Request yarn recommendations based on length, weave, and cut.

Strip yarns need special handling. Get tips on fabric selection from experienced knitters.

Master proper cutting to keep pieces on grain. Learn pressing techniques to flatten seams. Proper pressing helps stitches disappear into fabric. Use clips, pins, weights to control edges. Don’t let knits roll or stretch when sewing. Check tension settings for balanced stitches.

Share your work and help others improve. Knitting groups build skills together.

How to Sew a Professional Double-Needle Hem

How to Sew a Professional Double-Needle Hem
When sewing knits, a professional double-needle hem provides a stretchy, durable finish. Before sewing your hem, prepare the fabric edge, prepare your machine, test on a scrap, then stitch the hem using both needles.

Step 1: Prep Your Edge

After selecting your knit fabric, carefully fold under the raw edge by 1/4 inch and press to prepare for hemming. By sizing the folds precisely before sewing, you’ll ensure the hem lies flat and smooth for a professional finish.

Next, you’ll learn techniques for gathering fabric and threading the binding to match neckline widths, mastering curves with pins.

Step 2: Prep Your Sewing Machine

Prep Your Sewing Machine:

Change your sewing machine foot to a double needle foot before threading both needles to ensure straight, evenly spaced parallel stitches for durable, stretchy seams on knits.

  • Check tension settings for balanced double needle stitches.
  • Adjust presser foot pressure to prevent tunneling.
  • Use a stretch stitch like zigzag or lightning stitch.
  • Interface hems on unstable knits to support stitching.

Step 3: Test on a Scrap of Fabric

Before sewing your hemline, try the stitch lengths on some scraps to fine-tune the right tension. Test tension with multiple samples – vary the needle size, thread type, and fabric stretch to match your project’s requirements.

Step 4: Sew the Double Needle Hem

Now sew your professional double needle hem.

  1. Thread both needles and set your machine to a narrow zigzag stitch.
  2. Stretch fabric taut as you sew. Hand guide excess to avoid puckering.
  3. Anchor stitches over scrap first for balanced tension.
  4. Press hem gently for a smooth, flawless finish.

Post Navigation

Post Navigation
Look here! Your knitting needles and stitch markers await, so cast on some stitches and let your next project take shape.

Gauge:

  • Swatch in pattern stitch with exact yarn & needles.
  • Check rows AND stitches per inch.
  • Drape swatch over hand to see drape.

Darning:

  • Use contrast color to make holes visible.
  • Use stranded knitting technique, weaving new across hole.
  • Secure ends well.

Blocking:

  • Soak in wool wash.
  • Gently pin to measurements.
  • Let air dry thoroughly before moving.

Joining:

  • Tie square knot, leave 4 tails.
  • Twist yarns together for 8 before knot for smooth join.

Finishing:

  • Sew bound off or folded hems, no raw edges.
  • Use mattress stitch on seams.
  • Weave in all ends neatly.

With care and practice, you’ll gain confidence working with knit fabrics. Let those needles fly and create something beautiful!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What kind of sewing machine needles work best for sewing knits?

For sewing knits, use ballpoint needles. Their rounded tips glide between the knit’s loops instead of piercing them. This prevents runs and skipped stitches. Polyester-coated universal needles also work since their slick coating reduces friction.

How do I modify a commercial pattern designed for wovens to work for knits?

When using a woven pattern for knits, choose designs with simple lines and minimal shaping. Select patterns sized for stretch. Cut the fabric on the cross-grain. Do a test garment first to check the fit and make adjustments before cutting your final fabric.

Add ease to pattern pieces as needed. Stabilize shoulder seams and finish edges with a zigzag or overlock stitch.

What type of thread is best to use when sewing knits?

Use polyester or nylon thread when sewing knits. These threads have some stretch and flexibility, allowing them to move with the knit fabric as it stretches and recovers. Cotton thread is too inelastic and can break when sewn on knits. Be sure to use the correct needle size for knits too – usually a stretch, ballpoint, or jersey needle.

My seams are stretching out – how can I prevent this?

When sewing knits, support seams with stay tape or clear elastic. Position either along the stitching line before sewing. The extra reinforcement prevents stretching and rippling. For exposed seams on stable knits, a twin needle provides visible stitches that move with the fabric.

I’m new to sewing knits. What are some good beginner knit fabrics to start with?

Start with cotton knits like jersey – they’re forgiving for beginners. Choose medium weight to avoid drape challenges. Feel the stretch and recovery. Rayon spandex blends add flow but need gentle handling.

Take time selecting fabric so your first project turns out wearable and boosts confidence. Moving forward, build skills on stable knits before venturing into trickier types.

Conclusion

You’ve got this! Following along with this detailed tutorial for sewing knits, you’ve gained the skills to cast on, knit the knit stitch, bind off, and finish your knit sewing projects with beautifully clean bindings.

Threading twin needles like a boss and using the wrapped binding method to encase necklines and armholes, you can now sew knits like a pro. With a bit more practice to build muscle memory, you’ll be whipping up activewear, loungewear, and all kinds of awesome knit creations in no time.

References
  • sewingfromhome.com
Avatar for Mutasim Sweileh

Mutasim Sweileh

Mutasim is the founder and editor-in-chief of sewingtrip.com, a site dedicated to those passionate about crafting. With years of experience and research under his belt, he sought to create a platform where he could share his knowledge and skills with others who shared his interests.