Do you want to sew two knitted pieces together as invisibly as possible? The mattress stitch joins two pieces invisibly, simply and beautifully.

How to sew with the mattress stitch tutorial donnarossa knitting

The vertical joining of two knitted pieces is called mattress stitch. The mattress stitch is also known as ladder stitch, blind stitch or magic stitch. Why magic stitch? Because it creates an almost invisible seam.

The mattress stitch is a popular method when finishing e.g. sweaters that have been knitted in pieces. Whether sleeve or side seam, the seam almost disappears thanks to the mattress stitch.

In the video, I show you the mattress stitch with a contrasting colour to better show the technique. Of course, the seam is made with the same yarn and colour as was knitted.

What material do you need?

blunt tapestry needle
Working yarn

Tips for the success of the mattress stitch

Knit the selvedge stitch on both sides and don’t slip it. This creates a firmer edge that not only makes sewing together easier, but also looks nicer.
Lay the two pieces flat on a table.
Make sure that the two pieces to be sewn together are facing with the right side upwards
It is worked from the front.
Tighten after a few centimetres. This closes the seam and the magic stitch unfolds its effect.
Make sure that the seam is not too tight. It should fit well into the knitted fabric. If it is too tight, hold the bottom and top of the seam and pull a little. This loosens the seam.
If you can’t see the place where the thread came out before, pull the pieces apart a little.

How do you do the mattress stitch?

The mattress stitch is made between the first and second stitch or between the selvedge stitch and the next stitch.
Start sewing together at the bottom of the seam. Cut a thread that is approx. 2 times as long as the seam plus approx. 20 cm (for sewing). Thread the yarn through the tapestry needle.

First catch only 1 strand of the left piece and pull the thread through, leaving an end of about 10 cm for sewing.
Catch 2 strands of the right piece and pull the thread through.
Pick up 2 strands from the left piece. Always insert the needle into the hole from which the thread came out before.
Pick up 2 strands from the right piece. Always insert the needle into the hole from which the thread came out before.
Repeat steps 3-4 and tighten the thread after a few centimetres. By pulling together, the selvedge stitches fold over to the back and the knit stitches of the left and right parts join together. This creates an almost invisible seam.