One messy green and ceam vest
This is a multi coloured green vest for another friend. This year I have been busy knitting things for my friends. So far I have made 2 items this year. I completed a pair of pink/green toeless socks and am now finishing this green and cream vest. I’ll post another picture soon when this green vest is complete and discuss patterns and such.
I am done with the bulk of the knitting, its just the armholes, buttonhole and button border to be done. Gosh it is such a mess! There is yarn sticking out everywhere. This is also the part that most people find the most not fun to do – sewing it up. This part really makes the project look very professional. Even if the stitches are even and the separate pieces are beautifully, but the finishing and sewing up are not done well, the whole piece will look amateurish.
Here are some tips on finishing and sewing up.
Blocking
Do this before you sew up the pieces for better results. Its basically ironing the pieces the pieces so that they are the right shaping ready for sewing up. It makes a big difference.
Pick up and knit
There is a difference between “pick up” and “pick up and knit”. Make sure you know the difference!
From experience, “pick up” or “pick up and knit” 2 stitches and skipping one gives the best result.
Loose ends
Do not sew in the loose ends until you have completed finished the project completely. I know it looks totally untidy and messy, but avoid doing this until the project is complete. Because it makes it very very difficult to unpick in case you have made a mistake – yes it can happen.
Do the buttons last
It is very tempting to buy the buttons first, but I would recommend buying this item after you have finished the project. This way you can find the perfect button, see what it looks like against the project and select buttons that actually work with the button hold that you have.
Nothing is more irritating that finding out that your buttons do not fit the buttonhole!
