the magic of mattress stitch

I really thought that mattress stitch would change my life. Before I went on a one-day Finishing Techniques course with Jane Crowfoot several years ago, I was completely untutored when it came to sewing up my knitting. One way or another, I'd taught myself how to do it, but gradually I became aware that the insides of other people's knitting looked a lot better than mine.

So I couldn't believe the magic of mattress stitch. It was like being shown a conjuror's trick, and I remember asking Jane to show me the cleverness of the technique several times because I was so enthralled by the way the yarn brings two pieces of knitting together and then disappears.

I imagined that from that day forward mattress stitch would make all sewing-up a joy. That I would jump happily from knitting to finishing with nary a moment's pause. That I would swap knitting needle for sewing needle in the blink of an eye. But the reality was different, and I'm afraid I can still put off sewing up my knitting for an embarrassingly long time.

This hot-water bottle is the latest victim of my dilly-dallying. I finished knitting it in November, and it has sat right next to me, on the top of a basket, night after night ever since, almost begging to be finished. But what makes the whole thing worse is that it isn't even for me - it's a present.

So I took it to Suffolk and placed it in the most prominent position I could find, finally heeded its call, and would not let myself come home with it. I posted it straightaway and it's now with the recipient (I hope). Nicely sewn up in my best mattress stitch, but that's besides the point.

It's not as though it's not lovely yarn to deal with, either. This is fabulously, shamelessly soft cashmere from Axelle de Sauveterre who kindly created this 'Briar Blue' colourway for me. It's a delight to knit with - as I rediscovered after my over-long period of denial. The pattern comes from Knitting by Sarah Dallas with a few alterations to suit the yarn and bottle size.

Although I love the yarn, the pattern and the finished object, I am mightily pleased it is no longer staring me in the eye as I sit down to relax in the evenings. Mattress stitch is a wonderful thing, but unfortunately its magical effects don't go much further than my knitting.

 

Comments

[Kathleen]

I've always thought they called it mattress stitch because just thinking about it can put one to sleep.

Beautiful yarn, beautiful project.

Kathleen

[cherry]

Ha! I wish I could share that finished-at-last feeling over Binky's quilt - which moans at me from the sewing table every time I am near enough to hear!

[Christiane]

what a lovely yarn which pools in an argyle pattern, blue spring sky and brownies. good knitting is a blessing, here a visual one, just like to fondle it a bit, it looks so soft.

[Anne]

I felt exactly the same way when I discovered matress stitch, but I too found it lost it's lustre over time.

[Rebecca]

I really, really wish that I was one of those people who loved the finishing part, but I am not, definitely not.

Your finally finished knit is gorgeous, the yarn and cables look so deliciously soft and squashy, a fine gift.

[barbara]

Thank goodness.Reading your blog about finishing things off has made me feel so much better.I thought it was just me that put things off.I can quite happily knit the main bits of a garment but the borders and the piecing together I loathe BUT the feeling when it is done is sooo good.Barbara

[Novembrance]

That yarn is luscious. I've been wanting to order from Axelle for a long time.

I felt the same way when I learned how to graft. Yet there is a pullover in my closet with ungrafted underarms...you've just inspired me to pull it out and git 'er done.

[willow]

When I was living in Oregon, there was a woman who advertized at my lys for finishing knitting projects. She was never without work and her services were worth their 'weight' in gold and yarn.

[oboegoddess]

That is the most simply beautiful waterbottle cover, or piece of knitting for that matter! Bravo! Do all her colorways pattern like that or did you just work your magic on it? --Jill P.

[Racheal]

Well done, I have never heard of mattress stitch, I just sew my knitting together like I would when sewing fabric *blush*

Racheal x

[catherine]

I know exactly what you mean Jane - I just posted a baby cardigan I'd finised before New Year, apart from the sewing up. Luckily, I knitted ahead and it will be the right size two months later! My sister taught me mattress stitch a few years ago and it is a wonderful thing, but sewing up knitting is still easy to postpone, almost as bad as picking up stitches for a collar. Gorgeous hottie cover - lucky recipient!

[the pesky bombolino]

Yes, yes, yes! I have a project which I can't wait to try, that's been sitting in the top of my knitting basket waiting to be sewn together for a month!
The yarn is delicious, what beautiful colours.

[Heather]

I love your hot water bottle cover, and your friend is very lucky indeed. Congrats on finally finishing it! I would love to know what pattern you used to make it.

[Pamie G.]

wow -- I love this!!!

[bernie]

Wow. Those colors are really beautiful together. A hot water bottle never had it so good ;)

[Margaret Powling]

What a lucky hot water bottle having such a great cover!
Ah-ha, so it's to Suffolk you have been! I adore Suffolk. I'd no idea what it was like until we did a holiday house exchange with a family in Long Melford in 1984 and I've loved that county ever since, especially the area around Aldeburgh, and the walk from Snape to the little church at Iken. I adore the not-quite-flat landscape of the east coast, and the rolling hills of high Suffolk. Devon, where I live, is gorgeous too, but I always think that the hills get in the way of the view! I love a flat landscape with a totally uninterrupted view for miles and miles ...

[Emily]

That yarn looks delicious. Lovin' the colors.

[adele geras]

Any chance of a Mattress stitch tutorial? Or a link to a site with lots of photos to show us all? I don't mind finishing off. I like blocking best of all...but could do with help with the sewing up, I'm sure.

[dutte]

hello, you may have already read about this, but I thought you might be interested: http://www.economist.com/daily/columns/artview/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10789185

there's a link in one of the right hand blocks to Christie's, with details of the hankerchiefs.

[Janelle]

Oh, those colors are simply luscious! What a cozy-looking hot water bottle.

[Diana]

I love the colors of your hot water bottle~ I have trouble finishing some of my pieces too! even beading projects = I just don't know how to make them tidy and perfect sometimes. Your daffodils are gorgeous, I'll have to wait another month for mine, so I'm quite envious. and lastly CONGRAT's on 3 years of blogging. It's amazing how much my blog has helped me grow in a little over a year. I look forward to visiting you for another year.

[Gina]

What fabulous yarn Jane - love that colour combination. Looks great on the hottie bottle cover. Haven't a clue what mattress stitch is so will now have to look that up!

[carole]

I loved the interview on The Book Depository site.

[Betsy]

Oh my gosh, I absolutely love mattress-stitching--if you need anything else finished just send it my way! And that hot-water bottle cover is beautiful!

[Beverley McKenzie]

Hi Jane, I am from Southwold on the Suffolk Coast, although we live in Buckinghamshire now. I go back to Suffolk alot, and just last summer we spent a lovely week staying in Aldeburgh, visiting Snape, Woodbridge, Felixstowe Ferry, most of those places I could move to. Am working my way through your book, with delight I might add. So many things I read, I feel as if I might have written them myself! Tell me though, do you handpiece your quilts, I get the feeling you do, rather than stitch them on the machine?

[di]

Beautiful hot water bottle cover- the yarn is perfect for it- they way it's pooled into almost argyles. And nice and soft too I'm sure.

[gillie]

I must be a nerd, I rather like mattress stitch! Eloise would love that hot water bottle cover, we are redecorating her room in blue and brown and she has become quite the little interior designer!

[Cybèle]

Love the yarn, the colours, the pattern. It looks so snugly (and attractively warm while I'm sat here feeling under the weather and seemingly unable to get warm ever again).

[laura]

I have to say your so not alone on the sewing up. Where I used to work which was a yarn shop nearly all the ladies there loathed sewing up. I must say I don't enjoy it, but the last thing I sewed up I was mightly impressed with myself...whether my next project will finish the same way remains to be seen.

[Lori on Little Traverse Bay]

I am knitting Axelle de Sauveterre's Klee scarf. This is the first time I've knit with cashmere, and you are right, her yarns are fabulous! The colors are lovely and the feel is luscious. What a fantastic HWB cover! I'm sure the recipient is delighted!

[Sue]

I hate mattress stitch and can't do it (maybe why I hate it)! I alway send up with several stitches too many at the end of the seam. I tend to stick to backstitch.