The Art of Seaming: How to Finish Your Hand-Knitted Tara Cardigan

When you’ve invested hours into hand-knitting a beautiful garment like the Tara cardigan, the finishing touches matter just as much as every carefully crafted stitch. Justine from Ossian Knitwear shares her expert technique for creating professional-looking side seams that will make your handmade cardigan look truly special.

Why Seaming Matters

It’s tempting to rush through the final stages of a knitting project. After all, you’ve just spent weeks creating your garment, and you’re eager to wear it. But as I point out, “knitting takes so long and it’s very easy to rush this last stage thinking you’re finished, but actually you can ruin a perfectly good garment by not sewing it together carefully.”

The time you invest in proper seaming transforms your hand-knitted pieces from homemade to handcrafted.

The Essential First Step: Pinning

Before you even thread your needle, take time to pin your seams. Knitted fabric, especially in stretchy wools like the Cheviot yarn used in my demonstration, can shift and move around easily. Pinning holds everything stable and ensures your seams will be even and professional-looking.

The Mattress Stitch Technique

I demonstrate a classic mattress stitch technique that creates an invisible, secure seam:

Lay your pieces evenly, with the knitted V-patterns clearly visible
Work one stitch on the front piece, then one stitch on the back piece
Pick up a stitch on the back, then pick up the corresponding stitch on the front
Continue alternating, creating a secure ladder between the two pieces

This methodical approach ensures your side seams are both strong and nearly invisible from the right side of the garment.

About the Tara Cardigan

The Tara cardigan is a stunning example of traditional hand-knitting craftsmanship. This easy-fitting, cropped cardigan features beautiful cabled front panels and tiny cable patterns on the trims, finished with statement 40L buttons that add a distinctive touch.

For Knitters: The DK pattern is available for experienced knitters in sizes S/M and M/L at £9.50.

Ready-Made Options: Each Tara cardigan can be personally made for you in Twickenham, London, using a unique blend of British Castlemilk Moorit sheep wool and British-bred Alpaca. These ethically sourced, Scottish-origin fibers create a luxurious garment that reflects true sustainability and craftsmanship. With recycled buttons and an approximate length of 56cm, each piece is one-of-a-kind. Prices range from £460 to £530, with a 6-8 week production time.

The Ossian Knitwear Philosophy

This tutorial is part of Ossian Knitwear’s “How It’s Made” series, which celebrates the skill and patience required for quality hand-knitting. By sharing these techniques, they’re preserving traditional craftsmanship while helping knitters create garments that will last for years.

Whether you’re making your own Tara cardigan or working on any hand-knitted project, remember: the finishing is just as important as the knitting itself. Take your time, follow proper techniques, and you’ll create something truly special.

Interested in creating your own Tara cardigan? Visit the shop to purchase the pattern or order a custom-made piece.