How to Work Mattress Stitch Seams on Garter Stitch

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Not long ago, we showed you three ways to work Mattress stitch seams, but we demonstrated all of them on Stockinette stitch swatches. A reader wrote asking, “What about Mattress stitch on Garter stitch?” Good question! While a horizontal seam (bound-off edge to bound-off edge) in Garter stitch is a lot like one worked in Stockinette stitch, a vertical seam (side edge to side edge) is different.

Mattress Stitch on Garter Stitch

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Andrea will demonstrate the technique in this quick video. For more detail, scroll down for step-by-step photos..

Garter Stitch Up Close

The ridges of garter stitch are composed of interlocked “smiles” and “frowns.

Swatch showing the structure of garter stitch — The interlocking smiles (in yellow) and frowns (in red) of garter stitch

The trick to a tidy seam is to connect the smiles on one edge to the frowns on the other edge. In the example below, we’re going to use the smiles of the piece to the left and the frowns of the piece to the right.

Two edges on garter stitch swatches to be seamed — We’ll connect the smiles on the left to the frowns on the right.

Note that those frowns are right at the edge of the swatch. If you have trouble seeing them, look for the smile, then find the strand of yarn just above and to the left.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Seaming garter stitch with mattress stitch, step by step — Mattress stitch on Garter stitch, steps 1–4

Thread your seaming yarn onto a tapestry needle. I’m using a contrasting color so it’s easy for you to see, but you’ll use yarn that matches. Pass your needle under the first smile in the first garter ridge (Photo 1) and pull the yarn through.

Bring your needle under the first frown on the other side and pull the yarn through (Photo 2.)

Continue repeating Steps 1 and 2, alternating sides and working into each garter ridge (Photo 3). Keeping the stitches relatively loose makes it easier to see where your needle should go next.

After you’ve connected a couple of inches, pull both ends of your seaming yarn to draw the two pieces together (Photo 4). The smiles and frowns will interlock, lining those ridges up perfectly.

Keep going until the seam is complete, stopping every couple of inches to tighten the seam and pull the pieces together.

Beautiful Seams Make Beautiful Projects

Garter stitch is a beautiful texture for so many projects. By mastering Mattress stitch, you can make seams that have almost no bulk and are nearly invisible, giving your projects a professional finish.

Thank you to Ancient Arts Yarns for providing the yarn used for these samples. These swatches were made with Herlig in the color Scottish Mist.

Sandi Rosner is the technical content editor for all things yarn at Interweave. When she isn’t knitting, she usually has her nose in a book. You’ll find new technical content from Sandi nearly every week at www.interweave.com.

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knitknotes May 23, 2023

Two comments, please.
1. Knitters are always talking about edge treatments in garter stitch. Would you say a few words about how you worked the first and last stitches?
2. I read that there is a difference lining up the smiles and frowns when the fabric had an even number vs odd number of stitches. Again, will you share your thoughts, please.

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1. Sandi Rosner May 23, 2023
  
  Thanks for asking!
  1. The first and last stitches were simply knit, just like the rest of the stitches. On an edge that will be seamed, I keep those stitches in garter stitch. If the edge will be exposed, I might choose to slip the first stitch of every row (purlwise, with yarn in front) for a slip-stitch selvage.
  2. In this case, it makes no difference whether there is an even or odd number of stitches. The stitches themselves are no different, whatever the total stitch count.
  
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