This is a photo tutorial demonstrating how to seam the back neck of the Brioche Bias Cowl. This cowl is knit flat in one-color syncopated brioche stitch, then seamed together at the back neck using mattress stitch. You will be seaming the i-cord selvedges together as well as the slipped stitch selvedges. For the purposes of this photo tutorial, I am using a contrast color for seaming so that it is easier to see. In your cowl, I recommend using the same yarn as the rest of the knitted piece.
Materials
You will need:
- your blocked Brioche Bias Cowl
- tapestry needle
- removable st markers
- scissors
- 36” long yarn tail (ideally still attached to your cowl)
Step 1: Join the slipped st edges together using removable st markers
Lay your cowl flat on your working surface, with the WS facing you. Fold the slip stitch selvedge edges towards each other so that they are touching, WS together. Baste the edges together using removable st markers. I find it easiest to identify the slip stitches on either side, and putting the st marker through both full slip stitches.
Step 2: Graft the bottom i-cord selvedge
Your yarn tail should be coming out of the bottom i-cord selvedge on your right. Thread the yarn tail through your tapestry needle. Insert your tapestry needle through the bottom i-cord selvedge on your left, then back through the i-cord selvedge on the right. Pull snug to join. This doesn’t need to perfect since the back neck seam will not be very visible, but make sure it is secure.
Step 3: Mattress stich the slip stitch selvedges together
Insert your tapestry needle into the bar to the left of the slip stitch selvedge on your left from the bottom up. Pull yarn through. Now insert your tapestry needle into the bar to the right on the slip stitch selvedge on your right. Pull yarn through. You can pull your tail snug, but I find it can be easier to leave it loose so that it easier to see where you are seaming, leaving the “pull snug” step towards the end, right before grafting the top i-cord selvedges together.
Continue mattress stitching the slip stitch selvedges until you reach the top of the back neck seam and are ready to seam the top i-cord selvedges together. I like to remove the “basting” stitch markers as I go.
Step 4: Graft the top i-cord selvedges together
Insert your tapestry needle through the two live stitches of the i-cord selvedge on your left and pull your yarn through. Remove any stitch saver or removable stitch markers.
Insert your tapestry needle into the right i-cord selvedge, pulling snug. You can join the i-cord edges one or two more times if you like, until you are satisfied with how secure the seam is. Weave in ends and trim yarn tails. Enjoy your new cowl!