[Casey47]

What stitch do you use to sew in the sleeve on a knit sweater? And will you tell me why you use the stitch? Thank you.

 

[MMWRay]

Part of a sleeve seam is end of row stitches and some are sides of stitches and because of this I do not use one particular stitch for sewing in sleeve caps. I tend to whip stitch some places, back stitch some areas and weave almost like Kitchener in some stitches in order to sew in as invisibly as possible.

 

[Rosehall]

I use back stitch because I have been doing it that way for over fifty years. I find it strong and doesn’t come apart.

 

[barrovian]

I also use back stitch to sew in set in sleeves. For raglan something like a mattress stitch.

 

[Audgran1]

Mattress stitch for me

 

[Cashmere-Cat]

Mattress - every time for every part of a garment even my crochet ones. Makes for invisible seams.

 

[Browniemom]

Sometimes backhand and most recently mattress stitch. Both are strong and mattress is invisible. Have used backhand stitch for ever over 60 years.

 

[jemima]

I always sew back stitch because it is stretchy.

 

[katrapp]

I use mattress stitch, but for the tops of the sleeve, I follow the loops. This creates an almost invisible seam.

 

[BaraKiss]

Same for me.

I use back stitch because I have been doing it that way for over fifty years. I find it strong and doesn't come apart.

 

[joand]

I use mattress stitch because it looks the best.

 

[daisysmom]

My first set in sleeve was a lace cardigan. Nothing lined up..I was stumped, but I also sew garments. So I just set the sleeve in like I was sewing a blouse and eased in the fullness and back stitched. Worked perfectly. Have been doing it that way ever since. Hope this helps

 

[spins2knit]

I never do sewn in sleeves! It is not at all difficult to find information on how to do them from the top down in any style you want.

 

[Taffsey]

If you google “video on setting in knitted sleeves with a crochet hook” you will find the unusual method I use: the result is neat and secure and easy to do.

 

[Susie50]

I like to short row my sleeves as I go, so there is no need for stitching on later.

 

[CSS202]

I have a sweater I need to finish. I got sidetracked by Christmas (and am still working on a late gift) so haven't finished, but this video on setting in sleeves looked very helpful:

 

[Casey47]

Thank you everyone! I'm going to check out every suggestion here and add them all to my notes book. Again, thank you - you are great teachers.

 

[joycevv]

It depends. Sometimes I do a duplicate stitch type join that can look very invisible.

 

[caros]

I’ve always used small backstitches and they last forever. The garment looks very neat from the outside, also.

 

[CSS202]

If you google “video on setting in knitted sleeves with a crochet hook” you will find the unusual method I use: the result is neat and secure and easy to do.

I was curious, so I did as you suggested and found:

(how to attach sleeves with a crochet hook).

This video uses a slip stitch to join. I learned to crochet at an early age, so when I started making garments, I slipped stitched them together. However, I always thought that the result was very bulky at the seam, since the slip stitch essentially overlaps the two pieces (with one folded over), plus adds the slip stitch itself.

One day I decided to experiment and I joined with single crochet instead of slip stitch, and I've never looked back. There is still a ridge on the inside, but it is not as pronounced as the slip stitch join, and the sc opens up and allows the two pieces to lie next to each other instead of on top of each other, so the right side looks almost completely flat. Here is an old (very old!) crocheted sweater that I happen to have next to me this morning. If you follow the seam in the second picture towards the top, you can see how flat it is on the right side.