Seaming cast-on and bind-off edges: When working a seam, it is important to think about the purpose of that seam before deciding upon the best way to close it up. For example, the top and bottom seams of the Fair Isle Pillow have been sew together over the bound-off and cast-on edges. The bound-off edges provide for a strong, stable support for the pieces to be seamed together. This method is also good for jackets and heavy sweaters. The photos below show how this type of seam is worked. Remember, it may take a couple tries to get the stitches lined up and sewn together evenly. Practice makes perfect! Another way of seaming is to leave the stitches live and then graft the pieces together. Although the seam is much softer and less obvious, it is also not as strong and the stitches are more likely to stretch under the weight of heavier garments. When working the shoulders on a summer garment in a lightweight yarn you may prefer to keep the shoulder stitches live and graft the shoulder seams together for a smoother, less visible seam.
Seaming a circular piece—Begin by folding your circular knitted piece with the wrong sides together so that both edges are parallel. • Insert your tapestry needle from right to left through the stitch closest to the fold (1); pull yarn through leaving a tail long enough to weave in. Note: When selecting which 2 strands to put your needle through, remember that in order for your seam yarn to line up with the stitches, you'll always want to go under the "V" part of the stitch. • Insert needle from left to right through the stitch to the right of the first stitch (2); pull yarn through.
• Insert needle from right to left into the next stitch to the right of the first stitch (lets call this side A from now on; image 3); pull yarn through. • Insert needle from right to left into the next stitch on the other side of the seam (side B; image 4). It helps if you are looking directly at the seam, rather than one side or the other. • Continue in this manner, pulling yarn through one stitch on each edge alternately until you have no stitches remaining.
• If you leave your seaming yarn loose as you seam your seam will look like image 5. If you pull tight on your seaming yarn after each stitch, your seam will look like image 6. Either way would be fine. Choose whichever method best suits your tastes.
Resources: Here is a collection of fabulous Seaming Resources. Try out seaming a circular piece: Here are a few free patterns where you can try out seaming circular knitting: • La Gran Fair Isle Pillow
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