How to Join Knitted Garment Pieces with the Blanket Stitch

Materials & tools you'll need

Step 1 — Tie the two pieces together and set up the first stitch

Place the two knitted pieces to be joined edge to edge, however you'd like the finished seam to sit. Thread a yarn needle with your project yarn and tie the two edges together at one end with a simple knot — a single knot is enough to anchor the yarn, no need to double it. This knot marks your starting point and keeps the first stitch from pulling loose as you begin.

Step 2 — Work the first blanket stitch to anchor the seam

Bring the needle up through a stitch from the bottom, first through the first piece and then through the corresponding stitch on the second piece, so the working yarn crosses between the two edges. This creates a loop with the working yarn still attached to the needle. Pass the needle through that loop and pull it straight up snugly — not too tight — to lock the first stitch in place.

Step 3 — Continue the blanket stitch across the seam

Repeat the same motion along the entire seam: pass the needle under one stitch on the first piece, then under the corresponding stitch on the second piece, and thread the needle through the loop created by the previous stitch before pulling snug. Working this way keeps every new loop sitting right where you need it, so you're never searching around for the next stitch. Continue until the whole seam is joined, keeping your tension even so the finished seam lies flat.

Step 4 — Finish and weave in the tail

Once you reach the end of the seam, tie off the working yarn with a simple knot and thread the tail onto your needle. Weave the tail in and out through several stitches along the inside of the seam to secure it invisibly, then trim any excess. The finished blanket stitch seam sits neatly on the outside of the join while hiding the raw edges of both pieces on the inside.

Using the blanket stitch decoratively

The same stitch isn't limited to joining two pieces together — worked along a single edge, it makes a tidy decorative border instead of a seam. The motion stays the same; you're simply anchoring each loop to one edge rather than stitching two edges to each other, which makes it a handy finishing touch for cuffs, hems, or any raw edge you'd like to neaten up.

Frequently asked questions

What is the blanket stitch and why is it useful for joining knitted garments?
The blanket stitch is a simple, versatile stitch that securely joins two pieces of fabric or knitting — such as a pullover sleeve to its body — while hiding the raw edges on the inside of the seam and leaving a neat, finished line on the outside.

Can the blanket stitch be used on a single piece of fabric instead of joining two?
Yes — worked along a single edge instead of between two pieces, the blanket stitch creates a decorative, finished border rather than a seam. The stitch motion is the same; you're simply anchoring each loop to one edge instead of stitching two edges together.

What kinds of projects can I use the blanket stitch for?
The blanket stitch works well across crochet, sewing, and knitting projects. It's especially handy for joining sleeves or panels on knitted garments, but it can also finish raw edges or add decorative detailing to almost any fabric or knitted piece.

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