Another Technique for Finishing: Crochet Edging

Another Technique for Finishing: Crochet Edging A note from Kathleen: My main craft is knitting, but several years ago I took a crochet class because I expected that I might like that craft, too. And I do enjoy crocheting, especially for items like baby blankets—it's simply so much faster than knitting. What I didn't expect was that knowing how to crochet could bring so much to my knitting. I use crochet skills all the time; the crab stitch (sometimes called the "shrimp stitch" or "backwards single crochet") is a lovely finishing stitch for necklines and the front edges of cardigan sweaters. The edging options are endless, really—just check out the array of crocheted edging resources out there! Here's Marcy Smith, editor of Interweave Crochet, to share a perfect crochet-ending to a knitting story. Rescuing a UFO with Crochet Maybe you're not like me. Maybe your gauge is always spot on and the vision you have for your garment works perfectly. Maybe you don't have a box of false starts and “Good golly, what was I thinking?” portions of garments. Maybe you don't have things that are too big / too small / just plain unwearable. Well, I've got them. And when I finally admit that the thing just isn't working, sometimes I rip it back to a ball right away. And sometimes I stuff it in the Denial Drawer. Deep inside. And the balance is again tipped between unfinished objects (UFOs) and finished objects (FOs). A recent Feng Shui unearthed a vast expanse of knitted purple fabric that I recalled, after a moment, wanted to be a guernsey back in the day. It was HUGE. But the texture is intriguing and I can see why I didn't rip it back to its essence. It would make a good kid-size blanket, if it were jazzed up a bit. It was time to remedy the balance: this UFO could become an FO, with a little help. Now, I like knitting as much as the next fiber gal, but I Do. Not. Like. To. Pick. Up. Stitches. Especially a gazillion stitches around the edge of a thing that I don't like all that much anymore. Given that option, I'd just as soon stuff it back in the Denial Drawer. But there's a better solution, one that is accessible to anyone who loves all things yarny: crochet. That's right. Crochet. With crochet, you work with just one stitch at a time, creating the edge as you work around. And it doesn't really matter how many stitches you make, so long as they look pretty even when you're done. And when you're done, you're done. You don't have to bind off a gazillion stitches. Just one. To finish my blanket, I used the Simple Shell Edging from The Harmony Guides: Crochet Edgings and Trims, hot off the press. This book will guide even the most novice crocheter through the process. The Simple Shell Edging is a two-row edging, with the first being a base row of single crochet. Because the edges of my knitted swath are pretty even and stable, I was able to make it even simpler: I eliminated the base row. So I just commenced crocheting green shells around the purple swath until my UFO became an FO—just a different FO. (To see the specifics of where I decided to put my hook when making the edge, check out the blog on CrochetMe.) And now all is harmonious: I have one less item in my stash of “good gollies” and Project Linus has one more item in its stash of blankets. While many of you already subscribe to Interweave Knits, now is a great time to add Interweave Crochet to your tool box. Get a free trial issue of Interweave Crochet and discover more fabulous edging ideas, amazing sweater patterns, expert tips, and more. We're on the front lines of the crochet revolution and we'd love to have you jo Best, Marcy Editor, Interweave Crochet

Kathleen Cubley is the editor of Knitting Daily. Kathleen's Knit-a-Long We’re knitting the ever popular Central Park Hoodie. I’m using Tahki Donegal Tweed in pink. Join us in the Central Park Hoodie KAL forum and share tips, tricks, and photos of your progress. If you need the pattern, find it in the fall 2006 issue of Knitscene, or buy it from the Interweave Store. More at Knitting Daily • Blogs • Forums • Galleries • Free Patterns

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Grecian Plaits top from Knitter's Magazine, Summer 2007-here are pictures of it blocking.

PSA that has been viewed on You Tube and some may have heard about on the news.

Warning very graphic! I would love to see all the people I know passing this on to their friends, posting on a blog or on a forum. This is very important.

did you know that texting while driving causes the same amount of damages as those that drive while under the influence of drugs and alcohol? The impact (pun intended) is irreversible. The driver would be held responsible for any and all collisions that happen as a result of texting and driving.

PLEASE DON'T TEXT AND DRIVE, it could be last thing you ever do. If you must text someone please pullover to the side of the rod and text then. You will be thankful you did.



Cora

Since finishing the Grecian Plaits Top,

friends have been asking me if I am going to knit a skirt for it. I have been looking at the

Luminarie Skirt by Annie Modesit. I have loved this skirt and I think it would look wonderful with the top. I will be using the same yarn Bernat Shimmer for the skirt.

What do you think? Here are pictures of the top and the picture from the magazine.

Grecian Plaits Top

Luminarie Skirt

Grecian Plaits top from Knitter's Magazine, Summer 2007 in now finished.

I just need top block it now. The bottom picture truly represents the color of the top.

Updates on Mitered Magic and Greacian Plaits...

Well I have finished the second square for the Mitered Magic Tunic for my friend Melisa. This is a surprisingly fast and easy knit. Check out these pictures. The pictures were taken lastnight with my Blackberry and thye pictures turned out pretty good if I do say so myself.

Mitered Magic Pictures













Grecian Plaits Pictures


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Hope you enjoy the updates. I will be posting more in the next few days.

Cora

Finally instructions for CROCHETING an I-Cord instead os just knitting it!

Crochet Me: The Blog

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Crocheted I-cord

Posted: 13 Aug 2009 08:22 AM PDT

Where does the name I-cord come from? I contemplated that question as I began writing this blog. I never did find a good answer, so if you have any knowledge on this technique's origin, please do share. I would love to know.

I have heard of at least 2 different ways of making I-cord, each with its own pro and cons. My mind is buzzing with uses for each.
The first method is accomplished by chaining a multiple of your choice and slip stitching in the first chain to form a ring. The number of chains you make will determine the circumference of you I-cord. The beauty of I-cord is that you can customize the circumference and work it in any stitch of your choice. If you wanted to work in double crochet, you could chain 2 and double crochet in each stitch around. Now you can work in a spiral, choosing to either mark the first stitch of the round or not, until the I-cord is the proper length. This method creates a hollow I-cord.
If, rather than chaining, you work a specific number of stitches into either an adjustable loop or a beginning crochet, you can create an I-cord this way as well. Work the I-cord as above.
A second method may not technically be I-cord but can be used in the same manner. This might be the easiest method. Chain to the length desired, turn, and slip stitch in each chain across. That's it; you're done.
Now, what do you do with the miles of I-cord you have just created? The possibilities are endless. They make great handles for bags and purses. Narrow I-cords work beautifully as ties or straps. Nicky Epstein has an entire section in her book Nicky Epstein's Knitted Embellishments, and if you can do it with knitted I-cord you should be able to do it with crocheted I-cord: embellishments, edgings, Celtic knots, frog closures and more.
Best wishes,
Toni

Grecian Plaits top from Knitter's Magazine, Summer 2007

Last December I bought some Bernat Shimmer at Wal-Mart, in a nice black and red. This yarn is soooo soft, considering it is similar to Paton's Brilliant. I find the Brilliant to be somewhat scratchy and difficult to knit with.



It is sooooooo beautiful!



Here are pictures of the yoke so far.

Here are some cute pictures of Stamps the Hedgehog, who is traveling around the World.

I joined in the adventures fo Stamps traveling around the world.

Here are the Pictures:

Stamps and Friends




















Stamps and I in front of Edmonton City Hall
There is a beautiful fountain in the summer and in the winter it becomes an ice rink.



















At the Cenotaph in front of City Hall















Lunch Break
This is a really neat sculpture just outside of Churchill Square, across the street from City Hall.















Stamps is a hedgehog that was designed by Jean Greenhowe.

Jean Greenhowe's Knitted Hedgehogs (28 pages)

Knitted Hedgehogs

Cora