Knitting afghans
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(((((( I'd have to see the item to be sure, but I have a couple options for you:
Knit edges can be applied, too after the project is completed if you want to stay true to the craft form. See:
Knittingpatterncentral.com
Knit edgings.
This might get tricky, though as you'd have to pick up stitches on the edge with needles where a crochet hook can be applied anywhere on the item.
I'd probably NOT put a regular single crochet stitch or detailed crocheted edges of more rounds on a knit item but would consider using this crochet stitch:
RSC (reverse single crochet).
This stitch is aka crab stitch, etc. It's literally a SC
going the opposite way, produces a stabalizing final
round (finishing stitch) and at the same times makes a
CORD look which is lovely no matter what the material.
I'd experiment with the hook size suggested on the yarn label, pick up in a corner with at least two RSC, perhaps three but it depends on your edge design of your knit afghan. I'd work loose to start and see if it needs to be tighter, drop down a hook size or work tighter with the first one.
You'd have to have enough yarn, too.
I can help you more if you'd send in a pic of one corner and the entire edge of your knit afghan if you have it there, even if it's in process.
Even for an older afghan that needs a stabalized edge, one can apply this RCS after the fact. Perhaps using a contrasting color yarn in a similar weight would look nice, too.
Good luck!
Donna Rae
~~~~~~
Knit edges can be applied, too after the project is completed if you want to stay true to the craft form. See:
Knittingpatterncentral.com
Knit edgings.
This might get tricky, though as you'd have to pick up stitches on the edge with needles where a crochet hook can be applied anywhere on the item.
I'd probably NOT put a regular single crochet stitch or detailed crocheted edges of more rounds on a knit item but would consider using this crochet stitch:
RSC (reverse single crochet).
This stitch is aka crab stitch, etc. It's literally a SC
going the opposite way, produces a stabalizing final
round (finishing stitch) and at the same times makes a
CORD look which is lovely no matter what the material.
I'd experiment with the hook size suggested on the yarn label, pick up in a corner with at least two RSC, perhaps three but it depends on your edge design of your knit afghan. I'd work loose to start and see if it needs to be tighter, drop down a hook size or work tighter with the first one.
You'd have to have enough yarn, too.
I can help you more if you'd send in a pic of one corner and the entire edge of your knit afghan if you have it there, even if it's in process.
Even for an older afghan that needs a stabalized edge, one can apply this RCS after the fact. Perhaps using a contrasting color yarn in a similar weight would look nice, too.
Good luck!
Donna Rae
~~~~~~
Shirjo said:
Crab stitch really does work and gives it a nice edge. In fact I have used it on the bottom of the Kimono sweater and on the bottom of the sleeves.
Since I'm a leftie, I have trouble with the reverse row but I have a rightie friend so I do one row and she does the other.
Norma
Since I'm a leftie, I have trouble with the reverse row but I have a rightie friend so I do one row and she does the other.
Norma
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I did 2 baby blankets last year that were knit, and I used crochet for the edging. I think one I did the crab stitch, but the other was different colored blocks, so I think I did single crochet - one round in each color.They both came out nicely. I do agree that the crocheted edge is a good thing! I book I loved and bought was Jan Eatons 200 Stitch Patterns for Baby Blankets. Great book on planning your own design - and not just for baby blankets. Also it has both knitted and crocheted designs, blocks, and trim.
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10 years ago I knit hubby the Great American Aran Afghan. It consists of 20 squares, each a different Aran Pattern, each 7" across. The pattern border is a large cable repeated around the afghan. Instead of sewing it on (I felt that was unstable) I used a technique from Knitters magazine. It's called sliding loop.
As I said 10 yrs, no holes, no tears in the seams. Is it perfectly rectangular? No. Does hubby care? No. In fact, I'm not sure it was ever a perfect rectangle!
As I said 10 yrs, no holes, no tears in the seams. Is it perfectly rectangular? No. Does hubby care? No. In fact, I'm not sure it was ever a perfect rectangle!
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When I knit an afghan in stockinette stitch, I will crochet a border around it. I usually go for something like a shell border to add a bit of interest.
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I have done many crochet borders on knit afghans that needed it for stability. You would be surprised at how well knit and crochet actually play together nicely! :>)
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Knitting afghans--havent done this yet-but have knitted dishcloths. If you add 6 stitchs of rib-k1-p1 to each row in the beginning of each row the project will lay flat. This is what I will do for an afghan I am planning to knit-since it seems the curling mostly happens on the sides. Scarves I have done-and doing it this way-the scarves do not curl. You have to make sure at every row you start with the rib and end with the rib stitches at the end of the row. Hope this helps.
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32 Posts
How do you do a crab stitch? I've never seen directions for that, even though I do lots of crocheting.
Thanx! Sue
Thanx! Sue
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23,386 Posts
Crab Stitch is also known as the reverse single crochet.
I have a slow internet connection so I can't direct you to youtube site pages.
But you can google search it.
I have a slow internet connection so I can't direct you to youtube site pages.
But you can google search it.
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32 Posts
Thanx a bunch! There are several YouTube videos, and I have a great crochet stitches book, so will look it up. I think I've actually used it - just didn't know of it as Crab Stitch.
Sue
Sue
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