Crochet

Patterns, projects and techniques

EDGING EASE

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I like to edge a lot of flannel and fleece pieces.  These make really great quick and inexpensive baby gifts.  A yard of fleece can be purchased for just a couple of dollars on sale.  There are many baby themed fleece prints.  Also available in fleece at great prices are full panels, perfectly sized for cribs and twin beds, that are inexpensive and can be edged easily.

Usually, when I want to edge a piece of fabric, I just use a tapestry needle and some thread and work an evenly spaced initial edging of blanket stitch.  Then, using the yarn I want to work with, I work a row of single crochet into the initial edging.  After that, I can work any number of rows to create a simple or elaborate edging.  This works well for me and I find it to be a reliable method.  Problems with my method – well…um… I sometime have difficulty counting.  So, I…um… might have 36 stitches on one side of the blanket and only 35 stitches on the matching side.  Now, that can be a problem.

So, I found a tool that solves this problem, reliably and for a reasonable price.  Here it is:

Skipstitch rotary blade

and there are pictures showing step by step how to use the tool and edge your fabric.  Here’s a sample:

This picture shows the Foundation Row.

If you are set on using flannel rather than fleece, you need to be sure to roll the raw edge under in that first row of blanket stitch.  It’s pretty easy to do with a little practice.  Most good quality fleece won’t ravel if treated this way – but some cheaper flannels with lower thread counts need to be surged or hemstitched before you edge them.

Fleece is a ‘no fault’ fabric.  It never ravels, can be cut and sewn with out regard to the nature of its edges.  The only thing you need to do with fleece is be sure to cut off the selvedges before you crochet or sew into them.  They don’t have the same feel or stretch as the rest of the fleece piece and will ruin your finished project.

Start small and make a burp rag or infant wrap with flannel or fleece.  Create a lovely crocheted edging using baby or sport weight yarn.  I think you’ll find the results are pleasing to you and to the baby you make it for.

NOTE:  These projects need not be limited to baby.  Making a snuggly TV throw for a teen or adult (maybe in the favorite sports team fleece) or a simple ponch for anyone of any age.

Comments

  1. Thank you for the link! I love making fleece blankets but haven’t done many recently because marking the sides was so time consuming. This should solve that problem. I love getting bargain remnants at fabric stores, often for less than $3, and turning them into something useful that moms and kids enjoy.

  2. Check out the Edgery Doo too!

    A little more prep BUT I find that I am able to more acuratly plan my stitches.

    Cheers!
    Michell

Have you read?

Shock Wave Free Crochet Lap Blanket Pattern

This Free Shock Wave Crochet Lap Blanket Pattern from Mary Maxim looks like one of those wonderfully satisfying projects that gives big cozy payoff without fiddly detail. Mary Maxim lists it as a free download, designed as a crochet afghan/lap blanket, with a finished size of 45 x 50 inches.

What immediately stands out is the yarn choice. The pattern is made with Bernat Blanket Extra Thick, using 5 skeins, and calls for a U.S. U/50 (25 mm) crochet hook. That is gloriously chunky territory, which usually means fast progress and lots of squishy texture. If you are in the mood for a project that feels substantial in your hands and grows quickly row by row, this one definitely has that appeal.

Mary Maxim describes the blanket as having a beautifully textured, plush, soft finish and suggests it as a project for home décor or gifting. Based on the materials and oversized hook alone, that sounds about right. This feels like the sort of blanket you make for curling up on the couch, draping over a chair, or giving as a practical handmade gift that will actually get used instead of folded away “for best.”

The pattern is marked Easy, and the listed stitch requirements are straightforward: chain, repeat, double crochet, single crochet, and slip stitch. That makes it sound approachable for confident beginners and very appealing for anyone who wants a relaxing crochet project without too much counting drama.

I also think the lap blanket size is a smart one. Not every crochet blanket needs to become a giant commitment that takes over the lounge room and your will to live. A 45 x 50 inch blanket is a useful, manageable size for gifting, for wheelchairs or reading nooks, or just for keeping on hand for chilly evenings. That practicality gives this pattern extra appeal. The usability point is my own take based on the finished dimensions Mary Maxim provides.

At the moment, the pattern page shows no reviews, so there is not much customer feedback to go on yet. Still, if you enjoy easy crochet blanket patterns, super chunky crochet throws, or quick lap blanket projects, this one looks like a solid freebie to save.

My overall take? This looks like a fast, cozy, beginner-friendly crochet blanket pattern with plenty of texture and instant-gratification energy. Very much the sort of project you start because it looks easy, then keep going because the yarn feels ridiculously soft.