Pattern Gal Express
Quick Crochet Edges
By: Melanie Capener 1998 www.CQuilts.com
Perfect Quick Crochet Edges for hemstitched items, or our popular baby receiving blankets.
Items needed: 7, 8 or 9 Crochet Hook & thread.
My Thread Choices & Why:
- 100% Nylon Omega Thread: Crochet friendly, smooth, a little stiff but softens after wash & holds sheen. Best value for $.
- #8 DMC Pearl Cotton: Very Crochet friendly, smooth and easy to use finish.
- DMC Baroque: Crochet Friendly, in larger quantities.
- DMC Cebelia: Varies in thickness from 10, - 100 but only available in cream or ecru.
- YLI Pearl Crown Rayon: Comes on a serger cone is slick and shiney even after washing. Comprable to Omega Nylon holds sheen but is very soft to use.
- Bedspread Cotton, Coats & Clarks, South Maid Etc.: More difficult to use, doesn’t slide out of hemstitched holes as easily and is much more coarse.
When choosing thread I prefer Omega Nylon it keeps the sheen and is the best value for the money. It is a little stiff but softens beautifully after washing and is very nice. My next choice is #8 Pearl Cotton because it is smooth to work with. This makes it fast and easy to crochet edges and saves me time, there are more color choices. DMC Cebelia or Baroque would be my next choices. I only use Bedspread Cotton if I absolutely have to (in other words I can’t get to a store, because I’m out in camping in the boonies). These cheaper brands are cheap for a reason. They are harder to work with and it slows me down, I hate it. It’s taken me 5-6 times longer to do the same thing.
Preparations: Trim edge if desired to about ¼”, or fold edge over.
- If you want a larger looking edge, crochet over the full 3/8” edge of fabric. You will use more thread this way but you’ll have a little longer looking edge.
- For a smaller edge. Fold ¼” seam allowance in half and crochet raw edges of the fabric under first row of stitching. Trim edge of fabric to ¼” from hemstitched holes.
- Key: SC = Single Crochet
- SL = Slip Stitch
- CH = Chain Stitch
- DC = Double Crochet
- * = Repeat shell
Half Shell (Our Most Popular Edge)
Row 1: Single Crochet (SC) in each hole around hemstitched edge. Slip Stitch (SL into beginning stitch to complete row.
Row 2: * Chain 3, in same stitch 2 DC, skip 2 stitches. * (First half shell created). Repeat between * around entire row and slip stitch into bottom of first CH 3 and tie off.
Small Shell
Row 1: Single Crochet (SC) in each hole around hemstitched edge. Slip Stitch (SL into beginning stitch to complete row.
Row 2: Chain 3, in same stitch DC, 2 CH, 2 DC. Skip 2 stitches. * 2 DC in next stitch, CH 2, 2 DC in same stitch. * (First two shells created). Repeat between * around entire row and slip stitch into top of CH 3 and tie off.
Large Shell
Row 1: Single Crochet (SC) in each hole around hemstitched edge. Slip Stitch (SL into beginning stitch to complete row.
Row 2: Chain 4, in same stitch 2 DC, 3 CH, 3 DC. Skip 3 stitches. * 3 DC in next stitch, CH 3, 3 DC in same stitch. * (First two shells created). Repeat between * around entire row and slip stitch into top of CH 3 and tie off.
Little Points
Row 1: Single Crochet in first three holes, CH 4, SL in first chain, * SC in next three holes, CH 4, SL in first chain. * Repeat around item and CH 4, SL into beginning SC and tie off.
Copyright © 1999 Revised 2006, RaMel Enterprises Inc. for M. Capener All rights reserved. You may copy this for limited personal use. No part of this publication may be reproduced for commercial use without prior written permission.
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