Wednesday, November 07, 2012

More Crocheted Edgings and a Giveaway

With two new grandbabies due in the spring, I have been busy crocheting edgings on flannel receiving blankets.  A number of years ago I posted how I make these blankets, and today I am going to show you some of the stitches I used on these recent blankets.  Also, at the end of this post you will read about a giveaway for one Sharp Crochet Hook and instruction booklet from Jessica of sharpcrochethook.com.

These edgings are all quick and simple to crochet with only one or two rounds.  If you want more elaborate, fancier edgings, then you may want to look elsewhere; however, if you want edgings that stitch up quickly and easily, then give these a try. 

For this giraffe-monkey fabric, I wanted a plain edging that wasn't very frilly, suitable for a boy.  The thread I used is size 5, and is thicker than the size 10 I typically use.  I like this thread for the heavier look I achieved here.  The stitch is so easy (only one round!) and yet looks great.

Directions:
Only one round: (2 sc directly into fabric, chain 1); repeat around every 1/4-inch


I used the same size 5 yarn for this green polka-dot blanket and crocheted another simple 2 round edging as follows:

Directions:
Rnd 1: sc around, approximately every 1/4-inch
Rnd 2: (chain 2, sc into next st); repeat


The edging for the pastel dot blanket was also stitched in only one round to create a simple, bumpy, picot edging.

Directions:
Only one round: sc into fabric, (chain 3, slip-stitch into the sc (picot made), sc into same hole as first sc, chain 1, sc into next place in fabric, approx. 1/4-inch apart); repeat around.

 
The pink rosebud fabric has long been a favorite of mine.  It's a classic print that is simply sweet.  For this blanket, I used #10 crochet thread in a variegated pink with the following simple scallop stitch:

Directions:
Rnd 1: sc around approximately every 1/4-inch
Rnd 2: (sc in next stitch, 5 dc in next stitch, sc in next stitch); repeat.

~~~
Now for the giveaway information!  Jessica at Sharp Crochet Hook is going to send one Sew Chic reader a free booklet of patterns and one crochet hook like the set pictured below.  The instruction booklet is small in size, but it comes packed with patterns for 18 projects.  I haven't yet tried out the patterns, but I did use the crochet hook to work the pastel dot blanket. I found the sharp hook helped me move along more quickly than with my regular size 8 hook.  Jessica's current hook is improved over her previous design and does not snag or catch on the fabric.  I like this hook even more than the hook I received last year. 


To enter the giveaway, leave a comment on this post.  I will randomly choose a winner in a week or so.  In the meantime, go here to check out some of the exciting patterns included in the booklet.  

Ruth

48 comments:

  1. I have always loved these types of blankets, a friend gave me one with my oldest and I copied it several times. The sharp hook would certainly speed it up!

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  2. i would love to try the sharp hook. Please enter me in the giveaway!

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  3. I'd love to be entered into this, want to try doing this kind of edging.

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  4. The crochet edged baby blankets are so pretty, I've often wondered how to achieve this look, thanks for the tutorials and for the chance to win the crochet hook and patterns.

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  5. I love making these blankets, and would love to try her new sharp hook. :)

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  6. How beautiful! I would love to try these blankets with a sharp hook. (Heck, maybe I could crochet something that didn't look like a yarn nest using the sharp hook, I have been trying to improve for years:-)

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  7. I already make flannel blankets and burp cloths for baby gifts. This would let me add that "something special" to each one!

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  8. awesome giveaway. Thanks for the chance!

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  9. I love crochet edge blankets! Perhaps it's time I dusted off my crochet skills and started making some for baby gifts.;) Thank you for holding a giveaway!

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  10. The blankets are beautiful!

    Interesting, in that I just did a review and got maybe the old hook? Hmmm. Either way, I don't need to be entered into the giveaway. :)

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  11. I would love to try these blankets so pretty and pratical.

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  12. How cute! I love the monkey fabric with the green edging!

    Never knew there was a special "hook" just for doing this. Would have perhaps made my past attempts a little easier. :-)

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  13. These are great blankets and I'd love to be entered!

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  14. I love a nice crocheted edge on a blanket. Those are beautiful! Thanks for the directions and the giveaway opportunity

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  15. I would love to win the Sharp Crochet Hook!

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  16. Those blankets are as sweet at the babies who will be wrapped in them. Thank you for the giveaway.

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  17. I love your blankets, and have admired them over the years. I've made similar blankets without the crochet, and would love to be entered in your drawing for the opportunity for the sharp crochet hook. This is especially timely as my youngest daughter is expecting my first granddaughter!

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  18. i crochet and would love to win thanks for the chance

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  19. I love your blankets and would enjoy trying the sharp crochet hook!

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  20. Thanks for sharing. Crocheting the edges of some blankets right now. Can't wait to use the new stitch. Would love to try this sharp crochet hook.

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  21. Loved the edgings! I just bought flannel for my daughter's new baby due in June. Include me in your drawing, please. Ü

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  22. Thank you so much for sharing these ideas for edgings. They are beautiful. I am currently doing some crochet edging on socks for my little girls. I never knew a sharp hook existed. I would love to give one a try.

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  23. I really like your blankets and I am planning to make some too.

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  24. I love the monkey fabric! And the stitch you have used on the pastel dots fabric is so pretty.

    (P.s. feel free to miss me out of the giveaway if it is for US only)

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  25. Would love to win this! I love your blankets!!! I haven't made any in awhile, I need to get busy and make some!;o) I really want to make some crocheted edge pillowcases as christmas gifts.

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  26. would love to win this! thx

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  27. Ruth I also bought a hook last year and I'm tempted to get another one now that you've said you like it better. I also think my big girls would love the embellished tanks project in her new book. I'd love to win your giveaway but if I don't I think this might get put on my wishlist. :)

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  28. Would love to have this book...Christmas wish list perhaps?

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  29. My mother used to crochet blanket edgings like this and I still have a couple of the blankets she made for my children. Maybe if I won this I could learn to make these blankets too.

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  30. Wish I would have learned from my grandma before she passed away - But I am determined to learn and teach my girls so we can carry on her tradition.

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  31. Thanks for showing all the different edgings. Love them all!!!

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  32. I crochet blankets for friends who are having babies. I would love to try this sharp hook. I've been sending them off to be hemstitched. It looks beautiful, but is costly and I can't just "whip one out" when I need one! This could save the day!

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  33. What a great give-away! I'd love to make a couple of these blankets and try the crochet hook. It sounds great!
    Thanks!

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  34. I really love the edge stitches on your blankets! I used to crochet a lot, but haven't done it in awhile. I would love to win the the sharp hook to whip up some baby blanket gifts!

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  35. Hello, I've always wanted to try crocheting blanket edges. Neat tool to help the process go more smoothly. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  36. Thanks for a lovely giveaway. I am trying to learn how to incorporate crochet into my sewing.
    cutekipepeo (AT)gmail (DOT)com

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  37. I made a blanket last year using your tutorial. The parents of the recipient liked it enough to use a picture of the baby wrapped in the blanket in their birth announcement!

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  38. Wow! these are such a memory jogger! My mom always made receiving blankets with the crocheted edge for new babies, and her mother made these as well. I made one a long time ago, but it was such a pain because the hook was hard to put into the fabric. I never knew that a "sharp" crochet hook existed. I would love to try it and keep the legacy alive!

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  39. this is a great little tool that as you have shown makes heirlooms to pass down to family an friend the can be on a doiley collor just a cute little touch please enter me as well in drawing for loosers where we can get an cost it would a item with aging hands arther is making hand sewing ever harder i love it anyway thanks for this ever so much

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  40. I'm going to have to have this. I just made several fleece blankets for Christmas and crocheted edgings on all of them. I was so sick of poking holes!!

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  41. TNewton, I have never crocheted edgings on fleece, but I'm sure the sharp crochet hook would work great.

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  42. Hi Ruth,
    Just to say Thank you for the inspirations for the edging. I've done the second example on my Grannies Hexagons. And Hopefully I can try on Fleece soon.
    Thank you.
    Cheers.

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    1. I'm glad you found the edging instructions helpful. Your grannies hexagon piece looks fantastic....I love the colors you used, and the edging does look nice. :)

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  43. Thank you for our instructions! I love making these blankets - they look so nice and they are so soft. I wanted to tell you about another way to make the holes you may wish to try. Nancy's Notions sells the 'edge-perfect' blade for rotary cutters and it is specifically designed to make hole on the edge for crocheting. It works so well. FYI in case it will make it even easier for you.
    Happy crocheting.
    Rose

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    1. Rose, thank you for the kind comments, and thank you for telling me about the edge-perfect blade. Unfortunately, the reviews I've read about the blade state that the blade only works for non-woven fabric, unlike flannel. Have you used the blade on flannel, and if so, I'd love to hear about your experience.

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  44. I have been making receiving blankets for years, only I use fleece and crochet around the edge. I have a great grandson due the third of May

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