Consider adding on an edging or section of insertion to a sewn garment to give your clothes a highly individual finish. There are a few ways of doing this, depending on the fabric.
1. If the fabric has a firm weave where even a fine crochet hook would leave a too obvious hole, then thread a needle with strong but fine perle cotton. Work a backstitch along the fold of the hem (or along a marked line if within the edge), making sure the beginning and end are securely finished. Then, using your chosen yarn and needles, pick up knitwise under each stitch. Of course you will have worked out your edging pattern and the number of stitches needed to be picked up.
2. When the fabric will not be distorted by the use of a crochet hook, just work double crochet (USA sc) about 3mm (1/8 inch) from the folded edge with a thread that is suitable for the material. After the initial round, you can continue with a crochet edge or simply begin knitting by picking up under each chain.
3. If you want the edging to gradually fan out instead of being straight, just incorporate the extra stitches into the pattern as you work down. This is particularly easy with a pattern that has one or more rows of plain knitting between fancy ones. All you have to know is the number of stitches in each pattern repeat and increase to maintain that for the next pattern row.
4. You can choose to work your edging in rows, which will require careful joining, or in rounds, choosing a pattern that was designed for that purpose.
5. For a freestyle, draw the line where you want to add the knitted finish and crochet a slip stitch (which looks like chain embroidery) on the surface. Start by forming a slip loop on thread. Hold thread under fabric. Push hook through fabric at start of marked line. Grab up slip loop and pull through. Push hook down again a little further on (stitch length) and pull up thread again. Continue on, working at a light tension. When completed, you have a strong base to pick up from.
6. Here are some ideas for trimming fabric with knitting or crochet:
A Victorian style nightgown with straps and yoke knitted.
Camisole in fine fabric with knitted straps.
Petticoat with deep knitted-on edging.
Collars, cuffs and waistbands.
As an overlay on a circular skirt.
A chemise style dress with alternating bands of fabric and knitting.
The copyright of the article Adding A Knitted Edging To Fabric in Knitting is owned by Esmerelda Jones. Permission to republish Adding A Knitted Edging To Fabric in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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