Some embroidery stitches are useful for the crocheter to know. They can be used to add some detail to work or some additional surface design or even to help combine crochet with fabric.
Blanket Stitch is a very simple yet versatile embroidery stitch which is straightforward and easy to do! It has many uses, for instance neatening up the edge of some crochet, or perhaps for making the foundation loops for use when adding crochet to fabric. This is useful perhaps for making a patchwork blanket made from both fabric and crocheted squares, or perhaps for making a crocheted edge to a garment.
Blanket Stitch around fabric and adding crochet.
We’ll look below at making blanket stitches around the edge of fabric and how these can then be crocheted into. The same principle, however, is applied if the stitches are worked into the edges of a piece of crochet.
Instructions to make a simple Blanket Stitch:
To start you need some thick thread or crochet cotton and a waste scrap of fabric to practice on.
1/ Bring needle through.
2/ Pull thread.
3/ Repeat.
4/ Work row of SC.
Knot the thread and holding the thread and needle at the rear of the fabric push the needle through to the front about 1cm away from the edge. Push the needle back through the fabric about 1 cm to the right and start to pull the thread through[1].
Before the thread is pulled tight, thread the needle through the loop to catch the thread and gently pull until the loop is taught against the top of the fabric[2].
This is your first blanket stitch. Repeat in this manner until as many stitches as required are made[3]. Remember to keep the work as even as possible.
To crochet into the Blanket Stitch simply regard the top of each stitch as a loop to be crocheted into [4]. Work a row of single crochet or any other stitch as required.
To blanket stitch around a piece of crochet
When working around the edge of crochet follow the instructions above, however make a blanket stitch between each crochet stitch to ensure an even finish. It is best to use a yarn or thread which is of a similar thickness to that with which the crochet is worked.
This is a very easy way to add crochet to fabric and has many different applications.
Instructions for basic single crochet stitches can also be found here.
