Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Pretty Scarf with a Crocheted Edging

I am crazy about scarves and shawls and rarely leave the house without (at least) one in tow. I collect them, make them and re-design them. They are a way to enjoy patterns and textures with individual style ... and on this cold winter day, I’m huddled inside and inspired to add some newness into my wardrobe so I’m making scarves with lavish edgings. I've lined up a row of scarf projects along the carpet to plow through and fortunately I have finished the first one and have an event tonight, so I will wear it out -- instant gratification!
"Pretty Scarf with a Crocheted Edging" was actually in my fabric pile and started as an unfinished piece of printed vintage organza from either the 50s or the 60s. The flowers and colors are romantic, so I choose a yarn for the crocheted edging in that spirit - a multi colored sock yarn in a softly blending shade. Here are the How-To-Steps:
Materials:
Printed silk organza yardage (about a 30” (76 cm) square)
Silk thread in a shade that blends with silk organza
A ball of stocking weight yarn that looks wonderful with your material (I used “Regia”, color 5264, 50g, 125 m from Schachenmayr, 75/25 wool/poly)
A small crochet hook of suitable size for the yarn you choose
Basic sewing supplies

How to:
Machine zig-zag all around the outer edge of the silk organza fabric with silk thread (or even better, hand roll the edges).
Establish a working edge by hand sewing a row of blanket stitches all around the edge with the silk thread.
Press.
Make a row of single crochet stitch, working one stitch into each blanket stitch.
(Here is a photo of the work in progress, plopped onto another one of my friends' whimsical Memphis platters.)
Then ...just add a lush crocheted edge until you have used up your ball of yarn. Choose an edging that suits your experience and timeline. I would have loved to have created something very elaborate but time and ability led me to what I did, which is to create little arches by chaining a length of 5 (the next row 6 stitches, followed by 7 stitches) of length, that I caught in place by inserting into the next loop.
Finish loose threads with a few extra stitches, clip and steam edging as needed.

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