Weaving in loose ends: Shell stitch

Submitted by shizaf on 5 February 2008 - 12:58pm. Categorized As:

I posted this as a comment when looking at Kim Werkers tip (http://crochetme.com/tips/weave-ends-you-go) but then realised maybe it should go here? Sorry if this is classed as cross posting - totally new to this site and crochet.

Anyhow, I am doing a baby blanket with a shell stitch, changing colour each row resulting in a lot of loose ends. Is there an easier way to deal with these rather than weaving them all in at the end? Crocheting over the top means you can see them in the gaps between the shells and doubling up makes the stitch too bulky. I also tried working with 4 balls of yarn but the math doesn't work out right - the colour you need is at the wrong end of the blanket.

Am I just going to have to brave weaving all those bits in at the end??

PS: Thanks for this site - its GREAT!


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If you are working back and forth, not rounds, and if it's not too late to add another color(s) to get to an odd number of colors, you could just carry the unused colors up the sides instead of cutting them and, when done, work a border stitch over them at the end.

The odd number of colors will put each color at the right side to begin a row when the color's turn comes up again.

Or, for an even number of colors, pull the ball of yarn through the last loop at the end of the row to finish it off and carry the yarn up the sides until it's time to use the color again, and then flip your work over and start from the end that has the yarn. You may need to make some fudges to the pattern.

It may not look the same as the pattern you are working from, but it's worth extreme measures to avoid too many yarn ends, right?

Submitted by pauline3 on 7 February 2008 - 1:12am.

Okay, to make sure I understand. The yarn that is being carried... this is just loose on the sides of the blanket? I have never tried that before. I always end up weaving bits in at the end of my projects. And then after the blanket has gotten used and washed a couple times those ends always show back up. I am def. gonna have to try this sugestion. Thanks.

Submitted by Andmommymakes5 on 22 February 2008 - 8:16am.

You can carry the unused strands loose up the sides or you can catch them in an end stitch, whichever way you like. Just make sure they are loose enough when you pick the color up again so the edges don't pucker. A row of single crochet down the sides at the end will do a pretty good job of hiding the strands.

I haven't tried this, yet, but recently I've seen designers recommend a touch of washable fabric glue to hold down the ends and not just on slippery yarns like nylon cord, but that comes AFTER all the weaving in.

Hey, I just realized I can probably fix a favorite purchased sweater with coming-loose embroidery on it with glue!

Submitted by pauline3 on 22 February 2008 - 1:42pm.

are they long enough to work into a fringed edge? or is it too late for that?

when i do blankets, i always do a few rows of a border/edge stitch, partially to hide all the end pieces but also to add a nice decorative touch to the blanket. a foundation row of single stitch all the way around hides the loose ends and makes a nice starting point for whatever border i feel like making.

 

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Submitted by K von M on 2 March 2008 - 9:01pm.

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