Crochet Together
By Ruth Talbot
If like me you hate sewing then one of the most tedious tasks after crocheting up a new garment has to be the joining of the seams.
However that is one reason why I love crochet – its versatility. You see if you can crochet you don’t need to sew your pieces together ever again.
It is possible when attaching pieces together to choose a method of joining from either sewing or crocheting. If sewing pieces together you can either use an ordinary over-lock method or backstitch. If you decide to crochet the pieces together then you have another two choices; a slip stitch seam or a double crochet seam.
Crocheting pieces means that the finished seam becomes part of the pattern as it makes a ridge effect, which can look great in certain types of pattern. Or you can choose to make the seam hardly seen at all.
As you can imagine these four different methods all give different finished effects – so vary in suitability depending on what you are making. The four techniques are listed below, along with a look at the overall effect it gives to the finished garment.
Technique One: Sewing Together Using Backstitch.
Place items on top of each other with the wrong sides facing outwards. Using a tapestry needle and matching yarn, insert underneath top of the end stitches, working back stitch across the garment.
This leaves a ridge on the wrong side, so work has a tendency not to lie flat.
Technique Two: Sewing Together Using Over-stitch.
Lay work wrong sides uppermost, side by side, then insert a tapestry needle with matching yarn into the back of the end stitch and across to the front of the other garment. Ensuring you do not pull too tight.
Here the work fits together leaving a very real pattern. The back of the work is more even and so work lies flat easily.
Technique Three: Crocheting Together with a Double Crochet Seam.
Using a crochet hook and yarn work a row of double crochet stitches through both parts of the stitch, evenly spacing stitches.
If you join with the right sides together you will make a traditional seam at the back of the work. Joining with wrong sides together means that your seam will be visible from he front of the work.
Technique Four: Crocheting Together with a Slip Stitch Seam.
Using a crochet hook and yarn work a row of slip stitches through both parts of the stitch. Ensure you space your stitches evenly.
The effects are similar to technique four - with the exception that the ridge is slightly thinner. So if ridge is at the back then it leaves you with less of a seam.
So as you can see there are choices to be made even after you have finished crocheting up your garment. Always remember the overall look of any finished piece can be enhanced or ruined by the finishing process. So it makes sense to get used to using all of the techniques mentioned above. It can make a huge difference!
To read the whole article and learn more about crochet go to http://www.crochet–made-easy.com/joining.htm
Author Ruth Talbot owner of www.crochet-made-easy.com and Hooked newsletter has more than 30 years crocheting experience and over 10 years as a lecturer.
Article Source: http://www.free-articles-zone.com
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