If I suddenly disappear this week, don't worry -- I've only gotten sucked into the incredible black hole of lost time that is the Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. I had all my pictures ready for this post on Saturday, but then a computer game came and ate my brain. Oblivion definitely falls into the class of "dangerously addicting". In a good way, of course.
But I do have a finished project to start the week off. And this one makes me feel virtuous because it's one of the projects from my list of projects I've resolved to finish: the Handspun Spiral Rug, from Donna Druchunas The Knitted Rug
To finish this project off, I blocked the center spiral and decided that I would do a crochet edging. At first, it was going to be a simple edging, just one row of single crochet and then one row of reverse single crochet (crab stitch) in the main solid dark blue color. But there's just something about doing single crochet that I find addictive, and I couldn't stop until I'd worked some stripes into that edging. Probably for a more sophisticated finished edge, I should have stuck with my original plans. But, hey, it's just a little rug that will probably never make it onto the floor because I can't bear the thought of cats clawing (or barfing) on or people walking on my knitting. At least not just yet. So, since I had fun, I'm willing to live with a little less sophistication.
Some basic details: This rug was worked using Cascade 220 (the solids) and Mountain Colors 4/8's Wool (the variagateds), held double on fairly large needles (I can't remember exactly which, but it's not really critical). The colors were selected for me by Matt at Threadbear Fiber Arts (I had no advance warning since the yarn for the project was a birthday present from last year, but as always, I think Matt did a really nice job putting good colors together).
This rug looks bigger than it is. In reality, its probably not even 3 feet in diameter. Probably because even the author of the pattern got tired of knitting those garter stitch strips after awhile! I'm generally pleased with the edging I chose to do, but I also chose a crochet edging for another reason: it's much more structurally solid than an applied I-cord edging would be. This was important for me because my stitching to connect the long edges of the strips together is fairly loose in some places (because I was working hard to keep the thing from puckering) and I wanted the edging to work to hold everything in place. And, of course, even with all that going around and around with the three colors, it still probably took me less time to do the crochet than it would have to have done the applied I-cord.
I think the crab stitch makes a more than adequate substitute for applied I-cord. This project did make me realize something, though. Clearly, crocheting in the round creates the same kind of "jog" as knitting in the round (you should be able to see it in the above picture). Is there any way to avoid this? I decided not to worry too much about it, after applying the galloping horse rule, but it would be nice information to know for the future.
One resolution down... 2 more to go.
Yes, there is a very easy way to avoid having a jog in your circular crocheting. You start a round with a ch1 (chain one stitch), then you do your round of sc. When you get to the end you SLIP STITCH into that first chain. Then you chain one again and do another round. If you are doing double crochet you chain 3 at the beginning and then slip stitch into the 3rd chain at the end of the round. This chain counts as the first stitch of the row so if you do a pattern that calls for a certain number of stitches then count your chain as one of them. That chain "steps you up" to the next row so it doesn't jog. I love crochet. Don't tell anyone.
Oblivion....have nightmares...afghan can wait...
Sorry, I got zombified for a moment. I can completely sympathize with putting projects on hold for the game. I'll do good to get my knitted bunnies made by Easter at this rate. One question, is it wrong of me to be kinda insanely happy that I'm not alone? Hmm...
Love the rug, by the way! Wish I could get off this infernal machine long enough to finish throws/afghans for family so I can do something like that for the house!
Painting quest.....uuuggghhh....must finsish...
Very neat rug - and great to finish a long standing WIP, too.
That is one very addictive game. I'm hooked on Kingdom Hearts 2 myself at the moment The rug is nice too! But Oblivion, that is one beautiful game!
The rug looks great - and I've just read a review about that game and they gave it 5 out 5! Good luck in your gaming!
yup. do the slip stitch as other commenters have said. works wonderfully! i love crochet. but nothing beats a knit sweater
Nice rug, I've been thinking about making one for under my dining room table but that seems just too much of challange, maybe one by my side of the bed would be better!
I like the rug - what a great way to use up odd skeins of yarn.
Very nice rug! I love it, and the colors are gorgeous.
Your rug looks so great! At one point my poor rug was removed from the basket it was in, which was requisitioned for another project, and thrown back into the "Cascade 220 bin" willy-nilly. Maybe I should go peek at it.
I went and looked at that game after you mentioned it. I'm not a gamer (suprise!) but it was intriguing even to me. Until, that is, I realized that I do not have the requisite RAM nor video card to support it. Whew. That was close.
:)
As noted above, one can crochet in the round (using a new starting chain each round) or in spiral (no new starting chain). My experience is that when working with new colors in the round, it is best to change colors at the slip stitch rather than on the first chain. You'll want to experiment with what works best for you.
Congrats on finishing that project! I'm so proud of you. Just 2 more to go! You can do it! The rug looks great too.
But I can't seem to put down WoW long enough to get to the game store and buy Oblivion! Hrm...this is a real problem. I haven't even picked up the new Sims expansion yet!
That rug is beautiful - the colors are glorious - but I don't know if I could brign myself to knit a rug. Put my knitting on the floor and let people walk on it? Are you kidding?
I love the rug and the crocheted edging looks great!! I've been wanting to knit or crochet a rug for a long time. I'll have to take a look at the book you mentioned.
All your disclaimers aside, I think it's gorgeous!
Hi. Wow, I love your blog entries and photos about the Handspun Spiral Rug from my book.
There are two ways to knit crochet in rounds. They way you did it is in spirals, which does (as you noticed) create a jog.
The other way is as follows:
Round 1: Make 1 sc in each stitch around. When you get back to beginning of the round, make a slip stitch into the top of the first stitch to join the round. Change color (if desired).
All other rounds: Chain 1. Sc in each stitch around. Slip stitch to the ch1 to join. Change color (if desired).
That's it. By joining the rounds and working a chain stitch with the new color to bring you up to the height of the next round, you avoid the job.
Love the rug! Dang, another project for the "I must" basket. I may try it as an oval. su