Crocheted Finishing Edges
If you don't want to finish off your knitting with a knitted facing then a round of
crochet in crab stitch is the perfect solution. This is especially suitable for light
summer pullovers or tops because it gives a lovely light finish.
Crab stitch is simply working a single crochet stitch from left to light, instead of right
to left. The edge is stable and clean-cut but also decorative. The cascade-type of
decreasing at the neckline or armholes are rounded off perfectly with crab stitches. And
if you want to insert a zip a row of crab stitches along the edges is the best groundwork
for this.
How it goes
Start with a stitch at the beginning of the row or round to be crocheted.
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| 1. Insert the hook into the next stitch to the
right from the front to back - angle your hook down and pull through - you now have two
loops on the hook. |
2. Put yarn round hook and pull it through both
loops. |
Repeat this always working to the right. The round is
finished with a chain stitch to the first stitch. Make sure the edge is not too tight and
not too loose. The rule of thumb is
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| When crocheting straight
edges (e.g. a V-neck at the back) there are three knitted stitches between two crab
stitches. Insert the hook alternately on one stitch and between two stitches. |
Beim Umhäkeln von seitlichen Kanten (z.B.
Armausschnitt) liegen zwischen zwei Krebsmaschen 2 Reihen. |
Another Tip
Depending on the yarn, sometimes a single round of crab stitches looks a bit scant. There
are two possibilities here: do a round of single crochet first and then crab stitch, or do
two rounds of crab stitch going into the same stitch in both rounds.
Don't be afraid to experiment. A crocheted finishing edge in a contrast colour or a
contrast yarn is often a real eye-catcher.
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