Thursday, September 9, 2010

Ends

The edge is complete, and now all I have to do is sew in the ends.

Ahem. Yes. Those ends. I naively thought that it would take me a couple of evenings worth of work. I think I'll be doing well if they're all woven in within a couple of weeks!

Some pointers:
1) It doesn't matter how frugal you think you're being, DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT think it's a good idea to leave a tail behind a joining knot* of less than 5cm (and especially as small as 1cm!?!). It's not. It will not weave in and it will look horrid, aside from driving you completely barmy when trying to work out how to hide it.
2) If at all possible, weave as many ends as you can in as you go. You will thank yourself later, rather than cursing yourself over and over (as I'm doing right now!).
3) If it's too late and you've already done what I did, keep persisting and weave them all in! I'm working on the theory that this blanket will be much better on the couch than hidden away in the WIP basket. I hope so, anyway...

Kirsty has some long term/slow burn projects on the go at the moment too. Hopefully she's finding them a little less frustrating than I am! Pay her a visit and while you're there, check out the other creative spaces around the traps this week.

*I find the whole idea of joining with a knot slightly disturbing these days, but this was a 'learn to crochet' project. I have learnt much along the way, including that some strategies are not ideal. Like joining knots. A slip stitch, on the other hand, seems to have potential?

8 comments:

Vic said...

Oh I hate dealing with the ends! So near completion yet so far! Hope it goes quickly Vic xx

Tania said...

You know I agree with EVERYTHING you say. Ends are the work of the Devil...

spectacularfairywren said...

Since apparently tonight we will be hearing on the ABC about the 'future' involving some invention which can create 'anything your heart desires' - perhaps an invention to deal with this stain on our society is in order....
Think 'mindful end weaving' - every one done is another not to do...

Sally said...

It is all about the learning ... and these lessons certainly won't be forgotten. In ten years time, hopefully much sooner, you'll be able to laugh at the process - AND so much more importantly your blanket on the couch will have many beautiful memories associated with it too... cuddles on the couch, a child snuggled and sleeping, the roof of a tent made from kitchen chairs and so on. It will all be worth it then.

Fiona said...

I hate those ends too!! Sometimes they seem like a never-ending chore. Hope you get the blanket finished soon.

Leonie said...

Ends are one of those things aren't they? Either the sign of almost completion or the signs of delay until completion.
I am and will probably always be a knotter. I feel I can trust knots to not come undone. Just weaving in ends leaves me wondering when they'll come undone or when that stitch will loosen. Sewing in as you go sounds like a good idea to avoid this challenge at the end, I just forget.
you are going to give us a picture of the completed blanket once you're done aren't you?

Jodie said...

ohh, I hate those ends too... 'Attic 24' has a great tutorial for crocheting in ends as you go, saves all of the work at the end which is great.... Love your colours, earthy and divine...

Jodie xx-xx

Unknown said...

Hey there found you via home revolutions 's Vic. I am loving the weekly menu plan idea. I do it, but dont publish it. I think I am going to start putting it up online. I am loving that gorgeous red hat you knitted....oh, to be able to knit....(i am on a self imposed ban. "No more new crafts or adding to stash, till its all gone for a whole year")