Embellishing in Crochet and Knit
Embellishment Stitches on Crochetwear & Knitwear Update Wardrobe
Yarn-based garments can be updated in a flash using both crochet and embroidery techniques. Try surface stitching in crochet, using the surface chain method.
A couple of basic crochet and embroidery techniques can go a long way when updating a wardrobe. Yarn-based garments are especially amenable to surface stitching. Both techniques are easy and can be tried on any knitted or crocheted garments.
Plan the Embellishment
Even when a knit or crochet project is “finished,” it can still be dressed up a bit more. Perhaps it was made a couple of years ago and needs a bit of life breathed into it. As long as its stitches have space between them then it can be further beautified by adding surface crochet chains.
Think of a finished item as a canvas, and imagine what else can be done with it. Some needle workers can “freehand” embellishment work, but some feel more comfortable with charts. Transfer pattern onto fabric, or use a chart.
Surface Chain
Surface chaining is just what it says it is; a chain is made along the surface of a finished knit / crochet piece to make a picture, name, or pattern. It’s an elegant way to personalize a project with the recipient’s name.
Use a Crochet Hook: Make a slip knot, and place it on the hook. Hold slip knot to the back side of the fabric. Insert the hook through the fabric from the right side; hook that slipknot and pull it up to the right side. (Figure 1)
Stick the hook back through the fabric, loop the yarn around the hook, and pull it up through the loop already in the fabric. (Figures 2 and 3) Chain along the surface of the fabric, as if making chain stitches in crochet; create a line of surface chaining.
The entire process is almost just like making a crochet chain, but with the piece of finished material between it.
Use a Tapestry Needle: This technique uses the same effect described above, but it is executed in embroidery style; it’s just like a chain stitch in embroidery. Thread a tapestry needle through the yarn, bring needle up through the fabric, put it back down in same place, and bring it back up where the next stitch is to be started. Loop it through the first stitch, and then go back down again where that stitch came up, leaving a bit of yarn to loop through. (Figures 4 and 5)
Using Surface Chaining
Some ideas that are easily accomplished using surface chaining are: add a name / personalization, use an embroidery chart and execute it using a tapestry needle and yarn, make a lovely flower, make a crochet heart or knit heart appliqué and add someone’s name to it, or just freestyle a picture. Choose a color that is flattering to the rest of the piece.
One very nice thing about surface chaining is that it is super-easy to rip it out if it doesn’t look right. Give it a try; it’s surprising what can be done with a little imagination.
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