How do I anchor a crochet blanket that was chewed on?
January 5, 2022 6:25 AM
One of my bunnies is a jerk and ate a couple spots on the edge of a crocheted blanket. I can crochet in a very basic way and knit and sew decently. It hasn't unraveled at all from the damage as far as I can tell but I'd like to prevent any more. What do I need to do to reinforce it?
+1 on Mizu's comment that it really depends and pics would help determine what's applicable.
In general, crochet/knit stuff unravels much more easily in one direction than the other (pulling on the beginning won't unravel the work but pull on the latest row and it unravels super easily, sometimes much to my distress and sad annoyance when it happens accidentally).
The key is to anchor any of the loose hoops that would result in unraveling if pulled on. Pics would help ID where those are. Did the chewing break the yarn and loosen these hoops?
Also, depending on the fiber content, there may be additional methods to prevent unraveling (felting, attaching a liner, etc).
posted by Sockin'inthefreeworld at 6:55 AM on January 5, 2022
In general, crochet/knit stuff unravels much more easily in one direction than the other (pulling on the beginning won't unravel the work but pull on the latest row and it unravels super easily, sometimes much to my distress and sad annoyance when it happens accidentally).
The key is to anchor any of the loose hoops that would result in unraveling if pulled on. Pics would help ID where those are. Did the chewing break the yarn and loosen these hoops?
Also, depending on the fiber content, there may be additional methods to prevent unraveling (felting, attaching a liner, etc).
posted by Sockin'inthefreeworld at 6:55 AM on January 5, 2022
I’d add a little fabric glue to secure the damaged pieces and then crochet over the damage in another basic stitch.
posted by Ostara at 7:39 AM on January 5, 2022
posted by Ostara at 7:39 AM on January 5, 2022
I'd just tie knot to the stitch.
posted by DarlingBri at 8:31 AM on January 5, 2022
posted by DarlingBri at 8:31 AM on January 5, 2022
You could definitely bring it to your local yarn store and they'd be happy to help, even if you're not a regular customer. One near me was doing video consults as well!
posted by quadrilaterals at 11:10 AM on January 5, 2022
posted by quadrilaterals at 11:10 AM on January 5, 2022
If the stitches are not unraveling, that's good! I would probably hand-sew some reinforcement in a matching thread in the affected area to make sure everything was secure. However depending on the yarn type, it might already be mildly felted and thus secure enough on its own.
posted by DoubleLune at 11:28 AM on January 5, 2022
posted by DoubleLune at 11:28 AM on January 5, 2022
Do you want to recreate the edge or just secure it even if it remains uneven? Because you can do a neat overcast stitch in regular sewing thread starting from eg, an inch away from the chewed section and catching all the crocheted loops. It will be nearly invisible.
Another (more expensive) solution would be to buy several yards of matching ribbon wide enough to bind the entire perimeter of the blanket.
posted by TWinbrook8 at 1:00 PM on January 5, 2022
Another (more expensive) solution would be to buy several yards of matching ribbon wide enough to bind the entire perimeter of the blanket.
posted by TWinbrook8 at 1:00 PM on January 5, 2022
Looking at the picture, because it’s a rainbow, I would go with some visible mending. Start with the overcast stitch that TWinbrook8 describes to make sure things are secure. Then I’d make a new cloud shape that’s big enough to cover the chewed edge. All I’d do is make a handful of crocheted circles of different row counts. Put the biggest ones in the center and then layer the smaller ones around their edges, and you’ve got a cute bubbly cloud shape! Sew them together and then onto the edge. It would look appropriate but not erase the “work” of your bunny.
posted by Mizu at 4:29 PM on January 5, 2022
posted by Mizu at 4:29 PM on January 5, 2022
What is the fiber content? The project may (or may not) have the same yarn in different colors. Natural fibers like wool and cotton burn to ash, synthetics melt. The long-term condition of the project means using the same fibers for proper daily wear/cleaning results.
Using a replacement yarn from a different manufacturer is not an issue. Fiber content is.
Manufacturers change their yarns periodically, so unless this was a recent project getting the same yarn may not be critical.
Seconding that crochet unravels in one direction. However, I unravel the wrong way from time to time. It takes patience and sometimes a blunt object to tweak out the yarn without splitting/damaging it (large eyed needle is my choice since I already have one to work in tag ends).
Aging and wear can cause the yarn to felt or tangle a bit, which makes a smooth unravel almost impossible. You may be able to unravel back and anchor the row in one direction, but the other may need trimming back and anchoring a tiny amount of yarn, just enough to keep the row from unraveling further.
Anchoring the beginning or end of a row, working on the front side of project --
Basically, make a single crochet on the working row with salvaged remaining yarn, continue pulling the yarn to make a three-inch tag end and cut yarn. Work tag end into project with large eyed needle. I usually work an inch out and an inch back over the same area to lock tag end into place. Trim the excess off.
I am left-handed, so I might try a right-handed single crochet on the off side. Or not. Luckily, I have friends who could do that side for me.
I agree with advise above about adding a decoration over the damage, instead of trying to replicate the work. Not gonna happen, even if the same crocheter used the same hook and yarn, because of the aging and wear.
I'd go simple with some similar white yarn (match the outer single crochet row).
Simple single crochet patching, working on the front side of project --
It looks like you need to unravel/anchor back to the yellow row. Attach new yarn (I like a standing single crochet) and single crochet across, slip stitch into the other end and cut yarn.
Work in each tag end at the end of the repair, working a bit into the inner part of the colored yarn and then up into other white replacement areas.
Work each row individually (right to left if right-handed). This is probably what the crocheter did for the border.
Which crochet hook size --
Check with a local yarn store. Average sizes for worsted weight yarn are H/8 (5.00 mm) and I/9 (5.5 mm), but you may need a larger hook. Go larger if unsure, since a tight patch will look puckered.
You may need a smaller hook to open up the working row stitches as you go, due to age and wear.
Things that effect whether the project is puckered (too tight) or sloppy (too loose), in order of easy substitution: change the hook, change the yarn, change the pattern, change the way you crochet.
posted by TrishaU at 11:39 PM on January 5, 2022
Using a replacement yarn from a different manufacturer is not an issue. Fiber content is.
Manufacturers change their yarns periodically, so unless this was a recent project getting the same yarn may not be critical.
Seconding that crochet unravels in one direction. However, I unravel the wrong way from time to time. It takes patience and sometimes a blunt object to tweak out the yarn without splitting/damaging it (large eyed needle is my choice since I already have one to work in tag ends).
Aging and wear can cause the yarn to felt or tangle a bit, which makes a smooth unravel almost impossible. You may be able to unravel back and anchor the row in one direction, but the other may need trimming back and anchoring a tiny amount of yarn, just enough to keep the row from unraveling further.
Anchoring the beginning or end of a row, working on the front side of project --
Basically, make a single crochet on the working row with salvaged remaining yarn, continue pulling the yarn to make a three-inch tag end and cut yarn. Work tag end into project with large eyed needle. I usually work an inch out and an inch back over the same area to lock tag end into place. Trim the excess off.
I am left-handed, so I might try a right-handed single crochet on the off side. Or not. Luckily, I have friends who could do that side for me.
I agree with advise above about adding a decoration over the damage, instead of trying to replicate the work. Not gonna happen, even if the same crocheter used the same hook and yarn, because of the aging and wear.
I'd go simple with some similar white yarn (match the outer single crochet row).
Simple single crochet patching, working on the front side of project --
It looks like you need to unravel/anchor back to the yellow row. Attach new yarn (I like a standing single crochet) and single crochet across, slip stitch into the other end and cut yarn.
Work in each tag end at the end of the repair, working a bit into the inner part of the colored yarn and then up into other white replacement areas.
Work each row individually (right to left if right-handed). This is probably what the crocheter did for the border.
Which crochet hook size --
Check with a local yarn store. Average sizes for worsted weight yarn are H/8 (5.00 mm) and I/9 (5.5 mm), but you may need a larger hook. Go larger if unsure, since a tight patch will look puckered.
You may need a smaller hook to open up the working row stitches as you go, due to age and wear.
Things that effect whether the project is puckered (too tight) or sloppy (too loose), in order of easy substitution: change the hook, change the yarn, change the pattern, change the way you crochet.
posted by TrishaU at 11:39 PM on January 5, 2022
What is the fiber content?
If I had to guess without any other info, it'd be acrylic or synthetic blend of some sort, based on the lustre look (and the cost of making something big like a blanket).
I would go with some visible mending.
Just a fun idea: Now that kintsugi is becoming more popular, you could fill in the missing bits with a gold or similarly fabulous yarn...
posted by Sockin'inthefreeworld at 1:37 AM on January 6, 2022
If I had to guess without any other info, it'd be acrylic or synthetic blend of some sort, based on the lustre look (and the cost of making something big like a blanket).
I would go with some visible mending.
Just a fun idea: Now that kintsugi is becoming more popular, you could fill in the missing bits with a gold or similarly fabulous yarn...
posted by Sockin'inthefreeworld at 1:37 AM on January 6, 2022
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Just guessing, but I would do a pass for loose ends, do a Russian join on any I find and weave those new long ends in very securely. Then depending on the construction of the blanket I might either make a new motif, cutting the most ruined one out, and piece the new one in, or I’d make a patch, or I’d do some short rows of a similar stitch pattern and finish the whole blanket off with a new edging like a scallop or something that hides sins. Or maybe I’d go freeform and make an appliqué and sew that on top. Maybe in the shape of a bunny.
posted by Mizu at 6:42 AM on January 5, 2022