Should you consider adding a backing for your blankets?
The answers to this question will depend heavily on the blanket you choose to use and, depending on your preferences and the fabric available and the type of blanket you want.
For instance you’ve created an intricate lacy blanket that has lots of holes, such as it is the Dear Peony blanket, which you plan to use for a blanket and not just an ornamental bed spread it is recommended to put it in a line.
In addition to preventing toes and fingers from sticking through the blanket and also providing warmness, in this instance the backing also stabilizes the entire blanket. You should definitely secure it to the lining in various places to avoid warping and separation.
The blanket with lined interior goes from beautiful but mostly unusable as well as fragile. It is cozy safe, sturdy, and beautiful.
The backing, as in this instance lets the pattern that is portrayed on the squares shine however, it also shields this blanket against warping from its weight. designs.
And let’s not forget to hide ugly backs. Certain patterns offer the most stunning frontal view as well as the most disgusting back that you’ve seen. Add a lining to that blanket , and voila! instant beautiful back.
If the blanket isn’t brimming with holes then you can add an extremely vibrant and colorful back to create a great “bed cover” cover that your kids can play with flashlights.
You could even add an additional step and include two linings and batting between them to create an ideal quilted blanket for winter.
As you can observe, lining a crochet blanket is a great way to increase the value of your crochet.
If you don’t want to crochet a blanket
Pros and Cons for everything. Let’s take a look at the cons.
Since lining can add an additional blanket of warmness, you shouldn’t need to consider adding one when you reside in a hot climate (but you may want to create the blanket using cool yarns such as cotton and linen).
There’s a chance that you have an extremely dense fabric that’s sturdy enough to support it’s own weight.
Make sure that as you lift up your blanket, it doesn’t sag with a sigh of sadness in the middle. If it does then it’s telling you it needs a durable lined lining that can hold its shape.
If your blanket features beautiful designs on both sides, or it’s reverse-able (like double-knit blankets which is extra warm) You don’t need to add a liner however, you should show off both sides.
If you’re creating the bed cover for use throughout the day and night, it’s just there to support and shield anything else that’s in the mattress (linens and other) You do not require a lining. ensure you have a cover that is wide enough to cover the entire bed.
If you leave the flower square without backing it will be possible to look down at everything below, which is good for bedspreads.
Selecting a fabric for the lining
The first thing to do is ask what material is your blanket constructed of? Cotton? Acrylic? Wool? Based on this I’d suggest as a lining material.
To make a winter-themed blanket from acrylic or wool I’d suggest fleece (which is knitting fabric).
There are two examples of blankets made from fleece can be used to create a back. You can also purchase yards of this pattern however I usually purchase one of the standard “outdoors” fleece blankets at the local supermarket . Quality differs
If you’re looking for a summer cotton blanket, I’d suggest an edging made of cotton.
A cotton flannel to add some fluffiness, or basic cotton (both are weaved).
A sample of flannel fabric. look at the threads that are woven. This fabric made of cotton is also soft and is used in a variety of household uses like pajamas, and reused cloth (baby nappies, menstrual products and nappies)
If you opt for the woven method then you’ll have to sew the backing prior to attaching it, to avoid fraying. For an actual back, cut a rectangle one inch or 2 centimeters larger on both sides of your blanket.
In the event that the blanket is knit you simply fold the edges at 0.5 millimeters (1 cm) and then begin in a blanket stitch with a needle or a small hook (poke holes using an awl if the hook) as well as the yarn used to knit the blanket.
If the lining has been woven it is possible to create an roll-up edge (by hand or with a machine) and then wrap on the blanket stitch around it. Let the stitches fall loose.
What are the things you should add as back to crochet blankets?
In the next sections, you’ll find step-by step instructions on one method for adding backing. There are many methods however I’ve chosen this one because it’s the method that I prefer.
Notions
Fabric for backing – either fleece or weaved fabric 1 inch or 2 cm larger across both ends than knit fabric blanket two inches, or four centimeters bigger in both directions than blanket used for knit fabric (divide the width in half to allow to give seam allowances on both sides);
Yarn – the same kind of yarn you used for your project. Same shade or contrast color.
Hook: One small hook one hook that is suitable to hold your yarn.
Optional: awl;
Sewing pins;
Tapestry needle.
Scissors.
Stitches and abbreviations for other abbreviations
Ch – chain
Sl St Slip stitch;
St-stitch;
YO – yarn-over.
How to back an afghan crocheted
Hemming the backing
If you are using a smaller hook beginning with an untie knot on the hook.
Pick an edge of the fabric, and fold it inwards to make a 1/2 1 cm or 1/2 inch (use pins to secure the edge while working). If you’re working on fabrics that are woven, you can make the 1/2 1 cm folded hem on the backing.
With the awl, or hook, cut holes within the fabric approximately 1 centimeters from the corner, and through just one piece of material. Be sure you’re making a hole within the fabric, and not ripping it!
Hems will then be covered by the stitches.
Attach the hook, pull one loop, pull it up and YO it, then pull through two loops of the hook, leaving loops open and allowing the fabric to hang from the edge of the fabric is.
Make a move towards the left (right in case you’re a lefty) by 1 centimeter and create another hole.
Hook into the hook, pick one loop, pull the loop up. YO, and pull two loops off the hook. Leave the loops untied.
Repeat these steps to the corner. In the corner, make a ch2 and then stitch into the same spot in the fabric. Then proceed to the next side.
You can choose to work in the front or on both sides of your fabric.
This technique lets you work in a continuous manner with no breaking yarn or weaving in a lot of ends, as you’d have to do in order to use a sewn-on blanket stitch along the edge.
You can also opt of cutting your fabric in the same dimensions as the blanket, and then sewing these stitches along the edges, without folding the edges.
I’m not a fan of this method due to the fact that it leaves raw edges exposed. This might not cause any problems for a short time however it could become an issue after a couple of years of washing and use.
Attaching the blanket
Once you’ve finished the backing, slip a stitch through that first stitch. Then make sure to stitch it to your backing with the exact yarn (so you’ll only have two ends to weave and out, which is great).
Then switch to the normal hook that is attached to the yarn.
You lay down your blanket and align it to ensure that the corners line to each other.
Make use of pins to secure the various spots of the edgeso that you don’t risk stitching more stitches on one side of the blanket.
You will now crochet slip stitches in the edges of the blanket and also the edge of the liner (with the hem toward the interior) in essence, crocheting the slip stitches together.
Find the matching stitch along the edge of the blanket and then locate the that edge you’re working on.
There’s a good chance that you’ll must skip the chain at the corner, and then start with the initial stitch.
Place the hook in the second stitch. Slip stitch, making sure to catch the edges of the blanket, as well as the slip stitch in front, which forms part of the front to be stitched.
Then , insert the hook into the next stitch, and slip the stitch back into the one in front, and so on.
Continue to weave this way throughout the blanket.
Once you have reached that corner space you create a Sl St Ch1, Ch1 and Sl St through the gap, taking in both the blanket as well as the Ch2 space that is on the edge of your blanket.
If you return to the point where you began then stop and cut the yarn then make the invisible stitch. Take a look at the video below to learn how you can do this.
Now your blanket is completed! Yay!
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