A Very Crabby Armhole

This is the crabbiest arm opening that you will ever witness.  Notice that it is crabby not crappy.  Huge difference.

The more that I utilize the crab stitch (aka reverse single crochet) the more that I am enamored with what it can do.  Crab stitch can:

• Stabilize an edge - whether knit or crocheted
• Add a decorative texture without much effort
• Work up much faster than a knit ribbing
• Reduce "flare" at an opening (for this I am grateful more than you will ever know)
• Provide a sense of accomplishment
• Cause the under-informed to look closely and put a pensive look upon the face. 

The sleeve openings, neck edge, and lower bodice edge of the diagonal shell are all finished with a round of single crochet followed by crab stitch.  All of that diagonal work in stockinette is now firmly controlled.  

Due to the directionality of the knitting on front and back pieces, the arm opening has a tendency to flair at the top.  The first round of single crochet (sc) worked tightly on the upper third of the opening did wonders to stabilize the knitting and prevent curling.  It is, in my opinion, the crab stitch that prevents the flair.  Not only did I continue to work the crab stitch with a specific tension, but I also skipped several single crochet stitches toward to top - and the bottom - of the opening so as to further draw in the opening.  That did the trick!  

No flare,

No curl,

Still flexible,

Very Crabby and 
Not at all crappy. 

Striped Fabric

Call it a magic ball or random usage or well planned usage of yarn.  However you refer to it, I enjoyed making this striped fabric.

As a member of TKGA, I often check out the website.  During one of my searches into the good information, I discovered an oldie but goodie pattern for a Diagonal V Neck Shell designed by Laura Bryant and Prism Yarns.

I am very pleased to state that no new yarns were purchased for this fabric.  Everything came from my stash!  There is a bit of wool, cotton, various incarnations of silk and some chemical wonder string.   

The pattern is very simple.  Diagonal work that makes the back and the front.  The only difference between back and front is the V-Neck.

  To be honest, the only difficult thing about making this pattern is that there can be a whole lot of ends that must be woven in!  Isn't it fortunate that over 50% of the time, I remembered to weave in as the knitting took place.

Because the yarns that I used are not all exactly the same weight, there is some variance in tension.  So, it made sense to wet block both pieces prior to sewing and adding the edging to all openings.  

So far, I'm pleased.  This will probably become an over piece for layering next fall and winter.  I am way ahead of the game.