The Skip-Stitch Blades

I found a solution to the crochet hole poking problem on the fleece blankets I have been working on. I have found and purchased a a new tool called a Skip-Stitch Blade. As you may remember, I was having trouble poking holes with a little pair of scissors in polar fleece to crochet around the edge for a blanket. The Skip-Stitch Blade is a rotary cutting blade with notches cut into it so that a little slit or hole is cut at regular intervals rather than a solid cut. There are 3 different blades with different size notches depending on the size of your hook and yarn. Check out their web site at www.skipstitchblade.com if you want more information on them. I have ordered several sets for myself and Mom.

As with any new sewing tool, I have to learn how to use it. There are instructions on the web site and it would seem very straight forward, but there is always a technique to master. The first thing I learned is to pin where you start and end as you measure and cut. I figured I could see were I stopped and started but as I started to crochet there are some spot were I have cut extra little slits, oops. Luckily, that is not too often. I learned that the rounded corner can be a little challenging. I tried to use a plate as a guild for cutting but my plates are too thick for the blade.  I ended up just eyeing it, but I think I did pretty good. Next time I will leave the corners square and try that. In the instructions, it said to cut at 3/4″, but I tried 1/2″ because that was closer to measurement of the ones I have previous done. So I will see if that was the correct measurement.

Stay tuned for the results.