Fold Forward Finish: Baste the Edge in Place

After steaming and preparing the edge of your rughooking by zig zagging, I fold the edge toward the loops and then baste it in place. I know this takes longer than using pins, but pins hurt. I was in a car accident in 1996 and that changed my outlook on life. I would rather do something pleasant, even if it takes longer than to do something unpleasant even for a short time. Getting poked with pins is not pleasant.

Preparing your hooked rug

Your first steaming should be done before this step. If not, be sure to steam when the binding is complete. For my work, a good steaming before I start this process and another one mainly around the edge after the whipping is done seems to work best.

I use a sturdy needle with a sharp point and a comfortable length. For my hands, the long the better. A darning needle or doll maker needles are my favorite but for this step you can use whatever you have on hand. Any type or color of thread can be used for the basting.  When the rug is whipped later, the whipping will hold the edge in place.

Fold the backing forward once

To get started, fold the backing edge in half toward the front with the raw edge touching the last row of loops. Loosely baste in place keeping the stitching close to the raw edge.  I usually start in the middle of a straight edge.

When you get to the corner, continue stitching to the next side with a stitch or two then backup to the corner. Stitch the edges of the mitered corner together to make a sharp corner. This will make the next fold easier and neater.

Continue around your piece until complete.

Fold the edge again

Next turn the edges forward again so that the folded edge touches the final row of loops. Baste in place.  Keep this basting close to the loops.

When you get to the corner, stitch even with the last loop. Fold the next side into place and take a few stitches at the base of the corner where the sides meet.. The rest of the corner will stick out, but ignore that for now.

Now press the corner towards the finished piece with your finger. Take several stitches along the sides of the package to hold it in place. See the diagram.

Don’t skimp on this step. The stitches you make will help to make a smooth corner when you whip the edges with the yarn. This thread “bridge” will allow the whipping yarn to move smoothly up and over the corner.
You are now ready to whip the edges with 100% wool yarn or wool strips.

Some tips

An alternate to this method is to fold the corner in first and then fold the sides into place. It creates one seam down the center and may make a squarer corner.  You’ll have to experiment to find the method that works best for you.  How about a set of coasters?  Plenty of corners to practice on.  Now before you turn up your nose, consider this.  Have you ever practiced something and NOT gotten better at it?  Practice.

Be sure to read the next article that includes tips on how to get the perfect corner.