Hook, Hand and Heart

Finishing a Small Round Mat

Many times when I am finishing the edge of a rug and whipping with yarn, I find my edge is becoming a little bit wavy and no longer laying flat.  This especially happens with a streachier backing like monk's cloth or when I am finishing a curved edge.

This is the method I use to counteract this problem.  It might not be the 'right' way to finish, but it works for me.  It can be used as is on small mats or wall hangings.  On larger pieces that will be used on the floor, I usually add tape to the back to protect the edge from wear.

First I steam my finished piece to get it to lay flat.  Then I carefully measure around the mat and mark it 1/2 inch from the hooked loops.  Make marks every inch or inch and a half around and then connect the dots to make a circle.  I then cut on the line and serge or zigzag with the sewing machine to finish the edge.  If you don't have a machine available, you could use glue on the edge.  BUT...it would have to be a glue that stays flexible because the edge is going to be turned up.

I usually use yarn, doubled in a large needle, to whip the edge.  Now for the solution part:  I put a piece of cord in the edge under the whipping.  This is cotton cord that I buy in the hardware store in the section where 'packing supplies' are sold.

I cut the cord three times the diameter of the rug (if it's round) plus 10 to 12 inches.  My mat is 10 inches across:  10 inches x 3 is 30 plus an extra 10 inches makes my cord 40 inches long.  

I then lay the cord on the edge of the mat and roll the serged edge up over it.  I take my first stitch with my yarn, going down from the top, right against the edge of the hooked loops.  Leave a 5 inch tail of cord to the right of your stitch.

Pull your yarn through until there are short tails.  Trim them to about 3/4 of an inch and tuck them to the left against the cord.  I work from right to left toward my fingers as they are holding the edge.  If you are left handed you will probably be working in the opposite direction.  Right???

Roll the serged edge up over the cord and the tails and take another stitch right on top of the first one.

Pull your stitch taut and continue on in thes manner.  After I get about 5 or 6 inches done, I get to the Not-Laying-Flat-Anymore part!  See how it's starting to get wavy!

This is where the string saves the day.  Holding the mat flat, gently pull on the left end of the string.  DO NOT pull the right end of the string through the edge by tugging too hard! Just ease the edge along the string until the mat lays flat. 

Continue whipping and pulling the string as needed.

When you get to the end of your yarn, flip your mat to the underside and take a long stitch back under the yarn you just whipped.  Cut off the excess.

Begin the next piece of yarn in the same way you started at the beginning by tucking the tails in with the cord and stitching over the turned edge.

Continue in this manner until about 2 1/2 inches of unwhipped edge remains.  Pull the cord of necessary to make the edge lay perfectly flat.  I'm sorry I forgot to take a picture of this part!

The cord I used has 3 or 4 strands twisted together.  I separate one strand out on each end and tie these two strands together with a square knot.  I do it this way to eliminate bulk where I tie the knot.  I clip the tied ends off to about 1/2 inch and clip the remaining strands off so they lay flat but do not overlap on the inside of the rolled edge.  Continue whipping until the whole edge is covered.  Then flip the mat over and take a long stitch back through the already whipped yarn and cut off the ends.

You're done!

Happy Hooking!