throws

My Addiction to

FLEECE THROWS

I found making throws to be back breaking, as my back is as bad as my attitude, and stressful on my need-replacing-soon knees, but I got seriously hooked on them, and often would make several in a week.

Sooooo, what to do with them? Some still live at home, either draped over a chair or the couch....or bagged up in the closet because I've become too 'attached' to let them go. Others have been re-homed to friends, relatives and various dog club patrons who won them at the raffles I donated them to.

I did sell ONE. Just one.

The one in the middle of this trio. The one on the left was a raffle prize. The one on the right went to a friend.

I tried three different fringe techniques, the easiest of which is on the dog themed throw above, and the one below that I made for my grandson. It's a simple double knot. However, I go one step beyond what most people do when they use this method. I don't tie all the knots from the same side. I tie every other knot, flip the throw and do the rest...gives a much neater look to the finished piece.

Tyler loves this thing, and drags it everywhere.

A more 'tailored' fringe is what I call 'Tab Lock' fringe. I'm sure it has another name, but that's how I describe the method. It takes a lot more time, but only takes up 4" all around the throw, instead of 8". Here's one that stays in our living room, and is one of my husband's favorites.

Here's another I like a lot. This one is among the few I would reluctantly sell.

Hot Air Balloons w/Royal Blue backing-$40.00 plus shipping

Trout w/Tan backing-$35.00 plus shipping

I got a little fancy with a few of my throws, making these three below. I ironed the elkhounds on with fusible web, and reinforced them with a blanket stitch. One went to a raffle at the Norwegian elkhound National in 2008, one to a friend for her birthday, and the other one is staying here.

They are reversible, with an elkhound on each side.

My third fringe is one I probably will not do again, but never say never. This fringe is very handy when working with a panel that has a pattern you don't want to cut into. It's an attached fringe, made by cutting quarter inch strips about 12-14" long.

The next step is to carefully cut a tiny hole every inch with a very sharp manicure scissors. I then pulled two strips through each hole with a small crochet hook.

And yes...it was a total pain! Not only is it time-consuming and hard on old bones and fingers, pulling the strips through the holes causes so much fleece dust to be shot up my nose that I had to work using a dust mask.

But the end result is amazing.

This one is a keeper, mostly because I put too much work into it to charge what it's worth to get me to let it go! They say never put a price on something you don't really want to sell...but what the heck! $100.00 would pry this beauty away from me.