To bind a latch hook rug and give it a neat finish, you can combine the edges using a technique such as the whip stitch. This involves taking a length of yarn in your chosen color and securing it to the edge of your work, then stitching around the raw edge to enclose it.
Finishing the edges of your latch hook rug not only makes it look tidy but also helps prevent the canvas from fraying and potentially losing yarn loops. While there are several ways to finish a rug, one effective method for binding the raw edges is the whip stitch.
Binding with the Whip Stitch
As mentioned in the provided reference, using the whip stitch is a way to combine the edges for a neat finish. This technique creates a clean, wrapped edge that secures the canvas grid and gives the rug a completed look.
Here are the general steps involved in using a whip stitch for binding:
- Prepare Your Yarn: Choose a length of yarn that matches or complements your rug colors. The reference suggests taking a length of yarn in your chosen color. It's often easier to work with manageable lengths (e.g., 2-3 feet) rather than one very long piece.
- Secure the Yarn: Secure the yarn to the edge of your work. This can be done by tying a knot around a canvas thread near a corner or by threading the yarn through the edge a few times to anchor it.
- Begin Stitching: Bring the needle and yarn up from the back of the rug close to the edge.
- Wrap the Edge: Take the yarn over the edge of the rug and insert the needle back through the canvas from the back to the front, creating a loop that wraps around the edge.
- Repeat: Continue making stitches, wrapping the yarn around the raw edge at regular intervals. Work your way along the entire perimeter of the rug. Keep the stitches close together to fully cover the edge and prevent fraying.
This process effectively binds the raw canvas edge, providing a durable and attractive finish.
Other Finishing Considerations
While the whip stitch is excellent for binding the edge itself, some people also consider adding backing to the rug for extra durability or to make it non-slip. However, binding specifically refers to finishing the raw perimeter of the canvas.
Common ways people finish latch hook rugs (which may include or complement binding) are:
- Adding Fabric Backing: Sewing a piece of fabric (like felt or non-slip material) to the back of the rug.
- Folding and Hemming: Folding the excess canvas neatly to the back of the rug and stitching it down.
- Using Binding Tape: Applying a pre-made fabric binding tape around the edges and stitching it in place.
However, focusing on the edge binding method highlighted, the whip stitch is a practical and common technique to achieve a professional-looking border.
By carefully stitching around the perimeter with yarn, you create a secure border that not only looks good but also protects the canvas from damage, extending the life of your handmade rug.
