I have been seeing a good deal of crochet integrated into clothing lately. For example, JJill.com has a cute crochet applique shirt in a recent catalog. I have seen patterns on-line and in magazine that show you how to create a similar look. For example, it might have you edge a t-shirt with a crochet trim around the neck. I like this idea a lot, especially since I live where it is very hot and don’t wear many sweaters. Wearable crochet pieces are not popular in Florida when it’s 90 degrees out!

One issue I have with many of these how-to patterns, however, is that they often  explain how to do the crochet part of the project, but they don’t always explain how to make the holes you need to attach the crochet. You need the holes first, right? The web site that sells the tool also has three different types of blades, so you can use different ones depending on how thick your fabric is.

Now I know you can make holes using a sewing machine and a needle with no thread in it, but that means dragging out my machine from the depths of the guest room underworld, a room that is now just plain scary to go into because we have filled it with so much, err, stuff. Also, not everyone has a sewing machine.

The solution? A tool called a Skip-Stitch, and in the video below is a demonstration on how to use it so make holes in fleece so you can make a crochet trim on it for a blanket. I haven’t used one of these but plan to do some more research. I could see how they would be great for making baby blankets using fleece or flannel as well as adding some cute trim to light-weight t-shirts.