Explore Creative Borders To Edge Your Crochet Blankets

Adding a crochet border to a blanket is a great way to give it a finished look and hide any imperfections. There are many different types of crochet borders, from simple crochet stitches like single or half double crochet to more elaborate crochet edgings that incorporate shells, picots, and other crochet lace.

When choosing a crochet border for a blanket, it is important to consider the size of the blanket, the type of yarn being used, and the desired level of complexity. Some popular crochet border options for blankets include the single crochet border, crab stitch border, shell or scallop border, picot crochet border, and ribbed crochet border.

Adding a crochet border to a blanket is a great way to add a personal touch and enhance the overall appearance of the blanket. With so many different options available, crocheters can get creative and choose a border that complements the blanket's colour, style, and purpose.

Single Crochet Border

A single crochet border is a great way to give your crochet blanket a clean, simple, and polished look. It can also help hide any imperfections and add size to your blanket. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to create a single crochet border:

Preparing the Border

Before starting the border, it is important to ensure that you have the right supplies. You will need yarn, a crochet hook, scissors, and a tapestry needle for weaving in your ends. It is recommended to use the same weight yarn as your blanket to avoid creating a wavy edge.

Starting the Border

To begin, attach your yarn at the first stitch of the right corner of the edge you want to work on. Create a single chain in the same spot, then make a single crochet stitch. Continue making single crochet stitches in each stitch from the previous row, working over your tail to avoid having to weave it in later.

Working Down the Edge

As you work down the edge, periodically check your stitches to ensure they are neat, even, and without any accidental skips. When you reach the end, chain once, turn your work, and create another single crochet stitch in the same stitch as the last to form a neat corner.

Navigating the Side Edges

The side edges can be a bit more challenging. If your blanket is made with double crochet stitches, aim to create 2 single crochet stitches in the side of each double crochet stitch along the edge. Try to catch a loop at the top of the edge as you work, so your single crochet doesn't appear too deep. Adjust the number of single crochet stitches based on the size of the stitches in your fabric. For example, use 1 single crochet per stitch for single or half-double crochet stitches, 2 stitches per double crochet stitch, and 3 stitches per treble crochet stitch.

Finishing the Border

Once you've worked your way around all four sides, connect to your first stitch in the border with a slip stitch. Cut the yarn, leaving a few inches to spare, and weave in the tail to finish.

Troubleshooting

If you notice any gaps, holes, or stitches that are too deep, go back and adjust accordingly. Additionally, if your border starts to ruffle, you may have too many stitches. On the other hand, if the body of your blanket is ruffling, you may need to add more stitches.

Benefits of a Single Crochet Border

A single crochet border is a great choice for beginners as it uses one of the most basic stitches in crocheting. It is a simple and highly effective way to neaten up your crochet blanket and give it a finished look. You can use the same colour as your blanket for a seamless look, or choose a contrasting colour to make the border stand out.

Crab Stitch Border

The crab stitch is a unique crochet border that adds a bumpy, rope-like texture to the edge of a blanket. It is created by working the stitch in reverse, which gives it its distinctive appearance. This stitch is also known as the reverse single crochet, as it involves working single crochet stitches in the opposite direction to normal.

To start a crab stitch, slip stitch your border colour yarn anywhere around the edge of your project. Then, work a single crochet stitch in each stitch, but go in reverse (to the right of the stitch) instead of to the left. At first, it won't look much like crab stitch, but the more you do, the better it will look. Just work a round of single crochet in each stitch around and, after the last stitch, slip stitch into the beginning chain stitch once you reach the end.

The crab stitch is an excellent choice for a crochet border as it is one of the easiest to master. It is worked in the opposite direction to standard crochet, so if you are right-handed, you will work from left to right, and if you are left-handed, you will work from right to left. It is a good idea to start with a foundation row or round of single crochet stitch, which will help to even out any inconsistencies and give your border a solid base. You can use the same hook size as your project, and the same or a contrasting colour yarn, depending on the look you want to achieve.

The crab stitch is very versatile and can be used on a variety of projects, including blankets, scarves, hats and slippers. It is a great way to add a simple, yet effective, finishing touch to your crochet creations.

Shell or Scallop Border

A shell or scallop border is a versatile and adjustable crochet edging that can be used on blankets, hats, little girls' dresses, and more. It is easy to crochet and adds a delicate, feminine touch to your projects.

The basic stitch pattern for a shell or scallop border is a multiple of 4, worked in the round: *sc in the next st, skip 1 st, 5 dc in the next st, skip 1 st; repeat from * around. This pattern can be adjusted to fit any number of stitches by skipping more or fewer stitches between the shell stitches or by increasing the number of double crochet stitches in the shell. For example, to make the pattern work with a multiple of 5, you can skip 1 stitch on one side of the 5-dc shell and skip 2 stitches on the other side. Or you could work 2 single crochet stitches instead of 1 to spread out the shells.

For a multiple of 6, you would work the pattern as follows: *sc in the next st, skip 2 sts, 7 dc in the next st, skip 2 sts; repeat from * around.

The shell or scallop border can be worked in a single colour or in multiple colours to create a striped effect. It can also be worked in the same colour as the main project for a subtle effect or in a contrasting colour to make the border pop.

To add a shell or scallop border to a crochet blanket, start by working a round of single crochet stitches around the edge of the blanket to create a solid foundation for the border. Then, follow the stitch pattern above, adjusting as needed to fit the number of stitches in your blanket.

The shell or scallop border is a simple and effective way to add a finishing touch to your crochet projects and is perfect for beginners.

Slip Stitch and Drop Stitch Border

A slip stitch and drop stitch border is a great way to finish off your crochet blanket. Adding a crochet border can give your blanket a polished and professional look, as well as helping to hide any imperfections. It can also add size to your blanket and is a good way to make a small blanket bigger.

To add a slip stitch border to your crochet blanket, it is recommended to first do a line of slip stitches to even up the edge. You can then add a round of single crochet stitches as a foundation for your border. This will give your border a good base and help to even out any inconsistencies. It is also a good idea to use the same type of yarn as your blanket to avoid creating a wavy edge.

The half double slip stitch (HDSS) is a popular stitch to use for a crochet border. To create the HDSS, yarn over, insert the hook into the designated space under the two loops of the stitch, yarn over again, pull a loop back through, and continue pulling through all loops on the hook.

For a slip stitch and drop stitch border, you can finish one round of single crochet or half double crochet before beginning the HDSS border. On the first side, pull up a loop in the corner of your blanket, then chain 12, or however many chains you need to get your desired border width. In the third chain from the hook, work one HDSS, then work one HDSS into each of the remaining chains. Slip stitch into the starting corner space. Turn your work towards you, yarn over, and work HDSS into each of the HDCS. Chain two and turn, then work HDSS into each stitch, working back towards the blanket. Slip stitch the next two stitches on the edge of the blanket. Repeat this process down one side of the blanket.

On the second side, finish the first side on the outer part of the border, then chain 12 or the number of chains you used to create your desired border width. Repeat the instructions for the first side. Repeat these instructions for the third and fourth sides. When you have finished the fourth side, slip stitch to the starting chain space, or you may choose to end on the outer edge, tie off, and cut.

A slip stitch and drop stitch border is a simple and effective way to finish off your crochet blanket. It will give your blanket a neat and professional look, as well as adding a little extra size.

Puff Stitch Border

Adding a crochet border to your blanket is a great way to give it a finished look and hide any imperfections. You can use the same yarn for a seamless look, or a contrasting colour to make your border pop.

The puff stitch is a simple way to add playful texture to the edge of your blanket. It is a versatile stitch that can be used to create clean edges and give a simpler stitched blanket a classy look.

To create a puff stitch border, start by pulling up a loop anywhere around the edge of your blanket and work a half double crochet (HDC) in that stitch. Skip a stitch, HDC, then working around the post of the HDC, HDC3TOG (yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through all seven loops on the hook). Repeat this pattern around your work. When you reach a corner, simply work two puff edge stitches in the corner, placing a chain stitch between them.

You can find a video tutorial for the puff stitch border on OkieGirlBling'n'Things, along with other crochet tips and tricks.

Frequently asked questions