Crocheting is a fantastic way to add personality and flair to your home decor and personal accessories. Among the many ways to elevate a crochet project, adding a beautiful edging can truly make a piece stand out. Whether you’re working on a cozy blanket, a delicate shawl, or a table runner, a carefully crafted crochet edging can take your project from ordinary to extraordinary. In this article, we will explore some of the most beautiful crochet edgings for blankets and more, providing you with the inspiration and know-how to finish your projects with style.
The Importance of Crochet Edgings
Crochet edgings are not just decorative—they serve both functional and aesthetic purposes. Here are some of the key reasons to add a crochet border to your project:
- Finish the Project Neatly: A well-constructed border provides a clean finish to your crochet work, hiding any uneven edges and ensuring that the piece looks polished.
- Add Personal Touch: Crochet edgings can be an expression of your style. From simple and elegant to bold and intricate, the border can give your project a unique touch.
- Improve Durability: A strong crochet border can help reinforce the edges of a blanket, shawl, or other item, preventing it from unraveling or stretching over time.
- Enhance the Overall Look: Sometimes the simplest piece can be made extraordinary by adding the right crochet edging. Whether you’re making a blanket, scarf, or tablecloth, a beautiful border can frame the piece and make it look more professional.
In this article, we will walk through various types of crochet edgings that work beautifully for blankets and more. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced crocheter, these edgings will help you add a stunning finish to your projects.
1. Simple Shell Stitch Edging
The shell stitch is one of the most popular crochet stitches for edging projects. It’s an easy-to-learn stitch that creates a textured, scalloped look. The shell stitch is perfect for blankets, scarves, and shawls, adding a touch of elegance without being too complicated.
How to Crochet the Shell Stitch Edging:
- Work a single crochet stitch into each stitch around the project’s edge.
- For each corner, work a shell (typically 5 double crochet stitches) into the same stitch.
- Continue working along the edge, placing 1 single crochet stitch into each stitch and a shell at each corner.
This simple yet effective edging adds a soft, feminine touch to any project. It’s a great choice for beginner crocheters who want to add a beautiful yet easy finish to their work.
Best for: Blankets, shawls, scarves, and other lightweight accessories.
2. Scalloped Edge
A scalloped edge is another classic crochet edging that is both elegant and functional. This design uses a combination of single crochet and double crochet stitches to create soft, rounded shapes along the edge of your project.
How to Crochet the Scalloped Edge:
- Work a row of single crochet stitches around the edge of your project.
- For the scallops, alternate between 5 double crochet stitches and a single crochet stitch to form the rounded shape.
- Repeat the pattern along the entire edge, adding a scallop at each corner.
This edging works particularly well on blankets, pillow covers, and other home accessories. The scalloped shape adds texture and visual interest, making your project look more intricate and stylish.
Best for: Blankets, pillow covers, and scarves.
3. Lacy Picot Edge
If you’re looking to add a delicate, airy finish to your crochet project, a lacy picot edge might be just what you need. This edging combines chain stitches and slip stitches to form small loops along the edge of your work, creating a lace-like effect.
How to Crochet the Lacy Picot Edge:
- Work a row of single crochet stitches around the edge of your project.
- For each picot, chain 3 stitches, then slip stitch into the first chain to form a small loop.
- Continue adding picots evenly spaced along the edge of your project.
This lightweight, feminine edging is perfect for finishing off delicate projects like shawls, table runners, or baby blankets. The picots create a soft, decorative effect that looks intricate but is simple to achieve.
Best for: Shawls, table runners, baby blankets, and delicate garments.
4. Crab Stitch Edging
The crab stitch, also known as the reverse single crochet, is a unique and bold edging technique that adds texture and a slightly twisted appearance to the edges of your project. This edging works particularly well for giving a finished look to projects that have a lot of texture or color.
How to Crochet the Crab Stitch Edging:
- Start by working a single crochet stitch in the opposite direction of your usual crochet direction.
- Continue working reverse single crochet stitches along the edge, making sure to maintain even tension.
- Work 3-4 stitches in each corner to round the edge.
The crab stitch is a great way to add definition and texture to your project. It has a slightly twisted appearance that adds a unique touch to any crochet piece.
Best for: Blankets, rugs, and other textured items.
5. Chevron Edge
A chevron pattern is characterized by its zigzag shape, and when used as an edging, it can add a bold and striking effect to your project. This pattern is perfect for adding a bit of excitement to a simple blanket or shawl.
How to Crochet the Chevron Edge:
- Start by working a foundation of single crochet stitches around the edge of your project.
- For the chevron, alternate between 3 double crochet stitches and a single crochet stitch to create the zigzag pattern.
- Continue the pattern around the entire edge, working a chevron at each corner to keep the shape sharp.
This edging is perfect for projects that already have a bold color scheme or design. The chevron edge enhances the overall aesthetic of the project, creating a striking, modern finish.
Best for: Blankets, tablecloths, and other bold projects.
6. Bobble Stitch Border
If you want to add a playful, textured finish to your project, the bobble stitch is a fun option. This stitch creates raised, puffy sections along the edge of your project, adding a bit of whimsy and visual interest.
How to Crochet the Bobble Stitch Border:
- Work a row of single crochet stitches around the edge of your project.
- For each bobble, work 5 double crochet stitches into the same stitch, but don’t finish the last part of the double crochet until all 5 stitches are worked.
- Pull through all 5 loops on your hook to form a puff and continue along the edge.
This bobbly finish works great on playful projects like children’s blankets, pillows, and decorative accessories. The raised bobbles give a fun and unique texture to your project.
Best for: Children’s blankets, pillows, or any project in need of a textured, fun finish.
7. Shell and V-Stitch Edge
A shell and V-stitch border is a beautiful, intricate-looking edging that combines two different stitches for a textured effect. This edging is perfect for more sophisticated crochet projects and works well on blankets, shawls, and garments.
How to Crochet the Shell and V-Stitch Edge:
- Start by working a row of single crochet stitches around the edge of your project.
- For the shell portion, work 5 double crochet stitches into the same stitch.
- For the V-stitch, work 2 double crochet stitches into the same stitch, with a chain in between to create the “V” shape.
- Alternate between shells and V-stitches around the edge to form a beautiful, lacy border.
This versatile edging adds a decorative and airy feel to your project, making it a great choice for more sophisticated designs.
Best for: Shawls, blankets, and garments.
8. Granny Square Edge
For those who love the vintage charm of granny squares, adding a granny square border to your project can enhance its rustic, handmade feel. This edging uses the same basic concept as a granny square but works along the edges of your project instead of forming individual squares.
How to Crochet the Granny Square Edge:
- Work a row of single crochet stitches around the edge of your project.
- Create a granny square motif for each corner, starting with 3 double crochet stitches into the same space.
- Continue working in the traditional granny square method, but attach the motifs directly to the edges of your project.
The granny square border is perfect for a vintage-inspired or cozy look, adding charm and a handmade touch to your projects.
Best for: Blankets, tablecloths, and other home decor items.
Conclusion
Crochet edgings are a fantastic way to elevate your projects, adding both functionality and beauty. Whether you’re finishing a blanket, shawl, pillow, or table runner, choosing the right edging can transform your piece into something extraordinary. From simple shell stitches to more intricate picot and chevron designs, there’s a crochet border for every project. By practicing these techniques and experimenting with different stitch combinations, you’ll gain the confidence to add beautiful, professional-looking borders to all your crochet creations.