Ready to take your crochet projects from beautiful to breathtaking? The secret often lies in the finishing touch: a perfectly chosen border. Don’t let the idea of adding crochet blanket borders intimidate you! In fact, it can be the most rewarding part of your creative journey.

These simple and easy crochet border patterns use basic stitches even a beginner will know, making them accessible for any project, from cozy afghans to delicate dishcloths. We’ll dive into how to choose and create the perfect border, ensuring your next handmade piece looks polished and professional. Get ready to add that coveted finishing touch!

Stack of crochet projects with different crochet border patterns by Sew Nikki

Lately, I’ve been on a mission to finish my Works In Progress (WIPs), and that often means adding a beautiful border. From weaving in ends on granny squares to adding a simple one-row border to a blanket, these final touches make all the difference. I’m excited to share my go-to, simple border ideas from my own crochet projects, complete with step-by-step guidance. Once you see how easy and versatile borders can be, you’ll be creating your very own unique designs!

Mastering Crochet Borders on the Sides

If you’re new to crochet tutorials, you might wonder how to work stitches along the raw sides of your project where stitches aren’t as clearly defined. The trick is to work into the space rather than a specific stitch. Some spaces will naturally require more than one stitch to create an even, flat edge. If a space is particularly large, you might need two or three stitches to prevent your work from pulling in or curling. The goal is for your border to lay flat and smooth. If it’s rippling, you have too many stitches; if it’s pulling, you have too few. This applies specifically to the long sides of your blanket or project.

Understanding the Difference: Crochet Edging vs. Crochet Border

You might hear the terms “crochet edging” and “crochet border” used interchangeably, but there’s a subtle distinction. While they both add a finished look, crochet borders are primarily used for items like blankets and afghans, directly extending from your crochet fabric. Edging, on the other hand, typically refers to adding a crochet finish onto a fabric project, such as kitchen towels, pillowcases, bath towels, or even a quilt!

When adding a crochet edge to a fabric project, you’ll first need to create holes in the fabric for your stitches. While specialized tools exist, I’ve found a large-sized thread needle and a simple blanket stitch to be the most effective method. Once your fabric is prepared with a row of blanket stitches, you can crochet directly into them to begin your edging. Either way, the aim is to create a beautiful, durable finish!

Borders are Fun! Embrace Imperfection & Creativity

After you’ve been crocheting for a while, you’ll quickly realize how forgiving and fun crochet blanket borders can be. I often improvise mine, but there are a handful of go-to borders I rely on for a baby blanket or afghan. Even a basic slip stitch can create a stunning ruffled effect when you use a contrasting color of yarn, tying the border back into the overall look of your project.

So, next time you’re crafting a border, don’t stress over perfect corners or working into every single stitch flawlessly. Crochet is forgiving, and no one will notice the tiny imperfections but you! Feel free to experiment with different colors for a double or triple border, depending on how dramatic you want the look to be. You’ll only need basic crochet skills that every beginner should know:

• Slip stitch (sl st)
• Single crochet (sc)
• Half double crochet (hdc)
• Double crochet (dc)
• Extended single crochet (esc)

New to Crochet? Start Here!

Are you an absolute beginner eager to learn crochet? After you finish this post, make sure to check out our comprehensive guide: Learn To Crochet for Absolute Beginners. It’s packed with even more information, helpful links, and resources perfect for when you’re first learning. Plus, it includes a section with free patterns specifically chosen for beginners. Seriously, don’t miss it!

Want to get your hands on some easy crochet border patterns right away? Grab our free digital download! It’s our gift to you when you subscribe to our newsletter. Sign up below to unlock your next favorite border!

Easy Crochet Borders – Top Crochet Stitch Patterns

Wondering which is the best crochet stitch for a border? Many borders begin with a single crochet border worked around the entire blanket or afghan. This creates a beautifully even foundation for you to build upon with more intricate designs. My personal favorite is often the shell stitch border, crafted with clusters of double crochet stitches. But ultimately, your “go-to” border will be a matter of personal preference and project style. Let’s explore some fantastic options!

A quick note: There might always be one corner that isn’t *exactly* the same as the others, and that’s perfectly okay! There’s no crochet police. We’ll start with the easiest borders first, and I’ll link to projects with full free patterns and tutorials for all my examples if you need more in-depth help. You’ve got this!

1. The Simple Slip Stitch Border

Crochet dishcloths with different borders by Sew Nikki

The slip stitch border is the ultimate minimalist’s choice. It’s the most basic and simple edge design you can create, perfect for giving your project a clean, uniform finish. Ideal for a dishcloth, hot pad, or washcloth, simply slip stitch around the entire project. It’s quick, easy, and incredibly effective!

2. The Crab Stitch Border (Reverse Single Crochet)

While I don’t have a dedicated tutorial for this one yet, the crab stitch is essentially a backwards single crochet stitch. Instead of inserting your crochet hook into the next chain to your left, you insert it into the chain behind your working chain, to the right of your current hook. Insert hook, yarn over and pull through. Repeat this all the way around, working backward. Don’t forget to place three crab stitches into each corner to keep your border flat and sharp.

3. Ruffled Borders: Adding Volume and Charm

Ruffled borders add a lovely, soft texture and can be achieved in several ways, typically by adding extra stitches into a space. This “cramming” of stitches creates the charming ruffle effect. Here are two delightful ways to make this border:

Staggered Stitch Baby Blanket Ruffle

Staggered stitch baby blanket with ruffled border pattern by Sew Nikki.

To create this wonderful ruffled border, you’ll crochet around the entire blanket’s edge. On the shorter sides (height), you’ll have clear stitches to insert your hook into. On the longer sides (length), you’ll insert your hook directly into the edge, effectively creating your own row. Work one single crochet, then chain one, then single crochet, chain one, repeating until you reach the end, then slip stitch to join. The extra chain stitch after each single crochet causes the beautiful ruffle. For a full tutorial on this charming project, see the Staggered Stitch Baby Blanket post. For a multi-colored ruffle, change yarn colors, but this time only single crochet in each stitch, slip stitch to join. Repeat with new colors until desired width is achieved.

Moss Stitch Baby Blanket Ruffle

Moss baby blanket with ruffled crochet border pattern by Sew Nikki

Begin by single crocheting around the entire blanket, placing three single crochets into each corner. For the ruffled effect, work four double crochets into the first chain, skip the next chain, then single crochet in the following chain. Repeat this pattern around the entire blanket until complete. Fasten off and weave in any remaining ends with a yarn needle. Find the complete Moss Stitch Baby Blanket pattern here.

4. Classic Shell Stitch Borders

A classic and highly popular choice for crochet blanket borders is the Shell Stitch. It adds an elegant, scalloped edge that’s both decorative and timeless.

Striped Baby Blanket Shell Border

Ruffled crochet border pattern by Sew Nikki – striped baby blanket pattern.

Using a contrasting yarn color (e.g., blue), single crochet around all four sides of your blanket, placing three single crochets in each of the four corners for a neat, rounded finish. On the last stitch, change to your shell color (e.g., white). With the new color, work five double crochets into the first stitch, skip one stitch, single crochet in the next stitch, then skip one stitch. Repeat this pattern around the entire border. Slip stitch into the first single crochet from the previous round to join. Tie off, weave in all tails, and trim. For a beautiful example, check out the Striped Baby Blanket pattern.

Charlotte’s Baby Blanket (Multi-Round Shell)

Charlotte’s baby blanket border with slip stitch in the double crochet by Sew Nikki.

This border, crafted during the early days of lockdown, shows how a simple idea can truly pop with multiple rounds. This stunning Charlotte’s Baby Blanket with its multi-round shell border is a testament to this.

1. Round 1: Single crochet around the blanket, placing three single crochets in the corners.
2. Round 2: Work the classic shell stitch pattern – five double crochets in the same stitch, skip a stitch, single crochet, repeat.
3. Round 3: Using a contrasting color, slip stitch around the shell stitches.

The result is a truly stunning border that looks different on the front and back, yet is super easy to execute!

5. Granny Stripe Borders

The granny stripe border is a fantastic way to extend the classic granny square look or add a cozy, textured finish to any blanket.

Sunburst Granny Square Blanket Border

Sunburst granny square blanket by Sew Nikki

Join any color yarn and work a traditional granny square blanket border. For the corners, place “3 double crochet + chain 2 + 3 double crochet.” Along the sides, work “3 double crochet” in each space with no chains in between the clusters. When adding the border over square corners that are in the middle of the blanket (if joining squares), add a chain one in between the 3 double crochet clusters to give room for your granny stitch on the next round. Our sunburst granny square blanket features three rounds in the border, but you can opt for no border or as many rounds as you desire. Once finished, tie off with a chain one, pull yarn through, cut, and weave in all loose ends with a yarn needle. You can explore the full Sunburst Granny Square Blanket pattern for details.

Granny Square Table Topper (JAYG Method)

Granny square table runner with JAYG crochet border by Sew Nikki.

Following similar steps as above, the Granny Square Table Topper beautifully demonstrates the Join-As-You-Go (JAYG) method. JAYG is one of the easiest ways to connect granny squares, and it naturally creates its own clean border. You can then make this border larger by working additional rounds around the entire project or combine it with another border from this list of resources.

6. Even Crochet Blanket Borders

Sometimes, all you need is a simple, even border to give your blanket a neat, finished edge without adding bulk or intricate patterns.

Bobble Baby Blanket Even Border

Chunky baby blanket crochet pattern bobble blanket.

For a perfect example of an even, tidy crochet blanket border, consider the Bobble Baby Blanket. Start by single crocheting around the entire border of the blanket, inserting two extra single crochet stitches in all corners. Then, double crochet around the entire border, inserting two extra double crochet stitches in all corners. Slip stitch into the first single crochet stitch from the previous row to join. Tie off, weave in tails, and trim.

Bobble Afghan Border

Bobble afghan with double crochet border by Sew Nikki.

My Bobble Afghan also features a wonderfully even border that makes it a family favorite! This border is simple but effective:

1. Round 1: Work three single crochets in the first corner stitch. Then, single crochet around all four sides for the first round of the border, adding three single crochets in each subsequent corner.
2. Round 2: Work three double crochets in the first corner stitch. Then, double crochet in each stitch on all four sides for the last round of the border, adding three double crochets in each corner.

This method ensures the afghan lays perfectly flat and won’t curl up at the corners. Tie off when done and weave in tails.

Pillow Cover Borders

Crochet border patterns by Sew Nikki – Candy Cane Pillow Cover.

When making crochet pillow covers, I typically create a front and back panel, then join them together using a simple single crochet border. This creates a sturdy, clean finish, as seen in the Square Pillow Cover and Candy Cane Neck Roll Pillow.

7. Unique Borders for a Statement Piece

Ready to push your creativity? These unique borders add an extra layer of design and flair to your finished projects.

Classic Shell Afghan Unique Border

Unique crochet border pattern by Sew Nikki – Shell Afghan free pattern.

The Classic Shell Afghan showcases a truly unique and intricate border that’s built up in layers:

1. Round 1: Start with a single crochet border around the entire blanket, placing three single crochets in each corner.
2. Round 2: Double crochet in each stitch around the entire blanket, working three double crochets in each corner stitch.
3. Round 3: Double crochet in the back loop only around the entire blanket, working three double crochets in each corner (back loop only).
4. Round 4: Single crochet in the first stitch, skip one stitch, work seven double crochets in the next stitch, skip one stitch, single crochet in the next stitch. Repeat this pattern around the entire blanket, deliberately *not* placing extra stitches in the corners for a unique shaping.

Fasten off and weave in tails for a stunning, layered finish.

Granny Stitch Blanket Border

Granny strip blanket with unique border pattern by Sew Nikki.

You can create a harmonious and unique border for your Granny Stitch Blanket by simply using the same repeat from the blanket itself and applying it to the border. This is a modified version of the shell afghan border, often with one less round of double crochet stitches. For detailed instructions on adapting the granny stitch for a border, refer to the Sunburst Granny Square Blanket instructions mentioned earlier in this post.

One Last Tip for Perfect Crochet Blanket Borders

A common question among beginners is how to handle the last few stitches when completing a border pattern, especially intricate ones like the shell stitch. What do you do if you need to skip a chain and work a final shell stitch but don’t have enough room?

Here’s your secret weapon: **modify the pattern!** You can either:

• Place two shell stitches close together and remove the single crochet in between. This might give your corner a slight ruffled effect with more shells, ensuring you don’t miss that final shell.
• Simply omit the shell stitch and skip two single crochets to bring you over to the first shell stitch you made for the border. Then, slip stitch into the first chain of that initial shell stitch to seamlessly join the round.

Remember, there are no “crochet police” – feel free to improvise and adapt to make your stitches fit beautifully!

Borders are truly a personal preference, and you’ll soon discover your own favorites. Whether it’s the adorable border that makes a baby blanket irresistible, or the perfect go-to for afghans or joining granny squares, there’s no single “right” answer. Experiment, have fun, and improvise to make your stitches fit your unique vision. Adding borders is a fantastic way to test out new stitches and designs, and it’s a great exercise in learning how to modify stitch patterns to achieve a flawless finish.

We can’t wait to see your work! Feel free to share your finished projects in the comments below or tag us on social media. Follow us on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to get notifications when new patterns and tutorials are posted!

P.S. If you’re also interested in fabric crafts, don’t miss our guide: Learn How to Quilt for Absolute Beginners!

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