Introduction to Crochet Borders
Whether you're a beginner, intermediate, or advanced crocheter who wants to add a border to your creation, you're in the right place with our list of crochet border patterns. Whether you’re working on a blanket, washcloth, shawl, or another project that you want to add a little something extra to, we’ve got lots of ideas for how to do just that.
Learn 45 new stitches to use for your borders in my Ultimate Crochet Stitch Library. Check it out here.
Why Crochet a Border on Your Project?
Maybe you've just finished crocheting a piece, and you followed the crochet pattern correctly, but it might not look just the way you want. There are lots of reasons that can happen that can be remedied by adding a border to your project, such as:
It has inconsistent edges: Don't feel disappointed if you end up with uneven or waving edges, or curling corners. Crocheting a border will surely hide these imperfections as well as stabilize the edges.
It came out shorter than expected: Sometimes, even if we're sure we've matched the gauge of the crochet pattern we're using, we could still find our work slightly smaller than planned. You can fix this by adding more width or length by crocheting a border.
It's missing something: Does your project look a little bit plain or incomplete, especially on the edges? Crocheting a border will make your work look more polished and complete.
Does this sound a little challenging? No problem! I have you covered. I created the Crochet (& Knit) Essential Skills classes to help you with 72 skills you need to master any project and technique in crochet and knit. Check it out and get 2 free days to watch the video classes.
What is the Best Crochet Border?
To be able to choose among the irresistible crochet borders to use, consider the following factors.
Know the Purpose of What You're Crocheting
Some borders will give a more solid frame, while others will function more as a part of the design.
A shawl would look great with a lacy edging, while a blanket might do better with a ribbed border or something that reinforces the structure or mimics the design of the rest of the blanket.
Select Crochet Stitches That Work Together
All crochet stitches are beautiful. You just have to choose stitches that work well together. This skill doesn't require a lot of time and experience as with just a glance you'll know if the crochet stitches are in harmony with each other.
Don't be afraid to rip out and redo if your border stitches do not harmonize with your project's main part. A better result will always be worth it.
Keep it Proportional
Together with the kind of crochet stitch to be used, you should also keep the borders proportional to the main part. Avoid adding borders that are thick to small projects. A thin row of borders will also not look good on a huge project.
Play with Colors
While a solid-colored crochet piece is wonderful, you can also try to incorporate different colors in your borders. You can crochet a border for your project with your own color pallet to give it more vibrance and life.
Tips for Perfect Crochet Borders
Remember these five tips as they can save you from troubles when you're crocheting borders for your project.
Start with a Row of Single Crochets
Work a row or round of single crochet stitches around your project before crocheting the borders. This will prepare the edges and establish a sufficient foundation for the actual border pattern.
If you'll be using a different color, crochet your single crochets using the same color as the main part. It will help you avoid a rough-looking transition between the different colors.
Count Your Stitches
Some crochet border patterns will require a certain number or multiple stitches on the edge of your crochet project. If the number of stitches doesn't match it, you can make a one or two increase or decrease anywhere, or on each side if needed. Remember to evenly space your increases or decreases around the project.
If the edges of your work become ruffled when working your border, you’ve picked up too many stitches. Likewise, if the corners curl in, you need to work more stitches around to flatten it out.
If you're working on a project with corners such as rectangles or hexagons, be mindful if the corner stitches are counted in your border pattern or not.
Use the Appropriate Yarn and Crochet Hook
You can work your crochet border with the same yarn you used for the main part or your project. But in case you run out of it, or if you favor another yarn, be sure that it's of the same weight, or very close to the same.
You don't want to use a bulky yarn around a fine yarn, or vice versa. And of course, use a hook that matches the recommended size of your yarn.
Do Not Crochet Around the Post of the Stitches on the Edge
To avoid holes, crochet the border not around the post of the stitches, but in the body of the stitches on the edges.
Block Your Project to Set the Border
Blocking your crochet is always a good idea to make projects look smooth and professional, but it’s especially helpful when adding a border to a project.
If the body of the project and the border are a different gauge, for example, blocking can help smooth out this difference and make it look like one cohesive project. Blocking is especially with lace-like borders.
Some blocking mats and T-pins will be helpful to make blocking a lot easier.
How to Crochet a Border on Fabric?
Some of the crochet border patterns listed below can also be added to a piece of fabric. This is a fun and easy way to make a blanket, decorate a tea towel, or use it for other purposes. You can use either of these methods to prepare the fabric.
Blanket Stitch
This is a sewing stitch that you can sew around the fabric to set up a foundation for the crochet border. You work the blanket stitch with a sewing needle and thread, then you can use those stitches to work into your border.
You can find a tutorial here from Hobby Lobby.
Crochet on the Fabric
You can also use a tool to punch holes in the edge and crochet directly on the fabric. For this method, it is recommended to use crochet hooks that are small in size (2mm or smaller), or these Edgit Piercing Crochet Hooks for easy and efficient crocheting on the fabric. Follow this tutorial by HEART·HOOK·HOME.
Simple Crochet Borders and Edgings
Let's start with a collection of simple borders. Some don't require a particular number or multiple stitches, and some will only need an odd or an even number of stitches. These easy crochet border patterns will add a solid and straight frame to your crochet work.
Rib Crochet Border
Designer: Winding Road Crochet
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lily Sugar'n Cream
Add a ribbed texture to your project and make it look more set and firm. It's ideal for washcloths, dishcloths, blankets, granny squares, and even on crochet hats or beanies, cuffs of socks, and hems of cardigans or pullovers.
Beaded Beauty Border
Designer: Keep Calm and Crochet On UK
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Stylecraft Special Aran
If your beautiful crochet work needs an equally beautiful border, here is the pattern you can use. You can employ multiple colors of yarn, scrap, or unused yarns to brighten your crochet project.
Camel Stitch Blanket Border
Designer: Winding Road Crochet
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Chainette Yarn
You don't need a specific number or multiples of stitches to crochet this pretty camel stitch border. It's versatile to use on any project if you want to add a frame. It's great for finishing crochet kitchen towels, blankets, and many more projects.
Crab Crochet Stitch Border
Designer: Joy of Motion Crochet
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton Yarn
The crab stitch, sometimes called reverse single crochet, makes a great thin border for any project. With just some practice, you'll be an expert on it in no time.
Alpine Stitch Crochet Blanket Border
Designer: Winding Road Crochet
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Red Heart Super Saver Brushed
Make your border more exciting and slightly textured by experimenting with the alpine stitch with yarn of one color, or two or more colors. It's for beginners because it is easy to do, but the outcome is wonderful.
Spike Stitch Crochet Edging
Designer: Winding Road Crochet
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Swish Worsted
Give your crochet project an attractive frame. It's so simple to do, and this post has a great photo tutorial to make the spike stitch edging even easier.
Candy Cane Border
Designer: Repeat Crafter Me
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Bernat Super Value
Got some scrap or unused yarn? Use them to crochet this Candy Cane border. You can use two or more color combinations for a perfect finishing touch.
Herringbone Crochet Border
Designer: Winding Road Crochet
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Knit Picks Twill
If you're in the mood to keep it simple, try this herringbone border. It looks effortless but it will complement your crochet design perfectly.
Windows Border
Designer: Moogly
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Vanna's Choice
This kind of edging will give a solid and attractive finish to your crochet piece. Some stitches will pop due to how they're worked, and their color stands out, making that window-like structure.
Nature-Inspired Crochet Borders and Edgings
Let your love for nature show in your crochet creations with these free crochet border patterns that resemble elements found in our environments.
Floral Afghan Border
Designer: Sunflower Cottage Crochet
Yarn weight: (3) DK
Suggested yarn: Premier Yarns Premier Anti-Pilling Everyday
Accessorize your crochet work with a feminine touch by adding an eye-catching border of flowers. It's great for crochet blankets, table centerpieces, or scarves.
Flower Border
Designer: We Are Knitters
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Pima Cotton
Each flower in this crochet border will surely embellish any piece it will surround. This is a great way to give a floral vibe to your projects like baby blankets, shawls or scarves, table runners, baskets, and many more.
Leaf Stitch Border
Designer: Crafting Happiness
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Feels Like Butta
Adorn your crochet design with this leaf-stitch border. While it’s lovely in green, you can use any other color you like, and the result will still be a masterpiece.
Large Leaf Stitch Border
Designer: Crafting Happiness
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Red Heart With Love
This design is called a leaf, but this pretty sawtooth design can be worked in any color to evoke the sun, leaves, icicles, or stars.
Scalloped Edging
Designer: Moogly
Yarn weight: (6) Super bulky
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Hometown
This crochet pattern is also called the shell stitch border. It uses clusters of double crochet stitches. This tutorial also shares a technique on how to adjust the border to work when you have a multiple of 5 or 6 crochet stitches along the edge of your crochet project.
Pumpkin Patch Edging
Designer: Fiber Flux
Yarn weight: (6) Super bulky
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick
Trick out your crochet shawl, scarf, cardigan, or blanket with this Pumpkin Patch edging. It's perfect for the fall season and Halloween. You can complete your crocheted Halloween costume with a hem of this pumpkin patch edging or any other fall project you like.
Fancy Crochet Borders and Edgings
The following free crochet border patterns will finish your crochet projects with an elevated look. These can be used in a wide range of crochet projects especially tops, shawls and scarves, pillowcases, table centerpieces, and many more.
Easy Lace Border
Designer: Crafting Happiness
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Knit Picks Comfy Worsted
This is a very simple lace border, also called the chain border, that will surely grace your project. It's suitable for beginners as it mainly involves the basic stitches namely chain stitches, slip stitches, and single crochet stitches.
Picot Stitch Border
Designer: Heart Hook Home
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Universal Yarns Uptown Worsted
The picot stitch is one of the most commonly used borders. It's so simple to make and you can decide on the number of stitches between each picot to make it work with the number of stitches you have.
Berry Stitch Crochet Edging
Designer: Made by Gootie
Yarn weight: (3) DK
Suggested yarn: Knit Picks CotLin
This berry stitch crochet border is almost the same as the bobble stitch or the puff stitch but the stitches are rounder and tighter. You can add this to finish the hem of your crochet skirt, the cuff of your crochet sock, or any crochet project you want to.
Peaked Group Crochet Border
Designer: Crochet ‘n’ Create
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Color Theory
This fun border uses a combination of easy crochet stitches including double crochet and front post double crochet.
Banksia Border
Designer: Look at What I Made
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Caron Simply Soft
Don't miss trying this beautiful crochet border! It will adorn your project with a stunning and delicate frame design. You can use this border for crochet blankets, shawls and scarves, table covers, crochet bags, and many more.
Treble Scallop Edging
Designer: Cypress Textiles
Yarn weight: (3) DK
Suggested yarn: Knit Picks Brava Sport
Make the borders of your crochet projects dramatic with this treble scallop edging. You can relax and have fun at the same time with this pattern.
3-D Borders and Edgings
If you want to add more texture to your crochet creations, these fun and dramatic edgings are for you.
Little Stars Border
Designer: Raffamusa
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Pound of Love
This little star’s border is perfect for baby blankets and Christmas-themed crochet projects like pillow covers, garlands, or costumes.
Polka Dot Border
Designer: Moogly
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice
Embellish your crochet works with this cute Polka Dot Border. It will look even lovelier if you use a different or contrasting color of yarn for the popping dots.
Popcorn Border
Designer: Moogly
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice
This popcorn border will greatly add texture to the sides of your crochet creation. It's tasteful for crocheting baby blankets and other baby clothes and garments.
Ruffled Border
Designer: Fiber Flux
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Red Heart Super Saver Brushed
This border gives the vibe of femininity and is just so cheerful. I've seen a lot of crochet tops and other garments use this border, but you can also add ruffles to crochet blankets, table covers, or any crochet creation that you want.
Crochet Borders and Edgings around a Fabric
These crochet border patterns and edgings are great for fabrics like kitchen linens, handkerchiefs, blankets, pillow covers, and towels. (See above for instructions on how to attach crochet to the fabric.)
Crochet Edged Tea Towel Pattern
Designer: Petals to Picots
Yarn weight: (1) Super fine
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Linen Cone
Enhance your kitchen by making your linen more interesting and elegant. This pattern comes with written instructions and a crochet diagram that you can easily follow.
Crochet Edge Dish Towels
Designer: Dream a Little Bigger
Yarn weight: (1) Super fine
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Perle 10/2 Cotton Cone
Some people love to receive dish towels as gifts. Give dish towel gifts that are more thoughtful and unique by adding this border on them.
Lace Trimmed Napkins
Designer: Petals to Picots
Yarn weight: (1) Super fine
Suggested yarn: Knit Picks Palette
Prepare a fancy dining experience for your family, friends, or guests using table napkins with crochet edging. They will surely appreciate the delicate napkins provided for them.
Crochet Lace Edging for Handkerchiefs
Designer: Ollie + Holly
Yarn weight: (0) Lace
Suggested yarn: KnitPicks Curio #10 Mercerized Cotton Lace
We know that handkerchiefs are more environmentally friendly than paper napkins. Encourage their use by making unique handkerchiefs with crochet edgings. They will also make a great gift.
Crochet Edge Beach Towel
Designer: Dream a Little Bigger
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lily Sugar’n Cream
Going to the beach? Make sure that you stand out with a gorgeous beach towel. Adding this edging to a fun towel would make a great gift for your ocean-loving friends.
Video Tutorials on Crochet Borders and Edgings
If you prefer to learn from videos, check out these great video tutorials on crochet border patterns. They will only take about 10 minutes to demonstrate how to crochet each border style.
Flower Border Edging
Designer: Naztazia
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Red Heart With Love
Finish your crochet creation with this cute flower border. It's great for baby dresses, baby blankets, summer tops, shawls, scarves, and many other projects.
Crochet Tulip Border
Designer: Naztazia
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Red Heart Super Saver
Here's another kind of flower to crochet as an edging. The twist here is that the tiny tulips are raised, giving them a three-dimensional texture.
Puff Edge Stitch Blanket Border
Designer: Okie Girl Bling’n’Things
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Vanna's Choice
This is a great border to crochet on the edge of your crochet pieces. Make your crochet blankets, scarves, and shawls cozier with puff stitches around them.
Crochet Spades Stitch Border
Designer: Yarn & Hooks
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Color Theory
Make your crochet projects cuter with this crochet spades stitch border. This 10-minute video tutorial will clearly show you to do it.
Wavy Shell Stitch Border Edging
Designer: Naztazia
Yarn weight: (3) DK
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Color Theory
This is a great three-dimensional border you can add to your crochet blankets, afghans, shawls, scarves, and many more. Clusters of double crochet stitches are made to create the wave-like form.
Are You a Beginner Crochet Who Would Like Some Extra Help to Learn How to Crochet?
If you need help with the basics of crochet before you start adding crochet borders to all your projects, check out our Fundamentals of Crochet workshop. Here you’ll learn all you need to know to become a more confident crocheter, from how to hold the yarn and needles to basic stitches.
There are even skill-building projects included to help you boost your skills, and lots of tips to help you gain skills quickly and easily.
Michelle
Monday 10th of July 2023
Thank you so much for these borders! So helpful!
Harriette Gerbec
Tuesday 14th of February 2023
Love all these borders. Have a pray shawl this is too narrow. I am sure one of these will work just perfectly. Thank you?
Allie
Monday 16th of January 2023
I am not great with the computer, how do I get all of the patterns, printed out at one time
SCC Admin
Tuesday 24th of January 2023
Hi Allie, Since this post is a round-up of patterns from various designers, you'll have to click on the button of each pattern you like and visit the designer's post. You can then print the page with the pattern in it.
Unfortunately, there isn't a way to print them out all at once, you'll need to do it one-by-one.
Hope this helps!
Parolee Walker
Monday 16th of January 2023
I do a lot of dishclothes, need idea for borders
Kaari
Sunday 4th of December 2022
These are lovely! I want to do some sleeves and hems with these.