Are you struggling to find the perfect border to finish your crochet blanket? Take a look at these free patterns and find the most beautiful crochet borders for your blankets!
Why add a crochet border?
Although many crochet blankets look complete and beautiful even without a border, in many cases, a crochet border will give your blanket a more polished and professional finishing touch.
This is especially true for all those blankets that are crocheted in rows or with the corner-to-corner (C2C) method, and thus have a sort of “raw” border. In other words, the sides of the stitches are directly at the blanket’s edges.
Besides giving your blanket a clean and finished look, a nice (and wide!) crochet edging can help you fix small problems with the size of your blanket. So, for example, you could crochet a border to make your blanket wider or add length!
Finally, a border can add a pop of color and extra character to a simple blanket.
Borders and Edgings for your Blankets – Free Crochet Patterns
Find here the best crochet borders for your handmade blankets.
1. Single Crochet Border
In most cases, adding a single crochet border all around your blanket is the first step to setting up your crochet border.
How to Crochet a single crochet Border on the sides of your blanket
Making a first round in single crochet stitches will help you greatly, especially with crocheting your border on the sides of the blanket, whether you crocheted your blanket in rows or with the corner-to-corner (C2C) method.
Take a look at this blog post HERE to learn how to add a single crochet border around your mini-C2C blanket.
If you crocheted your blankets in rows working in single, double, or treble crochet stitches, you’ll want to add:
- One single crochet on the side of each single crochet row;
- Two or three single crochet stitches on the side of each double-crochet row;
- Three or four single crochet stitches on the side of each treble crochet row.
Of course, after you crochet a few stitches (especially on the sides of the blanket), take a look at your work. Is your crochet border curly and wavy? Or is it cupping up?
- If your first round of single crochet border is curling up and full of waves, it might be a good idea to crochet fewer stitches on the sides of each row or maybe skip a stitch every tot stitches.
- On the other hand, if your crochet border is cupping up and sort of tense, you’ll want to add more stitches!
Once you have your first round of single crochet, you’re ready to crochet the actual border.
2. Back Loop Only Single Crochet Border
You don’t always need a complicated and intricate border for your blanket. Instead, you could keep things simple by crocheting a few rounds of back-loop-only (BLO) single crochet stitches.
- You can see one example of a BLO single crochet border HERE.
3. Crab Stitch Border
The crab stitch (or reverse single crochet) border is another super simple and neat finish for your blankets.
- Learn how to crochet the crab stitch border HERE.
4. Moss Stitch Border
The moss (or linen) stitch border is a simple edging idea that only uses single crochet stitches and chains. This is the border I used for my C2C Waffle Baby Blanket where I wanted an elegant border with a simpler texture than the waffle stitch.
- Learn how to crochet the moss stitch border HERE.
5. Granny Blanket Edging
If you’re looking for a simple way to finish your granny square blanket, this granny blanket edging by Attic24 might be the right idea for you!
- Get the free pattern HERE.
6. Granny Patches Border
Another cute edging for a granny square blanket is this granny patches border by A Cherry Heart. I love how you can create color contrasts between the rounds!
- Get the free pattern of the granny patches border HERE.
7. Zigzag Granny Stitch Border
This zigzag granny stitch border with tassels was my statement border for the Rainbow Granny Blanket.
- Find the free pattern HERE.
8. Simple Shell Border
A simple scalloped edge is often all you need to make your crochet blanket precious and unique!
- Learn how to crochet the simple shell border HERE.
9. Reverse Shell Stitch Border
This reverse shell stitch border by Heart Hook Home is easier to crochet than it looks and the reverse shells create an absolutely beautiful tridimensional effect!
- Get the free pattern HERE.
10. Curling Waves Border
The curling waves border by Nana’s Crafty Home is an interesting alternative to a classic scalloped or shell border.
- Get the curling waves border HERE.
11. Cosy Blanket Edging
Keep it simple but interesting with this cosy blanket edging by Attic24!
- Get the free pattern HERE.
12. Easy Ribbed Border
An easy ribbed border is the pattern that I chose for my Color Salad Baby Blanket. This border is not the quickest to crochet but the final result is worth every minute!
- Get the pattern of the easy ribbed border HERE.
13. Camel Stitch Blanket Border
When you want a ribbed border, you have one more option, which is this camel stitch blanket border by Winding Road Crochet.
- Get the free pattern HERE.
14. Arcade Stitch Border
Talking about statement borders, you’ll want to get inspired by this arcade stitch border by Winding Road Crochet.
- Get the free pattern HERE.
15. Puff Edge
Keep your border sweet and puffy with this little crochet puff edge by Daisy Farm Crafts. It also comes with a video tutorial.
- Get the puff edge border HERE.
16. Bobble Border
This bobble border is the border that Erin of Juniper and Oaks designed for the C2C Nordic Winter Afghan.
- Get the pattern of the bobble border HERE.
17. Bobble Edging
This bobble edging by Lullaby Lodge Crochet is perfect for those blankets where you don’t want a very girlish border but still want something interesting.
- Find the pattern of the bobble edging HERE.
18. Pom pom Border
This pom pom border by Daisy Farm Crafts is perfect for many different projects! The little pom poms are the result of two cluster stitches slip-stitched together and are great fun to crochet.
- Find the pattern of the pom pom border HERE.
19. Puffs and Clusters Border
Explore all the possibilities of puff and cluster stitches with this puffs and clusters border by One Dog Woof.
- Get the puffs and clusters border HERE.
20. Bobbles and Picots Border
The bobbles and picots border is the border that I designed for my Woodland Granny Square Blanket. This border adds a festive look to your project and I’m sure it would look amazing in many color combinations.
- Get the free pattern HERE.
21. Berry Stitch Edging
This berry stitch edging by Made by Gootie is one of those border patterns that you can repeat around your blanket as many times as you want.
- Get the pattern of the berry stitch edging HERE.
22. Little stars Border
The little stars border is a very versatile pattern that you can use for baby blankets, space-themed blankets, or Christmas Afghans and other projects.
- Find the free pattern HERE.
23. Spike Stitch Edging
The spike stitch edging pattern is another beautiful border designed by Winding Road Crochet.
- Get the pattern of the spike stitch edging HERE.
24. Pumpkin Patch Edging
You can give your blanket a cozy and rustic that is just perfect for Fall with this pumpkin patch edging by Fiber Flux.
- Get the free pattern HERE.
25. Whipsiderry Border
This whipsiderry border by Look at What I Made was inspired by the beautiful rocks at Whipsiderry Beach and the rhythmic movements of the tides.
- Find the free pattern HERE.
26. Vintage Fan Edging
This vintage fan edging by The Purple Poncho can be used on pillowcases, towels, sheets, or clothing.
- Get the free pattern HERE.
How to add a border to a fleece blanket
On a similar note to adding a border to cotton and linen, you might enjoy this tutorial by Meg Made with Love about three different ways to crochet a border around a fleece blanket.
- Find the tutorial HERE.
27. Every Which Way Crochet Borders
This cute lace border is part of the “Every which way crochet borders” book by Edie Eckman. Luckily, this pattern (number 32) was excerped on Underground Crafter.
- Find the border number 32 HERE.
28. Treble Scallop Edging
This beautiful treble scallop edging by Cypress Textile will make your blanket extra special with just a few rows!
- Get the free pattern HERE.
29. Cluster Lace Edging
You’ll love the lace work of this cluster lace edging border by CrochetKim!
- Get the free pattern HERE.
30. Happily Ever Afghan Border
This stunning happily ever Afghan border by Crochet 365 Knit Too is the crochet border that will take your crochet project from good to great!
- Find the free pattern HERE.
31. Tassel Border
This tassel border by Nana’s Crafty Home has an exotic and magical look that will bring you to faraway lands.
- Get the pattern of the tassel border HERE.
32. Crochet Chain Border
The crochet chain border by Knitter Knotter is a lacy border that works up very quickly and is super easy to make because you’ll only need chains and single crochet stitches.
- Find the free pattern HERE.
33. Tulip Border
For a touch of Spring, crown your blanket in this tulip border by Repeat Crafter Me.
- Get the pattern of the tulip border HERE.
34. Flower Border
These little flowers by Naztazia are delicate and cute and they’ll be great for baby blankets or Spring projects.
- Get the flower border pattern HERE.
35. Rose Border
The rose is the queen of the flowers and this rose border by Look at What I Made will make your blanket even more royal!
- Get the free pattern HERE.
36. Floral Afghan Border
For a bolder (and more solid) flower border, crochet this cute floral Afghan border by Sunflower Cottage Crochet.
- Get the free pattern HERE.
37. Delicate Flower Crochet Border
This delicate flower crochet border by HanJan Crochet does not only have the tulip stitch but also a few extra lacy rows to match the blanket.
- Get the free pattern HERE.
38. Leaf Border Edging
If you’re not much of a flower-type and prefer leaves, here’s the perfect leaf border edging for you! This one was designed by Hectanooga.
- Find the free video tutorial HERE.
39. Coronet Lace Trim
The coronet lace trim by Stardust Gold Crochet is an easy lace trim border with a classic look. It could be a wonderful finishing round for your blankets, table runners, bohemian tops, or nice purses and clutches.
- Find the free pattern HERE.
40. Dog Bones Border
This dog bones border was designed for any puppy blankets and projects. Perfect for all dog lovers!
- Get the free pattern HERE.
41. Fringes and Tassels
Finally, if you really cannot decide on any border, you can still give your blanket a finished look by adding fringes and tassels.
For example, see this beautiful blanket by Daisy Farm Crafts HERE!
Otherwise, you could decide to crochet your fringes by making these easy twisted fringes HERE.
I hope you enjoyed this collection of free crochet borders and you found the perfect edging for your blanket.
If you have any other doubts or questions about borders, try and check the section below with a few FAQs about crochet borders.
FAQs about Crochet Borders
Here are a few frequently asked questions about crocheting borders.
What are crochet borders?
A crochet border is the part of the blanket that goes all around it. It can consists of one or more round rounds, and it can vary from a very simple stitch pattern to more intricate patterns with interesting motifs.
How wide should a border be on a crochet blanket?
There is no rule on how wide your crochet border should be. depending on your blanket, you can decide the width of the border based on your personal preferences. Generally speaking, larger blankets easily go with larger and more statement borders.
What hook size and yarn should I use to crochet my border?
In general, it is good practice to crochet the border using the same yarn and hook size that you used for your blanket. However, this is not a strict rule.
If you decide to use a different yarn for your border, you’ll have to make sure that you can get the same gauge as with your main yarn for the blanket. Maybe you will have to change your hook size.
Why is my crochet blanket border wavy?
When your crochet border becomes wavy or starts ruffling, you probably have too few or too many stitches on your border.
- If your border is curling or cupping, you might have too few stitches or you might simply have to switch to a larger hook size because your stitches are too tight.
- If your border is wavy or ruffling, you might want to reduce the number of stitches on your border, or switch to a smaller hook size.
How do make a straight crochet border for a chevron blanket?
If you crocheted a chevron blanket but want to make the borders straight, you’ll have to fill in those valleys between the tips of the chevron. The pattern for filling in those gaps will be different for each chevron pattern but the technique and general idea is the same.
You can watch this video tutorial by Sirin’s Crochet HERE to see how to make a straight border on a simple double-crochet chevron blanket.
Can you crochet a border on a knitted blanket?
You can definitely crochet a border on a knitted blanket. The main challenge will be to find the right hook size so that your border will not start ruffling or cupping your blanket.
Find more crochet inspiration with these blog posts…
- Easy Crochet Borders in Just 2 Rows
- 7 Crochet Borders that are Perfect for Christmas
- Crochet Rainbow Baby Blankets
