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Crochet EdgingCrochet Edging stitches are a way to finish your crochet project. They can be something as simple as a single crochet all the way around your project. Or they can be as intricate as an open weave pattern with other stitch designs layered on top of that. When doing an crochet edge, you will need to attach your yarn if it is in a different color, before beginning the pattern. I usually attach with a single crochet or a slip stitch depending on the stitch I am using. Experiment with what looks best to you. If you are using the same color and the same yarn, just start your edging at your ended corner with the right side facing you. You will work down the side first. (If you end on a right side row, cut your yarn, and attach as if you were changing colors.) A crochet edging is also used to decorate plain pillow cases and sheets or to add personal touches to store-bought baby blankets and towels. Use smaller hooks and crochet cotton for a more delicate looking edge. You can measure out and mark an exact number of stitches, or just “eye ball” it if the stitch count isn’t important. The smaller hooks will puncture most fabrics with a little effort. If you are measuring and marking, you can also punch out a hole will a very small hole punch or nail, or a large needle. That will help you get your hook through some of the thicker fabrics. Reversed Single Crochet (rev sc)
A very simple crochet edging is the reversed single crochet. It is also call the cord stitch or a crab stitch. It is just doing a single crochet backwards. It adds an extra twist to the stitch that gives it a scalloped edge look when finished. You single crochet all the way around (3 single crochet in corners) your work and chain 1. Do not turn. Working from left to right, (backwards) insert your hook in the 2nd single crochet to the right. Yarn over and pull through. Two (2) loops on hook. Yarn over and pull through both loops. Reverse single crochet done. Continue rev sc around your work. Slip stitch after final rev sc. Weave in ends. (Multiples of any number of stitches) Picot Stitch (pc or p)
A picot stitch is a little bump that pokes up on an edge of your crochet. It is done with an odd number of stitches. Usually three (3) or five (5). Then the chain is closed in a circle with either a slip stitch or a single crochet. You can start with a single crochet, or the picot stitch itself. To start with a picot; Chain 3 (or 5). Insert your hook into the top of the last stitch done before chains. Yarn over and pull through all loops on hook to close with a slip stitch. Or... Yarn over and pull through. (Two (2) loops left on hook) Yarn over again and pull through two loops on hook to close with a single crochet. Picot made. This crochet edging is popular around pillow cases and baby blankets. It is simple, yet decorative. Single crochet all the way around (3 single crochet in corners) your work and chain 1, turn. Do a second row of single crochet around (skipping first single crochet) chain 1, turn. *Skip first single crochet, picot, skip next single crochet. Repeat from * to the end. End with single crochet in chain stitch. Finish and weave in ends. (Multiples of any odd number) Note: The size of your picot stitch will determine the size of your edging. Mix up the picot stitches. Make a crown picot edging by using a chain 5 picot, chain 7 picot, chain 5 picot separated by 2 single crochet stitches. (Multiples of 5) Blanket Stitch
The blanket stitch is another popular, and very simple, crochet edging. It is made using single crochet and a single crochet spike stitch. It is a really nice way to finish single crochet fabric, or add your personal touch to a store-bought blanket, but is not limited to just that. Single crochet in first 3 stitches, then do a single crochet spike stitch down to the row below it. (Or about 1/4 inch down) Alternate 3 single crochet and 1 single crochet spike around. Finish and weave in ends. (Multiples of 4 plus 3 or as desired) The blanket stitch can be altered by any number single crochet stitches in between single crochet spike stitches. The single crochet spike stitches can also be made any length desired. This is a very flexible edging. Spray Edging
A spray edging is similar to the blanket stitch. You single crochet in the first 3 stitches, then make a spray, then single crochet in next 3 stitches. Alternate 3 single crochet and 1 spray across. Finish and weave in ends. On single crochet fabric: To make a spray, you insert your hook into the row below and 1 stitch to the right of your just finished single crochet. Yarn over and pull through. Insert your hook 2 rows below and directly below the just finished single crochet. Yarn over and pull through. Insert your hook into the row below and 1 stitch to the left of your just finished single crochet. Yarn over and pull through all four (4) loops on your hook. Spray is made. (Multiples of 4 plus 1 or as desired) Note: If you are not edging single crochet fabric, space your spray by going down about 1/4 inch to the right, about ½ inch to the center, and about 1/4 inch to the left. This stitch can also be altered by any number of single crochet stitches in between sprays. The spray length can also be changed.
A shell edging gives you a large scalloped edge look. It is a very simple and solid looking crochet edging. Single crochet across twice, chaining 1 and turning your work. On the third row, skip 2 single crochet. *5 double crochet in next single crochet, skip next single crochet. Repeat from * across. End with single crochet. Finish off and weave in ends. (Multiples of 4 plus 1) You could also try this shell edging using a treble crochet instead of double crochet. It would give you a taller, more substantial, scallop. This is a nice, soft edge that would be great for baby blankets. Most of the baby blankets I have made, I have used this or the reversed single crochet edging to finish them. Ok, one last simple, but really fun edging for you. Well, it’s almost more of a fringe than an edging, but it is definitely fun! I call it the little piggy tail. Little Piggy Tail Fringe Edging
This crochet edging is perfect for baby blankets, kids blankets, fun kid sweaters, shawls, ponchos... you name it. It’s just too cute!! *Single crochet, then chain 12. Slip stitch in first chain. Three (3) single crochet in each remaining 11 chains all the way back down. Single crochet in same stitch as original single crochet. Single crochet in next three (3) stitches. Repeat from * to end. Finish and weave in ends. (Multiples of 4 or as desired) This edging is really versatile. You want it longer? Simply add more chains. Want it closer together? Use less single crochet stitches between the “tails”. Farther apart? Add a few single crochet stitches between them. Want a thicker, bulkier looking “tail”? Use double crochet stitches instead of single crochet. Use bright, alternating colors to add some whimsy to your project. You could also use this with an overlaid chain/surface crochet. Make a stripe down your project using the surface crochet stitch. When you get to the end of your fabric, simply start your chain. Finish and weave in your ends when your get back to your original chain stitch. (You could single crochet the final stitch into your fabric to make the “tail” stronger.) To add a “tail” to the other end of your project, just attach with a single crochet, then make your chain. Finish off the same as the other side. There really are so many different kinds of crochet edging. You can take almost any stitch out there and figure out a way to make it an edge. And you can put a crocheted edge on almost anything. Have fun with it....Get creative. The recipient of your next homemade gift will love the personal touch. (Even if the original gift was store-bought!) ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ Want to ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ Return to Crocheted Gifts
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