Cosy Blanket Edging

Crocheting blanket edgings is one of my most favourite things, I love the challenge of choosing exactly the right colours and designing exactly the right sort of finish to complete the blanket.  

This edging was designed specifically for the Cosy Stripe Blanket, but I think it would look great around pretty much any type of blanket.

The first thing to do is choose your colours. The edging is worked in 4 rounds, and the colour choices make a big difference to the way the whole blanket looks when it's finished. For round 1, choose a mid-tone or medium/dark colour - you need this round to do the job of neatening any wobbles so the colour needs to be one that blends easily with the rest of the colours in the blanket. It also needs to be a colour that doesn't shout out too much!

For the other three rounds, it's important to think about the overall feel of the blanket when you choose the colours. For example, with the Cosy Stripe blanket it was all about the warm, Autumnal colours, so I opted for traditional Autumnal shades to work the edging. Another thing to think about is the colour you choose for the final round - this will be the colour that dominates the edging, so make sure you LOVE this colour! 

We are using two basic stitches to make the edging (double crochet and treble crochet), and as always I'm writing using UK crochet terms as follows :

sl st [slip stitch] :: insert hook, yarn over, pull the loop back through the stitch, then through the loop on your hook.

dc [double crochet] :: insert hook, yarn over, pull the loop back through the stitch (two loops on hook), yarn over and pull through both loops on hook (note :: this is equivalent to the US sc stitch)

tr [treble] :: yarn over, insert hook, yarn over, pull the loop back through the stitch (three loops on hook), yarn over and pull through two loops on hook (two loops left on hook), yarn over and pull through remaining two loops (note :: this is equivalent to the US dc stitch)

:: ROUND 1 ::

{I'm using Copper for round 1. Start at the top left hand side of the blanket and work down the left hand/long side of the blanket}

NOTE :: when you work down the sides of the blanket, you will be working around the "post" of the stitches at the end of each row.

Put your hook under the end stitch of the final blanket row and pull through a loop of yarn.

Chain 3 (counts as 1 tr), then work 1 tr around the post of that same stitch.

 

Work 2 tr's around the post of each stitch at the end of each row. Your treble crochet stitches will look like a row of "V"'s.

You will turn the corner around the post of the last stitch at the bottom of the long blanket edge, as follows ::

2 tr's, chain 2, 2 tr's (as shown above) 

 

You will now be working along the bottom edge of the blanket which is the foundation chain edge. You will be working under the singles loops of the foundation chain for this row (as shown above)

Work 1 tr into each stitch/loop along the bottom edge.

To turn the corner, work {2 tr's, chain 2, 2 tr's} around the post of the stitch at the end of blanket row 1.

You are now working up the long side of the blanket, from the bottom to the top. Work 2 tr's around the post of each stitch at the end of each row.

 

To turn the corner at the top of the blanket, work {2 tr's, chain 2, 2 tr's} around the post of the last stitch/row end (as above). 

Continue to work 1 tr into each stitch along the top edge of the blanket.

You should now be right back where you started, at the top/left hand point of the blanket.

To finish the corner, work 2 tr's into the same space as your first two stitches of this round.

Chain 2, then slip stitch into 3rd chain of initial chain 3 to close the round. Fasten off and darn in ends. 

:: ROUND 2 ::

{I'm using Gold for Round 2. 

Insert your hook into any chain-2 corner space and pull through a loop of the new colour.

Chain 2 (counts as 1 dc), then work 1 dc into same corner space.

Work 1 dc into each stitch along the first side of the blanket (as shown above)

To turn the corner, work {2 dc, chain-2, 2 dc} into the chain-2 corner space of previous round (as shown above)

Continue working rows of dc stitches around the blanket, using {2 dc, chain-2, 2 dc} to form the corner turns in each of the chain-2 corner spaces.

To finish the round, work 2 dc into the very first corner space where you started, then chain 2.

Slip stitch into the 2nd chain of the initial chain-2 to close the round. Fasten off and darn in ends. 

:: ROUND 3 ::

{I'm using Claret for round 3.

Insert your hook into any chain-2 corner space from previous round and pull through a loop of the new colour.

Chain 2 (counts as 1 dc), then 1 dc into same corner space. Chain 1.

Skip 1 stitch, then 1 dc into next stitch (as shown above), chain 1.

Skip one stitch, dc in next stitch (position of next dc stitch shown by my needle above), chain 1.

*Skip one stitch, dc in next stitch, chain 1*

Repeat between ** along the first side of the blanket....

 ....when you reach the end of the row, you may have one or two stitches remaining (depending on how accurate your previous rows have been!) - now you have my permission to offically Fudge-it here, depending on what works for you! I chose to skip TWO stitches before turning the corner, but you may find you only need to skip 1 stitch before the corner. Just see what works best for you.

 

To turn the corner, work {2 dc, chain 1, 2 dc} into the chain-2 space from the previous round. Chain 1.

Continue working the same pattern - {skip one stitch, 1 dc, chain 1} along the sides, using {2dc, chain 1, 2dc} to turn the corners.

 

When you get back to your starting point, work 2dc into the first corner space, chain 1, then slip stitch into 2nd chain of initial chain-2 to close the round. Fasten off and darn in ends.

 

:: ROUND 4 ::

{I'm using Meadow for Round 4. Start in any chain-1 corner space from previous round}

NOTE :: the stitches in this round are worked out of the SKIPPED STITCHES OF ROUND 2, shown by my needle in the above picture

Pull a loop through of the new colour, chain 4 (counts as 1 dc plus chain-2), then work 1 dc into same corner space ( as shown above)

 Insert your hook into the skipped stitch in round 2 and work 1 dc. Chain 2 (as shown above)

Work 1 dc into the SAME SKIPPED STITCH as the dc you just made.

 

I'm showing you with my needle where the next stitch will go - it's the next skipped stitch from round 2.

Into the next skipped stitch from round 2, work {1 dc, chain 2, 1 dc} (as shown above)

*Into the next skipped stitch from round 2, work {1 dc, chain 2, 1 dc}*

Repeat between ** until you come to the next corner....

To turn the corner, work {1 dc, chain 2, 1 dc } into the chain-1 corner space (as shown above)

*Into the next skipped stitch from round 2, work 1 dc, chain 2, 1 dc*

Repeat between ** until you come right back to where you started....

...now slip stitch into the 2nd chain of initial chain 4 to close the round. Fasten off and darn in ends.

A NOTE ABOUT YARN QUANTITIES >> as you  can see, the final edging round is greedy for yarn and although I had enough of the Meadow colour to complete the round there wasn't much to spare. This means that if you crochet loosely or have made your blanket bigger than mine, you may not have enough yarn to complete the edging. I am SO SORRY if this is the case, I really don't want you to run out of yarn before you finish!!

I did think about re-designing round 4 to make it simpler ie to use less yarn - working just 1 dc into each skipped stitch from round 2, then chaining 1 will work well and will use less yarn - but I loved the little spiky green edge so much that I stuck with it. If you are following my Cosy Blanket CAL and using the Cosy Yarn pack, you may wish to simplify your edging as described above if you think you might not have enough yarn to finish. Alternatively, you might need a bit of extra Meadow yarn to complete the blanket.

I do love this edging - to me it looks like little red berries with spiky green leaves, kind of a Hedge-edge if you like :)

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

ps the tutorial for the Cosy Stripe blanket can be found HERE.

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Denise]

New to crochet and have been to five classes, so my cosy stripe blanket is miniature size in baby colours to fit a pram, and delighted with my results. However I am now on the last row of edging, only finished one side but I feel that it is making the blanket fluted, wavy along the edge and not lying flat. Can anyone tell me is this how it's suppose to look or is my crochet work maybe too tight on this last row of edging.

[Deb]

Hear Ye, Hear Ye, one and all! lol I've heard from Lucy (bless her heart) and the edging instructions are correct and the edging is worked with a 4mm hook. Hope this clears up confusion for those that comment after me. ;)

[Deb]

Hi Lucy,
I have loved making your cozy stripe blanket so much. The colors thrill me in that they take on such a different look in different lighting. I am now going to start the edging and like someone else wondered, have the edging instructions been altered by you to be correct or do I have to try and follow the corrections noted in the comments? And hook size?? Was there a change? I'm confused. No idea if you will have the time to answer these questions, but I sure hope so. Or, if anyone here could assist?

[katherine edgar]

Just completed mine yesterday evening absolutely love it thank you for the pattern and inspiration

[Roselyne richards]

Dear Lucy Ijust finished my blanket and loved it all the way . I found your instruction clear and easy. Row four : Iknew where to push my crochet because you have put yours (in the photo) exactly where we,all, should put ours. It made it very obvious.
Each time I had a question.I search in your photos and always found my answer.
Thank you for such a lovely project and am expecting your next one with impatience.
Again, many thanksfrom Roselyne

[Pat Sever]

Hi Lucy. i loved the pattern for this cosy stripe blanket which I worked with spice, claret, gold, cream, copper, mocha, latte and cream. I wanted to make a double blanket for the bed in my motorhome and cast on 240 stitches. It has taken me two months to make and has been a real pleasure. I loved the edging and used your coulours except for row four where I used spice as this was my predominent colour. Thank you from Pat x

[Melissa B]

Hi Lucy,
I'm about to start on the last round and have read though the comments and am now confused because there is mention of the instructions being incorrect.
Can you tell me if your instructions are correct or do I need to figure out what the posters are trying to say in their comments?
Thank you for this pattern. I've enjoyed it and plan to use it to make more blankets.

[Lucy]

I m just about to do my final few rows and then the edging, I ve chosen different colours for this one to use up a bit of my stash, but will do this bright one next, I ve loved doing it and it looks so clever even though it was easy to make, great work Lucy, you don't realise how much pleasure your work brings to so many people.

[Doe]

Hi Lucy, thank you for the amazing blanket pattern. I've just finished it and I'm thrilled. You are really inspirational. Thanks again

[Helena]

Love the colours and thanks for the edging. I am using it on a play blanket. Always find some inspiration on your site!!

[kirsty roper]

Hi I have just finished the blanket and starting on the border. My blanket is 110 by 165 however I do not have enough copper why?????

[Yvonne]

Hi Lucy. Thank you for that wonderful colored cosy blanket. It's almost finished. But just like Diana I noticed that you used different sizes for the edging. As I did the blanket with no 4 I was wondering which size should I use for the edging?
Thank you for chairing al you beautiful creations with us.

[Diane]

I'm ready to start the edging on my cosy blanket and notice in the tutorial that you change crochet hooks. What size hook should I be using. Thank you for the inspiration, my husband can't wait to snuggle up under the blanket.

[Sue]

Lucy, just finished my cosy blanket, really enjoyed this project, thanks for the inspiration.

[Lyn keeping]

Hi Lucy, I have just finished the stripes in my Cosy blanket, have just done the first edging round but have run out of wool before I reached the end, sooo disappointed, I don't crochet loosely so not sure what has gone wrong, and now Wool Warehouse have run out, so I will have to wait to finish mine. 😞

[Pauline]

Hi Marie, have looked at the pattern for row 2, 3 and 4 and see what you don't understand. If you look at row 3 you do 1dc into top of st on row 2; 1ch skip 1dc on row 2; then 1dc into top of next st on row 2. When you get to row 4 the dc st goes into the top of the st on row 2 which you skipped on row 3. I hope that helps. Lucy may have been in touch with you already but thought I would try and help. Regards Pauline

[Liz]

Thanks for this pattern, just finished mine for a local hospital and love the edging. What to start on next?

[Marie]

Hi Lucy, can you just clarify what you mean on the last row of edging please? You say to go into the skipped stitch of round 2 but round 2 had no skipped stitches. They were DC into every stitch.
Many thanks and have loved making this blanket.
Marie

[Sue]

I like the small picot stitch in the last row. It is very subtle and I will be trying that out, Ty, x

[Monica]

Hi Lucy ...I've just finished my blanket and what a wonderful Ta Dah moment it was ...This is for my daughter Christmas the colours match her personality she's so warm and loving and you just want to cuddle up with her all day... She's 18 and wanted to give her a blanket that will go with her to university . THANK YOU SO MUCH . I hope u feel better soon

[Erin]

I'm so glad you chose these colors for the edging! Ive been dreaming of them throughout the whole CAL. These are the colors that inspired me the most along with the petrol which is the first and last color of the blanket. I'm on row 63 and can't wait to get to the icing on the cake so to speak!

[Pauline]

Hi Lindis, I have had an email from Lucy and it was wrong, if you look at the last row and look closely at the stitches it is only 1dc, 2ch, 1dc; the 2dc, 2ch, 2dc is wrong. Unfortunately Lucy is still very much under the weather, as she said "her head is full of cotton wool". So Lucy I very much hope you are feeling better soon so you can enjoy all the festivities. As soon as children go to school they bring lots of bugs home to share with the family. At least you can enjoy another lovely blanket to snuggle under, get well soon, healthy wishes coming your way. Love Pauline xx

[Lindis]

Pauline, I think you are right that there is an error, but I think it is in describing the first stitch after the corner. It says 1dc, 2ch, 1dc. If you look closely I think there are actually 2dc, 2ch, 2dc there. It is just on the corners where 1dc is used. My guess is the 2dc,2ch, 2dc parts are correct, just the first stitch instruction is wrong.

[Pauline]

Hi Lucy, have read through your final edging row and I think there is a mistake, at the start of row 4 you write working into the first stitch after missing one it is 1dc, ch2 then 1dc into same stitch but from then on you say 2dc, 2ch, 2dc, I think you meant to write 1dc, 2ch, 1dc. Forgive me if I am wrong but I understand your concern that people will run out out of the final colour Meadow. The blanket looks lovely can hardly wait for the final photo reveal. Hope the poncho is going well. It will soon be time to relax a little over Christmas with your family so I'm sending you warm & cosy wishes for a Happy Christmas and a Merry New Year, enjoy everything you do. Hugs & kisses from Pauline xx :-D