Mini Bobble Edging

I designed this edging pattern especially for my Meadow blanket, but it's a very versatile edging and would suit most blankets.

The border is made using 6 rounds (although you can easily make it narrower if you wish, or go all out and create a super-wide border if that sounds like more your thing). The first 5 rounds are made using pairs of double crochet stitches. The final round looks complicated but is very easy to crochet using a combination of treble stitches and slip stitches to create the mini bobble effect along the outer edge.

I made a simple written pattern that you can download/print if you don't need the step by step help and prefer to have a traditional printed pattern to pop in your bag. You can find it by clicking on the following link >>

DOWNLOAD MINI BOBBLE EDGING PATTERN

HOOK SIZE

You should use the same hook size which you used to crochet the stripes in the body of the Meadow blanket - there is no need to increase your hook size unless you find that your stitches are pulling too tight. This pattern produces a tight, compact crochet edging, so you can increase your hook size if necessary to ease out the stitches and prevent any pulling or tightness in the border.

COLOURS

I chose six colours for my border, and they are worked in the following order ::

🌸 1. Lincoln 🌸 2. Pistachio 🌸 3. Dandelion 🌸

🌸4. Pale Rose 🌸 5. Raspberry 🌸 6. Wisteria 🌸 

As mentioned above, these colours are just a suggestion, please feel free to have a play and make this edging your own. I've given some more colour suggestions for the Meadow blanket border in the CAL Part 7 post ((HERE)).

YARN QUANTITIES

This information is mainly for those of you who are making a blanket from a yarn pack (eg 15 x 100g Stylecraft Special DK) where you have a limited yarn quantity. My blanket measures 120 x 180cm before the border, and after 90 stripes I ended up with around 30-35g of yarn left over.

I have some Salter kitchen scales which are super useful for yarn weighing and I can highly recommend them as an addition to your crochet kit!

For this border, you will need approx 20g of each colour.

PATTERN

I'm writing my pattern 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)

You will begin at the top right hand corner of your blanket. Make sure the right side of the blanket is facing you (your tail ends should all be neatly darned in under the right hand edge of the blanket when the right side is facing uppermost)

ROUND 1 : Use Lincoln yarn

Insert your hook into the first stitch and pull through a loop of the new colour.

Chain 2 (counts as 1 dc); skip 1 stitch;

*2 dc in next stitch; skip 1 stitch;

Repeat from * all the way along the top edge of the blanket until one stitch remains.

In the last stitch of the top edge, make a corner turn by crocheting (1 dc; chain 2; 1 dc) as shown above.

You'll now be working down the long edge of the blanket (from top to bottom). You'll be working around the "post" of the stitch. This means inserting your hook into the gap between the last two stitches of that particular stripe row (where my needle is in the above photo), as follows:

Work 2 dc around the post of the first stitch (as shown by my needle above).

Work 2 dc around the post of the next stitch (as shown by my needle above).

Continue working 2 dc around the post of the stitch at the end of each row (so 4 dc stitches per stripe) until you reach the bottom corner...

When you reach the bottom, you'll be working a corner turn into the end of the foundation row - this will mean inserting your hook under a single loop (as shown by my needle above)

Work (1 dc ; chain 2; 1 dc) into the first loop of the foundation, as shown above.

Skip 1 stitch;

You're now going to be working into the single loops along the bottom of the foundation chain.

*2 dc in next stitch; skip next stitch;

Repeat from * all the way along the bottom edge until 1 stitch remains. Don't worry if the loops of the foundation chain feel a bit loose or baggy when you work into them, it won't matter when the next rows are made.

In the last stitch of the bottom edge, make a corner turn by crocheting (1 dc; chain 2; 1 dc);

You'll now be working into the long side of the blanket - this is the edge where you darned in your ends so you may need to do a little bit of wiggling to get your hook  under the posts of the stitches.

* 2 dc around the post of the next stitch (4 dc per stripe)

Repeat between * all the way along the long edge....

When you get back to where you started, insert your hook into the first stitch where you made the beginning chain-2 and work

(1 dc; chain 2);

Slip stitch into the 2nd chain of the beginning chain-2 to close the round; fasten off.

ROUND 2 : use Pistachio yarn

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

Chain 2 (counts as 1 dc);

NOTE : For this round, you'll be skipping over the stitches and working in the weeny space between the groups of 2 dc that you made in round 1. This is the gap above the skipped stitch that you left unworked in the previous round. It's a bit like working a double linen stitch, but the effect is much tighter and compact because there are no chain spaces. I hope this makes sense!

Skip 2 stitches and work 2 dc in space between the stitches (above the first skipped stitch in the previous row as shown above);

*Skip the next 2 dc stitches; work 2 dc in the space between the next stitches;

Repeat from * until you come to the corner..

The photo above shows you how the 2dc stitches are worked in that tiny gap, it might feel a bit fiddly at first. Take care not to catch the loop of the skipped stitch below when you work your 2dc groups. 

When you reach the corner, work (1 dc; chain 2; 1 dc) into the chain-2 corner space;

Continue working 2 dc into each space between 2dc groups around the edge of the blanket, turning the corners by working (1 dc; chain 2; 1 dc) into the chain-2 corner spaces.

When you get back to where you started, insert your hook into the first corner space where you made a chain-2 and work

(1 dc; chain 2;)

Slip stitch into the 2nd chain of the beginning chain-2 to close the round; fasten off.

ROUND 3 : Use Dandelion yarn

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

In this round you will repeat the pattern as for Round 2. So work 2 dc into each space between 2dc groups, and turn the corners by working (1 dc; chain 2; 1 dc) into the chain-2 corner spaces.

ROUND 4 : Use Pale Rose yarn

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

Repeat as for Round 2.

ROUND 5 : Use Raspberry yarn

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

Repeat as for Round 2.

ROUND 6 : Use Wisteria yarn

IMPORTANT NOTE : TURN YOUR BLANKET OVER SO THAT THE WRONG SIDE IS FACING YOU!!!!

This final round is the mini-bobble edging and it is worked from the WRONG SIDE.

You will be working out of the stitches for this round.

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

Chain 2 (counts as 1 dc);

*Slip stitch into next stitch; 1 treble into next stitch (as shown above)

Repeat from * all the way to the first corner.

NOTE: when you work your slip stitches, try and keep your tension nice and tight so that the chain formed with each slip stitch is kept small and neat/tight.

The photo above shows what you should be seeing as you crochet - this is the wrong side of the blanket facing you.

You should have these loopy chains running along the edge of your blanket. You can see how small the slip stitch chains should look compared to the normal treble stitches.

And this photo above shows what the right side of the blanket should look like - awwwwww!!!! Aren't these mini bobbles cute?! OK< turn your blanket back around so you can carry on.........

....keep going with alternating your slip stitches and trebles until you reach the end of the first side.

When you reach the corner, work (1 dc; chain 2; 1 dc) into the chain-2 corner space.

Keep going, working the (1 tr; slip stitch;) pattern repeat, and turning the corners with (1 dc; chain 2; 1dc) in the corner spaces.

When you get back to where you started, insert your hook into the first corner space where you made a chain-2 and work

(1 dc; chain 2;)

Slip stitch into the 2nd chain of the beginning chain-2 to close the round; fasten off.

Now....................you can turn your work over and get a little bit giddy over your net little bobbly edge.....

.....awwww!!!!! Tis rather cute!!!

If you want to see more Border stuff for the Meadow blanket (including some alternative colour suggestions), pop over to part 7 of the Meadow CAL.

Here is the link again for the printable border pattern so that you can download/print if you wish >>

DOWNLOAD MINI BOBBLE EDGING PATTERN

If you need to find any of the other parts of the Meadow blanket CAL, I'll list all the links below for you.

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🌸 MEADOW YARN PACK

🌸MEADOW STRIPE TUTORIAL

🌸MEADOW PRINTABLE PATTERN

🌸 MEADOW BLANKET INTRODUCTION

🌸 MEADOW CAL PART 1 - stripes 1-15

🌸 MEADOW CAL PART 2 - stripes 16-30

🌸 MEADOW CAL PART 3 - stripes 31-45

🌸 MEADOW CAL PART 4 - stripes 46-60

🌸 MEADOW CAL PART 5 - stripes 61-75

🌸 MEADOW CAL PART 6 - stripes 76-90

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Diane maidens]

Hello please can anyone tell me if i can get the full cal pattern for the meadow blanket please i cant understand the short version xxx

[Lucy]

I started my pattern when you launched it in January…2021. I got a bit delayed as customs in Sweden was being a hassle. You helped me sort it out (not sure how).

Then I got covid and following the pattern kept me good company while being isolated. Then life came in between and it has just been lying in a drawer. Until 2 weeks ago. I’m in love with the process and finished it today. So happy to see the result! It’s absolutely beautiful!! Now I have to order the latest set of yarn for your latest pattern. I’m a big fan now! Thank you for putting so much effort to it and making the instructions easy to understand.

[Paula]

I am just finishing the final bobble border row on a blanket I have made for my uncle who is poorly at the moment. I only used 3 colours for my blanket stylecraft graphite, cream and storm blue for a contemporary look. I wasn't sure I liked the pattern for the first few rows but as it grew the texture of the stitches came out and I absolutely loved making it. Thank you for such an easy to follow pattern.
Paula in Lincoln

[Nicky Jordan]

Is there a chart for the mini bobble edging?

[Rona Taylor-Smith]

Hi Lucy, Ive just this moment finished the meadow blanket. I chose from a limited range of colours and across a variety of yarns that were readily available to me. I also wanted colours that depict what I see from the window: grass that turns brown over summer, leading to a hedge of dark green flax, interspersed with manuka that flowers in dark raspberry colour. Looking up is the clearest deep blue of the Taupo sky. With a thousand thanks to you for the inspiration and guidance, it has all come together, especially through that border and dearest bobble edging, just like the flowers. Warmest thanks, Rona, NZ

[Patti Fendley]

Lucy, what a wonderful border to work and finish the Meadows blanket. This is the first time I have ever ENJOYED establishing the border on the sides. Your border tutorial and pictures were just what I needed to show me where to place the stitches and this design is brilliant. I just finished the first round of the border and anxious to finish this off. The ladies in my needlecraft group who are mostly knitters loved the blanket as I worded it and in fact one of them bought the kit and going to give crochet a try. Plus they have never worked with this yarn and I told them how wonderful it was to work with and the colors are gorgeous. Spring in in the air and this beautiful blanket gives us spring year round. Thanks again Lucy for sharing your designs with us. Also, I love reading your narratives as I can live in your part of the world for a short time. Stay safe and healthy....Patti from Florida

[Jen Ballington-James]

Dear Lucy - this is just perfect, as always! You are such a talented, creative lady with beautful ideas. I really do appreciate the time and effort you put into these blankets to make sure they're perfect for us all..I love all your fab helpful and practical tips too - very useful for anyone like me who is basically a beginner. I'm so very sorry you suffer so much to bring us these wonderful CAL's and all the other projects and ideas. It's amazing how you manage to do all this for us as well as look after your family. I do hope that your hands can rest now and get better, or at least become less painful. With my very best wishes and grateful thanks. Jen

[Caitlyn Shaffer]

This is the perfect edging I need for my blanket! I've been working on your Granny Stripe blanket for almost a year and a half now and I'm finally to this last step. I wanted a slightly more girly border than the one you listed with that pattern and this is perfect! Thank you so much!
-Caitlyn from San Diego, California

[Sharon Balmforth]

This border is just devine Lucy. Im still deciding on my colour combination and cant wait to get started on the final step. I have made most of your blankets but used yarn I buy from our local store in Australia. I loved the Meadow so much that I sent for your pack at the Wool Warehouse. I think I will continue to do this as the yarn is no much nicer. I did meet you a couple of years ago in the Coopers Coffee Shop when we were visiting my husbands family who live close to Skipton. You gave me so much inspiration and I continue to follow you and loving your colours and creativity. Much love..Sharon from Gold Coast Australia.

[Dawn]

Beautiful border! Thank you :) Only problem is picking my colours :)

[Mabel Murphy]

oh my Gosh!!!
Thank you sooo much Lucy, this is my first time joining you and because i loved it so much i have bought 3 or 4 blanket packs from the woolwarehouse, im looking forward to starting those.

LOVE your designs soo Thank you and cant wait to finish this border and see what is next(whenever you are ready)

Thank you and lots of creative positive vibes,
Mabel from Ireland