Spot On Edging

I absolutely love this cute edging, it's one of my favourite ways to finish a blanket. It is very visually effective, giving the impression of little "spots" of colour which pleases me rather a lot :)

In the above picture, you can see how the Spot On edging works around a ripple blanket (the full ta-dah moment for this blanket is here)...

I also used the Spot On edging to finish off  a very wide border around my Granny Patchwork blanket which you can see here.

Chances are you've come to this tutorial in order to make a lovely little edging around the Sunny Granny Stripe blanket....

Fabulous.....lets get straight on with it then shall we?

For any Spot On edging, you will first need to make a base round of trebles. If you've been following the Sunny Granny Stripe, your first round will already be complete. If you are adding this edging to any other blanket (eg a ripple or granny square) then make sure you are starting out with at least one round of trebles to act as a base round.

The Spot On edging is worked in 3 rounds. I'm using UK terms for this pattern, 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)

ldc [long double crochet] :: insert hook into the stitch indicated in the row below, yarn over, pull a loop back through the stitch and draw the yarn up until it's double the height of a normal dc (two loops on hook), yarn over, and pull through both loops on hook (note :: this is equivalent to the US lsc stitch)

Round 1 :: use violet yarn

Start in any ch-2 corner space of the Base Round.

Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc); work 1 dc into same corner space (as in above picture)

Work 1 dc into each stitch along until you reach the end of the first side.

You will now be turning the corner....

In the ch-2 corner space, work (2 dc; ch 2; 2 dc) as in the above picture.

Continue to work 1 dc in each stitch along, turning the corners with (2 dc; ch 2; 2 dc) in the ch-2 corner spaces.

When you get back round to where you started, work 2 dc into the very first corner space, then ch 2.

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

Round 2 :: use Turquoise yarn

Start in the ch-2 corner space of Round 1.

Ch 4 (counts as 1 dc plus ch-2); work 1 dc into same corner space.

Ch 1; miss 1 stitch; work 1 dc in the next stitch (the position of the stitch is shown by my needle in the above picture).

Ch 1; miss 1 stitch; work 1 dc in the next stitch; ch 1.

Miss 1 stitch; work 1 dc in the next stitch; ch 1.

*miss 1 stitch; work 1 dc in the next stitch; ch 1*

Repeat between ** until you reach the end of the first side.

Work (1 dc; ch 2; 1 dc) into the ch-2 corner space (as in above picture)

*miss 1 stitch; work 1 dc in the next stitch; ch 1*

Repeat between ** along each side of the blanket, working (1 dc; ch 2; 1 dc) into the ch-2 corner spaces to turn the corners.

When you reach the end of the fourth side, miss the very last stitch and you'll be right back to where you started.

Slip stitch into the 2nd ch of the beginning ch-4 to close the round. Fasten off and darn in ends.

Round 3 :: use Plum yarn

Start in the ch-2 corner space of Round 2.

Ch 4 (counts as 1 dc plus ch-2); work 1 dc into same corner space; ch 1.

For this round, we are repeating the pattern as for round 2 but the dc's will be worked into the remaining stitches (the ones you missed out) from row 1. This is a form of spike stitch which is where you insert your hook into the row below and draw the stitch up to the same height as the current row. In this pattern, this stitch is referred to as a "long dc" (ldc). It's very easy I promise you! So in the above picture, I'm showing you with my needle where that first stitch goes - it's the first stitch you missed when you worked the previous round.

Work 1 ldc into this stitch, as follows ::

Insert your hook into the stitch indicated, yarn over, pull a loop back through the stitch and draw the yarn up until it's double the height of a normal dc, yarn over, pull through two loops.

Ch 1.

Can you see in the above picture I've made my first long double crochet stitch (ldc)? It's worked in exactly the same way as a normal dc, but the stitch is pulled up and lengthened so that it's effectively  the height of two rows.

I've used my needle to show you where the next ldc stitch goes - it's the next missed stitch in round 1.

In the above picture, I'm showing you how it looks when you draw the loop right up to form the long dc, just before you make your last yarn over.

*work 1 ldc into the next missed stitch in round 1; ch 1*

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

You should be seeing your little spots of turquoise colour forming along the edge  as you work (pretty!) - for best results, try and keep your tension nice and even and don't make your your long dc stitches too tight.

When you reach the end of the first side, make your first corner as follows ::

Work (1 dc; ch 2; 1 dc; ch 1) into the ch-2 corner space.

You can now continue with your *1 ldc; ch 1* pattern repeat, with (1 dc; ch 1; 1 dc; ch 1) worked into the corner spaces to turn the corners.

This is quite speedy crochet, and you will soon find yourself hooking up that final side.....

When you reach the end of the fourth side, you'll be right back to where you started.

Slip stitch into the 2nd ch of the beginning ch-4 to close the round. Fasten off and darn in ends.

 Ta-dah!!!! One perfectly cute little Spot-On finishing edge.

A little note about choosing colours for this edging - it works best if you keep rows 1 and 3 either very similar or exactly the same, and choose a contrasting colour to create the "spots" in round 2.

For this Sunny Granny Stripe blanket I've chosen two colours of purple (Violet and Plum) for rounds 1 and 3. When I worked this edging for my Granny Patchwork blanket, I worked rows 1 and 3 in the same blue colour (Aster). I chose a vibrant turquoise for round 2 which contrasts nicely with the purples - I did think about using Bright Pink or Lipstick for an even greater contrast, but opted for turquoise as the less shouty option!

Feel free to have a play with the colours for your Spot On edging - if you've made the Sunny Granny Stripe blanket following my colour sequence, you'll have equal amounts of all colours left. This means you could use any combination of three colours to work your edging. Just remember the rules about choosing a bright contrasting colour for round 2 (your spots), then pick 2 similar colours for rounds 1 and 3. So for example how about this - round 1 Petrol, round 2 Magenta, round 3 Aster? Or reverse the hot/cold effect and try round 1 magenta, round 2 Aster, round 3 Fondant.......

HAVE FUN with your colours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Comments

[vy]

I really like the blog and I hope people will have a new blog, thanks for the blog
បាល់ទាត់អនឡាញ

[Jeffery Jefferson]

I love the pattern it’s so pretty and your instructions are easy to follow.
I’m making a giant blanket 10x10m and using this to edge it.

[Jeff Jefferson]

So pretty

[Kym Murphy]

I absolutely LOVE your patterns. One question though on Round 3 of the Spot On Edging do you crochet into Round 1 of the edging or the last Row of the blanket itself? Thanks so much
Kym <3 <3 <3

[Sabrina Jaye]

I have made several of your blankets, afghans, and projects, and I love the explicit instructions! You have taught me how to crochet so I have learned from the best! Thank you!

[Patricia Rayner]

I am loving making this blanket. First time I have made a blanket, I am making it for my 5 year old grand daughter and she is so happy with it. Hoping it will become an heirloom!Thank you for your excellent instructions and pictures. So clear and comprehensive.

[Joanne garratt]

Hi Lucy
When crocheting the 1st row do you actually go into the chain or underneath the chain
Thanks joanne

[Cherry Glover]

Why when I do any dc on an edging does it come out like a V shape on the reverse. When doing the Spot on edging I tried to hard and followed instructions but it still looks V shaped. Really enjoyed doing this, now for the Cupcake.

[Fiona]

For the border, will I have enough yarn to do rounds 1 and 3 in the same colour?
For example, plum, turquoise (spots), plum?

[Isabel]

A feast of colour and the tutorials are always so well explained! This border is beautiful!I am going to adapt it to a baby granny square blanket I am still making.
All the best for 2016!
from Portugal,
Isabel

[Fiona]

Love, Love Love this blanket pattern. I am using your yarn pack and the colours are fabulous.I've just finished part 4. Really looking forward to the next part and then the border.

I used your pattern for the cosy blanket earlier in the year and that was fab too.

Looking for a new project for the New Year!

Happy hooking over the festive period,

[Katrin Kemper]

Dear Lucy,
I spent all day yesterday waiting for the blanket border, I was so excited about finally finishing it off. Did the first two rounds last night und started again this morning. I will have finished in about half an hour, it'll be the big "Ta-da - moment from Germany.
I would class myself as an experienced crocheter, but I have not seen such a sens of color or a pleasure of color as in your work. Thank you so much for sharing your instructions. I will now start with the Granny Squares as well. I have already got the yarn waiting for me.
Have a lovely Christmas you and your family and all the best wishes for your little boy.

Katrin from Germany

[Debbie]

Your patterns and tutorials are EXCELLENT!! Thank you, thank you and thank you for the hard work you put into making them so wonderful for all of us.

[Caroline]

Your tutorials are works of art. Thank you. Thank you.

[Susan lew]

Fantastic.. So excited to be making this stripe blanket! Thank you so much for the pattern.