20 Beautiful Crochet Borders for Blankets
Your granny square blanket deserves a beautiful finish. Choose from these crochet borders for blankets.
The border you choose to put on your granny square blanket is one of the most important decisions to make. The blanket border is the finishing touch that can make or break the final look of your granny square blanket.
Adding the blanket border is one of the most important parts of the finishing process, right up there with blocking. The border is the finishing technique that brings the whole design to its full expression.
Let’s take a closer look at what makes a great blanket border and why it’s so important.
Crochet Borders for Blankets
Post at a Glance
- Find out why the right border can make or break your granny square blanket.
- Answer the question, “Which border is right for my granny square blanket?”
- Learn how to start your perfect border off on the right foot.
- See a collection of favorite borders for a granny square blanket.
Why the Right Border Makes Your Granny Square Blanket
Think of the crochet border for your granny square blanket as the part of the construction that brings everything together. It’s not just something you do to finish your granny square blanket. It’s the part that could make or break the finished look.
Here are some things the right border can do for your blanket:
- The right border will fix structure, eliminating the slightly uneven edges after joining granny squares. It adds stability and keeps the blanket from stretching.
- A blanket border protects the edge, providing a buffer between the edges of the squares and the area that gets the most wear.
- Just like any other finishing technique like weaving in ends and blocking, the border you choose for your granny square blanket can finish the look. It provides a frame for the star of the design – the granny square.
- The perfect blanket border sets the style and purpose for the blanket. A baby blanket might need a more whimsical, playful border like the pompom border while a staple in the family room may need something simple and functional.
- The wrong border can undo all your hard work. A style that clashes with the rest of the blanket can make it look unprofessional and unfinished.
In the long run, it pays off to spend some time thinking about what border will bring the whole look together perfectly.
How to Choose a Crochet Border for Your Granny Square Blanket
You’ve been concentrating on making the granny squares so much that it may be hard to figure out which border works best with them. Sometimes we get stuck on what’s worked into the squares that we can’t envision the finished blanket and how the border will complete that look.
Before making your decision, take a moment to think about the following:
- The stitches and techniques in the body of the blanket: Do you want to use them in the border to tie the look together? Or, would it look better to find a complimentary stitch pattern?
- The color scheme and the hierarchy of the colors: Which color do you want to highlight? Should it be just one color or use all the colors of the blanket?
- The character of the blanket: Is it simple and straightforward or boldly making a statement?
- The recipient and how the blanket will be used: How much use will the blanket get? What age is the recipient? Is this blanket for repeated use or will it be a decorative piece?
These are all things to consider when choosing a border for your granny square blanket. The decision doesn’t have to be difficult but it does need to be thoughtfully made.
How to work corners in crochet borders for blankets
You’ve worked corners in your granny squares. But those same corners may not work for your border.
As a general rule, the instructions will show you how to work around the corner for the best results.
However, it’s up to you and what you want the finished look to be. Consider how the stitches behave around the corner to find the solution you’re looking for.
Too few stitches around the corner and it won’t lie flat. Too many stitches around the corner and it will pucker.
Experiment with the stitches and chain spaces you use around the corner to find the best fit for your border.
Before You Start: Prepping Your Blanket Edge
Block your granny squares: Once the granny squares are finished, I grab my blocking supplies and get to work. Blocking should NEVER be skipped. It ensures all the squares are the same size, it opens up and evens out the stitches, and it gives each and every square a professional finish.
I prefer a light steam blocking, particularly with acrylic yarn. It’s easy to do, it loosens the stitches, and creates stitch definition you didn’t know was possible!
Join your granny squares: When that chore is done, I choose a joining method that fits the character of the blanket. Or, more likely, I choose a joining method that’s easy!
I have another blog post dedicated to choosing the right joining method – you can read it here.
Add a single crochet round: You’re now ready for the blanket border. The very first round should always, ALWAYS, be a round of single crochet. It evens out the edge and prepares it for whatever border you choose. And, it gives you an opportunity to establish the number of stitches you need for the border to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my blanket border curl?
Check the number of stitches first in the single crochet round, then in the border itself. If that’s all correct, use a different size hook to see if that solves the issue.
How do I know how many stitches my border needs?
The instructions for the blanket border you choose should give you an indication. If it doesn’t, experiment with stitch placement until you get the result you need.
What’s the best border for a beginner crocheter?
I highly recommend the linen stitch. It’s repetitive and uses only a single crochet and a chain to work.
The Collection
While there are so many crochet borders for blankets, this collection offers something for any type of granny square blanket you may be finishing off.
Try one for your next blanket!
Linen Stitch Border (from Gentle Embrace Lapghan)
Perfect for beginner crocheters, the same round is repeated until the border is the desired width. It offers so many color possibilities.
Photo credit: MadameStitch
Candy Cane Border (from Winter Embers Christmas Tree Skirt)
This fun border adds the look of the iconic candy cane to your holiday blanket. Single crochets and chains in 2 colors are all you need.
Photo credit: MadameStitch
Hooked by Kati shows you how to create a similar border in this post.
Granny Stitch Border (from 2024 Granny Stitch Sampler Blanket
Nothing beats a simple granny stitch border for a granny square blanket! When your granny squares have loads of different elements, this is the border you choose to bring it all together.
Photo credit: MadameStitch
Twisted Single Crochet Border
The Twisted Single Crochet Stitch is an easy alternative to the crochet Crab Stitch (also known as the Reversed Single crochet stitch). This stitch will make a perfect elegant crochet border. It’s minimal but still has a beautiful effect.
Photo credit: Made by Gootie
Easy Shell Stitch Border
This is one of my favorites for baby blankets. The shells add a cute finishing touch.
Photo credit: Elimee Designs
Easy Crochet Rainbow Border
Here’s another variation of the traditional shell border with extra rounds for a pop of color.
Photo credit: Hooked by Robin
Simple Camel Stitch Border
The camel stitch (the half double crochet worked in the 3rd loop) is a great way to add surface stitching to an otherwise plain border. It’s easy to work and a beautiful addition to your blanket.
Photo credit: Elimee Designs
Wavy Shell Border
This fun border takes the traditional shell border and tilts the shells on their sides for a wave-like texture along the edge.
Photo credit: Elimee Designs
Granny Square Border Blanket
When the body of your blanket is straightforward, use granny squares as your border!
Photo credit: Knitting with Chopsticks
Rainbow Camel Stitch Border
The Rainbow Camel Stitch Border takes the Camel Stitch Border and adds a colorful twist. Work as many or as few colors as you like!
Photo credit: Hooked by Robin
Gingham Edge Blanket
Give your granny square blanket a vintage look with a border that mimics the iconic gingham fabric.
Photo credit: Knitting with Chopsticks
Flat Border Edging for Solid Granny Squares
If you have solid granny squares in your blanket, this simple double crochet border avoids curling and puckering. It’s super easy to work.
Photo credit: Hooked by Robin
Bobble Border
This version of a bobble border is fun and festive, particularly great for finishing off a C2C blanket.
Photo credit: Juniper & Oakes
Bobble Border
The bobbles in this border dangle from short chains, which lends the blanket lots of movement. It works with just about any stitch count so it’s super adaptable.
Photo credit: Spotted Horse Design Co
Waffle Stitch Border
This border takes the traditional waffle stitch and turns it into a statement border. This works best with a center that’s less busy and complicated.
Photo credit: Knitting with Chopsticks
Polka Dots Border
Take a wide solid border and add a round of contrasting bobbles. Perfect for any classic style blanket that’s gender neutral
Photo credit: Knitting with Chopsticks
Picot Border
These dainty embellishments add a touch of whimsy and elegance to any crochet project, especially a fun blanket.
Photo credit: Juniper & Oakes
Shell Stitch Border
You’ll find layers of shells intertwined in a beautiful border. It’s quick, easy to make and very repetitive.
Photo credit: Cuddly Stitches Craft
Crab Stitch Border
The crochet crab stitch (also known as reverse single crochet stitch) is the perfect edging for blanket borders! This stitch looks like twisted rope and will give a finished polished look to your edging.
Photo credit: AnnieDesignCrochet
Blankets that have it all together
These blankets have beautiful borders you may want to try. Check them out!
