Now that I can finally crochet, I’ve been wanting to add edges to my knit items. A nice scalloped edge to my baby blankets to begin and then when I learn new techniques I can add more intricate borders. But before I can add any borders, I need to see what it would look like on a smaller scale. Because what if I don’t like the way it looks. So I made a few samples so that I don’t ruin a finished blanket.
I started with one garter stitch and one stockinette stitch swatch. I made sure to use a a selvedge stitch at the end of each row so it’s clear and easy where I need to make the single crochet.
To achieve the selvedge stitch edge on the garter swatch, I slipped the first stitch then knit to the last stitch and slipped the last stitch. The next row I purled the first stitch, knit to the last stitch and purled the last stitch. I repeated these two rows for my swatch.
To achieve the selvedge stitch edge on the stockinette swatch, I slipped the first stitch then knit to the last stitch and slipped the last stitch. I purled the entire next rows. I repeated these two rows for my swatch.
To start the border, I selected one of the middle cast on stitches (I found this easier than choosing a corner). From here I did a single crochet into each stitch around the entire swatch. For the garter stitch swatch, I repeated this round twice. Note that when I reached the end of the first round, I slipped a stitch and chained one then continued with the single crochet for the round. Again, when I reached the end of the round I slipped a stitch to join the rounds. DON’T CHAIN! Skip the first stitch in the row and do 5 double crochets into the next stitch. Skip a stitch and slip stitch into the next stitch. Skip a stitch and do 5 double crochets into the next stitch. Repeat this for the scalloped edge.
For the stockinette swatch I only did one round of single crochets. So when I reached the end of the round, I slipped a stitch to join them. I then proceeded with the scalloped edge instructions. You can tell in the photo above that there is a bigger gap between the scalloped edge and the garter stitch than with the stockinette and that’s because of the extra single crochet round that I did.
All in all I like the look of the knitted swatch and crocheted border. But I think I would do at least 5-7 rounds of the single crochet before the scalloped edge. Especially since the blankets are much larger than these swatches. And, the selvedge edge was supposed to give a clean looking edge to attach to crochet section. But it looks weird. There’s too much stretch in that selvedge stitch on the garter swatch and it looks sloppy on the stockinette swatch. The more I look at it (in the photo and in my hand), the more it’s driving me crazy! I will definitely need to find an alternative to the selvedge edge.
What kind of borders do you like adding to your knitted work?
Happy knitting,
Ashley
