A crochet blanket edging can be used to add the finishing touch to any size homemade blanket, from the smallest baby covering to a king-sized bedspread. A crocheted edging can be used on blankets made from many different materials, including fleece, cotton, and wool. The body of the piece does not need to be crocheted in order to benefit from a crochet blanket edging; choosing a complementary color and pattern for the edging is the best way to get a great finished result. Basic crochet skills and supplies are all that are needed to produce most edging patterns.
A yarn that is compatible with the center portion of the blanket should be selected for best results. Ideally, the chosen yarn should match or complement the blanket in color and weight; it should also have the same or very similar washing instructions. Enough of the same dye lot of the yarn should be purchased to complete the entire crochet blanket edging. Buying the yarn all at once ensures the color will be consistent throughout.
For any crochet project, it is better to buy too much yarn than too little; leftovers can always be used for another project. The ideal yarn for a crochet blanket edging will be a similar weight to the rest of the blanket as well. Choosing a fine yarn for a lightweight blanket and a bulky yarn for a heavy blanket will provide the best finished results.
Choose a crochet hook in the size recommended by the yarn manufacturer for best results. The ball band on the skein of yarn selected for the crochet blanket edging should list the recommended size hook to use. The crochet edging pattern should be one that matches the crafter's skill level and which will go well with the center portion of the blanket. Most edging patterns are flexible enough to suit a variety of blanket styles.
There is no special preparation required to add a crochet blanker edging to a piece that has been crocheted or knitted. Due to the nature of the fabric, there will be holes along each edge to anchor the crochet blanket edging. Pieces made from woven or dense fabric will need some preparation before an edging can be added.
Woven cotton or flannel pieces often receive a blanket stitch edging first. Hand stitching a blanket stitch around the edge of the piece provides a base for the crocheted edging. Fleece or felted wool blankets can have small holes punched around the edges; then the crochet trim can be added by anchoring it in the holes.
