How to Finish a Knitted Afghan

Finsh a knitted afghan in a variety of ways.

The edging you choose for your knitted afghan gives it a finished look. Choose from a variety of edging styles to give your afghan the look you want. Knit edgings enhance coverlets. Crochet edgings complement knitted afghans. Fringe offers yet more possibilities. Whichever finishing method you choose, make sure to use a compatible yarn that washes and wears the same as the yarn you used for your afghan so that the edging doesn't shrink unevenly with the afghan.

Things You'll Need

• Yarn
• Knitting needles
• Crochet hook
• Scissors

Instructions

Knitted Edgings

1. Make a knitted edge, such as the Narrow Elsie Edging. Cast on nine stitches.

2. Work the pattern as follows:

   1st row: K3, (K2tog, YO) twice, K1, YO, K1

   2nd and all even rows: Knit.

   3rd row: K2, (K2tog, YO) twice, K3, YO, K1

   5th row: K1, (K2tog, YO) twice, K5, YO, K1

   7th row: K3, (YO, K2tog) twice, K1, K2tog, YO, K2tog

   9th row: K4, YO, K2tog, YO, K3tog, YO, K2tog

   11th row: K5, YO, K3tog, YO, K2tog

   12th row: Knit (9sts)

3. Repeat these 12 rows until your edging is long enough for your afghan.

4. Sew the edging to the afghan edges using the same yarn with which you knitted the edging.

Crocheted Borders

1. Make a sturdy, corded edge using reverse single crochet, also known as crab stitch or pie crust stitch. Work this stitch as you would a single crochet, except work it from left to right instead of the usual right to left.

2. Attach your yarn to the edge at the left corner of the afghan using a slip stitch.

3. Insert the crochet hook, from front to back, into the knitted stitch to the right of your slip stitch. Hook the yarn with the crochet hook and pull it through the knitted stitch. You now have two loops on your crochet hook.

4. Catch the yarn on the hook and pull it through both loops.

5. Repeat these two steps across the afghan.

6. Finish the last stitch with a chain stitch to the first stitch.

Fringe Benefits

1. Add fringe to your knitted afghan, either on the top and bottom or on all sides.

2. Cut several strands of yarn twice as long as you want the finished fringe to measure. Use extra strands for thick fringe or fewer strands for skinnier fringe.

3. Fold the yarn in half, and pull it through the yarn at the edge of the afghan with a crochet hook. Pull the ends of the fringe through the folded loop of your yarn. Tighten the knot.

4. Leave the fringe loose, twist it or braid it.

Tips & Warnings

• The Narrow Elsie Edging is one of dozens of possibilities for a knitted edge. Look for other knitted edge patterns -- from lace to picot and bobbles to scallops -- if you prefer a different look.

References

• Early Canadiana Online "Home work a choice collection of useful designs for the crochet and knitting needle"; A.M.; 1891
• "Crocheting in Plain English"; Maggie Righetti; 1988
• "Knit Edgings & Trims: The Harmony Guides"; Kate Haxell, Editor; 2009