Binding the Edge of a Crocheted Dishcloth

Bind the edges of your dishcloth for added sturdiness.

Crocheted projects, unlike knitted projects, do not require a bind-off. The last stitch simply needs to be tied off and secured. With a project like a dishcloth, though, adding a binding around the entire outside edge can give it added strength and sturdiness, making it better able to withstand the constant rinsing and washing it is likely to endure. As an added bonus, a binding can help hide any mistakes or irregularities in the shaping. A binding or edging can be made with different types of stitches.

Things You'll Need

• Crochet hook
• Yarn

Instructions

1. Make a single crochet stitch in every space around the entire outside edge of your dishcloth. This is a simple, sturdy edging that will give your cloth some shape without distracting too much from the pattern in the dishcloth body.

2. Make a scallop, or shell, edge. This pattern is worked over four stitches, plus one. Single crochet in the first stitch. Skip the next stitch. Make five double crochet stitches in the next stitch, skip the next stitch. Repeat until you reach a corner. Single crochet in the second to last stitch of the row. Make five double crochet stitches in the corner space. Make a single crochet stitch in the second space from the corner. Repeat around the entire edge of the dishcloth.

3. Make a crab stitch edge. Insert your hook into the first stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop. Rotate the hook in a complete circle so that the loops are switched, that is, so the loop you just pulled up is the one farthest from your hook. Yarn over and pull through both loops, making a regular single crochet stitch. Repeat around.

4. Make a picot stitch edge. A picot stitch pattern is worked over two stitches, with one extra stitch needed. Make a single crochet stitch in the first stitch. Chain three. Make a slip stitch in the third chain from the hook. Skip the next stitch. Repeat this pattern around the entire edge of the dishcloth.

5. Make a double chain, or bicolor cable chain, edge. This pattern is worked over three stitches, with two additional stitches needed to finish the pattern, and requires two colors of yarn. Make a single crochet stitch in the first stitch. Chain five. Skip the next two stitches. Repeat this pattern around the entire outside edge of the dishcloth. With the second color, make a single crochet stitch to the left of the first single crochet stitch in the first color. Chain five. Remove the loop from the hook and pass the chain around the first chain. Insert your hook into the loop, skip two stitches and make a single crochet stitch to the left of the second crochet stitch in the first color. Repeat around.

Tips & Warnings

• You can use crocheted bindings or edgings around the outside of knitted dishcloths as well as crocheted ones.

References

• Knitty; Why Knitters Need a (Crochet) Hook, Part II; 2009
• "Encyclopedia of Crochet"; Donna Kooler; 2002

Resources

• Crochet Pattern Central: Edgings