Adding Width to Crocheted Blanket
Different types of edges and borders can be added to crocheted blankets to make the blanket wider. Blanket design and intended use are taken into account while selecting a border style. Ripple-pattern blankets, for instance, require an intermediate border on the ripple edges before a uniform border or edging is applied to the entire blanket. Additional considerations are additional width desired and availability of matching crochet yarn.
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Shell Stitch
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Crochet shell stitches resemble rows of scallop shells. Add rows of shell stitches to a blanket for a decorative border of any width. Crochet the shell stitch by making a single crochet, skip two stitches and work five double crochets in the next stitch, then skip two more stitches. Repeat this pattern. The next row chains one and works three double crochets in the first single crochet. The shell stitch pattern is continued with shells worked in single crochets, creating alternating shells on your border.
Blanket Binding
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Blanket binding is hand-sewn to a crocheted blanket. Store-bought satin blanket binding adds approximately four inches to the width of a blanket. Corners of the binding are mitered for a tailored fit. Do-it-yourself binding is made from a woven fabric cut with the grain of the fabric to prevent stretching. Width of the fabric binding is double the finished binding width desired plus one inch. The long edges of the binding are turned under 1/2 inch and ironed to crease. Binding is then folded in half and ironed once again before it is hand-sewn to the blanket.
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Fringe
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Color-coordinated fringes add interest and width to a blanket. Crochet a row of single crochets and chains around the blanket perimeter to prepare for fringing. Single crochet in two blanket-edge stitches, chain three, skip three stitches and repeat. Fringe is made by cutting a piece of poster-board-weight cardboard 8-inches wide and twice the depth of the desired length of fringe. The cardboard is folded in half. Yarn is wrapped around the cardboard for the desired number of wraps, depending on the fullness of fringes desired, then it is cut by running scissors between the cut edges of cardboard. A crochet hook, brought through a chain-three loop on the blanket edge, hooks the fringe in the fold and brings it through the loop. The loose ends of the fringe are then hooked and pulled through the fringe fold. The loop is pulled tight.
Flat Lace
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Flat-lace edgings without a repeating pattern eliminate the need for making a sample of lace for matching gauge, such as that needed for ruffled lace. Create your own flat-lace pattern with a series of double crochets and chains. Thread ribbon through the stitches for added interest. A picot edge gives a finished look to your flat-lace edging. Picot pattern is chain three, slip stitch in third chain from hook.
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