A crochet border provides a polished touch to your crocheted or knit project. No matter what type of crochet border design you choose, follow these 5 tips to set a solid foundation for beautiful crochet borders.
Tip #1: Start with a Base Row/Round
Start with a base row or round of single crochet in the same color as your main fabric. Using the same color makes the base row blend into the fabric and hides any uneven stitches. You can use a contrasting color on the next row, and the stitches will look nice and even.
Tip #2 Work Stitches Evenly Spaced
The base row stitches should be evenly spaced along each edge. This may be one stitch in every stitch across, or some other ratio, like 2 stitches out of every 3. Along a selvedge (side edge) the ratio may be one single crochet in each single crochet row-end, 2 single crochets in each double-crochet row-end, or some other ratio. You’ll have to play with those ratios to get them just right for your situation.
Tip #3 Put Your Hook Into Selvedge Stitches
It’s tempting to put your hook into the nice chain space or post stitch along the vertical edges. Resist the temptation! Instead, put the hook into the “meat” of the stitch: the actual chain stitch or post of the stitch.
Tip #4 Increase at Corners
If you are working all the way around around a square or rectangle, you’ll need to increase at the corners to ensure the edging stays flat. Put 3 single crochet stitches into each corner stitch. On later rounds, you’ll need to increase in pattern to allow the border to lie flat.
Tip #5 Assess Your Work
Stop from time to time and look critically at what you’ve done so far. Is it lying flat? Does it curve in or out, even a little bit? Does it ripple or draw in?
If it’s not entirely flat, rip it out and adjust your stitches until it does lie absolutely flat. Taking the time to set up your first row or round perfectly will the the main ingredient in the success of your crocheted border.
More Tips for Beautiful Crochet Borders
Crocheted edgings are one of my favorite topics! I’ve developed lots of ideas on how to enhance your projects with edgings both plan and fancy.
Together, Around the Corner Crochet Borders and Every Which Way Crochet Borders offer more than 289 border patterns designed to flow around 90-degree corners. You can work them back-and-forth, as well. You are sure to find a border that is just right for your next project.
Around the Corner Crochet Borders 
Every Which Way Crochet Borders
For more crochet tips, go to Crochet: Basics & Beyond.
Hi Edie, I was wondering if there is a border I use on a Hair Pin Lace Afghan instead of the traditional tassels. I would appreciate any suggestions you might have.
Thanks so much
gb
I’d have to see the afghan to get an idea, but if it’s what I’m envisioning as typical hairpin lace, you probably don’t need a fancy border, as the afghan itself is the fancy part. Have you looked at my two crocheted borders book? They both have over 100 border patterns to choose from. Every Which Way Crochet Borders, in particular, has suggestions of how to adapt borders for different situations.