Get ready to crochet borders! No, I’m not talking about crochet blanket borders, but those specifically good to add around t-shirts cuffs., dress necklines, scarves, and more. Let me shows you how adding crochet edgings to your clothes can add so much color, texture and interest.
There are several ways to work crochet edgings into the clothes you already have in your wardrobe, or those hand-me-downs that need a bit of juju-ing. I have added crochet border to hems of trousers but more commonly around necklines of shirts and dresses, and don’t forget on the ends of the arms. Heck, we’ve written an entire tutorial on how to extend the life of your child’s favorite tshirt by adding inches to the length of arms, so she can wear it an extra year.
Crochet borders are a delightful way to elevate the look of your clothes, transforming plain garments into unique fashion statements. Whether you’re a seasoned crocheter or a novice, adding crochet borders to clothes is a fun and creative way to personalize your wardrobe. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the steps to add crochet borders to your garments, ensuring your creations stand out and receive the attention they deserve.
1. Gather Your Materials
Before diving into your crochet project, it’s essential to gather all the necessary materials. To add crochet borders to your clothes, you’ll need:
- Garments, ideally with a round neck (e.g., a T-shirt, skirt, or cardigan)
- Yarn in your desired color – use fingering-weight for the most interesting results
- Crochet hook (appropriate size for your yarn)
- Scissors
- Stitch markers (optional)
- Yarn needle.
- Fabric scraps to practice some stitches.
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TIP: steal tea towel edging ideas!
Choose Your Crochet Border Pattern
Before crocheting, ensure your garment is clean, well-ironed, and free from wrinkles. This will make the crocheting process smoother and result in a neater finish. Start with making a blanket stitch around the fabric. Don’t skip this step. (It’s vital, unless your yarn is super thin and your fabric is lacey so your needle can go through.)
If you’re adding a border to a cut edge, consider reinforcing it with a row of single crochet stitches or slip stitches to prevent stretching.
Selecting the right crochet border pattern is crucial to achieving the desired look for your clothes. There are various border patterns to choose from, including scalloped edges, picots, or simple single or double crochet stitches. Decide on a pattern that complements your garment and style.
We have lots of crochet edges and borders features here on FineCraftGuild. Some to consider:
- Some simple Granny Rows – Free Crochet Pattern :
- Use this Crochet braid puff stitch tutorial to make a border that really stands out
- Make this featured border that’s on ‘Beautiful free crochet patterns’ – My Pinterest Board
- Consider a flirty fringe like in this crochet (free pattern) Shawl.
- Make this Harlequin Stitch crochet as a border.
- Use these 5 crochet picture frames as inspiration and/or copy their stitch pattern.
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TIP: If you use the same color thread as your fabric, it will ‘disappear’ like, as shown. Alternatively if you use thread that’s the same color as your crochet border, it will look like it belong to that.
Prepare Your Garment
Before crocheting, ensure your garment is clean, well-ironed, and free from wrinkles. This will make the crocheting process smoother and result in a neater finish. Start with making a blanket stitch around the fabric. Don’t skip this step. (It’s vital, unless your yarn is super thin and your fabric is lacey so your needle can go through.)
If you’re adding a border to a cut edge, consider reinforcing it with a row of single crochet stitches or slip stitches to prevent stretching.
4. Attach the Yarn
To start crocheting, attach your yarn to the edge of your garment. You can do this by making a slipknot with your yarn, inserting your crochet hook into the fabric, and pulling the loop through the fabric. Then, chain a few stitches (usually 2-4) to create a base for your border.
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TIP: Remember to maintain an even tension and spacing to ensure a polished finish.
Crochet Your Border
Now comes the fun part! Depending on your chosen border pattern, start crocheting along the edge of your garment.
If you’re following a specific pattern, carefully follow the instructions provided. If you’re improvising, be creative and experiment with different stitches and combinations until you achieve your desired look.
6. Corners and Edges
When you reach corners, it’s essential to adjust your stitches to maintain a smooth and rounded edge. You can do this by crocheting extra stitches or working decreases as needed. For straight edges, evenly space your stitches to create a uniform appearance.
7. Finishing Touches
Once you’ve crocheted the desired length of your border, it’s time to finish off your work. Cut the yarn, leaving a tail, and pull it through the last loop on your hook to secure it. Use a yarn needle to weave in the loose ends neatly to ensure your border stays in place.
8. Blocking (optional)
Blocking is the process of gently reshaping your crochet work by wetting it, pinning it into shape, and allowing it to dry. This step is optional but can greatly enhance the final appearance of your crochet border, making it lay flat and look more polished.
Tips when making Crochet Borders for cloths
Experiment! Have fun with this. There are no laws but I did make a free tutorial for you, which you’ll get when you sign up for our newsletter.
Start Simple: Warm up with a few simple edgings in single crochet or double crochet stitches and then move on to fancier edgings with multiple tiers and a bit of lacing.
Don’t skip prepping your fabric before adding crocheted embellishments. I tried and failed. You must add a blanket stitch around it first.
Over to you
Adding crochet borders to your clothes is a fantastic way to infuse your personal style and creativity into your wardrobe. Whether you’re embellishing a plain T-shirt, sprucing up a skirt, or adding flair to a cardigan, crochet borders can transform your garments from ordinary to extraordinary.
By following the steps outlined in this guide and selecting the right crochet border pattern, you’ll be well on your way to creating fashion-forward, one-of-a-kind pieces that catch the eye and make you stand out from the crowd.
So grab your crochet hook, choose your favorite yarn, and start crocheting your way to a more stylish wardrobe today!
You’ll approach your thrift shopping with a whole new perspective. Promise!
