25 free crochet borders and crochet edging patterns

Crochet edging and crochet borders are a great way to finish off a project and make it look really professional, but they're also great for practising fancy stitches and expanding your crochet skills! A fancy crochet border on a blanket will really make it stand out (as well as hiding any wobbly edges), but crochet edging can transform a wide range of projects - after all, why have a straight edge when you can have fun stitches instead!

And it's not just for finishing off your crochet projects either - Border crochet edging patterns will often be used to decorate knitted fabrics too, and with a little bit of blanket stitch embroidery, you can add a crochet border to any fabric you like!

Crochet borders and crochet edgings can require a bit of planning first, though - they generally involve pattern repeats, so will require a bit of maths to get them perfect. People can also find creating edgings along the side of a crochet fabric a bit tricky, too, as it's not quite so obvious where the stitches go. For both of these reasons, it's often a good idea to start with just a regular row of double crochet (US single crochet) stitches around your project so that you have a consistent starting point for your edging.

We've picked a range of free crochet borders and crochet edging patterns and tutorials that we think will help inspire you to try adding some fancy stitches to your projects, so whether you're just finishing off an epic blanket or just fancy trying some new stitches, why not give one of these fabulous crochet edgings a try!

25 free crochet edging and border patterns

1. Crochet shell stitch edging

By far one of the most common crochet edging patterns has got to be shell stitches, which, when used as an edging, will often be referred to as scalloped edging.

Shell stitches come in a huge range of styles and sizes, which also helps to make them versatile enough to adjust to fit all sorts of different stitch repeats or be interspersed with other stitches. Check out our How to crochet shell stitch tutorial and give it a try!

A crochet piece in red yarn features an openwork shell pattern, with a grey crochet hook inserted at the top.

2. Blanket stitch edging

You may have heard of blanket stitch in reference to sewing or embroidery, but that same stitch is also how you can add crochet edgings to all sorts of woven fabrics.

It's an embroidery stitch that is surprisingly simple, and once you've added the embroidery, you can work a simple row of double crochet stitches, which will enable you to add all sorts of fancy crochet edging! Check out our How to crochet blanket stitch edging to find out how it's done!

3. Crochet edging on tea towels

Once you've mastered how to do blanket stitch and add on a row of crochet, then you'll surely want to try it out with a proper project!

We've got three crochet edging patterns that are perfect for this, all with variations of the classic shell stitch, worked onto some tea towels! Give it a try with our How to decorate tea towels with crochet edging tutorial.

4. Shamrock crochet edging pattern

Whether you're celebrating St. Patrick's day, your Irish heritage or just enjoy a bit of greenery, this pretty lace crochet edging pattern from the Crochet Guild is a lovely design that also comes with a handy video tutorial.

Find the Shamrock crochet edging pattern

5. Crochet pompom edging

We think that there isn't anything that can't be improved with the help of some fabulous pompoms, and it seems Rosina of Zeens and Roger agree with us, as she's created this gorgeous free pompom edging crochet pattern.

Using a 4 treble cluster to create those pretty bobbles, it's a surprisingly simple stitch that will transform a project from fine to fantastic!

Find the Crochet pompom edging pattern

6. Crochet crab stitch edging

Crab stitch, also called reverse double crochet (or reverse single crochet in the US), is a handy stitch technique to know in its own right. It allows you to create the next row of your crochet without turning the work. But not only is it a skilful stitch, but it also makes a great crochet edging stitch too. It forms into a stylish diagonal zigzag effect!

Check out the How to crochet crab stitch tutorial

7. Ruffled edging crochet pattern

Add a bit of fabulous to your fabrics with this amazing ruffled edging crochet pattern by FibreFlux. As she suggests, it would be great for adding as edging on a skirt, but we think it would also work brilliantly on accessories, or even lining a simple square to use as a textured washcloth!

Find the free Ruffled edging crochet pattern

8. Free windows border crochet pattern

Here's a free crochet edging pattern that is perfect for finishing off crochet projects that are made up of blocks or squares, as the geometrical style will complement them beautifully.

Tamara of the Moogly blog designed this fabulous Windows border edging to finish off her crochet-along back in 2017, but we think it still looks just as fresh today as it did back then!

Find the Free Windows border crochet pattern

9. Free bobble crochet edging pattern

We love the look of this free bobble edging crochet pattern from Lullaby Lodge. It's technically not an actual bobble stitch, but an even simpler combination of treble crochet stitches (they use US terms, so call it a double crochet) and slip stitches.

The result is an incredibly easy and tactile stitch, which also doesn't need any complicated sums to work out, as it's just a repeat of 2 stitches - we do love simple crochet edging patterns!

Find the Free bobble crochet edging pattern

10. Free Little Stars border crochet pattern

If you're after a free crochet border pattern that will make your project really shine, then how about this amazing little stars border!

Great for Christmas projects, makes for kids, or just to add that special something, this is an edging we think everyone will love - plus there's a handy video too!

Find the Free Little Stars border crochet pattern

11. Free butterfly crochet border pattern

If stars aren't your kinda thing, then how about some beautiful butterflies? This free butterfly crochet pattern was originally designed as curtain ties, but they'd make an elegant crochet edging too!

Free butterfly crochet border pattern

12. Add a funky fringe

Ok, so we know this isn't strictly a crochet edging, but it's certainly one of our favourite edgings to add onto crochet - a classic fringe!

Whether you're adding a long shaggy fringe, cutting it short to create just the right amount of fluffiness, or adding some fancy tassels, it's a quick and easy way to embellish any project!

Check out our How to make a yarn fringe tutorial for some top tips

13. Free zigzag border crochet pattern

Here's an elegant crochet border pattern that we absolutely love! This design by Tatsiana of Lilla Björn uses spike stitches and front post stitches to create a beautiful geometric border.

Find the Free zigzag border crochet pattern

14. Five free crochet border patterns

If you fancy mixing up your crochet borders, or just trying a couple of different types, then you should definitely check these border crochet edging patterns by beautifulcrochetstuff.

There are both videos as well as instructions for both, so even if you're a relatively new crocheter, it's a great way of practising some new stitches.

Check out the 5 free crochet border patterns

15. Free treble scallop edging crochet pattern

Fancy a fancy crochet edging that takes scallops to the next level? Then try this crochet edging pattern by Cypress Textiles. With its gorgeous treble and picot shells, it'll add a whole extra level of sophistication to your crochet projects.

Find the Free treble scallop edging crochet pattern

A colorful crocheted hexagon featuring a central floral pattern in pastel shades of green, purple, and teal, surrounded by pink and bordered with intricate white lace, lies on a dark wooden surface.

16. How to crochet a rose border

Pretty up your projects with the help of some stunning crochet roses! This amazing tutorial by Dedri Uys shows you how to crochet a border that features some lovely textured roses topped off with a lovely scalloped edge.

Check out the how to crochet a rose border tutorial

A close-up of a colorful crochet piece featuring pink yarn with green and magenta floral accents, bordered by a bright blue scalloped edge.

17. Free field of flowers border stitch crochet pattern

This beautiful design by Hannah Cross can be used as a lovely crochet edging, but also works brilliantly as a stitch pattern, as it can be easily repeated.

Check out the Free field of flowers border stitch crochet pattern

A person holds a colorful crochet piece with a wooden hook, featuring rows of white, purple, pink, yellow, and green yarn in a striped pattern.

18. Free Moss stitch border crochet pattern

If your project is already full of fancy stitches and you're after simple crochet edging patterns to act more as a frame to show off your work (but that still has plenty of charm), then we'd recommend giving this moss stitch border a try!

Moss stitch is a surprisingly simple stitch that just uses simple double crochet (US single crochet) stitches and chains worked alternately, creating a fabulous and slightly textured stitch pattern.

Find the Moss stitch border crochet pattern

A close-up of a crocheted piece featuring a green square bordered by a textured, light gray edge, showcasing intricate stitching on a smooth surface.

19. Free puff and cluster crochet border pattern

We personally can't get enough of textured crochet stitches, especially squishy ones like puff stitches and clusters.

So, of course, we love this sweet edging crochet pattern from 1dogwoof - it's the perfect addition to projects that already feature other textured stitches like the basketweave stitch pictured.

Free puff and cluster crochet border pattern

A close-up of a corner of a beige crocheted mat with a textured pattern, showcasing intricate stitches and a neat border, set against a soft white fabric background.

20. Free rolling fans crochet border pattern

One way you can make crochet shell edging that extra bit more interesting is by making them overlap, like in this rolling fans crochet border pattern. It creates a lovely frilly border that just screams out to be touched!

Find the Free rolling fans crochet border pattern

A crocheted square with a textured gray center and a vibrant pink braided border, placed on a light wooden surface.

22. Free magic carpet edge crochet pattern

We love the style of this clever magic carpet edge crochet pattern by Every Trick on the Hook. It looks fantastic with those awesome tassels, but the pattern also includes instructions on how you can adapt the pattern to make the edging slightly differently so that you can use it as a wall hanging too!

Find the Free magic carpet edge crochet pattern

A colorful crochet piece features intricate patterns in green, burgundy, and cream, adorned with tassels in shades of yellow, pink, and red along the edge.

23. Free Whipsiddery border crochet pattern

Here's another amazing pattern from crochet designer Dedri Uys, featuring an incredibly detailed and elegant design. It's made up of cleverly arranged simple stitches, as well as some lovely textured popcorn stitches too!

Find the Free Whipsiddery border crochet pattern

A hand holds a piece of crochet fabric with a delicate pattern. The top section is light gray with a scalloped edge, while the bottom is a vibrant teal with intricate openwork designs.

24. Free simple rib crochet border pattern

Sometimes, simple crochet edging patterns will suit your projects much better than an overly complicated pattern, and this free, simple rib crochet border pattern by WindingRoadCrochet is great for framing your crochet masterpieces with that lovely tactile rib stitch!

Find the Free simple rib crochet border pattern

A crochet project featuring two textured squares, one with a red and white pattern and the other with a yellow and beige design, is accompanied by a teal-handled crochet hook resting on top.

25. Free Alpine Stitch crochet border pattern

Our final crochet border pattern is another relatively simple design that adds a lovely bit of texture, but also looks fantastic when worked in striped colours.

The Alpine stitch uses front post treble crochet stitches (US double crochet) to create a fab raised effect, and when worked in stripes, really highlights the effect achieved by working around the post!

Find the Alpine Stitch crochet border pattern

Two crocheted squares are displayed on a white background. The top square is a solid teal color with a textured pattern, while the bottom square features a vibrant gradient of grey, red, yellow, and white.

Add beautiful borders to your crochet projects

We hope you've found the perfect border or edging pattern for your work. They not only look lovely on your project, but are a great way to experiment with new stitches.

Get our handy crochet abbreviations list

Want to know your UK from your US crochet terms? Take a look at our crochet abbreviations guide.

A list of abbreviations for crochet terms is displayed on a pink sheet against a white wooden background, with red question marks above it. The list includes terms like "across," "beg," "htr," and "inc," each with their corresponding meanings.