Creating a corner to corner (C2C) blanket is a fun and rewarding project that results in a beautiful, textured throw. Borders can elevate the look of your C2C blanket, adding a polished touch and preventing unraveling. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to border a C2C blanket, complete with tips and tricks to ensure your project turns out perfectly.
Before you start, gather your materials: your completed C2C blanket, a crochet hook or tapestry needle, yarn for the border, and scissors. It's also helpful to have a measuring tape and a pencil for planning. Let's dive into the process.
Choosing and Planning Your Border
First, decide on the type of border you want. A simple crochet border is classic and easy, while a picot or scallop border can add a decorative touch. You can also choose a border that complements the colors or motifs in your blanket.
Measure your blanket to determine how much yarn you'll need. Most borders are worked around the entire perimeter of the blanket, so measure the length and width. Multiply these measurements to find the total perimeter, then add a few extra inches for safety. This will help you determine how much yarn to purchase.
Preparing Your Blanket
Before you start the border, you'll need to prepare your blanket. If you've used a tapestry needle to weave in ends as you went, you're already ahead. If not, use a tapestry needle or crochet hook to weave in all ends on the wrong side of the blanket.
Next, block your blanket. This helps even out the stitches and gives your blanket a more professional look. To block, soak your blanket in cool water, then gently squeeze out excess water. Lay the blanket flat on a towel, then reshape it to the desired size. Let it dry completely before starting the border.
Starting the Border
To begin, cut a length of yarn that's about twice the perimeter of your blanket. Thread this yarn through a tapestry needle or crochet hook. Starting in a bottom corner, insert the needle or hook into the first stitch of the blanket, going from the wrong side to the right side.
Pull the yarn through the stitch, then insert the needle or hook back into the same stitch, this time going from the right side to the wrong side. Pull the yarn through again. This creates a slip stitch, which helps secure the border to the blanket.
Working the Border
Now that you've started the border, it's time to work the stitches around the perimeter of your blanket. The specific stitches you'll work depend on the border you've chosen. Here are a few common borders:
Single Crochet Border
For a simple crochet border, work a single crochet (sc) in each stitch around the blanket. To do this, insert your hook into the next stitch of the blanket, wrap the yarn around the hook, and pull up a loop (you should have three loops on your hook). Yarn over and pull through two loops. Repeat this process until you've worked a sc in each stitch around the blanket.
To ensure your border is even, count your stitches as you go. If you want your border to be a specific width, divide the perimeter of your blanket by the desired width of the border. This will give you the number of stitches you should work in each row. For example, if your blanket has a perimeter of 100 inches and you want a 2-inch border, you would work 50 stitches in each row.
Picot Border
A picot border adds a decorative touch to your blanket. To work a picot, insert your hook into the next stitch of the blanket, wrap the yarn around the hook, and pull up a loop (you should have three loops on your hook). Yarn over and pull through two loops. Repeat this process twice more, so you have five loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through all five loops. This creates a small, raised loop, or picot.
Work picots in each stitch around the blanket. As with the single crochet border, count your stitches to ensure your border is even.
Scallop Border
A scallop border is a more complex border that creates a wavy, scalloped edge. To work a scallop, insert your hook into the next stitch of the blanket, wrap the yarn around the hook, and pull up a loop (you should have three loops on your hook). Yarn over and pull through two loops. Repeat this process twice more, so you have five loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through three loops. Yarn over again and pull through the remaining two loops. This creates a small, scalloped shape.
Work scallops in every other stitch around the blanket. To create a smooth, wavy edge, work the scallops in a staggered pattern. For example, if you're working down the side of the blanket, work a scallop in the first stitch, then skip the next stitch, work a scallop in the third stitch, and so on.
Finishing the Border
Once you've worked the border around the entire perimeter of your blanket, it's time to finish off. To do this, cut the yarn, leaving a tail that's about 6 inches long. Thread this tail through a tapestry needle and weave it through the stitches on the wrong side of the blanket to secure it.
Weave in any remaining ends on the wrong side of the blanket. Trim any excess yarn, leaving about 1/4 inch of yarn sticking out of the stitches. This will help prevent unraveling.
Your C2C blanket with border is now complete! The border adds a polished touch and helps prevent unraveling, ensuring your blanket stays beautiful for years to come. Happy crocheting!