Simple Shell Crochet Border for Blankets & Wraps

This video shows you how to make a simple shell crochet border – perfect for blankets, wraps, scarves and even the cuffs and hems of tops and sweaters.

I’ve made two videos showing you how to make a simple shell crochet border for different scenarios:

1. Making a border around a rectangular piece of work, such as a blanket or wrap that has corners.
2. Putting a border around a hem or a cuff (no corners).

In these videos, I have used my 4 Round Granny Square pattern with the Join-As-You-Go technique.

Video Tutorial – Simple Shell Crochet Border on a Blanket or Wrap

Video Tutorial – Simple Shell Crochet Border on a Sleeve or Cuff

Simple Shell Crochet Border – Basic Instructions for Blanket or Wrap (with corners)

1. Use the same yarn and hook size that you used for the main part of your project. e.g. I used a DK yarn and 4mm hook for my granny squares so I have used the same for my border.
2. Start with a setup row of sc (UK dc), ensuring that the final stitch count is divisible by 4 +1 (this is the stitch pattern repeat).
3. Start in the 5th stitch to the right of any corner space.
4. Place 1sc in each st of the motif. Where the motifs join, place 1sc in each ch corner space and 1sc in each sl st join. Place a marker in the 1st & 3rd sc made in the corner. The corner shell must be made in the middle stitch.
5. Make increases or decreases depending on factors such as gauge and rounding to hit the correct stitch count for the pattern repeat (i.e. stitch count must be divisible by 4 with 1 remaining stitch).
6. End the round with a sl st in the first sc made.
7. For the shell/scalloped round, start with a 1ch, 1sc in same st, [skip 1 stitch and make 5 dc (UK 5 tr) in the next stitch, skip 1 stitch & slip stitch into the next] repeat as necessary until you hit the corners; skip the stitch with the marker and make a 5dc shell in the empty corner stitch.
8. Finish with a slip stitch in the first stitch made and fasten off.

Simple Shell Crochet Border – Basic Instructions for Hems & Cuffs

1. Use the same yarn and hook size that you used for the main part of your project. e.g. I used a DK yarn and 4mm hook for my granny squares so I have used the same for my border.
2. Start with a setup row of sc (UK dc), ensuring that the final stitch count is divisible by 4 (this is the stitch pattern repeat).
3. Start near a side seam.
4. Place 1sc in each st of the motif. Where the motifs join, place 1sc in each ch corner space and 1sc in each sl st join.
5. Make increases or decreases depending on factors such as gauge and rounding to hit the correct stitch count for the pattern repeat (i.e. stitch count must be divisible by 4).
6. End the round with a sl st in the first sc made.
7. For the shell/scalloped round, start with a 1ch, 1sc in same st, [skip 1 stitch and make 5 dc (UK 5 tr) in the next stitch, skip 1 stitch & slip stitch into the next] repeat as necessary until you come back round to the start.
8. Finish with a slip stitch in the first stitch made and fasten off.

Support me!

If you enjoy my content and have used any of my free patterns, please consider buying me a coffee via Ko-fi.– any amount, no matter how small is appreciated and helps me to continue creating free crochet content for you!

Newsletter

Keep up to date with my classes, online courses, free patterns and more.