A pretty and easy crochet edge.

A few ladies have asked for a tutorial on this crochet edge.  This will maybe suit beginners as I cannot read patterns!  I learn mainly by watching you tube videos and I get on very well with Attic24 where she writes the instructions up with photos and I seem to be able to follow fairly well.

This is the edge I am working on sets of hand towels right now.  I really am doing a bulk lot!  I copied it from a lovely bath mat my sister in law gave me.

It is VERY easy.  If you can do chain and a double crochet you are set that is all you need.

The first row I work through the fabric you are working with.  Towels tend to have a border so I use this as my straight line to follow.   I just guess the spacing.  Some people use a ruler and a fade out pen to mark spaces.   You need a crochet hook small enough that it will go through the fabric ok.  Towels are good as they are quite soft to work through.  If you do not want to do this you could work your first row with the yarn and a darning needle and work a blanket stitch.  This would be about the same in appearance too.

The ply you use is up to you... on pillowcases I have used quite a fine yarn and various cotton and silky textures.  Same with handkerchiefs.  On a towel or face washer I use five ply mostly and cotton. Obviously thicker yarns will give a chunkier edging.  A fine yarn will look a little more delicate and lace like.

The second row you work six chains then secure your chain into every third stitch on your foundation row.  This creates a row of arches... 

A few arches before the end of the row I will weigh up the spacing and make adjustments so they will look pretty even yet end perfectly on the last stitch.  I call this creativity! 

So now you have a nice row of arches.  Turn your work and crochet three chain. 

Now into the first arch and under the row of chain crochet three double crochets.  Then do one chain and three double crochets into the next arch and so on... you have groups of three DC in each arch and a chain between each set.

At the end of a row I crochet 3 chain and secure it into the end of the last row to kind of finish off the row neatly.  

Now turn your work and crochet three chain.   This row we are working three double crochet into the first space between the groups below.  This is the space made by that one chain between each group.  So do three double crochet in under that gap... then one chain and three more double crochet all in that one space.   You can see below...

After your second group of three work three chain... stretch those chain right over and skip the next space and go into the alternate space... you are completely missing a whole space.  Now repeat and work 3 dc, one chain and 3 dc into that space... then three chain, skip over the next gap and go into the flooding one... all the way to the end.

It can happen that you have a funny number and need to end your row with a half rather than full set of DC.  If that happens don't worry!
I think this is a case of you will see what I mean when you get there!  At the end secure your arch down with a single crochet to finish, work this into the last stitch below.

Now turn your work and work three single crochet.

The final row... into each space between your groups of three (the single crochet you did last row is the gap between your groups of three) this is where you will now work five double crochet, one chain and five double crochet all into that one space.  After your two groups of five then secure the arch you just created by going under the chain space below and working one single crochet.  Then go straight to the next gap and work five double crochet, one chain and five double crochet.  You can see in the picture you are just working straight on top of the row below only with more stitches.  

When you get to the end secure to the row below to finish it off neatly. 

This is really nice on hand towels and very quick.  It would be nice on the opening end of a pillowcase... the ends of a fleecy or wool scarf, even along a curtain for your kitchen window.

This was an earlier post on some ideas with Crochet edgings... Crochet edgings and things to make 
over with them.   This post also shows how to work a foundation stitch plus an edging I used to do at one time!

I am not sure but it might have been Cookie who worked a pretty edging around the bottom of a cardigan or sweater.   This could also lengthen a skirt.

If you have trouble following me don't give up there are countless easy crochet edging tutorials on you tube where you can follow along.   I was very daunted by patterns until I realised I can do the stitches it is all in the order.  As you can see I am no perfectionist.  My motto is get going and keep practising!

I know quite a few of you have recently taken up crochet and can now do an edging.  So a multi row edging would be the perfect next thing to try!

I hope this helps someone! xxx