You can enhance any blanket by adding a knitted edge.
Many blankets benefit from an added decorative edge. A knitted edge, in a matching or contrasting color, will add a professional, distinctive, finishing touch. Whether your blanket is store-bought or hand-made, you will be proud of the results you can achieve by adding a knitted trim. There are many patterns for edging available to choose from in bookstores and online. You will find a broad selection of patterns in varied levels of difficulty from the experienced knitter to the novice. A simple, pointed border can be completed in just a few hours. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Measure the edge of the blanket to determine the length needed for the edge. Record this measurement and set it aside.
2. Prepare a test swatch to establish your knitting gauge and determine the number of stitches and quantity of yarn needed. Cast on 11 stitches and knit in garter stitch (use a knit stitch on both right and wrong-side rows) for 12 rows. Measure the width and length of this swatch and record your measurements because you will knit the pointed edge into triangles 11 stitches wide.
3. Determine the number of points that will fit across the edge of the blanket by dividing the number of inches of the blanket edge set aside in Step 1, by the number of inches the 11 stitches yielded in the swatch knitted in Step 2. For example, if your blanket edge measures 36 inches, and the number of inches for 11 stitches is 2, you will need 36 (number of inches of blanket edge) divided by 2 (number of inches for 11 stitches) = 18 (number of points needed).
4. Adjust the size of your knitting needles larger or smaller and repeat Step 3 until you are satisfied with the number of points needed to fit across the blanket edge. For example, if you prefer to have smaller triangular points than the 18 calculated in the example in Step 3, use a smaller needle that produces smaller triangles.
5. Make a slip knot on one of the knitting needles forming one stitch. Knit into the back and front of this stitch to complete the first row with two stitches in the row.
6. Knit into the front and back of the first stitch on the next row forming three stitches on this second knitted row. Knit the remaining stitch.
7. Knit into the front and back of the first stitch on the next row forming four stitches on this third row. Knit the remaining two stitches.
8. Continue knitting into the front and back of the first stitch of the next six rows and knitting the remaining stitches of each row, all in garter stitch until there are 11 stitches on the needle. Cut the yarn and leave the 11 stitches on a spare needle.
9. Repeat Steps 5 through 9 until you have completed the total number of points calculated in Steps 3 and 4, but do not cut the yarn on the last triangle. Knit the 11 stitches of the last triangle and with right sides facing, knit across all sets of 11 stitches on the spare needle. Knit two more rows in garter stitch. Bind off.
10. Attach the knitted edge to the blanket either by stitching with a sewing machine or sewing by hand.
