How to Crochet a Ruffle Edge for a Flawless Finishing Touch

Crochet ruffles are both cute and versatile: you can use them to add a border to your blankets for a flowing feel, or you can use them as surface crochet to create a cheeky accent.

However you add your ruffles, you need to prep your project. For a border, you need to create a “base round” by making a sc round around your whole project. If you are working in the round, you can simply make a sc into each st around. But if you are working around a blanket, you’ll need to remember to create corners by making sc, ch 2, sc in each corner.

If you want to add surface ruffles to an existing pattern that doesn’t include them, you’ll need to work into the back loop only so you can add your ruffles to the unworked front loops.

Crochet Ruffles

Level: Intermediate

Abbreviations

Instructions

Round 1: *(Sc, ch 2, sc) in any corner st/space around. Sc in each stitch across.*  Repeat from * to * three more times.  Join to the first sc with a sl st.

Round 2: Sl st into the ch-2 corner space. Ch 1. *(Sc, ch 2, sc) in the same ch-2 corner space. Make 2 scs in each st across.*  Repeat from * to * three more times.  Join to the first sc with a sl st.  This will make your edge curl, which is OK.

Round 3: Sl st into the ch-2 corner space. Ch 3 (counts as first dc). (Dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in the same ch-2 corner space. This is your first corner made. *Dc in each st across. (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in the next ch-2 corner space.*  Repeat from * to * three more times, omitting the last corner on the last repeat. Join to the top of the beginning ch-3 with a sl st. Your work will look more buckled than ruffled at this point. That is OK.

Round 4: Sl st into the next st and into the ch-2 corner space.  Ch 3 (counts as first dc).  (Dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in the same ch-2 corner space. This is your first corner made.

*Make 2 dcs in each st across.  (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in the next ch-2 corner space.* Repeat from * to * three more times, omitting the last corner on the last repeat. Join to the top of the beginning ch-3 with a sl st. Fasten off and work away your tails of yarn.

And you’re done! You can also stitch a one-round ruffle edge for a dainty, simple and compact design (pictured below). This design works great for gloves, boot cuffs and sweaters.

Once you have prepared your work, create your ruffle edge by making 4 dcs in every single stitch around, starting with a ch-3 as your first dc, and ending with the invisible join.