How to Crochet a Granny Square Corner Border

There is an assumption in this article that you know how to crochet a granny square blanket. Therefore, you know how to work a crochet chain (ch), slip stitch (ss), double crochet (dc) and a treble crochet (tr).

I am providing the instructions for how to make a granny square corner border using text, photographs and a video.

This article will refer to UK crochet terms but I will add a table further down this article with the difference between UK & USA crochet terms.

Once your granny squares are complete and joined in the method of your choice there then comes the decision of what border to add?

Hmm, there are so many to choose from and that's beside all the working out required at times, to see if the border will fit.

Well with the granny square corner border the only thing you need to do to ensure it will fit is to count the number of spaces between one corner and the next. Yes, that's it. In order for the granny corner border to fit you will need an odd number of spaces from one corner of your granny square blanket to the next, inclusive. See image 1. I have numbered the spaces I refer to.

Depending on how thick you want your border to be, you may want to work a few rounds of granny striping around your blanket in the same colour as the one you choose for your granny corner border first. This will give the illusion of a thicker border.

Tip

You may notice in image 1 that between the spaces numbered 5, 6 & 7 I have worked just two trebles in each of the gaps straddling the join between two granny squares. I do this because crocheting three trebles in each of the gaps straddling a join looks clumsy It can also usually distort the look of that particular round of crochet because those gaps are so close together.

So now you're ready to begin your crochet granny corner border.

Using the same size hook as you used to crochet your granny squares and using the colour of your choice, join your yarn through the first corner to be worked.

Step 1. Chain (ch) 3, counts as 1 treble throughout.

Step 2. 3 treble crochet in the same space.

Step 3. 1 double crochet in the next space. See image 2.

Step 4. 3 treble crochet, chain 1, 3 treble crochet in the next space.

Step 5. 1 double crochet in the next space. See image 3.

Tip

You could choose to work 2 chains between the 3 treble crochet, chain 1, 3 treble crochet, if you wanted to. It will give a more pointed look to each 3 treble crochet, chain 1, 3 treble crochet. See image 4.

Repeat steps 4 & 5 until you reach the second corner.

Step 6. 4 treble crochet, chain 2, 4 treble crochet in the second corner.

Step 7. 1 double crochet in next space. See image 5.

Now repeat steps 4 & 5 until you reach the third corner of your crochet blanket.

Repeat steps 6 & 7 in the third corner of your crochet blanket.

Repeat steps 4 & 5 until you reach the fourth corner of your crochet blanket.

Step 8. 4 treble crochet, chain 2, slip stitch in the third chain of the beginning chain 3 to close the fourth corner.

You have now completed your granny square corner border. See images 6 & 7.

The granny corner border can be used in a variety of crochet pieces. It would look very pretty worked around a granny square cushion or a granny square bag, the edging on granny bunting or even a granny mandala, although some working out of the fit would be required for a granny mandala. Thinking about it further, I wonder if you could use the granny corner border as an edging on bed sheets. Maybe using a fine cotton for a lacy effect.

I'm on a role now, If you are a card maker I just thought, what about if you worked out the granny corner border along a crochet chain in a fine cotton and then used it as a decoration within your card making e.g. decorating around an aperture on your cards.

I'm sure the possibilities are endless and I hope you have lots of fun experimenting.