The Fancy Pants Border, designed by Christine Bateman of CatsWhiskers Crochet, is the perfect finishing touch for your crochet projects. Whether you’re working on a blanket, shawl, or other large item, this border adds a refined and intricate edge to elevate the entire piece.
With its combination of picots, fans, and front and back post stitches, the border offers texture and visual interest, making it a beautiful complement to any project. The pattern is designed to work on items with a foundation round that includes multiple rounds of basic stitches.
It’s best suited for projects with solid construction and well-defined corners. If you’re familiar with working in rounds, adjusting stitch counts, and creating front post and back post stitches, you’ll find this border to be both engaging and rewarding.
Materials for the Fancy Pants Border
To add the Fancy Pants Border to your project, you’ll need the following:
- Yarn: Depending on your main project’s weight, choose a yarn that matches or contrasts your existing work.
- Hook Size: The pattern recommends using a hook that is slightly smaller than the one you used for your main project. Start with a smaller hook for Round 2 if needed to prevent waviness.
- Other Supplies: Stitch markers, yarn needle
Gauge and Sizing
- Depth: The border measures approximately 3 inches in DK weight with a 4 mm hook, or 3.5 inches in Aran/Worsted weight with a 4.5 mm hook. All measurements depend on individual tension.
Important Pattern Notes
- Foundation Round: Before starting Round 1, your project should have a foundation round with a multiple of 6 stitches, plus 4 additional stitches, on each side. Include 2 corner chain stitches per side in your count. This setup ensures that the pattern repeats evenly along the edges.
- Stitch Adjustments: If needed, you can add rounds of plain double crochet (dc) or treble crochet (tr) stitches to reach the correct count. Adjust the stitch count by including or skipping the “hidden” stitch after the corners as necessary.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Below, you’ll find a photo of the Fancy Pants Border. For the complete step-by-step pattern, follow the link below.
Full Pattern: Click Here
Round-by-Round Breakdown: Crafting the Fancy Pants Border
Round 1: Establishing the Base
- Start in a corner chain space with (dc, ch-2, dc). Work along the sides, creating a chain-2 space between single crochets (sc) to form a foundation row. Ensure the chain spaces are evenly distributed for the next rounds to build upon.
Round 2: Building Texture with Double Crochets
- In this round, work (2 tr, ch-2, 2 tr) in each corner space. Create pairs of treble crochets (tr) in the chain spaces along each side to establish the textured base of the border.
Round 3: Adding Depth with Shells and Fans
- Work only between stitches in this round. This involves placing groups of treble crochets between the trebles of the previous round. The pattern uses a combination of skip stitches and 5-tr shells to create visual interest and movement.
Round 4: Back Post Stitches and Fan Increases
- To build more texture, use back post double crochets (bpdc) in the center of each shell while adding smaller fan groups. This technique creates a layered look, with stitches raised in the foreground and recessed in the background.
Round 5: Incorporating Special Fan Stitches
- This round introduces the 4-petal fan and 3-petal fan stitches. The 4-petal fan consists of [tr2tog, ch-2] repeated 3 times, followed by another tr2tog to create a unique flower-like shape. The 3-petal fan is a smaller variation with different spacing.
Round 6: Emphasizing Petals with Front Post Stitches
- Work front post double crochet (fpdc) stitches around the marked petals from the previous round, adding hdc stitches in the corner chain spaces. This technique highlights the fan shapes and reinforces the overall structure of the border.
Round 7: Creating Picot Edges
- Add picots for a delicate, lacy effect. Each picot consists of a chain-3 that’s anchored back into the base of the stitch. You can choose to include or omit the picots based on your preference and the look you’re aiming for.
Round 8: Finishing with a Decorative Edge
- The final round incorporates groups of treble crochets with optional picots for a rich, ornate finish. This round “eats” a lot of yarn due to its density, so be prepared with ample yarn to complete it.
Helpful Tips for Success
- Use a Smaller Hook if Needed: Switching to a smaller hook in Round 2 can help prevent the border from becoming wavy. Always check your work after a few rounds to make adjustments if necessary.
- Count Your Stitches: The pattern relies on precise stitch counts to achieve a symmetrical look. Take the time to count your stitches along each side to ensure everything lines up correctly.
- Customize the Picots: Picots add an elegant touch, but you can skip them if you prefer a simpler finish. Feel free to adapt the border to match your project’s style.
A Beautiful Finish for Your Crochet Projects
The Fancy Pants Border is an intricate yet approachable pattern that adds elegance and refinement to any crochet piece. Its combination of fans, picots, and post stitches offers a chance to expand your skills while creating a beautifully textured edge. I hope you find joy in crocheting this border and watching your project transform into a work of art.
Happy stitching!
