How do you crochet a finished edge around your Afghan or Tunisian Crochet panel or item? It’s easy with a few tricks.

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1. Loosely chain your foundation chain with a regular crochet hook, usually a size smaller than your Afghan/Tunisian Crochet hook. Switch to the Afghan/Tunisian Crochet hook.

Cast on – Work this foundation row in the back loop of your foundation chain. Chaining loosely will make it easier to work through the back loop. This will also create a finished 2-loop chain stitch on the bottom side of your panel or item.

2. On the foundation row only. Before working the final cast on of the foundation row, add an extra loop by yo once. Then complete the cast on of the final back loop of your foundation chain.

3. Cast off – *Yo, pull through 2 loops on hook (not the customary 1 loop on the first cast off); repeat from * across row until 1 loop remains on hook.

4. To create a clean, 2-loop edge on your non-dominate hand side, work remaining rows as follows:

Cast on as required for the stitch you are working. Be sure to work the last stitch of the pattern. Finish the row by inserting the hook under the 2-loop chain edging, yo, pull up loop on hook.

Cast off – *Yo, pull through 2 loops on hook (not the customary 1 loop on the first cast off); repeat from * across row until 1 loop remains on hook.

5. To Bind Off:

Repeat the one or two rows of the purl stitch (if that is how you began to alleviate the curl) or complete the final row to match your beginning cast-on and cast-off pattern. When one loop remains on your hook, return to the regular crochet hook you used for the foundation chain.

*Insert hook under vertical bar, yo, pull under vertical bar and through loop on hook (slip stitch); repeat from * across row, ending with final slip stitch under last 2-loop chain stitch edge. End off. Weave in ends.

NOTE: I like using the slip stitch; however, you can choose to bind off with a single crochet instead by *inserting hook under vertical bar, yo, pull through, yo pull through 2 loops; repeat from * across row.

If you follow these tricks, you will see that not only does your dominate-hand end have a finished chain edging, but now your non-dominate-hand end will also have a finished chain edging. The top and bottom edge of your panel will have the same chain edging, eliminating the need to “fix” the border with an added edging row. Of course, you can still add a decorative border or just crochet the panels together using one of the methods shown in Joining Granny Squares Blog Series found on April 20 and 24 and May 1 and 8. For a demonstration of these techniques, check out the videos listed below.

Videos: Simple & Sensational™

Afghan or Tunisian Crochet – Create a Finished Edge on All Sides As You Work

Joining Granny Squares – Part 1 with Needle & Yarn

Joining Granny Squares – Part 2 with a Chain Seam & Single Crochet Seam

Joining Granny Squares – Part 3 Single Crochet Single Loops

Joining Granny Squares – Part 4 with Chain Seam and Dc2tog