This post may contain affiliate links.

I’m back from this year’s Knit & Crochet Show in Manchester, NH. During the CGOA Professional Development Day I won a copy of Edie Eckman’s newest book Around the Corner Crochet Borders. I’ve gone through it, and I just have to share how wonderful it is!

Around the Corner Crochet Borders

Book: Around the Corner Crochet Borders: 150 Colorful, Creative Edging Designs with Charts and Instructions for Turning the Corner Perfectly Every Time

Author: Edie Eckman

List Price: $16.95

Why is this edging book different from all other edging books? Corners! The majority, if not all, edging books out on the market show how to work a long and flat crocheted edging. That’s fine if you just want to trim the bottom of a towel, but what if you want to edge an afghan? or a scarf? or the whole towel? That’s where this book comes in. It has patterns for 150 different crocheted borders, each one showing you how to turn the corner. The book essentially has two main parts: section 1 talks about the logistics of crocheting borders and section 2 is filled with patterns for 150 different borders

Section 1 – Edgings and More

Many people will buy this book just for the edging patterns, but this first section makes the purchase price worth it all by itself. It has information every crocheter should know. It discusses how to evenly crochet around a piece as well as methods of joining and changing colors. I especially love the fact that this section is full of color photos showing you exactly what Edie is talking about. It’s one thing to read about how to create an even, flat border, but it’s quite another to see bright, clear photographs illustrating what to do and not do. When I was reading through this section, I was a bit confused by the explanation of a single crochet and double crochet join, but with the aide of the photos I was able to figure it out.

Since most borders can only be worked over a certain multiple of stitches, this section walks you through determining how many stitches you have and which borders will work. If you are math phobic, don’t worry. Edie explains what to do step by step and even includes an example that you can look over.

I have to say that I love the method she gives for working edges on a piece of regular (i.e. not crocheted) fabric. If you have ever spent hours, like me, punching holes in the hem of a fabric in order to crochet an edging, then you will absolutely LOVE the method in this book.

Section 2 – The Edgings – 150 crocheted designs, instructions, and charts

Ah…the patterns 🙂 There are a stunning variety of edgings to choose from, and you can find one to suit any project. Some are dainty while others are bold and showy. Some use simple stitches, some use more advanced stitches, some use beads or buttons, and some use innovative techniques to create a fabulous edge. Oh, and some are fabulously 3 dimensional. Clear sample photos show you sections of the edging, including a corner, of course. The samples are worked in the beautiful array of colors that I’ve come to expect from Edie’s work in her previous book, Beyond the Square Crochet Motifs.

Some of my favorites: #123 is perfect for edging a Breast Cancer Awareness project. #142 has a fantastic variation of the single crochet, #27 looks regal while using mostly basic stitches, and #65 if my daughter saw this one she’d make me crochet her a blanket just so it could have this edge.

Each pattern is written for a border crocheted in the round. Accompanying each written pattern are two stitch diagrams. The first is simply the symbol “translation” of the written directions. The second chart shows modifications that may be necessary if you need to work the pattern back and forth (flat) instead of in the round. This would come in handy if you wanted to make tied headbands or bracelets using the edging patterns. There is a stitch symbol key located in the back of the book to help you decipher the charts. In addition to that, there is also a spread showing some of the basic symbols and explaining some of the logic behind symbol diagrams.

Overall, I’d say this book is a great addition to any crocheter’s library, and a must have for anyone who wants to really learn how to make fantastic edgings.