So, you’ve finished knitting that cozy blanket or snazzy sweater, but something feels missing. Enter the world of knit borders—a game changer for taking your project from “nice” to “wow!” Whether you’re looking to add a pop of color, a touch of elegance, or a bit of structure, the right border can make all the difference. It’s like the icing on a cake or the perfect frame for a painting. Not only do borders add that extra oomph, but they also help to polish off your edges and keep your work looking sharp and professional.

Now, let’s talk options. Knit borders come in all shapes and sizes, from the classic garter stitch border to intricate lace edgings. You’ve got your simple ribbed borders, which are perfect for keeping things stretchy and snug, or maybe you’re in the mood for a picot edge—a playful and delicate finishing touch that’ll have everyone asking, “Where did you get that?” And then there’s the seed stitch border, which adds texture and a dash of sophistication to just about any project. The possibilities are endless, and each type of border brings its own flair to your work.

Now, how do you actually add these fabulous borders to your knitting? You can knit the border as you go, integrating it right into your project as you work. This is great for seamless designs but requires a bit of planning ahead. Alternatively, you can pick up stitches along the edges of your finished piece and knit the border afterward, giving you the flexibility to try out different styles and even switch things up if you change your mind. There’s also the option of working your knit borders separately and sewing them onto your project later.

In the end, knit borders are all about adding that personal touch to your project, turning something handmade into something truly special. Experimenting with different knit borders is a fantastic way to expand your skills and elevate your work. Are you ready to see some awesome ideas for knit borders? Scroll down and prepare to be inspired!

1. Bobble Border

A playful bobble border is the perfect finishing touch on low key project that needs a little extra something special to make it stand out. You get a pop of color and a dash of texture with this border design, so I definitely think that it brings the “oomph!”. The pattern calls for knit and slip stitches as well as the eponymous bobbles.

Designer: Purl Soho
Yarn: Purl Soho Posy (Sport Weight #2)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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2. Bird’s Eye

A lace border is great for elevating the finished look of your projects and making them feel, well, fancier! If you are a beginner knitter you might be intimidated by some of the more intricate lace borders, but this understated design is accessible to all skill levels. If you are comfortable with knit stitches, yarn overs, and slipping stitches, then you should be good to go.

Designer: Lesley Stanfield
Yarn: None specified
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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3. Twisty Lace

Ok so this is a pattern for a basket wrap but wouldn’t it make for a really cute border too? You don’t have to choose between lace and texture. With this design, you can have your cake and eat it too! The pattern calls for knit stitches, knit 2 togethers, yarn overs, and twisted stitches. This exciting design is sure to add some pizzazz to your next knitting project.

Designer: Designs by KN
Yarn: Lion Brand Wool-Ease Worsted Weight Frosts (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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4. Sawtooth Edge

A striking sawtooth edge brings to mind dinosaur spines. This is a playful border pattern that really packs a big visual impact when made with a contrasting color of yarn. Of course, you could always use the same color of yarn if you are looking for something a little more subtle. The pattern for this edging calls for knit stitches, knit 2 togethers, yarn overs, and slip stitches.

Designer: Bohoknits
Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Mechita (Fingering Weight #1)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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5. St. John’s Wort Lace

I’m obsessed with the hem of this sweater. It has such a unique look and I love the touch of lace for that added bit of flair. Sometimes looking in non-traditional places for ideas for knit borders really pays off! The pattern involves knit and slip stitches as well as yarn overs and PSSO’s.

Designer: Hook Mountain Handmade
Yarn: Purl Soho Good Wool (Sport Weight #2)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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6. Autumn Leaves Edging

With fall right around the corner, maybe you are looking forward to the beautiful changing colors of the leaves. Until then, you can satisfying your craving with this autumn leaves edging instead. For this design, you’ll be using knit and purl stitches along with yarn overs and S2KP’s. Choose a warm shade of yarn to make it feel extra autumn-y.

Designer: Cloud Forest Studio
Yarn: Cloud Forest Yarns Alpaca/ Silk 4 ply (Fingering Weight #1)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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7. Feather and Fan Trim

I love the playful nature of the undulating waves of stitches in the feather and fan trim. This is a fan favorite border for blankets, but I think it could also add a fun and modern touch to the hem of a sweater or skirt. For this design, you’ll be using knit and purl stitches as well as knit 2 togethers and yarn overs.

Designer: Lesley Stanfield
Yarn: None specified
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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8. Mushroom Season

An unremarkable knitting project sometimes needs a little help to stand out from the crowd. That’s where these adorable fair isle mushrooms come in! I think that a row of these fungi would look absolutely phenomenal on the ends of a scarf or on the hem of a skirt. Plus, this idea is perfect for the upcoming fall season.

Designer: DROPS Design
Yarn: Garnstudio DROPS Karisma (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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9. Chevron Lace Edging

This extra wide lace border quickly takes a knitting project from “good” territory to “great!” territory. Shown here on a shawl, I also think this border would look amazing on two sides of a blanket or maybe on a cozy poncho. The pattern for this edging calls for knit stitches, knit 2 togethers, and yarn overs.

Designer: Luluknitts
Yarn: Vinnis Colours Serina (Sport Weight #2)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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10. Ascending Braid

If you are looking for knit borders with tons of texture, then you really can’t go wrong with cables. This bold and wide border idea will certainly help your next knitting project to feel more finished. Follow along with the charted instructions to see how to create the ascending braid in isolation using a combination of twisted and cabled stitches.

Designer: Yarnspirations Design Studio
Yarn: Caron One Pound (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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11. Picot Fan Edging

Talk about a show stopper! A lovely lace edging is just the thing for making your next knitting project feel extra special. If you are making something you really want to be proud of, then why not pull out all the stops? Special techniques for this enchanting lace edging design include S2KPs, purl 3 togethers and a picot bind off.

Designer: Christal LK Designs
Yarn: les laines du scarabée azuré (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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12. Applied Lace Edging

Here’s another lace edging for you to feast your eyes on. This applied border really pops in a contrasting color of yarn. From far away, it looks like it could be a length of lace ribbon purchased from the store, so I think it really adds a polished appeal. Special stitches include slip slip knits, slip knit purls and yarn overs to create the eyelets of lace.

Designer: Gabriella Calderini
Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Dos Tierras (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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13. Sproutling

How cool are these 3-dimensional leaves in a ring all around this cute little baby blanket? This is a high impact border that really looks great. The pattern calls for knit and purl stitches as well as knit 2 togethers, knit front backs, slip slip knits, and SK2P’s. You’ll be knitting the border by itself and then sewing it onto your project.

Designer: Judy Kaethler
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino (Sport Weight #2)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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14. Lace Border in the Round

Here’s another one of our lacy knit borders that’s accessible for adventurous beginner knitters. For this border design, you’ll be using knit and purl stitches as well as yarn overs, knit 2 togethers, and slip slip knits. You should also be familiar with picking up stitches and working in the round.

Designer: Flemmen Knits
Yarn: Rauma Baby Panda (Fingering Weight #1)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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15. Super Loops

Here’s a clever hack for adding a loopy fringe to your knitting projects. Add 3 extra stitches at the end of each row and when you’re all done knitting, don’t bind them off with the rest of your stitches. Instead, you will unravel them so they become drop stitches instead. This is a great alternative to a border if you really want to add a ton of movement and interest.

Designer: My Jewel Thief Knits
Yarn: Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick Solids (Super Bulky Weight #6)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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16. Moss Stitch Border

The lovely and texture moss stitch is a popular choice for the borders of blankets and sweaters. It’s easy to see why that is the case! This is a super easy border to make since it only involves knit and purl stitches, but it looks and feels much nicer than plain garter or stockinette stitch. You can knit this border at the same time as the rest of your project or add it on later.

Designer: Anja Heumann
Yarn: Sandnes Garn Smart (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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17. Droplet Edging

The japanese wrapped stitch creates the texturally exciting bundles of stitches that give this next edging its name. This unique edging design is sure to make your finished project feel more special. Plus, all your knitting friends will be wanting to know the name of the enchanting stitch pattern you used!

Designer: Ksenia Naidyon
Yarn: Purl Soho Santolina (Fingering Weight #1)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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18. Twisted Rib Dashes

The many variations of the humble rib stitch are prime pickings for knit borders. This eye-catching method uses twisted rib and has you offset the ribbing in little sections to create 3 distinct dashes of texture rather than continuous vertical lines. It’s not too much more difficult than traditional rib and it really looks exciting.

Designer: Purl Soho
Yarn: Purl Soho Campo (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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19. Cable + Seed Stitch

Knitting projects like blankets take a long time to complete so adding the perfect border can feel like a really big decision. If any one border alone is just not doing it for you, consider pairing two border designs together for a bigger impact. This design combines a large cable with a section of seed stitch for twice the finishing touch.

Designer: London Leo
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino (Sport Weight #2)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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20. Garter Stitch Border

When the main part of your project hogs all the attention (like this colorful and textured honeycomb design), then you really just need a simple border so it won’t steal the show. A garter stitch border is just the thing in this case! It is also a nice easy way to finish a project more quickly if you are getting antsy about seeing it to completion.

Designer: Red Heart Design Team
Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver O’Go (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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21. 3×2 Rib Stitch

The most common types of ribbing I see pattern makers use are 1×1 and 2×2 rib stitch. Maybe that’s why this 3×2 rib stitch border really caught my eye. Sometimes you just need to change a little detail to make something feel fresh and new. I think that this border design finishes this blanket off beautifully.

Designer: Yarnspirations Design Studio
Yarn: Bernat Softee Chunky Solids (Super Bulky Weight #6)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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22. Reversible Jacquard

Diving down the rabbit hole of learning new knitting stitches is an excellent way to brainstorm border designs for your next project. If you’d like to go this route, then I recommend looking at reversible stitch patterns so that your border will look just as good from every angle. The pattern for this lovely jacquard calls for just knit and purl stitches.

Designer: Reversible Knitted Blocks
Yarn: None specified
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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23. Lace Edging with Icord Bind Off

Lace edgings are lovely but sometimes they need something a little extra to make them feel more finished. I think that the addition of the icord bind off on this shawl design really makes this project feel complete. The pattern calls for knit, purl and slip stitches as well as yarn overs and PSSO’s.

Designer: Beatrice Perron Dahlen
Yarn: Brooklyn Tweed Loft (Fingering Weight #1)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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24. Scalloped Edging

Usually you’d have to break out the crochet hook to make an edging like this one, but now you can use your knitting needles to do it instead. For this border, you’ll be picking up stitches around the edge of your completed project, so you can easily use a contrasting color if you really want to make it pop. The pattern involves knit and purl stitches as well as loops and knit 2 togethers.

Designer: Lisa Gentry for Yarnspirations
Yarn: TLC Baby Amore Solid (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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25. Zig Zag Lace

You’re sure to feel like the main character in a fairy tale with a lovely lace edging such as this one on your next wearable. The pattern for the top that is pictured is worked from the bottom up, so it’s easy to isolate the stitchwork needed to create this unique edging. Special stitches include SKP’s and SK2TPO’s.

Designer: Aurélie Virely
Yarn: Hobbii Baby Cotton Organic (Fingering Weight #1)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Incorporating the right knit border can truly transform your project, giving it that polished, professional touch. Whether you’re aiming for simplicity or something more intricate, the options are endless and can be tailored to suit any design. So, don’t be afraid to try something new and make your creations uniquely yours. Happy knitting, and may your borders always be beautiful!

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Happy Knitting!