Pom Pom Crochet Border

Pom Pom Crochet Borders. Oh how I love them. This idea has been on my bucket list for years waiting for the perfect project. And today’s that magical day!

A crochet pom pom border is perfect for a fun afghan or even a crochet sweater. And while it looks completely amazing, it’s even more fun to crochet!

I feel like I’ve had a secret love affair with the pom pom border for a very long time. I love how it’s possible with a few simple stitches to create pom poms. Yes.. pom poms!

In truth they are little cluster stitches that are sandwiched together to make what appears to be a squishy little pom pom that looks way more complicated than it is to crochet.

Before we dive into how to crochet the border itself, lets talk about some important details you need to know.

Prepare to Crochet a Pom Pom Border

First we need to talk about the pom pom border placement. Then we’ll talk about the special stitch involved.

Border Placement

A pom pom border works best after a round or two of single crochet. If working a pom pom border as an edging to a garment or a flat piece, it is fairly straightforward as the stitch repeat is 4. As long as your total stitches are divisible by 4, the pom pom border will work out perfectly.

If it is not, you can either adjust the prior row to have fewer or less stitches to accommodate or pick a couple of spots where you skip 2 stitches instead of 3 to ‘fudge’ it. It truly is not noticeable if you make an adjustment this way.

If you’re adding this border to an afghan, it is best to start near a corner. Here’s how: Mark one of the corner stitches of the afghan.  Counting this stitch as the first stitch, count to the 7^th stitch to the right of this stitch and attach green yarn with a slip stitch,  ch 1 and sc in this same stitch to begin.

Generally, you will work the pom pom border as described below, skipping 3 stitches between each “pom pom”.  When you come to a corner, evenly space the skipped stitches so that the pom pom lines directly up with the corner stitch.  This might mean you skip a different number of stitches so that the corner pom pom lays nicely in the corner.  The step by step process that follows shows the process of a pom pom border after several have been worked.

Cluster Stitch

The cluster stitch is the star of the pom pom crochet border. Another way of thinking of a cluster stitch is several “incomplete” double crochet stitches that are closed up altogether at the end with a yarn over and pulling through all the remaining loops. Here’s how you work the cluster stitch for this pom pom border:

3dcc (3 double crochet cluster): yarn over, insert hook in stitch, yarn over and pull through stitch, yarn over and pull through first 2 loops on hook*.  Repeat from * to * two more times.  There are now 4 loops on hook.  Yarn over and pull through all 4 loops on hook.

Let’s dive into the step-by-step tutorial:

How to Crochet a Pom Pom Border

Step 1:  Start with a sc

Step 2:  Ch 6

Step 3:  In 3^rd ch from hook work 3dcc in same space

This next photo shows the completed 3dcc:

Step 4:  Chain 3

Step 3:  Work 3dcc in the first chain (at the top of the last 3dcc just worked)

It looks like this when you are done with step 3:

Step 3:  Fold work down and slip stitch into the base of the first 3ddc worked.  Work one chain and pull it tight to secure the pom pom.

Step 4:  Ch 3, skip the next 3 stitches on the afghan and repeat the process by sc in the next stitch.  At the end of the round, join with a sl st to the top of the first sc and fasten off.  Weave in all ends.

The pom pom border is proof that simple stitches can create something really special. Once you get into the rhythm, it’s so easy to crochet. I also love how versatile this edging can be. Try it on blankets, sweaters, or even small accessories—you’ll be amazed at how quickly it becomes a favorite finishing touch.

I love seeing your finished projects!  If you enjoyed this fun pom pom crochet edging,  I’d love to see yours on Instagram, be sure to tag me @crochet365knittoo.  If you are on Facebook, stop over to the Crochet 365 Knit Too Facebook page or pop over to the Crochet365KnitToo Club and share a photo!  I’d love to see your work!