Crochet Threads

• Traditional crochet thread is made of 100 percent cotton. Some cotton thread is mercerized, or treated with sodium hydroxide, to increase its ability to absorb dye and impart a shiny finish, also known as a "lustre" or "pearl" finish. Cotton threads make beautiful edgings of all kinds.
  
  Bamboo thread yields a softer, more absorbent finish than cotton and is a good choice for edging delicate items of clothing or baby accessories. Bamboo thread is also anti-bacterial and resists odors.
  
  Microfiber thread is a cotton-acrylic blend or 100 percent acrylic. Although softer than cotton thread, it's less absorbent. Rayon thread is very smooth and shiny, and makes a good edging for clothing made from rayon, including baby apparel or doll clothes.
  
  Size 10, or bedspread weight, thread is ideal for crocheting edgings. If you prefer a thicker thread, try a size 5. Size 3 thread is generally too coarse for edgings.
  
  

Crochet Hooks

• Use any size crochet hook that will yield the gauge you need for your edging. You can adjust the size of the hook upward or downward, according to the type of thread you're using. In general, finer threads require larger hooks and coarser threads require smaller hooks to achieve the same gauge. Some edging patterns have a definite motif, with a specific number of stitches in each one. Make a small swatch first, about 1 1/2 inches square, and measure a motif to determine how many you'll need for the length of your piece. Adjust your hook size as needed so that you can crochet a specific number of motifs without having too few or too many stitches at the end.
  
  

Blocking

• Wash your finished piece in warm water and a mild liquid soap. Squeeze the suds gently through the piece without twisting or stretching it. Roll it in a clean towel and squeeze it to remove the excess moisture, then lay the piece flat to dry. Adjust the size by gently stretching or compressing it, and use clean straight pins to hold it in place until it dries. If necessary, press it with a warm iron.
  
  

Popcorn Edging Pattern

• Make a popcorn edging by chaining three-plus-two for each motif. On the first row, single crochet in the back loop of the second chain from your hook, and in each chain across. In the second row, chain three and turn. Make a popcorn stitch of three double crochet in the first single crochet, drop the loop from your hook, insert your hook in the top of the beginning chain three, pick up the dropped loop and pull it through. *Chain three, skip the next two single crochet, work a Popcorn stitch in the next single crochet and repeat from * across.
  
  For the third row, turn. Make (one slip stitch, chain one, single crochet) in the first chain-three space. Then (chain-three, single crochet in the next chain-three space) across.
  
  On the fourth row, chain one and turn. *single crochet in the next chain-three space, then (chain two, single crochet in the same space) twice. Repeat from * across.
  
  For the fifth row, chain one and turn. Single crochet in the first chain-two space, chain two, then (single crochet in the next two chain-two spaces) across until you reach the last chain-two space. Single crochet in the last chain-two space.
  
  For the sixth row, chain one and turn. Work the first part of a split treble crochet in the first single crochet in the third row. Work the second part of the split treble crochet in the next single crochet of the fifth row, and single crochet in the first chain-two space in the fifth row. *Chain two, slip stitch in the second chain from your hook, chain one, work the first part of a split treble crochet in the same stitch as the second part of the last split treble crochet you made. Work the second part of the split treble crochet in the next single crochet in the fifth row, and single crochet in the next chain-two space in the fifth row. Repeat from * across until you reach the last single crochet. Slip stitch in the last single crochet and finish off.
  
  

Split Treble Crochet Stitch

• To make the first part of a split treble crochet, yarn over twice. In the previous row specified, insert your hook from front to back under the top loops of the single crochet. Yarn over and pull up a loop, (yarn over and draw through the two loops on the hook) twice. There will be two loops left on your hook.
  
  To make the second part of the split treble crochet, yarn over twice. In the row specified, insert your hook from front to back under the top loops of the single crochet. Yarn over and pull up a loop, (yarn over and draw through two loops on your hook) twice. Yarn over and pull through all three loops on your hook.