How to Crochet a Curlicue Edging

A curlicue is very easy to crochet and very decorative. These delightful corkscrew curls can be used as an edging or bunched together as a tassel.

Below you will find instructions for making a basic edging or fringing, which can be used for such projects as blankets or ponchos

Instructions are given using UK terminology with the US equivalent in brackets

It works best if you work your edging on a foundation row of  double  crochet (US single crochet) or other firm straight edged stitch, but I also think there should be no hard and fast rules for anything creative, otherwise new ideas are never discovered.  So experiment

You can even use curlicues to make hats and wigs (!!!)

Or various cute animals

And what's really sweet is a tiny octopus made for premature babies because the curlicue resembles an umbilical cord

Abbreviations

dc = double crochet (US single crochet)

ch = chain

sts = stitches

st = stitch.

Instructions

After finishing your foundation row, make 1ch and turn.

Work 1dc into each of first 2 sts

*Make 10ch

Work 3dc into 2nd chain from hook

Work 3dc into each of remaining 8ch**

From * to ** is one curl

Next:

*** Work 1dc into each of next 4 sts of your foundation row.

Make 1 curl****

Repeat from *** to **** until edging is finished, ending with 1dc into each of last 2 stitches of foundation row.

Variations of a crochet curlicue

This example has quite long curls which are fairly wide apart.

If you want them tighter (more curly) work 4dc into each chain.

If you want them looser, work only 2dc into each chain.

If you want them longer, work more than 10 chain, or for shorter curlicues work less chain stitches.

To have your curls spaced closer or wider apart, work either less or more dc between each on your foundation row.

For finer more delicate curls see instructions for the boa style scarf where smaller stitches and chain spaces are used to make the curls softer and lighter.

You can also make them tighter curled at the tip than at the base by working 4dc into the first chain and then reduce the number of dc into each as you work along the chain.

baby blanket with curly edging

curly hair tie

fine curls in a boa style scarf

And if you like these more delicate curls you will probably also like this smaller more dainty version of the traditional crochet bobble

Tiny delicate crochet picot bobbles

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