Crochet Napkin Edging Pattern

This free crochet napkin edging pattern adds a delicate lace trim to plain cloth napkins or other table linens. The simple one-row edging combines double crochet shells with small picots for a pretty finish that works with everyday, holiday, or special-occasion table settings.

Crochet the edging along one side as a decorative accent or add it to all four sides. A finished set makes a lovely handmade gift for a wedding, bridal shower, housewarming, or holiday.

If your napkins already have suitable stitching around the edges, you may be able to crochet directly into it. Otherwise, begin by sewing an evenly spaced blanket stitch along each edge you would like to trim.

Crochet Napkin Edging Pattern

Pattern Details

Skill level: Easy
Yarn: Size 10 crochet thread
Hook: 2.5 mm crochet hook
Finished size: Customizable to fit your napkins or linens
Construction: A blanket-stitch foundation is followed by one row of crochet shells and picots
Gauge: Not essential

Supplies

Cloth napkins or other linens
Size 10 crochet thread, such as Aunt Lydia’s Classic Crochet Thread
2.5 mm crochet hook
Sewing needle
Matching sewing thread or crochet thread for the blanket-stitch foundation
Scissors
Piercing crochet hook, optional

Resources and tutorials you may find helpful in following this crochet pattern include Crochet Abbreviations, Crochet Stitch Chart Symbols, and the U.S. to U.K. Crochet Conversion Chart.

❤️ this pattern on Ravelry.

Crochet Abbreviations

ch = chain
dc = double crochet
rep = repeat
sl st = slip stitch
st(s) = stitch(es)

This pattern is written in U.S. crochet terms.

Special Stitch

Picot: Ch 3 and sl st in the 3rd ch from the hook.

Pattern Notes

The edging instructions are written for one straight napkin edge.
Complete and fasten off each edge separately.
Work an odd number of blanket stitches along every edge you plan to crochet.
Space the blanket stitches as evenly as possible.
If trimming all four sides, use the same number of blanket stitches on opposite sides so the edging looks balanced.
The beginning ch-3 counts as the first dc.
Adjust your blanket-stitch spacing as needed for the fabric and size of your napkins.

Preparing the Napkins

If your napkins already have evenly spaced stitching around the edges, you may be able to crochet directly into those stitches.

If they do not, use a sewing needle and thread to work an evenly spaced blanket stitch along each edge you would like to trim. Follow my How to Do a Blanket Stitch Tutorial if you need help with this step.

Work an odd number of blanket stitches along each selected edge.

As another option, use a piercing crochet hook to work directly through the fabric. You can see this technique in my tutorial for Adding Crochet Edgings to Fabric and Fleece Blankets.

Close-up of shell and picot crochet edging on a white napkin

Crochet Lace Edging Instructions

Join the crochet thread in the first blanket st and pull up a loop.

Ch 3 (counts as the first dc). Work [1 dc, picot, 2 dc] in the same st.

Skip the next blanket st.

*Work [2 dc, picot, 2 dc] in the next blanket st, then skip the following blanket st; rep from * across until 1 blanket st remains.

Work [2 dc, picot, 2 dc] in the final blanket st.

Fasten off and weave in the ends.

Repeat the edging instructions separately along each additional napkin edge you would like to trim.

Crochet Edging Stitch Diagram

See my Crochet Stitch Chart Symbols guide if you need help reading the diagram.

Crochet stitch diagram for the shell and picot napkin edging

Finishing the Lace-Trimmed Napkins

Gently shape the crochet edging so the shells and picots lie evenly. If needed, lightly block the edging according to the care instructions for your napkin fabric and crochet thread.

Make a coordinating set for your table or tie several finished napkins together with ribbon for an easy handmade gift.

Crochet Napkin Edging Pattern – Add a Lace Trim