7 Best Velvet Ribbons For Decorative Borders To Try
Elevate your crafts with these 7 velvet ribbons. Discover the best textures and colors for elegant decorative borders that add a touch of luxury to any project.
Adding a velvet border to a hand-knit garment is the ultimate way to elevate a simple project into a couture-level piece. Whether you are finishing a cardigan neckline or trimming a wool hat, the right ribbon provides structural stability and a touch of luxury. However, not all ribbons behave well when stitched onto knitted fabric. Choosing the correct texture and fiber content ensures your hard work remains beautiful for years to come.
Mokuba New York 100% Silk Velvet: The Gold Standard
When you want the absolute best, you reach for Mokuba. This is the velvet that designers use for high-end couture, and for good reason: the pile is incredibly dense and the silk base is exceptionally supple.
Because it is 100% silk, it has a natural drape that synthetic ribbons simply cannot replicate. It moves with your knitting rather than fighting against it, which is crucial if you are applying it to a stretchy edge like a collar or a cuff.
The tradeoff here is cost and care. Silk is delicate and requires professional handling or very gentle hand washing. If you are investing dozens of hours into a hand-spun wool sweater, this is the ribbon that honors that effort.
Berwick Offray Double Faced Velvet: Best for Edging
Berwick Offray is a staple in the craft world for a reason: it is reliable, consistent, and widely available. Their double-faced velvet means the pile is identical on both sides, which is a lifesaver if the ribbon twists while you are sewing it down.
This ribbon has a slightly higher synthetic content, which makes it much more durable than silk. It stands up well to the friction of daily wear on a sleeve cuff or a hemline.
Because it is a bit stiffer than silk, it holds a clean, crisp line. If you are looking to hide a slightly uneven cast-off edge, this ribbon provides the structure you need to create a perfectly straight border.
May Arts Luxury Velvet Ribbon: Most Durable Choice
May Arts offers a velvet that feels substantial in the hand. It is thick, plush, and holds its color beautifully even after multiple seasons of wear.
If you are trimming a heavy-weight winter coat or a sturdy felted bag, this is your go-to. It doesn’t crush easily, meaning it won’t look "bald" in high-traffic areas like elbows or pockets.
The downside is that it can feel a bit heavy on lightweight lace or fingering-weight garments. Always test a small scrap against your knitted fabric to ensure the weight of the ribbon doesn’t cause the knit to sag.
Lion Ribbon Wired Velvet: Best for Structured Borders
Wired ribbon is generally frowned upon in garment knitting, but it has a specific place in decorative finishing. If you are creating a large, dramatic bow for a shawl or a stiff, standing collar, the wire allows you to shape the velvet exactly how you want it.
The wire provides a "memory" to the fabric that standard ribbon lacks. You can manipulate the curve of a neckline to sit perfectly flat against the body.
Be warned: the wire ends can be sharp. Always fold the raw edges of your ribbon inward and secure them with a hidden stitch to prevent the wire from poking through your knitwear or scratching your skin.
Renaissance Ribbon Velvet: Best Decorative Patterns
Sometimes a solid color isn’t enough to make a statement. Renaissance Ribbons are famous for their intricate, woven-in patterns that blend velvet textures with jacquard details.
These ribbons are perfect for "color-blocking" a plain stockinette sweater. They add visual interest without requiring you to carry multiple strands of yarn or manage complex intarsia charts.
Because these ribbons are often thicker, they work best on heavier-gauge knits. If you try to sew a heavy jacquard ribbon onto delicate lace, the ribbon will dominate and distort your stitches.
Morex Ribbon Velvet: The Best Budget-Friendly Pick
If you are new to applying ribbons to knits, you shouldn’t start with expensive silk. Morex provides a very decent quality velvet that is affordable enough for practice runs.
It is easy to find, comes in a massive array of colors, and is machine washable. This makes it an excellent choice for children’s clothing or items that will see a lot of heavy use.
The pile isn’t as deep as the luxury brands, but for the price, it is hard to beat. It is a fantastic "workhorse" ribbon for your stash.
Hobbii Velvet Ribbon: Best Softness for Knitwear
Hobbii understands the needs of makers, and their ribbon reflects that. It is designed to be soft against the skin, which is vital if you are using it for a neckline trim that will touch your neck directly.
Many velvet ribbons feel scratchy on the back, but this one is finished to be gentle. It feels like a natural extension of the yarn rather than an "add-on."
It is particularly well-suited for baby knits or cowls. If you have sensitive skin, this is the ribbon you want touching your collarbone.
How to Attach Velvet Ribbons to Knitted Borders
The biggest mistake knitters make is sewing the ribbon on too tightly. Knitted fabric is inherently elastic; if you sew a non-stretch ribbon to it with tight, short stitches, the garment will lose its ability to stretch and the thread will eventually snap.
- Use a whip stitch or a ladder stitch: These allow for a bit of "give" between the ribbon and the knit.
- Use a matching thread: A high-quality silk or polyester thread that matches the ribbon color is essential.
- Pin frequently: Use fine silk pins and pin the ribbon while the garment is laid flat, not stretched.
- Work from the center out: This prevents the ribbon from bunching up as you reach the end of the border.
Tips for Washing Garments with Velvet Trimmings
Velvet is a magnet for lint and dust, and the pile can easily get crushed during a rough wash cycle. Always hand wash garments with velvet trim in lukewarm water with a mild wool wash.
Never wring or twist the garment to remove water, as this will crush the velvet pile permanently. Instead, roll the item in a clean, dry towel and press gently to extract moisture.
Lay the garment flat to dry, ensuring the velvet ribbon is smoothed out and not folded. If the ribbon looks a bit flat after drying, you can use a garment steamer held a few inches away to "fluff" the pile back up.
Choosing the Right Ribbon Width for Your Project
The width of your ribbon should be proportional to the gauge of your knitting. A 2-inch wide ribbon will overwhelm a delicate lace shawl, while a 1/4-inch ribbon will disappear on a chunky cable-knit sweater.
- 1/4" to 3/8": Perfect for delicate edges, baby items, and fine-gauge lace.
- 1/2" to 3/4": The "sweet spot" for most adult cardigans and sweater necklines.
- 1" and wider: Best for heavy-duty projects like coats, bags, or decorative structural bows.
When in doubt, cut a paper strip to the width of the ribbon and lay it against your project. If it covers too much of your beautiful stitch work, size down.
Applying velvet ribbon is a transformative skill that bridges the gap between simple knitting and professional garment design. By considering the drape, durability, and width of your chosen ribbon, you can ensure your finished piece is as functional as it is beautiful. Don’t be afraid to experiment with scraps before committing to your final project. With the right technique, your hand-knits will look like they came straight off a designer runway.
