A while ago I explained how I make holes in fleece fabric so I can add a crocheted yarn border.
But I understand that not everyone wants to spend the $$ for a rotary cutter and special skip-stitch blade
or has the hand strength to use an old-fashioned paper punch.
So here are links to a few other methods:
Lisa, author of the blog Piecework Treasures, used an ice pick! While on page 2 of ‘Baby’s Choice Edgings for Fleece’, Terry Kimbrough says that not only an ice pick, but a nail, awl or knitting needle will work. (booklet available through Amazon for as little as $3.50) I’ve also read about people using a rotary leather hole punch or a seam ripper, but haven’t found any photos showing results. If you happen to have any of these lying around, it seems worth experimenting.
There’s also the Sharp Crochet Hook, which costs about $10.00 with shipping.
Once you figure out how to make holes in fleece, you might like to practice by making Sarah Zimmerman’s Monster Fleece Lovey Blanket. So Cute! I’m sure you’ve got some yarn – HAha – so all you need is a little piece of fleece. Sarah also shares her robot and puppy dog lovey patterns.
The ‘Ruffled Fleece Blanket’ project in Crochet Today’s oct/nov 2006 issue starts with working blanket stitch all the way round. This technique is explained well here, by Big A Little A. I imagine working this stitch on fleece would be easier, more quickly done, with smooth thread rather than yarn. – maybe embroidery floss? Here’s a YouTube video demonstrating the stitch on felt. For a fleece blanket I would switch to about 3/4″ in and 3/4″ apart and let the cut edge of the fleece roll toward the back as I stitched to make a folded ‘hem’ just like you get with the Project Linus’ crocheted foundation round. (shown from back)
For a more unique solution, check out the blog post, ‘Quick, Cheap and Easy Baby Blanket’, in which Jessie shows how to machine-sew a strand of railroad yarn around the fleece’s edge and then crochet into it. Sounds crazy but it looks like it works!
alottastitches 
I just learned a few tips from you! That skip-stitch product looks pretty nifty. The ice pick works great, just a little time consuming. Thanks for the shout-out!
You’re very welcome, Lisa.
And thank you for sharing with us through your blog. Can’t wait to visit Piecework Treasures again when I have plenty of time to explore!
I used size 10 crochet cotton and did an elongated single crochet around a fleece that had flimsy machine stitching that I had removed. Then I crocheted into the sc with yarn. Much easier and faster than cutting pieces of thread or yarn and blanket stitching.
That definitely sounds easier and faster than blanket stitching!
Did you need to enlarge the little holes left from machine stitching for your hook to easily slip through?
Since I used size 10 cotton, I used a size 7 hook and it went through easily enough. The holes were too small for yarn and a bigger hook.
I remember now! We talked about this once before. . .
I’ve just returned from revisiting the pics of your beautiful fleece blanket over in Ravelry. Love the way you matched the color of the crochet cotton to the fleece so it’s nearly invisible.
This has me thinking that a home sewing machine with a large unthreaded needle, about the size you would use for sewing canvas or leather, might be able to punch big enough holes in fleece yardage. I need to experiment on a scrap the next time I have my machine out. If it works, this would be a good solution for a lot of people.
Thank you! I just happened to have thread of a similar color. Otherwise, I would have tried to match the border.
The sewing machine solution has been proposed for linen-type fabrics and it is a great idea. I think that you would need a very sharp needle for fleece. I couldn’t punch through with my sharp crochet hook, but not all fleece is the same. Mine did not stretch much.
I’ve sewn fleece on the machine using a regular needle, but for this job, yeah, the sharper the better! I read somewhere about special needles made especially for sewing leather that have sharp edges so they actually cut their way through. Bet that would leave a fairly large hole in any fleece.
Note to Self: Keep fingers far, far away!