Blankets are one of my favorite things to make. They are *usually* simple and easy projects that you can relax and work mindlessly on. I especially love baby blankets- all the joys of the large blanket projects but you feel more accomplished because it doesn't take eons to complete.
Whenever I'm feeling a little "burn out" from working on a more difficult project- I tend to start a blanket project. Now the problem is that we have WAY too many afghans in our house. The solution- gifts! Also, I grew up knowing just how wonderful a gift of an afghan or quilt is so I LOVE giving them.
This project was a gift for my adorable niece. I started one before she was born but was using the velvet yarn. Boy did that give me trouble! 3 attempts at a blanket later (after it looped out on me) I gave up. I knew she needed a blanket from her auntie (even if she's a year old now) and I made it a little bigger so she could enjoy it as she grows. (The finished project with the border is about 4'x4')
If you're looking for a baby blanket and could use a nice relaxing project- this is for you.
Happy Crocheting!
~Dana
Pattern
Materials:
Size 4 mm hook
Weight 3 Yarn (I used Premier Yarns Deborah Norville 'Everyday Baby' in Princess (Main blanket) and Coral for border.
Yarn Needle
Pattern:
Ch 171
R1: DC in the 3rd chain from the hook and in each chain space across (170 dc - first 2 ch's count as DC)
R2: Ch 2, (initial ch 2 counts as first stitch here and throughout so you will skip the first dc space) dc in the next 3, *(ch 1, skip 1 space, dc in next) 4 times, dc in next 10 spaces, rep from * to last 4 spaces, (ch 1, skip 1 space, dc in next) twice.
R3: Ch 2, dc in the next 3 spaces, *ch 1, skip 1 space, dc in next 9 spaces, ch 1, skip 1 space, dc in next 7 spaces, rep from * to last 4 spaces, ch 1, skip 1 space, dc in next 3 spaces.
R4: Ch 2, dc in next space, *ch 1, skip 1 space, dc in next 9 spaces, ch 1, skip 1 space, dc in next 7 spaces, rep from * to last 5 spaces, ch 1, skip 1 space, dc in next 4 spaces.
R5: Ch 2, dc in next 4 spaces, *(ch 1, skip 1 space, dc in next) 4 times, dc in next 10 spaces, rep from * to last 2 spaces, ch 1, skip 1 space, dc in last stitch.
R6: Ch 2, dc in next space, *ch 1, skip 1 space, dc in next 9 spaces, ch 1, skip 1 space, dc in next 7 spaces, rep from * to last 5 spaces, ch 1, skip 1 space, dc in next 4 spaces.
R7: Ch 2, dc in next 2 spaces, *ch 1, skip next space, dc in next 9 spaces, ch 1, skip next space, dc in next 7 spaces, rep from * to last 4 stitches, ch 1, skip 1 space, dc in last 3.
R8-R83: Rep R2 through R7
BORDER:
*If you are not changing yarn color you can just turn and continue. Otherwise, finish off after row 83 and reattach yarn where you left off to begin the following rows:
R1: Ch 2, DC in each stitch across working back across R83. When you get to the end of that row, ch 3 and then working along the side of the blanket, 2 dc in the side of each row along side of the blanket. At the end of the side, ch 3 and work along the bottom of the blanket, crocheting 1 dc in each stitch across. At the end of that row, ch 3, 2 dc in the side of each row along the side of the blanket- ch 3, and slip stitch to starting chains.
R2: Ch 1, sc in each stitch around. At corners- sc into 1 chain, chain 3, skip 1 chain, sc into next chain, continue sc around.
R3-R5: Rep R2
Finish Off.
Sew in Ends.