Lately, I’ve felt like I’m so busy but not accomplishing much. Ever feel that way? It’s the main reason I’m doing the Make Over Your Mornings e-course. And, despite the pile in my hallway and bedroom, I’m making major progress in my craft room. I just don’t have the blog posts to prove it yet! With Thanksgiving arriving this week, Christmas will be here before we know it. But, I’ve got lots of projects planned and will be sharing all of that here. And there are some changes to the blog being worked on behind the scenes. So, I guess I’m accomplishing more than I realized… it’s just lots of baby steps!
But, Something Completed
And, when I sit down to relax, wait for kids at lessons and practices, or even sit in church, I’ve been actively trying to plow through the small yarn store I have in my basement.
I inherited tons of craft supplies when a friend passed away. Judy and I had crafted together for many years. One of the things she often did was to crochet baby blankets for our church. When a baby is baptized, they are given a handmade baby blanket. I think it’s a beautiful tradition, so I was honored when I was asked if I could help continue that tradition.
Since much of this yarn came from Judy, it’s been a great way to use it. In fact, another friend from church wants to help me! Sandy knows the basics of crochet but not many stitches. This pattern works up nice and is simply repeating the same stitch. I’ve used both baby weight and sports weight yarn, both turn out lovely.
Using a Pound of Love, I made an entire blanket with the one skein, edging it with a contrasting color.
With the baby weight, I used a few skeins, they were small. Using small skeins made it easy to use different colors.
Sandy will be coming for Thanksgiving dinner. My goal is to have the food all prepped and planned so I can sit and talk with all my guests. And, of course, crochet while I chat. Once I have the foundation row done, I no longer have to think about the pattern, just keep crocheting!
Easy Baby Blanket Pattern
I’m working on official patterns, with full-color pictures of the steps. So far, I have 2 available in my Etsy shop. Eventually, I will do the same with this pattern. But, in the meantime, here’s the basic free version:
Hooks and Yarn: For baby weight, I use an I-Hook. For sports weight, I use a J-Hook. This pattern can really be worked with whatever hook you like best for the weight of the yarn.
Cluster Description: Each cluster is done in one stitch. For one cluster; single crochet, double crochet, double crochet (SC, DC, DC). The single crochet creates the valley and this is where the cluster is done in the following row.
Chain 92 (the pattern needs 3 chains per repetition, so any multiple of 3 works, plus 2 to start)
Row 1 (Base Row): Turn, in 3rd stitch from the end (cluster: SC, DC, DC), skip two stitches and repeat the cluster. Repeat for a total of 30 clusters. SC in the last stitch.
Row 2: Turn, in the first stitch, (SC, DC, DC), skip 2 and repeat the cluster in the ditch of the previous cluster (see description above). Repeat for a total of 30 clusters. SC in the last stitch.
Repeat Row 2 to the desired length. Change colors and make rows where ever you like. I liked 20 rows of a multi-colored yarn and 10 rows of a solid color yarn.
Edging: To edge the entire blanket, switch to the edging color. Do a final R2 row in the edge color. At the end of the row, cluster, chain 2 and cluster again to make a corner. Turn the blanket along the side. At the base of each row (SC, DC, DC) making a cluster. Repeat this process along the whole side of the blanket. At the corner; cluster, chain 2, cluster again. Along the foundation row, make 30 clusters. Repeat the corner process along the opposite row. Once back to the beginning, make a final cluster, chain 2 and join.
Optional: Sometimes I added a second row of the edging, depending on if I had enough yarn left or not. To do this, simply repeat the corners and continue to do a cluster stitch in the valley of the previous row.
Tie off and weave in ends.
If you’re an avid crocheter, I think you should be able to follow this. It’s how I write down the patterns I come up with for myself. When I publish them for sale, I do my best to follow traditional pattern formats with as many specific counts as possible! But, sometimes crochet patterns are purely a method, like this one!
A Pile of Blankets
As of publishing this post, I have completed 4 blankets.
One Is a granny square. I did that one first before coming up with this pattern.
I’ll be sending one of these home with my cousin after Thanksgiving for another cousin’s baby.
And I’ll continue to work through the pile of yarn I have moved near my favorite chair in the living room. With the weather getting colder, we are enjoying the fireplace, that and a little TV or chatting with friends, makes for the perfect spot to crochet!
More Craft Room Destash
Every month a group of bloggers are challenged by C’mon Get Crafty to create a new craft or project from their own stash of goodies! Check out some awesome creations you might be able to make from your own stash! #CraftRoomDestashChallenge
If you’d like to join in the Craft Room De-Stash Challenge, you can request to join our Facebook group here!
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