Uncategorized

Amethyst Sky Baby Blanket

This post may contain affiliate links, view our disclosure policy for details.

September 14, 2019 By amanda Leave a Comment

I am in love with this Caron Cotton Cakes yarn. It is amazing for blankets and after the Hydrangea Baby Blanket, I couldn’t help but make another.

Crochet baby blankets are wonderful for working on while watching Netflix or riding in a car. I love that I can put one down and come back and pick it up easily, without worrying about shaping or row count (much).

I also love giving baby blankets as gifts. Most moms love a handmade baby gift and will cherish one you made yourself.

Related: Duchess Baby Blanket

Amethyst Sky Baby Blanket

What You’ll Need

Yarn: Caron Cotton Cakes, 2 skeins Amethyst Sky (available at Michaels stores)

Hook: US K (6.50mm)

Notions: Yarn needle, scissors

Skill Level: Easy

Gauge: 13 sts and 13 rows = 4″ in pattern st (sc, dc)

Finished Size: Approximately 25″ x 34″

Pattern

Ch 65. (To make this larger or smaller simply chain an odd number of sts)

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, dc in next ch, *sc, dc; repeat from * to end; turn – 64 sts.

Row 2: Ch 1, *sc, dc; repeat from * to end; turn.

Repeat row 2 until 32″ from beginning. (Or desired size).

Border

Row 1: Ch 1, sc evenly around blanket edges, working (sc, ch 1, sc) in each corner, join with slip st to first sc.

Rows 2-4: Ch 1, *sc in each sc to corner, (sc, ch 1, sc) in each ch-1 space of corner, repeat from * to last corner, sc, ch 1, join with slip st to first st.

Row 5: *Ch 3, skip next sc, slip st in next sc; repeat from * around, working (ch 3, slip st) in each corner.

Fasten off. Weave in ends.

First 50 people to grab this pattern in Ravelry will get it FREE!! If you aren’t one of the first 50, you can grab it for only $1 this weekend only!! Use code AMETHYSTSKY

Related: Easy Ombre Baby Blanket

That’s it! This is an easy and fun free crochet pattern that I hope you will love.

View all of my other baby blankets, booties and more by visiting my free crochet patterns page!

Happy Crocheting!
Amanda

How to Craft a Perfect Crochet Baby Blanket

This post may contain affiliate links, view our disclosure policy for details.

August 23, 2019 By amanda Leave a Comment

This amazing baby blanket is made from only sc and dc! It's so easy and elegant - and a FREE crochet pattern!

There are so many things to consider when making crocheted blankets for babies. Yarn, hook, pattern to use, size to make, etc. It’s enough to make your head spin!

Today we are going to break down some of the common questions you may have about how to craft a perfect crochet baby blanket. At the end, I’ll share with you my favorite FREE patterns for crocheted baby blankets that I have designed.

My goal is to share helpful information that will help you to create a beautiful heirloom-quality blanket that you will be proud to gift or to keep for your own little one (or grandkiddo!).

Let’s dive in. But, before we get to the knitty gritty of your baby blanket questions, let’s answer a very pressing question first.

Free Pattern - Quick and Easy Baby Blanket from Designing Crochet by Amanda Saladin. This C2C baby blanket can be whipped up in no time!

Are crochet blankets safe for babies?

The American Academy of Pediatrics warns not to put anything soft in a babies crib, so like any other blanket, a crochet baby blanket needs to be used with parental supervision. Treat a crochet blanket the same you would any other blanket with a baby.

Using a crochet baby blanket for a car seat, stroller, or swing (or whenever a caregiver is present) is perfectly fine. I would caution against using one in a crib with a small baby, especially if the baby is left alone to sleep.

Once the child gets a little older you might find that a crocheted baby blanket is perfect because it has small gaps in the yarn for breathability but still provides warmth and comfort.

So, would I personally use a crochet blanket for my baby? Yes, when I am there!

Now that we have the safety issue addressed, let’s move on!

What do I need to crochet a baby blanket?

Baby blankets are easy to crochet and all you need are the basics: yarn, hook and a quality crochet pattern (that doesn’t mean you have to pay for it!). Be sure to check the pattern for any other supplies that may be needed, such as a yarn needle or stitch markers.

We will discuss yarn farther down, but let’s take a minute to talk about hooks.

I get a lot of questions about the hook size in my blanket patterns. I often use a hook 2-3 sizes larger than the ball band calls for. I find this gives the fabric a lot more drape, which is definitely desirable for a blanket. Using a hook that is too small will make the blanket stiff and the yarn won’t be as soft as it could be.

So always check the written instructions for a blanket and use the hook size the designer has written in the pattern, not what the yarn itself calls for (if you want it to turn out like the blanket in the pattern!).

What type of yarn is best for a baby blanket?

Choose yarns that are easy to care for, soft against a baby’s skin and will hold up to wear and tear. You want a yarn that will keep its shape once it’s been washed (babies are messy!), doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, and feels great to the touch.

I am not going to recommend specific yarns, just the types of yarns that will do well. If you want a few specifics, this article discusses their favorites. There are typically two camps: acrylic/polyester lovers and cotton lovers.

Acrylic & Polyester: These yarns are great when it comes to easy care. Most are machine washable, hold up well (although some may pill so be careful!) and a lot of them have a good feel, although some may be scratchy, so be sure to test them out.

You can see from the free patterns below that I do use these types of yarns for some of my blankets. What I would caution you about, though, is that if you plan on machine washing it you make a swatch and run it through a wash and dry cycle. This will let you know how it will look after washing.

We were gifted a beautiful crochet blanket for our last child (we have 4 boys!) and the first time we washed it the yarn shrank up and it looked nothing like the original blanket, nor did it have the same feel. So please test it out if you are giving it so this doesn’t happen. Your recipient will thank you!

Cotton Yarns: I do love cotton yarn. Most of them are cool and crisp and would be a good choice if you are worried about a baby overheating. They are also easy to care for and are durable. Again, I would make a swatch and wash it, just to be sure.

How many skeins of yarn do you need for a baby blanket?

Depending upon the size you are making, a typical baby blanket takes between 700 to 1500 yards of yarn (assuming a worsted weight blanket), so a typical 3.5 oz skein that has 220 yards will take 3-7 skeins to crochet a baby blanket. Some larger skeins will take less.

What size should a baby blanket be?

Common baby blanket sizes are:
Receiving Blanket: 18-36″ square
Swaddle Blanket: 48″ x 48″ or 40″ x 40″
Stroller/Car Seat Blanket: 30-40″ rectangular (can be various sizes)
Crib Blanket: 40″ x 60″

What is the best crochet stitch for a baby blanket?

There are many wonderful crochet stitches that make great baby blankets. Some of my favorites are:
1. The basic sc, hdc or dc
2. Duchess Lace Stitch (see below!)
3. Sedge Stitch (also see below!)
4. Waffle Stitch
5. C2C (corner to corner)
6. Basket Weave Stitch
7. Chevron Stitch
8. Blanket Stitch
9. Moss Stitch
10. Mini Bean Stitch

My Favorite FREE Baby Blanket Patterns

Duchess Baby Blanket

By far the most popular pattern on my site, this blanket has been made many times with gorgeous results. Full video tutorial, too!

Hydrangea Baby Blanket

This free crochet pattern uses two Caron Cotton Cakes to create a striped blanket with a shell border. This pattern also includes a video tutorial and was features on Hookin’ on Hump day from Moogly Blog!

Free crochet pattern with close up video tutorial for the Lilac Meadow Baby Blanket!

Lilac Meadows Baby Blanket

Lion Brand Yarn’s Feels Like Butta is wonderful in this striped blanket with a lacy border. Grab the bonus bundle skeins from Michael’s stores and make this blanket with 2 skeins!

Easy Ombre Baby Blanket

One skein Red Heart Super Saver Ombre and one solid skein for the border will allow you to crochet this easy blanket. The yarn does the color work for you! Also check out the Elegant Ombre Baby Blanket. Both of these blankets also come with video tutorials!

If you are interested in seeing more, be sure to check out all of my free crochet patterns here!

and answers - plus find some amazing FREE crochet baby blanket patterns from Love.Life.Yarn

Duchess Lace Wash Cloth – Free Crochet Pattern

This post may contain affiliate links, view our disclosure policy for details.

May 4, 2019 By amanda Leave a Comment

Have you ever needed a quick project in the midst of other complicated ones? That’s exactly how I felt recently!! I have really been thinking about adding more home decor projects to the blog and when I saw that the Simple Textured Washcloth has been doing really well I decided that I needed to create a washcloth in my favorite stitch! Hence the Duchess Lace Wash Cloth was born.

The first time I used this stitch was for the Duchess Baby Blanket and it has been the most popular pattern on my site since it released. It’s such a timeless stitch and you can do a simple border like the one above, or the lacy border like the blanket! I liked it so much I also created the Duchess Lace Scarf in this stitch with a color changing yarn and love the way it turned out.

This project is more feminine and I like that about it. This will definitely go in our bathroom, as I live in a house of boys (four littles under the age of 10 and my hubs!). I need to create some for their bathroom, though, so I think home decor items will be coming more in the next few weeks.

My bathroom doesn’t really have a theme or a color scheme but the boys do! As soon as I found out our second child was going to be a boy I went out and decorated their bathroom. It has construction trucks in it so I guess it’s a good thing we didn’t have any girls because she would have to share the master bathroom with me! Ha!

If you need a quick, pretty project I hope you will give this a try. It’s sure to brighten anyone’s day!

If you would like to make this larger, the pattern is a multiple of 3 + 1 so you can customize it any way you like!

Duchess Lace Wash Cloth

What You’ll Need

Yarn: 1 skein cotton yarn (I used Berroco Modern Cotton)

Hook: Size H/8 (5.0mm)

Gauge

Not crucial for this project

Finished Size

Approximately 8″ square.

PATTERN

Ch 31.

Row 1: (2 dc, ch 3, sl st) in 4th ch from hook, *sk next 2 ch, (2 dc, ch 3, sl st) in next ch; repeat from * across; turn.

Row 2: Ch 3, *(2 dc, ch 3, sl st) in next ch-3 sp; repeat from * across, ending with dc in top of turning ch; turn.

Repeat row 2 until piece is 7.5″ from beginning (or a square if yours is a different size!)

Do not fasten off. Do not turn.

BORDER

After finishing the last row of the wash cloth, work row 2 of pattern along sides and bottom, leaving the top as is. To turn the corners, simply work (2 dc, ch 3, sl st) into corner ch-3 space.

Finishing

Weave in ends.

See! I told you it was a super quick win!! Crochet up a bunch of these for someone in your life (or yourself!) and be sure to check out the library of free crochet patterns here!

Happy crocheting!

Amanda

Valentine Baby Set – Free Knitting Patterns

This post may contain affiliate links, view our disclosure policy for details.

January 19, 2019 By amanda Leave a Comment

It’s getting closer to Valentine’s Day!! If you are looking for patterns for your little ones, here is a sweet set that is sure to be just what you are looking for:

Valentine’s Baby Dress

Striped Baby Pants

Valentine Baby Dress – Free Knitting Pattern

This post may contain affiliate links, view our disclosure policy for details.

January 12, 2019 By amanda Leave a Comment

I love my house of boys but there are some times I wish I had a little girl model. I love making these dresses, baby booties and hats for little girls! There are only so many things you can make for boys, and I’ve spent a lot of the past month crocheting sweaters for all these boys of mine.

I noticed when I put all my patterns together on one page that I had waaaaaay more crochet patterns than knitting patterns, so one of my New Year’s Resolutions is to have one knitting and one crochet project going at all times. I’m trying not to have any other wip’s than that, though, and to focus my attention on the two projects at hand. I’m hoping to get more done this way! I can still switch back and forth between two projects and I can switch from crochet to knitting as I please.

I’m also trying to use up my stash, which isn’t as daunting a task as it sounds. Last year I went through my stash and got rid of four copy paper boxes full of yarn that I knew I wasn’t going to use. I donated it to a local school to use with their kiddos. I know, I know, I should have found a fellow knitter or crocheter, but I really don’t know hardly anyone in real life who uses yarn like I do! (Sad, but true!)

Anyways, to get back to our project here I created a simple dress in Stockinette Stitch with a garter stitch border. The dress itself could be made without the hearts to be worn any time of year or you can add the felt heart pockets for a V-Day outfit. My youngest son’s best friend is a little girl – just look how adorable she is wearing this!! (At least I have friends who will let their daughters model for me :D)

This was the second project I used Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice yarn for and it was great. Simple, inexpensive, and it showed the stitch definition of Stockinette really well. It was super easy to knit up and I think these colors really work well together. I hope you like them as much as I do!

While shooting the pictures with my friend’s daughter I tried to get some of my son in his matching pants – but he wasn’t having any of it. He has just learned to walk and is all over the place. It was so adorable to watch this little lady crawl after him. She’s three months younger and so close to walking herself. They are best buddies. I can’t help but love this picture. Gotta love babies, right? 😀

To buy the ad-free pdf or favorite on Ravelry click here

What You’ll Need

Yarn: Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice (100% Acrylic; 170 yards [156 meters]/100 grams): #177 Sage (MC, 1 skein), #099 Linen (CC, 1 skein)

Needles: US size 9 (5.5 mm) straight

Notions: Tapestry needle, two ½” heart-shaped buttons, 1 sheet red felt, matching thread, sewing needle

Skill Level: Intermediate

Size: Finished Chest Size 16.5 (17, 18, 19, 20)” for infant size 3 (6, 12, 18, 24) months

Gauge: 18 sts and 24 rows = 4” [10 cm] in St st after wet blocking

Find the matching leggings here!

PATTERN

Back

CO 42 (46, 48, 52, 54) sts.

Border

With CC, work in Garter Stitch for 4 (4, 6, 6, 8) rows.

Body

Change to MC.

Decrease 1 st each side on next row and every 14th row twice. (36 (40, 42, 46, 48) sts)

Work 0 (0, 2, 8, 10) rows even in St st.

Sizes 12 (18, 24) months Only

Decrease 1 st each side. (40 (44, 46) sts)

All Sizes

Work in St st for 16 (18, 18, 18, 20) rows.

Armhole

BO 3 (3, 3, 4, 4) sts at beg of next 2 rows. (30 (34, 34, 36, 38) sts)

Work even in St st for 1 (1, 1, 2, 2) rows.

Decrease 1 st each side. (28 (32, 32, 34, 36) sts)

Work even in St st for 1 (1, 1, 2, 2) rows.

Decrease 1 st each side. (26 (30, 30, 32, 34) sts)

Work in Garter Stitch for 14 (16, 16, 18, 18) rows.

Neck Shaping

Work 5 (6, 6, 6, 7) sts in est patt, sl next 16 (18, 18, 20, 20) to holder, join other end of yarn, work 5 (6, 6, 6, 7) sts in est patt.

Dec 1 st at Neck Edge. (4 (5, 5, 5, 6) sts)

Work even for 7 (7, 8, 8, 9) rows.

Sizes 6 (12, 18, 24) months Only

Dec 1 st at each end. (3 (3, 3, 4) sts)

Change to CC.

Work in Garter Stitch for 3 rows.

BO sts.

Front

Work same as Back to Armhole.

Armhole

BO 3 (3, 3, 4, 4) sts at beg of next 2 rows. (30 (34, 34, 36, 38) sts)

Work even in St st for 1 (1, 1, 2, 2) rows.

Decrease 1 st each side. (28 (32, 32, 34, 36) sts)

Work even in St st for 1 (1, 1, 2, 2) rows.

Decrease 1 st each side. (26 (30, 30, 32, 34) sts)

Work in Garter Stitch for 6 (8, 8, 10, 10) rows.

Neck Shaping

Work 9 (10, 10, 10, 11) sts, sl next 8 (10, 10, 12, 12) to holder, join other end of yarn, work 9 (10, 10, 10, 11) sts.

Decrease 1 st at neck edge every row 5 times. (4 (5, 5, 5, 6) sts)

Work even in St st for 2 rows.

Change to CC.

Work in Garter Stitch for 3 rows.

BO sts.

Finishing

Block pieces.

Sew Front to Back at side seams.

Front Collar

With CC and RS facing, pick up and k8 (10, 10, 12, 12) sts from left front neck edge, 8 (10, 10, 12, 12) sts from holder, 8 (10, 10, 12, 12) sts from right front neck edge. (24 (30, 30, 36, 36) sts)

Work in Garter Stitch for 2 rows.

BO sts.

Armholes

With CC and RS facing, pick up and k26 (30, 30, 34, 34) sts evenly around armhole.

Work in Garter Stitch for 2 rows.

BO sts.

Back Collar

With CC and RS facing, pick up and k6 (7, 7, 8, 8) sts below Garter Stitch border of right back neck edge, 16 (18, 18, 20, 20) sts from holder, 6 (7, 7, 8, 8) sts from left back neck edge, ending just before Garter Stitch border. (28 (32, 32, 36, 36) sts)

Work in Garter Stitch for 2 rows.

BO sts.

Finishing

Sew Garter Stitch borders together at tops of front and back neck edges.

Cut heart-shaped pockets from red felt and attach.

Overlap straps by bringing back straps to front. Attach heart-shaped buttons.

Weave in ends.

That’s it! I hope you enjoy this free pattern. Be on the lookout for the baby pants pattern, too! Be sure to check out my library of free knitting patterns.

Happy Knitting!
Amanda