Hey everyone!  It feels SO good to be writing this blog post.  I’ve missed everyone so much.  With the new job and having to take call so much, it hasn’t left me much time for crocheting.  I can tell you that your continue support of me is humbling and overwhelming.  You showed me just as much when I posted a sneak peak of Kristin’s baby blanket the other day in my ELK Studio Crocheter’s Facebook group.

I am so happy to present to you a special blanket for a special mother.  Kristin is a nurse that I work with at Jack Hughston Memorial Hospital.  She’s an amazing nurse and will be an even more amazing mom to her little fella.  Kristin hasn’t seen the blanket yet, so I’m hoping that she will love the solid color.  I was shopping this summer (yes, I have had the yarn that long) and ran across it at JoAnn.  It’s the Comfy Cotton Blend yarn by Lion Brand. The color I chose is called Whipped Cream and WOW can you ever see the stitch definition with this yarn.

I wanted something that Kristin’s little guy could drag around the house with him as he got older.  It’s such a soft and cuddly yarn.  This blanket wasn’t made to be put up in the closest for safe keeping.  Nope.  I want her to let him use it, play with it, sleep with it and fall in love with it.  It wouldn’t hurt my feelings at all if it became his “blankie”.

Let’s get onto the pattern because that’s why you are really here anyway right??

Supplies:

1. 1.  Comfy Cotton Blend, #3 Light Weight Yarn, 392 yards, 200 grams, 50% cotton, 50% polyester, (4 balls)
   2. G Hook/4.0mm
   3. Tapestry Needle

Abbreviations:

ch – chain
dc – double crochet
esc – extended single crochet
rem – remaining
sc – single crochet
sl st – slip st

Gauge: Is not important for this project but you can crochet Rows 1-5  and repeat until you get 4″ as your gauge.  I had 20 dc and 12 rows = 4″

Finished Measurements:  30″ x 30″

Special Stitches:

3dc cl (3 double crochet cluster):  YO, insert hook in specified stitch, YO, pull up a loop, YO, pull through 2 loops, (YO, insert hook into same st, YO, pull up a loop, YO, pull through 2 loops) 2 times, YO pull through remaining 4 loops on the hook.  Here is a video tutorial.

Esc (Extended Single Crochet):  Insert hook into st, YO, pull up a loop, YO, pull through two loops.

Notes:

• Ch 3 is considered first st in the row.  Check out the alternative to the ch 3.  I think you’ll love it.
• Ch 1 is not considered the first st in the row.

Ch 134 (any even number will work)

Row 1:  Ch 134, dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in next ch until the end, turn. (131 dc)

Row 2:  Ch 1, (See Pattern Notes), Esc in first st, (See Special Stitches) and each rem st across, turn.

Row 3:  Ch 3, (See Pattern Notes),  *3dc cl in next st, (See Special Stitches) ch 1, skip next st, repeat from * across until last 2 sts, 3 dc cl in next st, dc in last st, turn. (65 3dc cl, 2 dc, 63 ch-1)

Row 4:  Ch 1, Esc in first st, *Esc in ch-1 sp, Esc in next st, repeat from * across, turn. (131 Esc)

Row 5:  Ch 3, dc in next st and each rem st across, turn. (131 dc)

Repeat Rows 2-5 20 times or until you have reached your desired height.

Edging

Round 1:  With RS (right-side) facing, 3 sc in first st in last st,  sc evenly down the side, 3 sc in corner st, sc in next foundation row st and each st across, 3 sc in next corner, sc evenly down the side, 3 sc in next corner, sc in next st and across, join by sl st to first st.

Round 2:  Ch 3, dc in in next st and each rem st until corner st, *5 dc in corner st, dc in next st and each rem st until corner st, repeat from * around, join by sl st to first st.

Rounds 3-4:  Ch 1, sc in first st, *sc in next st and each st until corner st, 3 sc in corner st, repeat from * around.  Fasten off.  Weave in the ends.

I hope you have enjoyed this baby blanket pattern!  See ya next time everyone and happy crocheting!

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