Crochet around a Baby Blanket

One of the things I really enjoy doing is crocheting, especially around a baby blanket.  I love to give them as gifts.  It is so relaxing to me, because my brain can slow down and focus on something I have complete control of.   It is also a great thing to take with me to the hours of ballet and swimming lessons that I am waiting around for.   I am always looking for a easy pattern, I thought I would share a few of them with you.

This is some of the recent fabric I just bought at our local Wal-mart.  In our area they put all their flannel on sale twice a year.  Once in the spring and then again in the fall.  So I bought these cute boy fabrics.  Then I take them to someone who does hemstitching, and have them sew the blankets together.  This is way cheaper than if I were to purchase a kit at our local craft store.  Which once in awhile I do, but that is rarely.

When I am all finished crocheting, I like to roll them up and tie with toile.  Then they are all ready for when I need a baby gift.

This is one of my most favorite edges.  It is super easy.  It's all single crochet, but you do have to go around the blanket 4 times to be finished. 

Basket Handle stich

Here is the Pattern

Row 1 

First SC in each hemstitched hole around the entire blanket.  Join with a SS to beginning SC.  CH 1, do not turn.  

Row 2

SC in each SC around the blanket.  Join with a SS to beginning SC. CH 1, do not turn.

Row 3

SC in the next three SC; then CH 4, skip one SC, repeat.  Join with a SS to beginning SC; CH1, do not turn

Row 4

Skip forst SC,  *SC in next SC, skip next SC; then 8 SC in CH-4 space; skip next SC; repeat from* around.  Join to first SC with a SS. Finish off.

This is the basic shell stitch,  I love this one. 

Pattern:

First Row:

Single Crochet around the entire blanket for a foundation row, if you want to.  You don't have to if you want to be done faster or not use as much thread.  This picture has a foundation row done on it.  You actually could do a second foundation row if you want to as well.  It's fun do it in a different color then bounce back to original color for the last time around doing the shells.

Second Row:

Single Crochet in the first single crochet, *skip next single crochet, then do 5 Double crochet in the base of the next single crochet, skip next single crochet, single crochet in the next single crochet*.  repeat from * to * all the way around the blanket.  Finish off.

I hope you enjoy these patterns I have shared today with you.  What do you like to crochet?  Have any simple pattern you love to use?  Check back later and I'll share some more.

Keeping it Simple 

Kate