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Bennington Baby Blanket
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One thing I never tire of designing is a baby blanket. I just find it so much fun to use different textures, stitches and shapes to create a piece that will hug a new baby and keep him or her warm. Recently, my husband needed a gift for a co-worker so I got busy designing something special. I thought I had a few weeks, but unfortunately, I found out I only had 2 days to make it (thanks hubby for so much advance notice) so I chose a simple repetitive design combined with two strands of worsted yarn. I figured a thicker weight would go quicker but I didn’t have any bulky on hand, so this was a nice alternative. I think it turned out rather elegant.
I made this beauty with Red Heart Super Saver
Click HERE to read my yarn reviews
I enjoy knitting and love the look of a knit fabric, but find it takes too long to meet my immediate gratification needs! So, the next best thing is crochet that looks knit, right? With this blanket, I chose a series of crochet stitches that produce a textured, ribbed “knit-look” — without the long wait 🙂 The border is a combination of basketweave and post stitches to add even more texture and interest.
I hope you’ll give this pattern a try. Let me know how you like it and be sure to share your finished photos on my Facebook page or tag me on Instagram @patternparadise!
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Pattern Instructions
Size: Approximately 37” x 37” – Size is easily adjustable – see notes in pattern.
Materials:
Red Heart Super Saver Worsted Weight Yarn (364 yards per skein):
- Color 1 (delft blue) – 3 skeins
- Color 2 (soft white) – 2 skeins
**The blanket is worked with two strands of yarn held together throughout, however, you may substitute for bulky or even super bulky weight yarn – finished measurements may differ.**
Hook US L/8.00 mm for body of blanket
Tapestry Needle for weaving ends
And to store my crochet hooks, I love this case!
Gauge: Gauge is not critical for this project, but I got approximately 8 sts x 8 rows in 4” in the Blanket pattern
Abbreviations (US Terms):
BLO = back loop only
ch = chain
dc = double crochet
FP = front post
hdc= half double crochet
sc = single crochet
sl st = slip stitch
st(s) = stitch(es)
tr = treble
Notes
- Weave ends as you work.
- Stitch count is in ( ) at the end of the Row/Round.
- Beginning Ch1 does not count as a stitch.
Blanket
The blanket pattern is a two-row repeat worked in back loop only (BLO). One row is hdc, the next is sl st. Be sure to work the sl sts loosely or it will be extremely difficult to work the next row.
The blanket is designed to be a square but the sizing and shape is easily changed:
- Increase/decrease the beginning chain in increments of 6 chains to make the blanket wider or narrower.
- Add/delete rows to make the blanket longer or shorter.
The blanket will have 61 stitches in each row.
Row 1: With Color 1, ch62, hdc in 3rd ch from hook (skipped chs count as hdc) and each ch to end.
Row 2: Ch1, turn, working in BLO, sl st in each st to end.
Row 3 (Right Side): Ch2 (counts as hdc), turn, working in BLO, hdc in each st to end.
Repeat Rows 2 and 3, ending with a Row 3 repeat, until blanket is a square. Fasten off after last repeat. Note: If you’d like to make the blanket a rectangle, be sure to adjust the number of stitches in the sides of the Border.
Border
- Join rounds with sl st to first st of round.
Round 1: Note: If you lengthened or shortened the blanket, be sure to increase/decrease the number of sts along the rows in increments of 6.
With right side facing you, join in top right corner (this is the first st of the last row of hdc you made), ch1, *3sc in corner, sc in next 59 sts to the next corner, 3sc in corner, working in sides of rows, work 59 sc evenly to next corner*; repeat between * to end, join. (59 sc on each side + 3 sc in each corner = 248 sc total)
Round 2: Sl st into corner st, ch1, *[sc, ch2, sc] in corner st, working in BLO, sc in each st to next corner*; repeat between * to end, join. (252)
Round 3: Sl st into corner st, ch1, *[sc, ch2, sc] in corner st, working in BLO, sc in next 3 sts, [working in front loop of stitch two rows below, dc next 3 sts, working in BLO, sc next 3 sts] repeat between [ ] to corner*; repeat between * to end, join. (260)
Rounds 4 and 5: Repeat Row 2. (276 after last repeat)
Round 6: Repeat Row 3. Fasten off. (284)
Note: For Rounds 7 to 10 I fasten off at the end of each round and join in any corner for the new round. This is done to prevent the beginning st from being in a different position on each round. If you prefer not to fasten off, you could sl st into the corner ch2 instead.
Round 7: Join Color 2 in any corner ch1, *[hdc, ch2, hdc] in corner, 2hdc in next st, hdc in each st to next corner *; repeat between * to end, join. Fasten off. (292 sts + 4 ch2 spaces)
Round 8: Join Color 2 in any corner ch1, *[dc, ch2, dc] in corner, dc in next st, [FPtr around next st. dc in next st], repeat to next corner*; repeat between * to end, join. Fasten off. (300 sts + 4 ch2 spaces)
Round 9: Join Color 2 in any corner ch1, *[dc, ch2, dc] in corner, FPtr around next st, [dc in next st, FPtr around next st], repeat to next corner*; repeat between * to end, join. Fasten off. (308 sts + 4 ch2 spaces after last repeat)
Round 10: Repeat Round 8. (316 sts + 4 ch2 spaces after last repeat)
Round 11: Join Color 1 in any corner ch1, *[hdc, ch2, hdc] in corner, [ch1, skip 1, sc in next st], repeat until there is 1 st left before corner, ch1, skip 1*; repeat between * to end, join.
Round 12: Sl st into corner ch2 space, ch1, *[3hdc in corner, work 2 hdc in each ch1 space to next corner*; repeat between * to end, join. Fasten off.
Round 13: Turn to work from wrong side of blanket, join Color 1 in any corner, working loosely, sl st through each st of last round, join. Fasten off.
You can find lots of blanket and afghan patterns at AllFreeCrochet.com too!
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Question on Bennington Baby Blanket. On the hdc row, do I put first hdc in the base of ch 2 or skip to next stitch? When I skip I get a hole. When I don’t it looks too crowded.
Thanks
Hi there. The ch2 counts as the first hdc so you would work in the next st. You are right that there appears to be a little gap but as you add rows and then the border, that should disappear.