Classic Baby Blanket

Twelve years ago, when I had my first baby, my great-aunt Maureen gave me a beautiful gift. The gift was a crocheted baby blanket.

I loved this blanket for its simplicity and elegance. And I've used this same blanket for each one of my little babes.

This blanket is one of my very favorite gifts to give. Years ago, I asked my aunt Maureen how she made it...what the pattern was. She was never very specific because I think she had just made it up herself. She did tell me what stitch she used, so I just figured it out on my own and came up with something myself.

After some years of making this blanket (and showing a few others how to make it as well), I've come up with a set pattern. One that I follow each time I make this blanket now. Last year, I wrote it down.

 I still love this blanket for its simplicity and elegance, and my hope is that you will too.

Materials:

1 ½ cones (about 920-1035 yards) 100 % cotton 4-ply yarn in ecru

size J (6mm) crochet hook

Gauge:

4” x 4” = 12 dc x 6 rows

CHECK YOUR GAUGE. Use any size hook to obtain the gauge.

Finished Measurements:

36” x 36”

Terms used:

ch = chain                                                                       sl st = slip stitch
dc = double crochet                                                        sp = space
sk = skip                                                                        st(s) = stitches


Note: Ch 3 at beginning of dc rows DOES count as a stitch.

Main body:

Ch 110

Row 1: Skip first 3 ch, dc in next 107 ch; Ch 3, turn. (108 stitches)

Row 2-52: Dc in the back loop of each dc across; Ch 3, turn.

Row 53: dc in the back loop of each dc across, DO NOT fasten off; turn work to begin shell border.


Shell border:

*Ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in same sp, 2 times. Sk next 2 sts, sl st in next st; continue from * around the entire main body. Join with a sl st at the beginning ch 3. Fasten off and weave in ends.