Sweet Nothings Crochet: BEAUTIFUL SHELLED BABY BLANKET

BEAUTIFUL SHELLED BABY BLANKET

This project was shared by a friend recently, and of course, I knew this was on my “to-do” list.. just didn’t know I’d get to make it so soon

“The stork” is visiting a family member is what I hear.. and yet again Providence strikes .. guess who is going to be filled with love wrapped in a blanket ;)

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Materials used : Today I’ve used one skein (in yellow) and half a skein (in peach) of the lovely Bernat Baby Softee and a little Oswal Cashmilon 4-ply acrylic with a 3.5 mm crochet hook

For Indians : In case you want Bernat Baby Softee, check the link at the right hand side of this blog for online purchase. Browse through that link and the one directly under it for all your yarn requirements

Skill level : Intermediate.

Sizing chart for blankets : https://in.pinterest.com/pin/470063279839582572/

Stitches used :

Starting slip knot : Here’s how you start with a slip knot. https://youtu.be/lJcqsVcs8cw

Starting slip knot 1 or the Sloppy Slip knot : This is a neat new way to start your work without a slip knot. https://youtu.be/YfC7KmGpifs

What is a slip stitch : Here is a neat video tutorial at https://youtu.be/weB3QNbA8Iw

What is a chain stitch ? Here is an easy video tutorial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXx5ukBjKkY

Magic circle : To refresh your skill, please view this easy video https://youtu.be/ISC39yOqWro

Foundation Single Crochet : fsc : To refresh your skill on the fsc, please view this video https://youtu.be/mcT85fwh4mA

Half Double Crochet : Hdc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (3 lps on hk) ;

yo, draw through all 3 lps. One hdc made.

Check out the video at https://youtu.be/sDiELJdB2Dg

Chainless start for Half Double Crochet : I dislike the ch-2 start, and this is what I do to start my row of hdc. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/lWXpl1KdbZ8

Double Crochet : dc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (3 lps on hk);

[yo, draw through 2 lps] twice. One dc made.

Check out the video at https://youtu.be/xdnjB27zpYo

Chainless start for Double Crochet : I dislike the ch-2 / ch – 3 start, and this is what I do to start my row of dc.

Check out the video at https://youtu.be/wskv3iTjRx0

Double Triple Crochet : dtrc : wrap yarn three times around hook, insert hk into st ; yo (4 lps on hk); [yo, draw through 2 lps] three times. One trc made.

Check out the video at https://youtu.be/XyPrnAtOs3U

Once you have made as many squares as you want for your blanket, use one of these joining methods for a neat join.

Whipstitch to join : Here’s a quick tutorial on how to join using the whipstitch at https://youtu.be/wZ-9LNzftMA

Invisible join : Here’s a quick tutorial on how to join using the embroidery needle and whipstitch to get an invisible join at https://youtu.be/a6XZQ6VzJFM

Single crochet to join : Here’s a quick tutorial on how to join using the single crochet at https://youtu.be/6FXoW_47_dI

How to change colors seamlessly : Here’s an easy video tutorial to show you how to change from the Main color to the Contrast or second color of yarn seamlessly. View it at https://youtu.be/fRzSBja9jno

How to carry your yarn when using two colors : Here’s an easy video tutorial to show you how to carry your yarn along when working with two colours.

View it at https://youtu.be/NuascBU3pxQ

Instructions (Using U.S terminology)
Please note that I start all my rows with a ch 1, turning chain for ease.
Please check the top of this blog for easy video tutorials on all stitches used in today's pattern.
Please read through all my notes before you pick up your hook, so you know just where we're heading in our pattern.

For this lovely project, I’ve used the inspiration from this free pattern for a shawl at http://stitcheryprojects.com/2012/09/08/no-beginning-chain-lacy-shell-afghan/

This is the photograph that got me cracking on this project.. doesn't it look beautifully Victorian and vintage ?? :)

I actually just finished a similar shelled pattern – for a top though, but what got me started on this pattern was the exciting “no beginning chain” start – something new that I learned today and I totally love this start. It not only gives a neat ch-sp but also saves one the bother of a chain or a foundation single crochet start… and as I am working with really slender soft baby yarn, I think this is just the best start! Something wonderful and new learned today!

and here are some more of my project photos to spur you on..

Border Ideas :

Remember if you are adding the small border, then that will add to the final dimensions as well.

The designer has used the same pattern for the border, by the way - so as I am using a slightly different one, here are my notes.

To start, I worked a round of ch-4 sps all around. So as we finish on the pattern, here's what I did.

Start with a sc in the corner, ch 4, sc in the same corner ;

*(ch 4, sk next dc and sc in the next ch-sp) ;

rep (to) till the next corner ;

ch 4, sc in the same corner * ;

rep *to* all around

and join with a sl-st to the 1st sc.

For the border, I worked a shell which is 6 dc.

Just for a good finish, I added a ch-3 picot which is (ch 3, sl-st in the 3rd ch from hk). So the shell stitch then is (3 dc + picot + 3 dc) all in the same st or ch-sp.

How to work a picot stitch : Traditionally for a ch-3 picot, you work (ch 3, sl-st in 3rd ch from hook). For a ch-5 picot, you will do (ch 5, sl-st in 5th ch from hook).

Here’s a great video https://youtu.be/8s3zVaBcn4s

Right then.. our shelled border then is worked every alternate ch-4 sp all around.

So in the first corner sp, start with the Shell stitch,

*sc in the next ch-4 sp ; Shell stitch in the next ch-4 sp* ,

and rep *to* all around ;

join with a sl-st to the 1st st.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Block as per yarn instructions.

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https://shyamanivas.blogspot.com/2019/02/b-is-for-crochet-motif.html