I’ve been meaning to write this post for almost a year now… ok probably over a year, but who’s counting?
When I found out I was pregnant with our second daughter, I went a little overboard pinning all sorts of things that I just HAD to make for the newest addition to our little family. I was bursting with creative energy and ready to get the entire world prepared for her arrival.
Life got in my way and alot of things fell to the wayside when we started to worry about our babies health. These blankets still made the cut.
Top of my list was this photo I pinned so long ago from the purlbee.com:
How gorgeous are these blankets? They are knit on circular needles (I think) and would probably take someone with my lack of knitting skills 8 million years to complete. Enter the lovely crochet hook. I decided to use the same color block idea but just crochet the entire thing since I’m pretty speedy with that. In no time at all I had busted out these two beautiful blankets.
You can see Gracie’s here in the photos from her NICU photo shoot. Gosh that feels like a lifetime ago.
But anyway, as Christmas soon approaches, these would make really adorable gifts for any babies in your life, or anyone for that matter. I kind of owe one to my best friend (you know who you are ha)… better get on that. But really, add it to your list if you are looking for a unique gift to give this holiday season.
I used Vanna’s Choice yarn in seven different colors for each blanket. It’s soft and nice (enough) to make a sweet little blanket that baby will love. If you get all the yarn from JoAnne’s or Michael’s with 40% off coupons or buy all the yarn during a stock up and save sale, you can make this blanket for a FRACTION of the price for the original from Purl Bee (a hefty $105.00 for their merino wool kit).
For the first blanket I used all warm colors (red, orange, pink, yellow) and for the other I went opposite and used cool colors (blue, teal, turquoise, gray). Pick whatever colors you like the most! There are endless combinations that would look great for baby. Even an all neutral colored throw blanket would be lovely.
Using a size J10 crochet hook, I single crocheted about three feet of each color until each skein was completely used up. You’ll need 7 colors total and that gives you a blanket of about 48″ x 60″. It’s been a perfect size for carseats, picnics, laying in the crib, snuggling around baby for naps on the couch etc. It washes nicely too. If you are a total beginner, these two you tube videos are very helpful:
I’m thinking of making a few to sell in my Etsy shop… will keep you all posted if I do!
mommybootcamp says
Love love love
Danielle says
I watched the videos that you posted links to. I’m a first time crocheter. Did you really count like she suggests to make your blankets?
mrsdmsartroom says
Yes I did, but I was a novice at crochet so I counted mostly to make sure I wasn’t adding/dropping stitches as I began. I think I had something like 150 stitches!
Danielle says
Just curious what was the yarn weight & yardage? Just trying to figure out how much yarn would be needed for a blanket this size. Thanks
mrsdmsartroom says
Hi Danielle,
Each skein that I used was 3-1/2 ounces (100 grams) 171 yards
4”=16 stitches on size 9 needles
Suggested crochet hook: J10
(I used one full skein per color so seven total!)
Hope that helps, thanks for reading!
Jacquie
Katja says
Hello
Entering the last phase of my long expected treasure, I am also making all sorts of plans for knitting projects 😉 .. I loooove this product, but maybe I missed the info on what material was used for this (cotton or mixture?). I especially would like to have it washable.
Thank you for sharing!
Katja
mrsdmsartroom says
Hi Katja! Like you, I too wanted (and really needed) this blanket to be washable as it is for a little baby! I chose 100% acrylic yarn and it has washed/worn very nicely. Hope that helps.
Thank YOU for reading
-Jacquie
Erica says
Hi,
When you crocheted did you use double or single stitches?
Thanks!
mrsdmsartroom says
The whole blanket is done using single stitches- easy peasy!
Charlotte says
These are absolutely gorgeous! I saw that post on the PurlBee, and never even thought about a crochet version! I do knit, but knitting blankets takes so much longer than crocheting them. Thanks for the inspiring post!
mrsdmsartroom says
Your welcome Charlotte! And I agree- I was sad when I saw the PurlBee’s were knit (I’m the world’s slowest knitter) but thought why not crochet! Their blankets are still my favorite but the crochet version is not so bad 😉
Gezelle says
What are the names of the colours you used? I love the combination and would really like to recreate it. For both blankets please! Thank you!
mrsdmsartroom says
Oh gosh you had to go there 😉 I knew someone would ask. I so wish I had saved my yarn bands for these blankets but I didn’t. Here is my BEST GUESS of what I used:
For the warm color blanket:
Pearl Mist
Mustard
Dusty Rose
Rose
Antique Rose
Wild Berry
Radiant Orange
For the cool color blanket (I think this one was actually Paton’s classic wool yarn):
Royal Purple
Peacock
Black
New Denim
Aquarium
Royal Blue
Emerald
Regardless of weather those are perfectly correct, I’m sure the combinations will make gorgeous blankets! Good luck 🙂
palak says
These are so lovely… really amazing! (and your little one is so cute!)
Jane says
They are only knit on circs because most straight knitting needles aren’t long enough for blankets. You don’t knit a blanket in the round (so either method is super easy for a beginner).
Wynetta says
I was wondering, how many stitches did you do to start off with?
Amy says
I really like the looks of this blanket and I would like to make it but when I click on the links for the video they won’t start. By the looks of it, it is all single crochets and I could probably do it without the videos but how many do I chain to begin with? and do I chain 1 and turn at the end of each row or is it more or less? Please help this is a beautiful colourful blanket.
Thanks in advance.
sweeter-side-of-mommyhood says
I typically chain 100 for a baby/lap blanket. Single crochet – chain one then turn at the end of each row (your turning chain).
Katie says
Alright, newbie alert! How do you attach all the blocks together at the end? I have crocheted all my colours, is it just a case of sewing them up with leftover yarn at the end? Also, on each row I’ve noticed that one side is nice and straight and one a bit jaunty. Should I attach them so that it he neat end is to the jaunty end? By jaunty I guess I mean it’s not as straight or neat as the other. Not sure if that makes sense, though.
Thanks a mill!