A Beginners Crochet Project: Number 2 in a Crochet Series

In my Crochet, A Time Honored Craft That You Can Learn hub I mentioned that a new hub on how to make a baby blanket with a crocheted edge would be coming soon. This is it! :)

The trip to my fabric store to pick up flannel for this project resulted in my coming home with four happy pieces of pretty pink softness--enough to keep me smiling for a while.

Putting a sweet edge on a flannel baby blanket is a great beginner's crochet project, as well as an easy and useful gift to make.

Although this blanket is lightweight, is offers some serious help to mothers, babies, and little girls practicing their mommying skills.

Especially nice for southern babies since heavy blankets are not often needed in such a climate, these durable “bankies” are usually around for years, initially taking care of real babies, then doll babies.

I’ve just given my daughter the first of these crochet edged blankets I ever saw, handmade with love out of solid yellow flannel and given as a gift at her birth.

Yes, it’s a little worn, but I still remember the day my dear aunt tied the corners in knots to make a sun covering for her little head at Walt Disney World.

These pink prints were chosen for my crochet edged blankets to celebrate the new life of a precious granddaughter.

While they are not particularly elegant, these simple blankets are invaluable assets. They have a wide variety of uses because of their absorbency and size.

In a pinch they make great mop ups for a sticky baby as well as thirsty towels for a clean one. From diaper to raincoat, these lightweight, easy care darlings are a must have.

This hub covers the basics for putting a simple crochet edging on a square(ish) blanket. (If you have not taken a look at my first crochet hub, now might be a good time for you to do so.)

First, some tips to help you begin and then perfect the skills for this project:

• Read through all directions before beginning.

• Follow directions carefully if you are a really laid back person, but if you are a type A personality don’t get stressed. While carefulness is important, you don’t have to be too picky.

• After washing, completely dry the flannel in a dryer in order to shrink the fabric, otherwise your crocheted edge will be crunched after the new mom washes it the first time.

• Do not stretch the edges of the fabric--not when folding, cutting, or crocheting.

• A steel crochet hook works very well for this project.

• You will be cutting a strip of flannel off one side. You can use part of that strip to practice your first edging stitches.

• You will be piercing the fabric with the crochet hook. Practice doing this gently and you will quickly learn to go through the woven fabric as opposed to breaking the threads in its weave. You will get a feel for how the hook slides between the woven threads right through the fabric and you will learn to work fast once you take a few minutes to practice the technique. Important : Practice not stretching the cut fabric edge as you practice piercing the fabric and making the crochet stitches.

• The fabric edge will likely roll a bit as you work your stitches over it.

• To seal the knot at the end of your project use one of the products that keep fabric edges from fraying--after the product dries the knot may be a tiny hard spot, but it softens when washed.

• I may have missed something that will become obvious to you. If you have a question please leave it in comments and I will try to answer it.

Supplies for this beginner's crochet project:

1 1/4 yards flannel fabric

scissors

size 4 steel crochet hook

crochet thread to match or coordinate with your fabric

a bottle of one of the products that stops cut edges from fraying

How to begin:

Wash and dry your flannel fabric.

Fold fabric into a triangle so that one cut edge lines up just inside one selvedge. The other cut edge and selvedge will not line up. Lay the triangle on a flat surface and make sure that the triangle for this crochet project is evenly folded.

The first cut is just on the outside of the selvedge and cut edge that are lined up.

The second cut is made just along the inside of the other selvedge.  You might like to set the wider piece aside for a future project (hub coming soon).  

At this point, most people ask if the edges have to be finished on the sewing machine. The answer is no. The fabric is crocheted on raw edges--did I say, “Do not stretch the cut edges?”

Once the cuts are made it is time to begin crocheting your edge. Begin with inside of fabric facing you at approximately 6-8 inches from one corner.

Make a regular starting crochet loop and gently but firmly pierce the fabric at approximately 3/8 of an inch from the cut edge, that is a little more than 1/4” but not quite 1/2”--I’m fighting my type A here.

As you work your edging across the fabric these punctures do not have to line up perfectly, just close. Remember, do not stretch the cut fabric edge as you work.

(step *) Crochet 3 single stitches and pierce the fabric again at approximately 1/4” intervals, repeating to the corner.

(step **) At the corner repeat the crochet 3 single stitches process three times, going back into the same hole each time, gently making the stitches round their corner.

With a little practice you will soon have the feel of this technique--don't worry, it's easy! After crocheting around the corner, continue to the next corner and repeat (step *) and (step **) all the way around the blanket.

After crocheting around the blanket connect the last chain of single stitches into the very first hole you began with.  

Cut thread leaving several inches for tying a double knot. Once the knot is tied put a drop of the fray prevention product on it and allow to dry according to instructions on the bottle. Finally, cut the ends of the thread close to the knot. (Not TOO close!)

Gives a simple edging to a blanket is a fun and fast project. This one is best for a bright, casual print. Let me know if you make this project! Be sure to look for an upcoming hub with information about more crocheted blanket edgings.

• Number 3 in this crochet series offers more on the flannel baby blankets edged with cotton thread.

• Number 4 in reviews the blankets and has a special addition to make for baby.

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