Crocheting A Valentine’s Day Gift: Number 5 In A Crochet Series

An extra surprise is included with Number 5 of this Crochet Edged Baby Blanket Series :)

This 5th crochet-edged-blanket hub will likely be my last. If you’ve followed the series from the beginning, the first is linked here, then you know the easy basics for designing one of these projects.

If you’ve not seen these flannel blankets edged with cotton thread before now then you’ll be interested in how many practical uses they have, as well as how much fun they are to make and give to new mothers.

Tucking in a note about their durability, the fact that they can be used in so many ways--towel, wash cloth, even as a diaper in a pinch, and that many times they become the favorite drag around blanket (meaning that they are handy in an emergency)--adds to the gift.

As well, mentioning why you chose the color and/or design “just for” that mother and baby can make this an extra-special gift.

Crochet hubs 1-4 cover the why and how, and they also include some examples for you to use as a springboard for your own projects.

Below the comments section I am including a photo montage of previous projects for those who have not yet seen those hubs. This hub is a new example using bright colors, however, it has an added bonus.

Using a busy print with intense patterns and colors gave me the option of using a bright thread on this blanket. The corners are rounded and the shell stitch edging is done in a wow pink pulled from the fabric’s print.

There is no need to repeat directions for the blanket from this series as the linked hubs are full of information for you, but do be sure to always machine wash and dry the flannel before cutting to remove any sizing and take care of the initial shrinkage that is normal for flannel.

So, after this colorful blanket was finished I had a little leftover fabric and thread that inspired me to attempt a matching “something” to tuck in the Valentine’s Day package for our precious new addition to the family.

After several revisions while designing the project, I settled on one that is akin to a finger puppet. The ears are worked right in the rounds. A simple rattle with the handle cut off was placed inside the round pillow that the “finger-puppet” sits on.

If you are an experienced crocheter you’ll probably not bother with instructions for this small toy. Actually, I imagine that you’ll design your own project as you go.

I’m also thinking of a rabbit for my next project. Anyway, for those of you who are just learning to crochet I am going to refer you to this link so you can start getting a perspective on making tiny animal projects and then develop your own.

If you are interested in my particular project here’s the scoop from someone who is not very experienced at writing crochet instructions:

• Single-crochet 7 and connect to make a loop. Inside the loop make 7 double-crochet stitches with a single-crochet between each.

• Connect, make 3 single crochet and repeat the double-crochet with a single between all the way around.

• Connect and repeat for a third round and begin a fourth. Half way around form double-crochet “ears” for your animal, then again on the opposite side.

• Complete the round, connect and make 3 single-crochet stitches.

• Repeat a round of double-crochet with no single-crochet in between, being careful not to go around the ears, but to hold them up and out of the way as you work the round at the base of the “ears”.

• Continue making the rounds in the same manner until you have the size you want.

To shape the head, add or drop stitches to suit your “animal.”

• A draw string at the neck snugs it up after it is stuffed with batting. However, before stuffing, embroider your animal’s face onto the head.

• Never use buttons or beads to make a baby’s rattle.

As you can see in the photos above I decided to give my tiny piggy a flower hat to adorn her little head. It is a simple flowerette that you can easily make if you have any experience with crochet work. If you have none, check out this hub from colordelics for some practice and you'll be able to design your own adornments to suit your designs. They are easy to sew on before or after your "animal" is stuffed.

A small circle of flannel fabric is used to make the pillow that the animal sits on-mine is about 3". Crochet the simplest of doily-type patterns for the top and attach to the flannel circle the same way the blanket is edged. When the edges are 2/3 closed insert a circle or two of batting and a small rattle. Finish closing and sew the stuffed “finger-puppet animal” to the center top.

This hub only intends to give you an idea for a new crochet-edged blanket and an idea of how to make the toy. The simple rattle project is for experienced crocheters who want to try designing something new, or for less experienced crocheters who want to experiment with designing a small project and explore their own potential to design and create simple projects.

If your hands like to be busy with something creative I hope you'll write a hub about your designs and then post a comment with its name so we can all enjoy your work!

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