10/29/09

Crochet Baby Nest Blankie & Beanie


(you KNOW I have to call it a "NEST" blankie, right?! That's kinda my thing.)

Whew! This was a tough one! Let me preface this tutorial by saying that FIRST: red yarn is NOT the color you want to be photographing! Pain in the rear-end. SECOND: it's been SO dark here for the entire week and there isn't a thing Photoshop can do about the dark pictures without messing up the colors. Sorry in advance for some of the bad ones. {winky winky}

HOWEVER...this red yarn was the only color I had that wasn't all fluffy and we all know that if you're trying to SEE stitching, you can't have fluffy fuzz. So red is the color of the moment. It's just hard to photograph.

moving on...DON'T YOU JUST LOVE THESE BLANKIES?! I see them everywhere and I've had multiple requests for instructions, so I've finally been able to do that. The way I would use this blankie is just as an outer cover of a baby wrapped in a receiving blanket. Since this is a hand-wash item, keep in mind that you want those diaper leaks to stay contained....oy....

A little something about crochet or knit blankets - THEY'RE WARM! I have no idea why, given the amount of holes in them, but they are amazing at trapping heat, so I have always used a crochet blanket to put over the top of my babies because they're hard to kick off and they keep babies warm and toasty all through the night.

FIRST THING: If you have a monster computer screen like I do, decrease this window to fit each photograph in a straight line. You'll be able to follow along much easier.

MOVING ON...First of all, if you're a beginner, try my two beginner tutorials on making your slip knot and casting your yarn on your hand. You have to know how to hold the yarn in order for you to get the right tension in order to have even stitches. My method isn't the ONLY way, but it's how I do it, so feel free to explore other methods.











SUPPLIES:
*2 skeins (packages) of soft yarn (a newborn size blanket will only require one skein)
*Appropriate sized hook - look on the yarn packaging for an idea of what size you'll need. I usually use a "J" or "K" for this weight of yarn
*Huge needle for tucking in your yarn. Look for one with an eye big enough for your yarn to fit through.
*Ribbon if you're using it. Not necessary.

THE GIST: You're making a circle and it's going to get bigger and bigger until it's as round as you want it. This method can also be used for a hat - just stop stitching when your hat is as big as you want it. I don't have any complicated guides or number of stitches - just look at what you're doing and figure out how wide you want your blanket! Every chain stitch you add in your circle, it's going to get bigger around. If you don't do it evenly, you're going to end up with a pointy hat/blanket.


So let's get started.

Chain 5; slip stitch in bottom stitch. (see photos)














































































Once you get your circle to be about 3 or 4 inches in diameter, only add one chain stitch for every 3 or 4 SC's. You'll be able to tell if you are adding too much at once if your circle gets all ruffly.


Just follow the photos and keep trying if you don't get it the first time. Crochet unpicks easily - just pull on your yarn!






































You could probably stop increasing your width as soon as you feel like it can accommodate a baby. Genius, I know. Stop CH stitching and just SC all the way around and around until you get to another section that you want to DC.



Have fun with this! It's supposed to be easy, so the more you do this, the easier it will start to feel. Isn't that the way with everything?!


Oh, and my baby hat is a bit smaller circumference than the blanket - with a DC row towards the end for a ribbon - and then 2 rows of SC to end.

ALSO...you can add an easy ruffle border to your blankie like this one I did a while back. You just single or double crochet 4 or 5 times in one stitch...all the way around the top of your blanket. So you insert your hook like normal, single crochet 4 or 5 times in that one spot, and move on to the next stitch; repeat all the way around. Join your ruffle together by slip stitching them. (that's where you go through one spot and pull your yarn through all loops at the same time.) HERE is a picture tutorial.






27 comments:

Lynaya said...

That is a very cute set. I might have to start making these for baby shower gifts now. I works up fast and easy and turns out so stinken cute.

Twiddle Thumbs said...

I think the colors look great and this was an excellent tutorial.
Totally adorable!
BTW, we're having our first retail-sponsored give-away starting today if you're interested.

Sidnie said...

These are so adorable!
What a great tutorial... I may have to sit down and teach myself. These will make beautiful presents!

Maree said...

I LOVE these and wish I could crochet! How much yarn would you need for an adult-sized one? They'd be fabulous for the toes-tummy area we like blankets for on a cold winter's night. They just scream, "get a good book and some cocoa!"

Laura said...

Can I buy one of these from you? they are so cute! Baby due in December...let me know!
laura at pinkink.com

Jennifer @ The Craft House said...

These are so cute! I especially love the blankie, it looks so warm in cozy! :D

If you don't mind, I would like to include this post in my Posts of the Week post due out November 1st. :)

-Jennifer
The Craft House

Steph @ somewhatsimple said...

WOW! That is darling! That tutorial must've taken you forever!!!

Jennifer said...

SO cute! Thank you for an excellent and clear tutorial. :)

Julie Harward said...

That is the cutest thing ever! And your instructions are priceless...you are such a sweetie to take the time to do this..it was really great..thank you!
Come say hi :D

Delekatala said...

I LOVE YOU, I have been trying to find one that is not knitted.

missliss5/Melissa said...

You've done it again!!!!!!!! Ohhhhh, wow....I absolutely love it!!!!!!!

Abby said...

Thanks, girls! And thanks, Steph - this tutorial did take forever - and the only thing that will make it worth it for me is for someone to make one of these nest blankets and LOVE it!

so get crackin', girls. Make me proud.

Tonya said...

Yay! Thank you so much for the tutorial!!! I have really been wondering how you made these. This set is adorable that you made. Thanks so much for sharing! I hope I know someone close by who is having a baby soon so I can make this. Thank you again.

Liz said...

Very cute. I love the idea!

Traci said...

Wow! I KNOW I will not be crocheting any time soon - but I had to stop and give kudos to you for such a fabulous, detailed tutorial. I am one of those people who would need EVERY one of those pictures you posted!

Santa's Gift Shoppe and Ideas said...

Thank you so much for the tutorial...I have always wanted to learn to crochet.. It looks a little hard..I too love crafts..I wanted to let you know we are having a Giveaway right now til Nov.7th..Giveaway an Italian stone w/Vinyl lettering on it with a saying about Family,Home, & Blessings..check it out... if you choose to enter..Good Luck!! Barbara

Kimmy said...

Ummm could those be any cuter? I love them!!

Btw, I nominated you for a Kreativ blogger award. Check out my blog for the details :)

Rachel@oneprettything.com said...

This is so cute and totally giftable, I love it! And your directions are fabulous! Thanks so much for this, I'll be linking.

Annie said...

Hi Abby,
I think these are so cute and have some older babies I'd love to make the hats for. I started today, but my circle isn't getting bigger. Instead, it's staying long and skinny. I've started over a couple times and keep doing the same thing wrong. Help!

Abby said...

Hey Annie! I hope you get this - you're probably just fine, but you need to increase your circle more in the beginning, adding more stitches as you go around. Add a chain stitch, do a couple more single crochets, add another chain stitch, etc. until it's a big around as you want it. You should be adding a chain stitch for about every 4 SC's. I hope this helps!!!

Shellee said...

I am a crochet retard. I have had people try and try for years! If you give me anything... I can do it, with exception to knitting and crochet! I may try this in the future, but for now? I think I'll stick to the advent calendar.

Twinlinebackers said...

Your advent calendar is adorable. Maybe when I'm retired from motherhood I'll make one.
For the snugglie - you say make it as long and wide as you want? How big is yours? My baby is due in 8 days and he really wants one so I have to crochet FAST. They are gorgeous!!!

Locamoniqua said...

Do you string your ribbon through a double crochet row? I'm just trying to figure that out!

Thanks

Abby said...

Yes - I do string it through a double crochet row. However, you could string ribbon through any row you want, as long as the ribbon isn't too wide. The double crochet row allowed me to use a fatter ribbon, that's all!

Pricilla said...

I fell in love with this and my mom made one for my new baby. It turned out so adorable and we did a cute photoshoot with it.

http://petercilladickinson.blogspot.com/2009/11/one-week-old.html

Thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

Thanks for this great tutorial! This is the first thing I have crocheted that wasn't just straight lines. You tutorial made it do-able! I had to start over a few times, but a day later I'm almost done. Love your blog! Thanks for taking the time to do this!

Erin said...

This is the cutest thing ever! I've made several gifts from your previous post but the ribbon just adds a special touch. I'm going to get started right away!