I’m telling you, there’s nothing like it!
I remember the 1st time I received the news that I would be a grandmother. My heart melted! I had never met the precious soul, but I was madly in love!
My greatest privilege was being called ‘Mom,’ and my highest honor is being called ‘NeeNee’ (which is what my grandbabies call me). I don’t think anyone can truly convey what it’s like being a grandparent. There are no words to sufficiently describe the deep waters that are stirred by their cries. There are no verbs to comprehend the grand love that rages within. It’s powerful! And until you experience it, you’ll never really know!
When a longtime friend of mine called asking me to crochet her 1st grandbaby a blanket, I couldn’t say “no.” Our children had been raised together, and now they were having children together! It’s such a precious gift to watch your babies having babies! I knew the exact excitement she was feeling. I knew the exact protectiveness she was sensing. I knew the exact sensation she felt when she held that baby in her arms for the 1st time.
Pin it Now, Make it Later!
Little Elliott decided to arrive 5 weeks early, and thankfully, he had no issues this side of the womb. Since his early arrival, I didn’t have his blanket complete, but every minute I had to crochet was dedicated to his blanket! Elliott’s mama wanted me to use natural fibers for his blanket, so I chose to use cotton yarn in a taupe color.
And cotton is really strong! It can withstand a lifetime of washing and drying!
Did you know that cotton yarn is the perfect fiber to use for every season of the year!? It’s a plant-based fiber that is very breathable, soft, and versatile! It’s quite absorbent, so it’s a great material to use to wick moisture from the body. Basically, cotton keeps you cool! The best cotton fibers to use are Egyptian and Pima cotton. Both of these cottons are basically the same. The only major difference is the location from where they are harvested. Pima cotton is grown in the Southern US, and Egyptian cotton is grown in, well….in Egypt!
There’s also mercerized cotton, which is basically processed cotton. It’s cotton that has undergone treatment with sodium hydroxide. I found this article from Lion Brand that helps to explain it a little better. If you’re asking yourself, “Should I use regular cotton or mercerized cotton?” here are a few questions that can help you make up your mind:
- What are you going to crochet, and who is it for? (If it’s for a baby or someone with sensitive skin, I would recommend using regular or organic cotton)
- For your crochet item, are you looking for strength or comfort? (If you’re making a bag, I would recommend using mercerized cotton because it’s quite strong, and the fiber won’t break easily under tension.)
- Are you making a wearable or something that needs drape? (You’ll definitely want to use regular cotton! The process of mercerizing the cotton leaves it, well…less drapey. Remember, mercerized cotton is a stronger and stiffer yarn)
- Do you want to crochet dishcloths, dishtowels, or bathmats? (You should definitely use regular cotton! Cotton that has not been mercerized is much more absorbent!
- Do you want your crochet project to have vibrant colors? (Then you should opt for mercerized cotton. When the cotton is mercerized, it tends to absorb the dye much better than untreated cotton.)
Both kinds of cotton have a place in the crochet world. It all depends on what you’ve decided to make. For Elliott’s blanket, I used a non-mercerized cotton yarn! Okay, are you ready for the pattern?
You can purchase the Ad-Free Downloadable PDF here!
Free Crochet Blanket Pattern
Materials Needed
Yarn:
Hobby Lobby ‘I Love This Cotton’ (100% Cotton; 180 yds [325 m]; 3.5 oz [199 g]; 4 skeins in Taupe [104], or any size 4 medium weight yarn.
Hook:
US H-8 (5 mm)
Notions:
Stitch Marker, Tapestry Needle
What I love the most about this blanket is that you can use any yarn, and it will still be a lovely make! This is also a great stash-busting project! You could switch up colors every round or every few rounds to make it colorful and unique. If you have a friend or loved one who is pregnant with their rainbow baby, this would be such a great pattern to work up striped in ROYGBIV!
Gauge:
Gauge isn’t SUPER important for this pattern, but I include it because there are those of us who nerd out on those kinds of things! Since our project will be worked in rounds from the center out, we’ll work the pattern until the piece reaches 30″ (76 cm) square.
Abbreviations:
FO: Fasten Off
SC: Single Crochet [Insert hook into stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through 2 loops on hook]
Sl St: Slip Stitch [Insert hook into stitch, yarn over and draw up a loop, pull through loop on hook]
SP/SPS: Space/Spaces
ST/STS: Stitch/Stitches
Pattern Notes:
- This pattern is written in US terms and imperial measurements.
- This pattern is worked in the round, from the center out.
- Join the 1st ST at the end of each round before turning.
- Place a stitch marker in the 1st SC of each round to indicate the beginning of the round.
- You can use a magic circle instead of the Ch 4 to create a ring.
- Since you will be joining each round, there will be a slightly noticeable seam. If you want to continue in the round without joining, take note that your finished square will have a “warped” look. Some people don’t mind that effect.
Are you ready? Do you have all your materials? Is your favorite show on in the background? Do you have a cup of coffee or tea…maybe a soda? Alright! Let’s get started!
Pattern Instructions
Round 1: [SC, Ch 1, SC, Ch 2] Repeat 3 more times, join with a SlSt to 1st SC, Ch 1, turn. (Corners created. Each Ch 2 SP will be where you work your corners.)
Round 2: *[SC, Ch 2, SC] in the corner space, Ch 1, SC in next Ch SP, Ch 1, ** repeat from * to ** 3 more times, join with Sl St to 1st SC, Ch 1, turn.
Round 3: *SC in Ch SP, Ch 1, SC in next Ch SP, Ch 1, [SC, Ch 2, SC] in corner SP, Ch 1, ** repeat from * to ** 3 more times, join with a Sl St to 1st SC, Ch 1, turn.
You’ll continue in this same manner, making sure to [SC, Ch 1] in each Ch SP and [Sc, Ch 2, SC] in each corner SP, followed by a Ch 1, until your square reaches 30″ (76 cm) or the size you desire.
This stitch pattern is just lovely the way it is, so I wouldn’t suggest adding a border.
Don’t forget that I have a downloadable PDF of this pattern!
I’d love to see your makes! Please tag me on social media @sweetbirdcrochet and use #sweetbirdcrochet
