How to Crochet a Toy Hammock

A miniversion of a toy hammock

Children are amazing; they can create an imaginary scenario in their minds, pull out the toys necessary to play the scene and move the play forward, using more and more props in their elaborate games of make-believe. When they’re finished, though, they have a tendency to walk away from the toy carnage with innocent abandon. Don’t give in to dismay, wondering where to stash all those things when the day is done; instead, crochet a toy hammock to hold toys and playthings neatly out of the way until they are needed again for more imaginative play.

Things You'll Need

• Worsted weight yarn
• Crochet hook, size H
• 2 1/2-inch wooden dowels or 4 yards cord (clothesline)

Instructions

1. Take a look at the toys that you’ll put in your hammock. If they’re very small, you will need to crochet a toy hammock with a relatively tight mesh. These instructions are for a hammock with an average-size mesh, perfect for larger toys like balls, dolls and trucks.

2. Chain 88 stitches. Row 1: Single crochet in the eighth chain from the hook. (Skip four chains, single crochet in next stitch.) Repeat to the end of the chains. Turn.

3. Row 2: Slip stitch in first four chains of the loop you just made. (Chain eight stitches. Single crochet in the next loop.) Continue across the row. For the final loop, chain eight stitches, and single crochet in the first slip stitch below. Turn. Continue in this pattern until the piece reaches the desired length. Turn.

4. Final row: Slip stitch in the first four chains of the last loop made. (Chain four stitches. Single crochet in top of next loop.) Continue across. To finish the last loop, chain four stitches, single crochet in the third slip stitch of the row below. Tie off.

5. Weave dowel rods through mesh at each end of the hammock. Or weave the clothesline or cord through the end rows of the hammock. Add toys and hang.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not let small children play with this hammock; you don’t want them to get tangled up in it.