How to Crochet Baby Gifts
For a new mother, there is probably nothing more special that receiving a handmade gift for her baby. Spending time and trouble to make a gift, rather than picking it up at the store, shows that you really care for the new little one. If crocheting your own baby gift seems a little daunting, don't be worried! There are plenty of simple, practical patterns that will crochet up in a jiffy and make a lasting impression on the mother's heart.
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Instructions
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Baby Mittens
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1
Start with a medium-sized hook--maybe F or G--and worsted weight yarn. Chain eight for an infant and 10 or 12 for an older baby. Use single crochet, doing full rows until your piece is 2 inches high.
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2
Crochet six more rows, decreasing one at the beginning of each row. Tie off. Make a second piece. Using the yarn needle, sew the pieces together along the edges, leaving the bottom open.
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3
Turn the mittens right side out and crochet one round along the bottom, using this pattern: *double crochet 1, chain 1, skip 1* until you reach your starting point. Join and tie off. Thread a yarn braid, a ribbon, or a crocheted chain through the bottom row.
Baby Booties
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4
Use single crochet to create a block of knitting measuring 2 inches wide by 3 1/2 inches high. The number of stitches and rows needed will be determined by your yarn weight and hook size. For the next six rows, decrease one at the beginning of each row. Tie off. Repeat.
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5
Lay the pieces on top of each other with the rounded ends pointing to the right. Use a yarn needle to sew the pieces together, starting at the top left hand corner and sewing down the edge, across the bottom, around the rounded toe, and across the top, stopping to leave a 2-inch portion unsewn.
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6
Turn the booties right side out. Crochet once around the edge of the hole, using single crochet and joining at the end. Double crochet twice in each stitch for two or three more rows, working in the round. Tie off. Thread a yarn braid, ribbon or crocheted chain through the first double crochet row.
Baby Blanket
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7
Plan your baby blanket before beginning to crochet. First of all, decide on your finished dimensions and number of squares. For instance, a 3-by-4-foot blanket could be made of 12 12-inch squares, or 24 six-inch squares. A 4-by-6-foot blanket could be made of 24 12-inch squares, or 54 8-inch squares.
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8
Choose your yarns next. You can make a solid color blanket, or you can create a pattern with various colors of yarn. It is also possible to change the texture of the different squares by using different types of yarn, including novelty yarns such as eyelash. Keep gauge in mind when using different weights of yarn.
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Crochet the chosen number of squares. Sew them together with a yarn needle using a whip-stitch. If desired, crochet once or twice around the perimeter of the blanket to create a border.
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Tips & Warnings
If you start the gift before the gender of the baby is determined, pick a neutral color such as green, or use a variegated yarn that incorporates both "boy" and "girl" colors.
Crocheting projects often take longer than you expect, and babies grow more quickly than you expect! Size your project large enough so that the gift will still fit when you are finished with it.
References
- Photo Credit knit baby booties and bibs image by DSL from Fotolia.com
