Nesting: Basket Weave Crochet Baby Blanket

As you may have noticed, I've really been enjoying picking up my crochet hook more often. 

I knew that I wanted to crochet a blanket for the baby, but couldn't decide on a stitch to use...until I saw this youtube video. I am in love with the basket weave stitch pattern!

So, I created a blanket pattern from the instructions from that video {with my own personal preferences as changes}. If you want to learn how to do the fpdc and bpdc stitches to make the basket weave, be sure to check out the video.

The blanket I created is out of a soft, chunky acrylic yarn which yields some very important benefits.

One, it's very washable because it's acrylic - big plus for me.
Two, the chunky yarn makes a blanket pattern take less time.
Three, it's so so plush and soft. I wish I could make one my size actually. :)

This type of yarn can be pricey to buy, but if you use coupons or wait for a good sale you can make a blanket for anywhere from $12 - $30. I just saw it go for $2 a skein at Michael's a few weeks ago.

I used a size N hook which also helped the blanket pattern move along quickly. I normally dislike making crocheted blankets, even baby ones, because it takes forever, but this one wasn't too bad.

Please bear with me as I am not a crochet pattern writer. If you notice something that might improve the pattern, please speak up. I would love to edit it to make it better for my readers. I also took notes and lost them when I re-organized the house to make room for the baby {sigh}, so I'm re-writing the pattern from just looking at my blanket.

Here's what I did...

Yarn: 5 skeins of cream and 1 1/2 skeins of tan for the border.
Hook: Size N
Stitches: chain, sc, hdc, dc, fpdc, bpdc


ch. 68
Round 1: In third chain from hook dc. Dc in each chain across. (67 dc including the 2 chains)

Round 2: Ch. 2 and turn. *Four fpdc, four bpdc.* Repeat from * to * 16 times. Hdc in last stitch.
Round 3-5: Repeat round 2.

Round 6: Ch. 2 turn. *Four bpdc, four fpdc.* Repeat from * to * 16 times. Hdc in last stitch.
Round 7-9: Repeat round 6.
Round 10-13: Repeat round 2.
Round 14-17: Repeat round 6.
Round 18-21: Repeat round 2.
Round 22-25: Repeat round 6.
Round 26-29: Repeat round 2.
Round 30-33: Repeat round 6.
Round 34-37: Repeat round 2.
Round 38-41: Repeat round 6.
Round 42-45: Repeat round 2.
Round 46-49: Repeat round 6.
Round 50-53: Repeat round 2.
Round 54-57: Repeat round 6.
Round 58-61: Repeat round 2.

You can repeat round 6 for another four rounds if you like, but that requires another ball of yarn. I felt an almost square was good enough for me.

Add a border.

Sc around every stitch all the way around the blanket. 3 sc at the each corner stitch.

Repeat 3 times. Or finish the edge however you like. Weave in all your tails...and you're done!

It's a nice, thick blanket that makes a nice baby mat as well.

Or a mat for your three year old...

To pretend like he's sleeping. :) I love it when kids squeeze their eyes too tight when they're fake sleeping. Ha ha...

I'm so happy with the finished blanket...and that I got it done before the baby came. Yay.

There is something sweet and sentimental about infusing love into a blanket woven by hand, stitch by stitch.

I am also loving how it goes with the new crib sheet I just made. I bought the fabric at Joann...but beware! All their fabric is now 43 wide and not 45 inches wide! The crib sheet just barely fits. I have to muscle it onto the mattress....argh...Joann. :( For the crib sheet tutorial check out MADE here.

The nursery is finally coming together. My next project is to make some canvas artwork for that wall above the crib...I'll share it when I figure it out.

Hope you have a splendid weekend!