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My new zigzag baby blanket creation came from the desire to make a precious gift for a friend having her first baby this summer who doesn’t know what flavour baby she is having, who I think would prefer a more traditional style but not a frilly one – nothing like setting yourself a good challenge!
So the blanket had to be:
- suitable for both boys and girls
- light enough for winter but big enough to wrap around in winter
- trendy with a traditional style
- above all NOT frilly!
What do you think?…
I think I’ve ended up covering all the bases and am very pleased with the finished blanket. It measures 90cm by 90cm so folds into a lovely triangle swaddle or over in half to be a pram cover or just as it is to be a wrap. I decided to push the boat out and bought some expensive 4ply soft baby yarn – I can highly recommend doing this, it is well worth the money. I made the blanket in cream as we don’t know whether it is a boy or a girl but I’m sure it will work just as well in colour.
The main body of the blanket is worked as 3 panels, the centre one being twice as big as the two outer, which are then joined by a simple fretwork panel.
Quite a few people have asked me to explain the zigzag shell stitch pattern so here it goes.
It of course depends on the size of work you want to make but for example, a panel that measures 10 inches wide is as follows:
Foundation chain: Ch66
Foundation row: 1dc in 2nd ch from hook, 1dc in each st to end. (65st)
Row 1: 3ch, 1tr in next dc, (miss 2dc, 5tr in next dc, 2ch, miss 3dc, 1tr in each of next 5dc). Repeat () ending with 1tr in each of the last 2dc. (RS)
Row 2: 3ch, 1tr in next tr, (miss 2ch, 5tr in next tr, 2ch, miss 4tr, 1tr in each of next 5tr). Repeat () ending with 1tr in each of the last 2tr.
Repeat Row 2 until the work is the size you want.
These instructions are in UK crochet terms but are easily translated to US, just work a sc where it says dc and a dc where it says tr.
If you would like the pattern for the blanket which obviously includes the full shell panel sizes, the fretwork joining, the blanket edging and also my 8 page tutorial then follow these links:
It is available in both UK and US terms so you don’t have to translate as you go!
I hope you like the pattern, my next plan is to design a hat and cardigan set to match so it is a real gift to treasure. I’ll let you know when I’ve done them so I can find out what you make of them.
At the moment I’m working on some different size kimono style shrugs for babies to teenagers and also some cute owl designs so watch this space….
