These little fleece blankets have become one of my all-time favorite new-baby gifts. They are so soft and the fleece fabric comes in a bajillion different color and print combos, for endless possibilities. I made this white one with a neutral khaki edge for a baby whose sex will be a surprise.
There are several options for applying the base row of crochet to the fleece, but I like to use a yarn darning needle and the blanket stitch for my foundation row. I have tried the hole-punch method, whereby you pierce a hole into the fabric and then insert the crochet hook and make a single crochet, but I found that to be a bit too labor intensive…so I just thread the yarn needle and start the blanket stitch. I don’t measure the placement of each stitch…I just eyeball it (but you probably already knew that by looking closely!)
I cut the fleece to a 42″ square and rounded the corners by tracing the edge of a small, round plate onto the corners and cutting along the curved line. Then, I just threaded the yarn through a sharp yarn needle and began the blanket stitch.
The first row after the foundation was a single crochet in each blanket stitch. Next row, just a simple picot edge: chain 3, double crochet in first chain, slip stitch into next stitch. Repeat around. The yarn is Nashua Natural Focus Ecologie Cotton ( a dk weight) that I had in my stash for way too long. So long that I’m not sure that it is still available. Any dk weight yarn…cotton, wool, acrylic, etc. would work out fine…just make sure it’s washable!
You could easily make up your own edge pattern, or check out Pinterest and Ravelry for many inspiring ideas. I love this edge thing and, coming soon…pretty-edged pillowcases!
“A”
Here are a couple that I’ve done in the past:
That is beautiful, yet sweet! You are amazing! XOXO
Thank you, my dear Lisa ;-)
I loved this idea so much, I went to Hobby Lobby this weekend & bought the necessary materials. I also invested in a “skip-stitch” blade to make cutting the fleece super easy. I went to http://www.skipstitch.com and ordered the basic skip-stitch rotary blade. Totally worth it for $13, especially since I have at least three blankets to make! I’ll let you know how it works. XOXO
I don’t have a skip-stitch blade, Sarah, but it sounds like a great way to use my 40% off coupon at JoAnn’s. Let me know how it works out for you, and please share photos of the blankets! Love, AA
The skip-stitch blade is amazing. I actually think this is going to become my preferred method for edging fleece blankets. It looks so much better than the knots and ties!
I’ve looked for the skip-stitch blade at JoAnn’s, and have had no luck. I did find it online at http://www.skipstitch.com/, and now you’ve convinced me that I need to place the order ;-) Thanks!
Ann
your blankets are just beautiful—–I love the edging you did around each one
Thank you, Katie! I appreciate the compliment and you taking the time to comment ;-)
Ann
Can you tell me what the “blanket stitch” is?
Hi Michele,
The “blanket stitch” is the foundation (base) row on this blanket. It is hand-sewn with a yarn needle threaded with the yarn used for the border, and the horizontal spaces that this stitch creates is where I secure my first round of crochet. I found this tutorial that I think will be most helpful to you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXkSE2TTF4s
It’s a relatively easy stitch to create and, with little practice, you’ll do it in no-time! Good luck –
Ann
Thanks so much for the great idea. I had originally thought to do the blanket stitch around, but was having a hard time “hiding” where I ran out of yarn and needed to begin with another strand. With the first round of crocheting single crochets around, into the blanket stitches, they will be hidden and secured. And the bit of extra weight the edging puts to the blanket really makes it lie nicer, as fleece is so light. I am working on one right now and know I want to do more. Brenda
Oh….I ran into that same problem! I tried to work with impossible lengths of yarn to avoid having to join the new strand. But that first round of single crochet did hide the messy joins and provided a nice foundation row for any decorative stitches. I haven’t bought the “skip stitch” blade yet, so blanket stitch is my go-to alternative. Glad you found this helpful, and thanks for sharing your success!
Ann
Love it! Thanks so much for sharing. I found that a 1yd piece of fleece makes 2 perfectly sized baby blankets, once they’re squared off and cut evenly with the corners rounded.
I just bought 1.5 yds. of adorable fleece in a robot motif. I’m going to cut one yard of it, as you suggested, to see if I can get two blankets. Then, I’ll use the extra half yard to make accessories. (TWO gifts!!) Thanks for sharing!
Ann