When SDP told me she was expecting a little boy, I couldn’t wait to get started on my next crochet project. After reviving my love for crocheting with the set I made for Baby Olivia, I was excited to try more complex patterns, create new items and work with a fresh palette.
As expected, after SDP broke the news, we immediately began obsessing over nursery decor and the baby shower. After a few weeks of facebook chatting and pinterest stalking, I saw that SDP was gravitating towards modern motifs of primarily neutral grays, blues and whites. I used the following two photos as inspiration for all the pieces I created.
With limited time before the baby shower, I got focused and immediately began dreaming up patterns, researching new stitches and perusing the yarn aisle at Michael’s. The goal was to create something that felt organic and baby-appropriate, but sophisticated and modern.
Blue, White and Gray Baby Afghan
Knowing that the baby afghan would be the largest and most time consuming item to make, I began with drawing a pattern for the blanket and from there, chose the appropriate balance of colors and finally, the yarn.
Yarn: To create a design that would compliment the decor of the nursery, I used pale blue, white and medium gray yarn. Generally, you will need four balls of standard yarn to complete a blanket, including any trim (because my design required more blue, I used 2 balls of blue, 1 ball of white, and 1 ball of medium gray). To keep everything super soft, I used a blend of my two favorite yarn brands (which are both readily available at your general craft store).
- Bernat Softee Baby Yarn or Bernat Baby Yarn
- Lion’s Brand Babysoft Yarn or Lion’s Brand Baby’s First Yarn
Tip: Bernat yarns tend to be MUCH softer, but it is a lighter yarn overall and therefore, not as warm. I mixed both brands in my project even though the gauge/weight is slightly different, and it still worked out just fine.
Tools & Crochet Hooks: I used a 5mm crochet hook, which I have found to be perfect to keep the blanket soft and flexible. I then used a 3.5mm hook for the trim. You will also need a yarn needle to sew in the edges, and a good pair of scissors.
Crochet Stitches: To create this baby blanket or one that looks like it, you will need to know the following stitches. I also added a sweet scalloped border. If you’re a beginner, you can make an easy version by using one simple stitch, like the single or double crochet, and creating stripes of color.
Baby Afghan Size Guideline: My finished blanket was a 50″x50″ square, but here are some other typical sizes for baby afghans:
- Crib blanket 45″x60″
- Crib quilt 36″x50″
- Knit throw 32″x39″
- Stroller blanket 22″x30″
Blue, White and Gray Pillow Case
After finishing the blanket, I moved onto my next project. Knowing that SDP would be getting a glider, I wanted to make a matching decorative pillow. I improvised to create a slightly different but complimentary pattern to fit a pillow insert I found at Jo-ann Fabric and Craft Store. Rather than crochet two separate pieces of fabric and sew them together to create a pillow case, I created one continuous piece of fabric that I could overlap to create an opening for the insert (this way the case could be easily removed for washing or replacement). For finishing touches, I added the same scalloped border around the entire perimeter of the pillow, added a ribbing to the end of the fabric, and sewed a wooden button that was not only decorative but functional (now I could securely close the pillow case).
Blue, White and Gray Newborn Aviator Hat
SDP and I had been bouncing around baby shower ideas for weeks and she mentioned the possibility of a “world traveler” theme and I thought, “what could be cuter and more theme appropriate than a little aviator hat?” To create the hat, I used the same yarns and crochet hook. I then added a finishing touch with the same wooden buttons as the one I used for the pillow.
Pattern: To create this hat, I incorporated two different patterns and improvised slightly. First, I crocheted a simple beanie. Then I added ear flaps and a front flap. Last, I added braids. Here are some helpful videos.
Blue, White and Gray Baby Booties
To complete the set, I made a pair of baby booties using the same yarn and crochet hook. Here is a super simple and helpful video.
Congratulations SDP and AP! I’m so excited to meet the little one!
Happy Crocheting!
LOVE – MY.
Snapshots of gorgeous SDP at her “Oh Boy” Baby Shower.
magnificient!
Thank you!