Crochet Baby Blankets

It seems to be a reoccurring pattern that I post on crocheted crafts, but honestly I do other crafts too! It just happens that my main focus tends to be crocheting. I enjoy this craft because generally it is easy to transport the project if needed, and I can do it while I am watching TV or hanging out with a group of people talking.

One of the crochet projects that I can most often be found working on is baby blankets. I like doing these because it is fast, easy, and cute! Plus at this stage in my life it seems like I always know someone who is pregnant. This way I always have a gift on hand. :) Also our church donates to The Caring Pregnancy Center every year, so I generally am able to offload my blankets there as well.

My favorite baby blanket pattern is the shell stitch. I like this stitch because it make the blanket look fancier even though it isn't any harder to create. My hook of choice is a "J" --this is my standard size, although lately with other projects I have branched out a little more.

I often do this pattern all in one color, but the picture also shows how different yarn can be added in to create patterns. The 2nd color is simply added in once you reach the end of a row. The shell stitch is created by chaining a multiple of 5 (I generally go with 105 stitches, but it is your choice). Then:

Row 1: double crochet 4x in the 4th chain from the hook. Skip two chains, single crochet. Skip two chains then double crochet 5x in the same stitch. Continue this til you get to the end of the row. End with 3 double crochets instead of 5.
Row 2: Chain 1, double crochet 5x in the single crochet spot from the 1st row. Single crochet at the top of the shell stitch created in row 1. Continue to the end of the row
Row 3: Chain 3,  double crochet 2x in 1st stitch. Single crochet at the top of the shell stitch created in row 2. Double crochet 5x in the single crochet spot from the 2nd row. Continue to the end of the row
Row 4-completion: Alternate rows 3 and 4 until you reach the blanket size you desire.
Border: Work border yarn the same way as previous rows. When you reach the end of the row turn blanket and stitch on sides; continuing the shell pattern.
Finish off.