SIMPLE BABY COCOON
I’m making a baby cocoon for a friend,
who’s expecting the pitter patter of little feet soon. I guess there are some patterns out there,
but I just thought I’d write about this particular one I’m working on. Thanks for coming along with me on my
creative journey.
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Materials used : Today I’ve used the lovely Bernat baby Softee chunky yarn, with a 6.5 mm crochet hook
For Indians : I’d suggest using 2 – 3 strands of our lovely Indian Vardhaman
Millennium yarn held together to get this thickness.
Abbreviations used :
ch : chain ch-sp : chain space
sp : space rep : Repeat
sk : skip. sl-st : Slip stitch
hk : hook yo : yarn over
hdc : Half Double crochet
MC : Main Colour
CC : Contrast Colour
fsc : Foundation single crochet
dc : Double crochet
Stitches used : Using US terminology
Starting slip knot : Here’s how you start with a slip knot. https://youtu.be/lJcqsVcs8cw
Starting slip knot 1 or the Sloppy Slip knot : This is a neat new way to start your work without a slip knot. https://youtu.be/YfC7KmGpifs
Magic circle : To refresh your skill, please view this easy video https://youtu.be/ISC39yOqWro
What is a chain stitch ? Here is an easy video tutorial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXx5ukBjKkY
What is a slip stitch : Here is a neat video tutorial at https://youtu.be/weB3QNbA8Iw
Single Crochet : Sc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (2 lps on hk); yo, draw through both lps. One sc made. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/ghACqBpA-3k
First stitch for Single Crochet : This is how I like to start my row of sc. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/6pVYRfsf4_M
Half Double Crochet : Hdc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (3 lps on hk) ;
yo, draw through all 3 lps. One hdc made.
Check out the video at https://youtu.be/sDiELJdB2Dg
Chainless start for Half Double Crochet : I dislike the ch-2 start, and this is what I do to start my row of hdc. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/lWXpl1KdbZ8
Double Crochet : dc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (3 lps on hk);
[yo, draw through 2 lps] twice. One dc made.
Check out the video at https://youtu.be/xdnjB27zpYo
Chainless start for Double Crochet : I dislike the ch-2 / ch – 3 start, and this is what I do to start my row of dc.
Check out the video at https://youtu.be/wskv3iTjRx0
How to change colors seamlessly : Here’s an easy video tutorial to show you how to change from the Main color to the Contrast or second color of yarn seamlessly. View it at https://youtu.be/fRzSBja9jno
How to carry your yarn when using two colors : Here’s an easy video tutorial to show you how to carry your yarn along when working with two colours.
View it at https://youtu.be/NuascBU3pxQ
Whipstitch to join : Here’s a quick tutorial on how to join using the whipstitch at https://youtu.be/wZ-9LNzftMA
Invisible join : Here’s a quick tutorial on how to join using the embroidery needle and whipstitch to get an invisible join at https://youtu.be/a6XZQ6VzJFM
Single crochet to join : Here’s a quick tutorial on how to join using the single crochet at https://youtu.be/6FXoW_47_dI
Instruction information
Please note that I start all my rounds with a ch 1 turning chain for ease.
Please check the top of this blog for a video tutorial on all the stitches needed to make this full project.
Baby blanket(+ other) sizing chart : https://in.pinterest.com/pin/470063279837764553/
We start our little
circular cocoon at the centre bottom and work our way in rounds. You could work in continuous rounds if you do
not want the end joint line showing.
However, as it
is difficult to gauge where the end is, here are two options :
1.
Keep a
marker at the end of each round, moving it each round so that you keep a count
of where you’re at
2.
Do a
sl-st at the end of each round
Now for convenience,
I am going to write it like we’re doing a sl-st at the end of each round.
Start :
Round 1 : with a magic circle and 8 sc in that
circle.
Join with a sl-st to the 1st
sc.
Right off the bat, I’m offering
you yet another option. Depending on the
thickness of yarn used, you can use either an sc or a hdc in each stitch
henceforth. However, yet again for
convenience, I’m going to write the instructions in sc.
I am going to be using only the back loops
of the stitches from this row on. I
think this will look lovely.
Working in the back loops is a little difficult,
so for beginners who can otherwise easily work this cocoon pattern, I’m going
to write the instructions as if we’re working full stitches.
That said, using the full stitch, instead of
just back loops, will not change the pattern in any way.. so your choice for
your own creativity.
That said, using back loops gives you two different patterns for both sides of your project.
Round 2 :
(Increase row) :
2 sc in the 1st sc and in each sc all
around.
Join with a sl-st to the 1st
sc.
Round 3 :
sc in the 1st sc and in each sc all around.
Join with a sl-st to the 1st sc.
Round 4 :
(Increase row) :
2 sc in the 1st sc ; sc in the next sc ;
* 2 sc in the next sc ;
sc in the next sc* ;
rep *to* all around.
Join with a sl-st to the 1st sc.
We have increased by 8 sts in total.
Round 5 :
sc in the 1st sc and in each sc all around.
Join with a sl-st to the 1st sc.
Round 6 :
(Increase row) :
2 sc in the 1st sc ; sc in the next 2 sc ;
* 2 sc in the next sc
; sc in the next 2 sc* ;
rep *to* all around.
Join with a sl-st to the 1st sc.
We have increased by 8 sts in total.
Round 7 :
sc in the 1st sc and in each sc all around.
Join with a sl-st to the 1st sc.
So you see how we’re working our rounds here.
It’s one round of increases, increasing 8 sts ; followed by a round with no
increase.
Note : Depending
on the thickness of yarn, as well as the tension of your hold, you may
find that the stitches are bunching up and / or your work is folding
inwards. While we do want the
work to fold inwards for the cocoon, we need it to fold only towards the last
few rounds.
So if you feel that this is happening, I’d
suggest that you do two rounds of increase followed by one round of no
increase and your work will snap back to flatness.
So continue round increases till you have a
cocoon of the size you want, ending with a non-increase round.
Once you have a circular flat project, we will
need to get it to close up a bit, to look like a cocoon.
You will, therefore continue without increase
for about 3 – 4 rounds (once again depending on the thickness of the yarn).
There is no hard and fast rule about how
‘closed’ your cocoon needs to be. There
are general guidelines about sizing of blankets and I have given a link on the
top of this blog. This may help you try
and figure out your cocoon sizing.
Once you’re done, fasten off and weave in ends.
There’s one little baby that’s
going to be a real snug-bug tonight and you’re going to have a nice warm
feeling just knowing that right now!
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Here are some of my older blanket / granny square and motif creations.
