Karen McKenna - In a Weekend: Baby Afghans

In a WEEKEND

baby

Afghans

There is nothing more exciting than a new baby coming into ones life! The immediate thought for a crochet enthusiast is to make a special blanket to welcome the bundle of joy. But with the busyness of life, who has the time? You do!

Designer Karen McKenna has created 12 precious wraps that will make a quick completion a reality. Truly, these designs can be completed in a weekend (or less)! Ripples, in-the-round and allover stitch patterns are all included in this lovely collection. As a bonus, shes included multiple blanket sizes that will accommodate smaller needs such as a car seat or infant carrier. Whichever size you choose, you can create an extra special gift in just a few hours. Your thoughtfulness will be appreciated for years to come!

Instructions given are for baby afghan; changes for car seat, small cradle and security blanket are given in [ ].

25 inches wide x 32 inches long (baby afghan) [20 inches wide x 24 inches long (car seat), 13 inches wide x 29 inches long (small cradle), 13 inches wide x 15 inches long (security)]

Chevron = 6 inches; 12 rows = 4 inches

Refer to Stitch Diagram as needed.

Weave in loose ends as work progresses.

Carry colors not in use up side.

Join with slip stitch as indicated unless otherwise stated.

Long double crochet (lng dc): Yo, insert hook in indicated sc on 2nd row below, yo, pull up lp even with working row, [yo, pull through 2 lps] twice.

Extended long double crochet (ext lng dc): Yo, insert hook in indicated sc on 3rd row below, yo, pull up lp even with working row, [yo, pull through 2 lps] twice.

Row 1 (RS): With white, ch 131 [98, 65, 65], sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in each of next 14 chs, 3 sc in next ch, sc in each of next 15 chs, *sk next 2 chs, sc in each of 15 chs, 3 sc in next ch, sc in each of next 15 chs, rep from * across, turn. (132 [99, 66, 66] sts)

Row 2: Ch 1, sk first st, sc in each of next 15 sts, 3 sc in next st, *sc in each of next 15 sts, sk next 2 sts, sc in each of next 15 sts, 3 sc in next st, rep from * across to last 16 sts, sc in each of next 14 sts, sk next st, sc in last st, turn.

Rows 3 & 4: Rep row 2, change color(see Stitch Guide and Pattern Notes) to red in last st, turn. Drop white.

Row 5: With red, ch 1, sk first st, *sc in next st, lng dc(see Special Stitches) in next st on 2nd row below, [sc in next st, ext lng dc(see Special Stitches) in next st on 3rd row below, sc in next st, lng dc in next st on 2nd row below] 3 times, sc in next st, 3 sc in next st, sc in next st, lng dc in same st on 2nd row below as last lng dc worked, [sc in next st, ext lng dc in next st on 3rd row below, sc in next st, lng dc in next st on 2nd row below] 3 times**, sc in next st, sk next 2 sts, rep from * across, ending last rep at **, sk next st, sc in last st, turn.

Row 6: Rep row 2. At end of row, change color to white in last st, turn. Fasten off red.

Rows 710: Rep row 2. At end of last row, change color to teal, drop white.

Rows 11 & 12: Rep rows 5 and 6. At end of last row, change color to white in last st. Fasten off teal.

Rows 1316: Rep row 2. At end of last row, change color to red in last st, drop white.

Rows 1788 [1764, 1776, 1740]: [Rep rows 516 consecutively] 6 [4, 5, 2] times. At end of last row, fasten off.

Hold piece with RS facing and last row at top, join(see Pattern Notes) white in last st of last row, working across next side in ends of rows and over carried yarns, sc evenly sp across to last row, 2 sc in last row, sl st in first st on next side Fasten off.

Rep on opposite long side.

Block lightly.

Instructions given are for baby afghan; changes for car seat, small cradle and security blanket are given in [ ].

24 inches wide x 30 inches long (baby afghan) [16 inches wide x 24 inches long (car seat), 15 inches wide x 30 inches long (small cradle), 13 inches wide x 16 inches long (security)]

16 sts = 4 inches; 14 rows = 4 inches

Refer to Stitch Diagram as needed.

Weave in loose ends as work progresses.

Carry colors not in use up side.

Chain-3 at beginning of row counts as a double crochet unless otherwise stated.

Join with slip stitch as indicated unless otherwise stated.

Single crochet join (sc join):