Stacey Trock - Modern Baby Crochet Patterns for Decorating, Playing, and Snuggling

PATTERNS FOR DECORATING, PLAYING, AND SNUGGLING

Stacey Trock

Modern Baby Crochet: Patterns for Decorating, Playing, and Snuggling
2014 by Stacey Trock

Martingale
19021 120th Ave. NE, Ste. 102
Bothell, WA 98011-9511 USA
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eBook Edition: 2014

No part of this product may be reproduced in any form, unless otherwise stated, in which case reproduction is limited to the use of the purchaser. The written instructions, photographs, designs, projects, and patterns are intended for the personal, noncommercial use of the retail purchaser and are under federal copyright laws; they are not to be reproduced by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, including informational storage or retrieval systems, for commercial use. Permission is granted to photocopy patterns for the personal use of the retail purchaser. Attention teachers: Martingale encourages you to use this book for teaching, subject to the restrictions stated above.

The information in this book is presented in good faith, but no warranty is given nor results guaranteed. Since Martingale has no control over choice of materials or procedures, the company assumes no responsibility for the use of this information.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available upon request.

eISBN: 978-1-60468-340-0
Original Source ISBN: 978-1-60468-339-4

Ive always loved crocheting for babies... the projects are small and irresistibly cute! When I wrote my first book, Cuddly Crochet (Martingale, 2010), which featured stuffed animals, blankets, and hats for babies, I discovered that oodles of you love crocheting animals and items for tiny ones as well! So, I think nows a great time for another crochet baby book. I hope you love it!

In this book, I focused on the hub of baby life: the nursery. I wanted to create a book of baby designs that would suit any modern nursery, whimsical and adorable, but with a chic twist. And whether youre looking to decorate an entire room, make a few accent pieces, or simply whip up a project to give as a gift, I think youll find exactly what youre looking for in these pages.

Modern babies arent stuck in a pastel world. Their nurseries can be decorated in rainbow colors, neutrals, or even black and white. The only rule that guides modern baby decor is that it has to be adorable! Ive designed 21 baby-friendly patterns: beautiful blankets, entrancing mobiles, whimsical plush toys, and even an ottoman and a rug, and showcased them in three fabulous color stories. I cant get enough of the lime-turquoise-orange combo in the Funky Argyle Pillow and Afghan (the projects arent as hard as they look; see ) for myself. (Hey, nothing wrong with that!)

Its always my goal as a crochet designer and instructor to empower crocheters. Not only do I hope you love my written patterns, I also hope you make use of the tips included in this book to improve your crochet skills and to make the designs your own. Go ahead, try that new stitch. Switch up the color palette in that afghan. You can do it! Together, we can fill the world with precious handmade creations.

Choosing the right yarn and notions and getting some crochet basics under your belt are the keys to a successful project. In this section, Ill tell you everything you need to know to get your project on the right track. Feel free to flip back to these pages for reference as you crochet.

There are a dazzling variety of yarns available in todays market, and Ive made sure to crochet each sample in this book using yarns, that are appropriate for a sweet little baby. Even though Ive picked some pretty great yarns, you shouldnt feel tied to my choices. Part of the fun of making an item yourself is that you have complete control over the creative process, meaning you can experiment with yarns and colors to your hearts content.

While I want you to feel free to substitute yarns, you cant just swap them willy-nilly. Yarns come in different thicknesses, and selecting a yarn thats thicker or thinner than the one specified for your project will result in a smaller or larger piece than mine.

I suggest substituting a yarn thats the same thickness and fiber as the yarn used to crochet the projects shown in this book. For example, if the yarn used in the project is a worsted-weight wool yarn, then selecting another wool yarn with the same icon on its label will be a good fit. (Have a peek at the Standard Yarn Weights chart on for more information.)

And, of course, dont forget about crocheting a gauge swatch... thats the way youll check that youre using the right yarn/hook size for your project. A gauge swatch isnt scary; Ill walk you through making one on !

Lets be honest: babies are messy little people.

Whats the nicest thing you can do for a new mom, besides crocheting a lovely gift for baby? Make sure that the item is also easy to care for. I recommend selecting a yarn thats machine washable. When youre shopping for yarn, read the care instructions on the yarn labelall the information you need is there.

If youre crocheting a project that isnt intended to be played with by little ones, such as a mobile or bookends, then you have more flexibility in selecting your yarn. It wont be washed often, so choosing a machine-washable yarn isnt crucial.

While pastels are timeless, modern babies have lots of color options. You can select shockingly bright colors, a rainbow palette, primary colors, or even neutrals. Ive crocheted the projects using some color combinations that I think are fun and appealing.

If your babys nursery has a pink-and-white theme, should you pass up the gray Asymmetrical Basket-Weave Blanket (see )? Of course not! Crochet it in pink! Make the colors work for the nursery that you have. I hope youre inspired by the colors Ive chosen, but feel empowered to use colors that will turn the projects in this book into the perfect items for you!

Are You Giving a Gift?

When Im giving a crocheted item as a gift, I enclose a label from the yarn I used for the project in the bundle. This way, the recipient has the washing instructions on hand.

We cant talk about crocheting without a little chat about gauge. Each project in this book has a specified gauge, that is, the number of stitches per inch using the specified yarn and the specified hook.