Crocheted Baby Layette with Modern Granny Blanket

This has been my season for baby layettes. Fortunately for me, I have had the opportunity to explore color combinations and different stitch combinations. For my second layette, the mother-to-be requested shades of blue and green for her baby boy to be born in March.  I was thrilled to attend the baby shower to be held in her honor.  It was a wonderful chance to celebrate her happy occasion and to meet up with former colleagues from teaching days.

---

The project began with a baby blanket in sky blue, pastel green, and white. While I had crocheted scores of blankets in extended Granny Stitch or in Diagonal Granny Stitch, I had been unable to master the Daisy Farm Crafts Modern Granny Blanket. However, this time I was determined to create a piece with this stitch. .

The Modern Granny Blanket by Daisy Farm Crafts is a free pattern that can be found on Pinterest or through a Google search. For a 34 inch by 34 inch blanket, the piece begins with a 109 chain for a repeat of 3+1.  Multiply any number by 3 and add 1.  For my blanket, I used Joanne's Big Twist yarn in sky blue and white.  For the pastel green, I used Lion Brand Pound of Love in pastel green. I had enough remaining of the green to make girls' sweater, but I wanted to have the exact color.

 After the initial chain of 109, row 1 begins with 1 Double (DC) in the 4th chain from the hook.  The pattern repeat is  skip (SK) 2 chains and   crochet 3 DC in the next chain.  Row 1 ends with 2 DC in the last chain.

While the clusters in the first row are wider at the top, clusters in the second row seem to be upside down.-wider at the bottom and narrow at the top. Begin with Chain 3(CH) and DC in the next stitch.  The repeat is CH 2 and DC 3 together. This is the tricky part. The row ends with CH 2, DC into next DC, DC into top of turning chain.If you are changing color pull new color through  before you complete the last DC. Finished triangles nestle between each other.
​
These 2 repeating rows form the color and stitch pattern. For my blanket, I followed the following sequence.
'4 rows blue
2 rows white
2 rows pale green
4 rows blue
2 rows white
2 rows pale green
4 rows blue
2 rows white
2 rows pale green
4 rows blue
2 rows whitw
2 rows pale green
4 rows blue
2 rows white
2 rows pale green
4 rows blue
2 rows white
2 rows pale green
2 rows white
4 rows blue

To finish, single crochet (SC) around the blanket with 3 SC in each corner. Then DC around to complete the border.

The baby shower host requested a baby book to accompany other gifts. I really liked the message in To The Moon and Back. The colors on the cover went well with the baby layette. 

I made changes in "Baby Girl Sweater" designed by Edie Eckman for www/redheart.com/ for a baby boy.  The body of the sweater was crocheted in HDC in one piece from the bottom up. I just switched the button hole band to the left for a boy.  The body of the seater was done in sky blue in Joanne's  Big Twist with a white trim. I added to the length with alternating rows of white and blue.. Then I reached into my stash for delightful owl buttons that had a touch of blue. Coordinating hats were crocheted in colors that coordinated with the blanket nd the sweater.

While I had abundance of yarn in my stash, I had also compiled other baby items that were just looking for a home.  The baby cocoon and matching hat in shades of light brown andbeigeshould keep baby warming comfortable. it is important to note that while mom can easily snuggle her baby in a cocoon, she should not lettuce baby lie alone in the cocoon for safety reasons. Aknittedsweater in self striping light brown, white, and light blue accents was perfect for anew born baby.  I really liked the light blue teddy bear buttons. Finally a crocheted teddy beard a dog that looked similar to the expectant mom's pets completed the package.

The baby layette was a huge success.  The expectant parents really appreciated the crocheted garments.  I  enjoyed making the pieces for a wonderful young couple.  They received many lovely clothing items and useful gifts. 

As always, thank you for your reflections and feedback.  I welcome you to join me on my stitching journey.