Aran Baby Blanket

with

One size

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Throw measures approximately 30" wide by 42" long, excluding edging

MATERIALS

Caron International's Simply Soft Eco

(80% Acrylic, 20% NatureSpun™ Polyester):

Color #0015 Aqua Mist, 8oz/227g

One pair size U.S. 8 (5mm) needles or size to obtain gauge

Two size U.S. 8 (5mm) double-pointed needles (dpns)

Crochet hook size I-9 (5.5mm)

Yarn needle

Pins, sewing needle and thread
12"/30.5cm round pillow form
Two buttons (optional)

GAUGE
In Stockinette stitch using size U.S. 8 (5mm) needles, 17 sts and 23 rows = 4”/10 cm

STITCHES USED
Stockinette stitch (St st)

Reverse Stockinette stitch (Rev St st)

Single crochet (sc)

SPECIAL TERMS

w&t: wrap and turn

PILLOW (Make 1 Front and 1 Back)

CO 26 sts. 

First wedge:

Row 1 (WS): P to 4 sts from end, w&t.

Rows 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 (RS): K all sts.

Row 3: P to 4 sts before last turn, w&t.

Row 5: P to 4 sts from last turn, w&t.

Row 7: P to 4 sts from last turn, w&t.

Row 9: P to 4 sts from last turn, w&t.

Row 11: P to 3 sts from last turn, w&t.

Row 13: P3 sts, w&t.

Row 14: K all sts. 

Second to Sixteenth Wedges

Repeat First Wedge 15 times more (224 rows total).

Graft sides together to form circle.

RUFFLE

CO 12 sts. Work in Rev St st for 346 rows or long enough to reach around outer edge of circle. BO.

FINISHING

Close center hole in each round piece by making running stitches around edge. Gather tightly and secure.

Steam ruffle piece very lightly to flatten.

Using tail end, graft ruffle ends together forming a large loop (knit side or purl side can be used as RS).

Crochet Edging

Rnd 1: With RS facing and crochet hook, work 1 rnd sc around one side of ruffle.

Rnd 2: Sc in next sc, *(ch 3, sl st in same sc—picot), sc in next 2 sc; repeat from * around, end with slip stitch in first sc. Fasten off.

Weave in ends on all pieces. Block round pieces.

Pillow assembly

Gather unfinished side of ruffle with small running stitches to fit circle. Pin and baste to pillow front. Sew together by hand or sewing machine. Put remaining piece on top, with RSs together and sew leaving a 5" opening. Insert pillow form in opening and sew opening closed.

I-Cord

With dpn, CO 3 sts.

K3, do not turn. Slide sts back to beg of needle to work next row from RS, pulling yarn tightly across WS. Repeat from * until I-cord is long enough to reach around pillow.

Last row: Sl 1, k2tog, psso. Fasten off.

Sew I-cord in place around pillow (see photo).

Optional: Add buttons to centers.