Crochet Trim Baby Blankets

*Before we get started, I just wanted to remind you about the giveaway.
Enter on this post, by 3/31.


My oldest was given a crochet trim flannel blanket when she was born.
She's 3 now, and she's still using it (we both absolutely LOVE it)!
When I went through my crazed stage of making all kinds of baby things, I really wanted to make these.
After many hours on Google, I still couldn't figure out how to do these.
I finally figured out that the process to make the holes which you crochet through is called "hemstitching".
And...you either have to have a special hemstitching machine to make those holes, or buy the ready made kits from people who have the machine.
Apparently, Singer used to make these machines back in the day, but no longer make them (or something like that...I don't really know the history so don't call me out on it).
Since the hemstitching machines are expensive, and I don't own one, here's my way of making these little lovelies (aka crochet trim blankets).

Materials Needed:

-Flannel (I use 1 yard, but how much you use depends on the size of blanket that you want. Also, I haven't tried other fabrics so I don't know how this technique works for other fabrics.)
-Crochet Thread (I believe the size I use is size 3, it's bigger than size 10.)
-Crochet Needle (Size 5 or Size 6. I've used both and they work fine.)
-Grab and Stab tool (I got this tool from Roberts. According to the company that made this particular one, that's what this tool's name is, but I'm sure it's probably called something else. You just need something pointy, and thicker than a needle, to make the holes.)
-Ruler (Not pictured here.)

-Basic Sewing Machine (Also not pictured.)

First things first, hem the edges of your blanket.
Fold it in 1/4 inch, then fold again 1/4 inch to make a nice clean hem.
Then top stitch around the edges.

After you have nicely hemmed edges, take your ruler and line it up to the inner edge of your hemmed blanket (see picture).
Next, take your pointy tool and make a hole every 1/2 inch.
With flannel (I don't know about other materials), the holes close up so try to make them decently sized.
Also, because the holes close up after poking them, I like to only make a ruler's length of holes at a time (is this making any sense??).
After I make a ruler's length of holes, I crochet that length before making more holes.

When you begin crocheting, don't start on the corner (it makes it harder to finish).
Starting part way down an edge, allows for the start and finish to come together better.
To start, tie a knot on your thread, and crochet a single stitch through your starting hole.

To make the crochet pattern shown below, I crocheted a single stitch through the hole, then two double stitches through the same hole.
So in one hole, you'll have single stitch, double stitch, double stitch.
To round the corners, you can do a single stitch, double stitch, double stitch in your corner hole, then do a couple chain stitches before doing the single stitch for the next hole.
Hope you're understanding this!!

Then, after you've stitched around your entire blanket (and all the holes are filled with stitches) crochet a single stitch through the starting hole (so your starting hole will have a single stitch, double stitch, double stitch, and single stitch), cut your thread, tie a knot in the thread, and pull the thread through a couple of the next holes' stitches to make everything neat.
Don't worry about your holes being a little stretched out or big, they shrink up and close in the wash.
So, now your blanket should look like this one that my mom made.

Isn't it lovely??

Also, if you Google crochet pattens, you can find other patterns to crochet around the edges of your blanket.
So go ahead...have fun!!
Oh, and let me know if you have any questions because I'm betting this got a little confusing.

Jenn