Plaid Baby Afghan Blanket

If you're in need of a lovely gift for a new baby, look no further than this Plaid Baby Afghan Blanket. The crochet pattern is free, and the finished project will be show your love.

Materials:

• Caron International's Simply Soft 9 oz. Sage Green; 2 oz. Baby Brights Ombre.
• Size G crochet hook or size to obtain gauge.

Gauge:
4 sc = 1" 5sc rows = 1"

Finished Size:
Approximately 35" x 40"

Instructions:

AFGHAN
With size G hook and Sage Green, ch 151.
Row 1: 1 hdc in 3rd ch from hook, 1 hdc in ea of the next 17 ch, * ch 1, sk 1 ch, 1 hdc in ea of the next 5 ch, ch 1, sk 1 ch, 1 hdc in ea of the next 19 ch; repeat from * 5 times, ch 2, turn. (note: Ch-2 counts as 1st hdc throughout.)
Row 2: 1 hdc in first st, 1 hdc in ea of next 17 st, * ch 1, sk 1 st, 1 hdc in next 5 sts, ch 1, sk 1 st, 1 hdc in ea of the next 19 sts; repeat from * 5 times, ch 2, turn.
Rows 3-17: Same as Row 2. End Row 17 with ch 3, turn. Row 18: * sk 1 st, 1 hdc in next st, ch 2, repeat from * to end of row, ch 2, turn.
Rows 19-35: Same as Row 2. Repeat Rows 18-35 5 times. Fasten off.

Stripes: Using Size G hook and 2 strands Baby Brights Ombre held tog, make a slip knot and beg at side edge of Row 18 with right side facing you and yarn held behind the work, draw a loop through the first space, insert hook in next sp, draw a loop through the space and the loop on the hook. Cont to the opposite side. Fasten off. Work the same in ea ch 1 row. Beg at bottom of blanket and work the same in ea ch-1 sp to the top. (Note: be careful not to work to lightly or blanket will pucker.)

Ruffle: Use Baby Brights Ombre and size G hook.
Round 1: Beg at center of bottom edge and ch 2, work 1 hdc in ea st to corner, work 5 hdc in corner st, work 170 hdc along side edge, work 5 hdc in corner, work 1 hdc in ea st along top edge, 5 hdc in corner, 170 hdc along side, 5 hdc in corner st, work 1 hdc in ea st to end off round. Join with sl st in second 2nd ch of beg ch-2.
Round 2: Ch 4, 1 dc in same st, [*sk 1 st, (dc, ch 1, dc) in the next st, repeat from * to corner, (dc, ch 1, dc, ch 1, dc) in corner st] repeat between [ ] three times, * sk 1 st, dc in next st, rep from * to end of round, join with a sl st in 3rd ch of beg ch-3.
Round 3: Ch 3, (dc ch 1, 2 dc) in the first ch-1 sp, (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in the next ch-1 sp and ea ch-1 sp around, joins with a sl st in the 3rd ch of beg ch-3. Fasten off. Weave in yarn ends.

Care Instructions: MACHINE WASH and DRYING INSTRUCTIONS: Machine Wash: warm water, gentle cycle. Machine Dry: low heat, delicate cycle.