Crochet Edge on Fleece Blanket Tutorial

It happens to all of us (at least I hope its not just me!). It's Friday and you have a baby shower Saturday. And you forgot until that moment. For now, on our husband-is-in-school-and-I-am-a-stay-at-home-mom budget, I need to combine our gift giving budget with my crafty stuffs budget. Luckily I found the perfect quick/reasonable price/still nice gift in this crochet edged fleece blanket! I actually have a stock of these now for all the wee babes coming into our life!

I love these blankets. They are so nice, super soft and warm, but not too bulky! Perfect for stowing away in a diaper bag. Everyone I have given them too have said how much they love them (like they would tell me otherwise ha). But I have seen one of my new little cousins wrapped up in hers on some facebook pics, so that is my proof. But don't take my word for it! Make one yourself! Or if you don't want to make one, check out my etsy shop!

It is a half yard, single layer of fleece, crocheted around with a pretty border. My absolute favorite is the leopard print. I have a serious weakness for anything animal print... Its almost embarrassing. I think it does embarrass my husband a little, but really isn't leopard a neutral? And neutrals go with everything. But I digress.

(There are affiliate links in this post, which means I get a small portion of anything you buy from the link. No worries, it does not cost anything more for you, just helps a little with keeping up with the bloggy stuff.)

You will need:

Half a yard of fleece
Kay's Crochet Edge Fleece Blade
H (5.0 mm) Crochet Hook
Cutting mat
Needle for sewing in ends
Caron Simply Soft yarn. (I HIGHLY recommend this yarn for this project. I don't think you will get the same results with a less pliable yarn. In my humble opinion)

Once you trim your fleece down into as perfect of a square as you can get, trim those corners.

Now take the Kay's Crochet edge blade and attach it to a rotary cutter. (I have a cheapo one and it works great with it.)

About half an inch from the edge go along the edge of the fleece. As the wheels turn it makes some little holes perfectly spaced for your crocheting needs. Go around the entire blanket.

Put your hook through a corner hole.

Attach the yarn. Admire the chipped gold nail polish and think about how fat my thumbs look.

Then do a half double crochet, chain one, and place a half double crochet in the next hole. You can use a single crochet if you prefer but I like the solidness of a half double. I don't know if it would make much of a difference.

Repeat all around.

Then begin your pattern for the border.

For this blanket I did:

5 DC in one stitch, slip stitch in next, 5 DC in next, slip stitch in next, repeat around. I did not chain any before starting my DCs.

Fasten off and weave in any ends.

For this blanket I did:
3 DC in one stitch, 3 DC in next, slip stitch in
next, repeat around. I did not chain any before starting my DCs.

Fasten off and weave in any ends.

close up view crocheted edges on blanket

For this blanket I did:

3 HDC in one stitch, slip stitch in
next, repeat around. I did not chain any before starting my HDCs.

Fasten off and weave in any ends.

For this blanket I did:
DC in one stitch, chain one and skip a stitch, DC in next, repeat around. I did not chain any before starting my DCs.

Fasten off and weave in any ends.

For this blanket I did:

DC, TRC, DC in one stitch, slip stitch in next, DC, TRC, DC in next, slip stitch in
next, repeat around. I did not chain any before starting my DCs.

Fasten off and weave in any ends.

I also like to make a little hat to go with the blanket. This is my newborn hat pattern.

Row1: In Magic ring DC 12.

Row 2: 2 DC in each around. (24 DC)

Row 3: 2 DC in first, DC in next, repeat around. (36 DC)

Row 4: 2 DC in first, DC in next 2, repeat around. (48 DC)

Row 5-10: DC in each stitch around. (48 DC)
Row 11: SC in each chain around. Fasten off and weave in ends.

For my little girls hat I love this one round crochet heart from Fiber Flux or this little bow from Daisy Cottage Designs. For little boys hats I usually use a button:)

This month has been a collaborative even called Project Crochet! There are some awesome ideas, patterns and tutorials by some pretty impressive bloggers! Be sure to check out all the the other links and send them some love!