Octagon Baby Blanket

Abbreviations

• Ch(s) = Chain(s)
• Dc = Double crochet
• Dc2tog = (Yoh. Draw up a loop in next st. Yoh and draw through 2 loops on hook) twice. Yoh and draw through all loops on hook.
• Hdc = Half double crochet
• Hdc2tog = Yoh and draw up a loop in next st twice. Yoh and draw through all loops on hook.
• Rnd(s) = Round(s)
• Sc = Single crochet
• Sl st = Slip stitch

Details & Instructions

Measurements

Finished Diameter: 41" / 104 cm

Materials

Baby Blanket Simply Soft (170 g / 6 oz; 288 m / 315 yds)

• Contrast A: White (9701) – 1
• Contrast B: Soft Pink (9719) – 1
• Contrast C: Plum Wine (9722) – 1
• Contrast D: Orchid (9717) – 1
• Contrast E: Lavender Blue (9756) – 1

Description & Sizing

Each round of the blanket consists of eight groups of double crochet stitches, separated by corner chain-spaces. In most rounds, increases are worked in the corners. In some rounds, decreases are worked to maintain the stitch count and prevent the blanket from flaring too much.

Gauge

In double crochet, 16 sts and 7 rows = 4" / 10 cm.

Instructions

Blanket

With A, ch 5; join with sl st in first ch to form a ring.

Rnd 1: Ch 1, work 8 sc in ring; join with sl st in first sc — 8 sc.

Rnd 2: Ch 3 (counts as first dc here and throughout), dc in same sc as join, 2 dc in each sc around; join with sl st in top of beginning ch — 16 dc.

Rnd 3: Ch 3, 2 dc in same dc as join, ch 1, sk next dc, *3 dc in next dc, ch 1, sk next dc; rep from * around; join with sl st in top of beginning ch — 24 dc, consisting of eight 3-dc groups. Fasten off.

Rnd 4: Join B with sl st in any ch-sp, ch 3, dc in each st to next ch-sp, *(dc, ch 2, dc) in next ch-sp (corner made), dc in each st to next ch-sp; rep from * around, dc in same ch-sp as join, ch 2; join with sl st in top of beginning ch — 40 dc, consisting of eight 5-dc groups.

Rnd 5: Ch 3, dc in each dc to next ch-sp, *(dc, ch 2, dc) in next ch-sp, dc in each dc to next ch-sp; rep from * around, dc in same ch-sp as join, ch 2; join with sl st in top of beginning ch — 56 dc, consisting of eight 7-dc groups. Fasten off.

Rnd 6: With C, rep Rnd 4 — 72 dc, consisting of eight 9-dc groups. Fasten off.

Rnds 7 and 8: With D, rep Rnds 4 and 5 — 104 dc, consisting of eight 13-dc groups. Fasten off.

Rnd 9: With E, rep Rnd 4 — 120 dc, consisting of eight 15-dc groups. Fasten off.

Rnd 10: Join A with sl st in any dc between corners, not a dc of a corner. Ch 2, [hdc in each dc to 1 dc before next ch-2 sp, hdc2tog over next dc and first ch of ch-2 sp, ch 2, hdc2tog over 2nd ch of ch-2 sp and next dc] 8 times, hdc in each remaining dc around; join with sl st in first hdc. Fasten off.

Rnds 11 and 12: With B, rep Rnds 4 and 5 — 152 dc, consisting of eight 19-dc groups. Fasten off.

Rnd 13: Join C with sl st in any dc between corners, not a dc of a corner. Ch 3, [dc in each dc to 1 dc before next ch-2 sp, dc2tog over next dc and first ch of ch-2 sp, ch 2, dc2tog over 2nd ch of ch-2 sp and next dc] 8 times, dc in each remaining dc around; join with sl st in first dc. Fasten off.

Rnds 14 and 15: With D, rep Rnds 4 and 5 — 184 dc, consisting of eight 23-dc groups. Fasten off.

Rnd 16: With E, rep Rnd 4 — 200 dc, consisting of eight 25-dc groups. Fasten off.

Rnds 17–37: Rep Rnds 10–16 three more times — 440 dc, consisting of eight 55-dc groups. Fasten off.

Border

Rnd 1: Join A with sc in any dc of last rnd. Work 1 sc in each dc and ch-2 sp around; join with sl st in first sc.

Rnd 2: With A, rev sc in each sc around; join with sl st in first st. Fasten off.

Finishing

Using yarn needle, weave in all ends.

Lay blanket on a flat surface and pin corners in place. Spray with water and let dry.

Embroidery (Optional)

With B, embroider one lazy daisy petal on every other A-colored section at the center of the blanket.

With C, embroider a straight-stitch diagonal line on either side of each petal.