Jaybird Designs: Guest Blogger - Sharp Crochet Hook & FREE Pattern

Today I'd like to welcome Jessica, creator of the Sharp Crochet Hook as my guest blogger! If you are interested in guest blogging for me about something crochet-related, please contact me at jaybird [at] acsol [dot] net with your ideas! I look forward to hearing from you!

Modern X's and O'x Crochet Edging

Today I am going to show you how to crochet a cute edging on a baby blanket and burp cloth. This tutorial is a great project for a beginner because it is quick, easy, and a lot of fun! This is an appropriate edging for a boy! Not to frilly or lacy.

Materials Needed:

*1 1/2 yards of flannel

*1 Sharp Crochet Hook.

You can pick this up at www.sharpcrochethook.com, shipping is free through the end of the month. The advantage to using the Sharp Crochet Hook is it will go through the fabric much easier than normal crochet hooks because normal crochet hooks have rounded heads.

*1 Package of Crochet Thread. I prefer size 3 because I think it is softest for babies.

*Rounded Corner Template

You can print this from here (it's free): http://sharpcrochethook.com/faq.html

*Scissors

Step 1.

Unfold your fabric. Measure off 11" and cut. This section will be for your burp cloth. The rest will be for your blanket.

Step 2.

Cut out the rounded corner template you want to use. I will be using the 3" rounded corner template today because our border isn't very wide. If you were doing a wider border, I would suggest using a larger round.

Trim off the edges of your fabric. Use the template to cut out all four corners on your burp cloth and the corners of your blanket. I left my blanket folded in half and cut the corners of two layers at once.

Step 3.

Get your crochet thread and Sharp Crochet Hook. Make a loop (slip knot) and single crochet all the way around your fabric every 1/4". (Poke your hook through the fabric.)

When you've finished this first round, start on the second round. You will need to know how to chain(ch) and how to do a double crochet(dc) stitch.

The pattern is: *do 5 dc, skip a stitch and do a dc, then ch 4, then dc in the skipped stitch.* Repeat from *to*.

Here is what it looks like:

If you want to change up the pattern a little, you can just do less (or more) than 5 dc. Here is what it looks like if you don't do any dc in between the "crossovers." In my opinion, it would be perfect for a girly blanket, but since this is for a boy, I like having the 5 dc as a spacer because I think it looks more masculine.