Crocheting for Our New Baby Girl

The Reveal

When my husband and I first discovered we are expecting our third child, he left it up to me to decide whether or not we know the gender early.  I was quite determined to wait until "birth" day.  However, when the doctor asked if we'd like to know, I caved.  I don't have enough willpower to wait.  Silly me...

So of course I had to crochet a little something for our new baby girl!  I made her a tiny, ruffled romper and headband for her to wear during one of her first photo shoots. Can't wait to meet her in July!

Boy or Girl?

Before the big reveal, I had also made a gender-neutral baby afghan.  I still love the colors and know we will put it to good use.  I wanted to create a unique patchwork-style afghan involving squares with puffy, two-dimensional stars in the middle of each square.  I used lightweight yarn for our summer baby and loose stitching for breathability. 

My little sweetie loves snuggling with her very first blankie!

The Super Fuzzy Chevron Afghan & Snuggle Bunny

I finished my baby girl's afghan today and made a matching stuffed snuggle bunny to complete her future nap time ensemble. I love the luxurious, soothing smooth texture of Bernat Pipsqueak yarn and am sure our little one will find it comforting as well.

The bunny was an experiment. I created the head with a 3D puffy-cheeks appearance and used the same fuzzy yarn as the afghan to line the interior of the ears and to add a fluffy bunny tail. Then I appliqued a pink heart-shaped nose onto the face and embroidered the sleepy eyes and mouth in grey.  I look forward to seeing my baby girl snuggled up with her little nap time buddy one day. 

The Lacy Daisy Set

In another blog post I shared the Lacy Daisy Octagon Granny Baby Afghan that I made for my little one.  

I also shared family photos with my baby girl wearing the matching sundress set and my oldest daughter wearing a matching sundress.  Here are the photos again just for the sheer fact that I love seeing them over and over!

The Lacy Chevron Baby Dress Set 

First, I just have to share a photo of my sweet, smiley baby!  After all, her smile is contagious!

I originally made this set for my little lady to wear as a hospital homecoming ensemble.  However, she wasn't born quite as large as the doctors thought she would be.  So... this set had to wait for another day.  When she was six weeks old, it finally fit.  And just in time!  One week later, it was a bit too snug!  I can't believe how fast she's growing!

Crochet Soft Baby Swaddling Wrap/Cocoon & Hat Set

I've been holding onto two skeins of soft, chunky Red Heart Baby Clouds yarn for a while just wondering what to do with it.  Thankfully, an idea came to me today!  Inspired by the baby swaddling wraps that I personally found extremely clever for both of my children during their infancies, I created this baby swaddling wrap/cocoon.  The wrap/cocoon is made primarily of the soft, warm Baby Clouds yarn and is embellished with a lacy edging and flowers made using Caron Simply Soft satin yarn.

I love this set so much that I've also made another in preparation for the arrival of our baby girl as well as writing the pattern for others. 

This set is not only photography session worthy but also very practical for everyday use.  Below is a little more information behind the design:

The Wrapping "Wings"

The top "wings" of the wrap/cocoon wrap in a crisscross fashion across the front and are secured with large white buttons. The buttons' positions may be adjusted on the panels, so the wrap/cocoon fits tighter or looser per your baby's needs/preference.

The edges of the wrapping "wings" include a delicate, feminine mint green lacy edging. The front-side of the wrap/cocoon is adorned with a decorative color-coordinated flower with leaves and a pearl bead sewn into the center.

The Hat

The hat is made using the same yarn as the swaddling wrap/cocoon body. It also includes a coordinating decorative flower with leaves and pearl bead as well as mint green lacy edging identical to that of the wrap/cocoon. 

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Payment Methods

• Etsy Gift Cards

Ready to ship in 1 business day.

Shipping Costs

The pattern for this set is also available in my Etsy shop.  Just click HERE for the pattern.

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UPDATE

February 3, 2016

Inspired by this week's spring-like weather, I made another swaddling wrap/cocoon with two of my favorite spring flowers in mind--daffodils and snowdrops.  This set can be found HERE my Etsy shop.

Crochet Baby Owl Cocoon with Owl Hat in 0-3 and 3-6 Month Sizes

I love owls, and I've fallen in love with baby cocoons lately, so I decided to design a new owl cocoon crochet pattern using my own originally designed version of a scale stitch.  I chose the lovely main shades of orchid and honeydew melon because they are a fun combination and added a splash of grey and white in the breast feathers, wings and hat for a bit of contrast.

This Baby Owl Cocoon with Owl Hat is of my own original design and features my own originally-designed version of a scale stitch, which gives the owl cocoon a fine, scaly textured appearance. I created this stitch when I designed my Mermaid Tail Afghan because I wanted to achieve something that differed from the bulkiness of the crocodile stitch.

More information about the design:

A - The wings are securely appliqued onto the front-sides and fold over the breast feathers in the center of the cocoon.

B - The breast feathers are worked in a continuous "striping" pattern around the front and back of the cocoon, which means when the cocoon is turned over, there is a stripe of orchid/melon/grey/white with solid orchid at the top and bottom. This makes the cocoon reversible, so both "winged" and "striped" sides could be utilized to change up the look.

This Baby Owl Cocoon is available here as a CROCHET PATTERN as well as the FINISHED PRODUCT in my Etsy shop.

The CROCHET PATTERN is intermediate level and includes instructions for the following:

• A detailed photo tutorial on how to create my scale stitch design
• Owl Cocoon using my scale stitch 
• Owl Hat with ruffle-rimmed eyes, owl beak and tasseled ears appliques

Supplies Needed:
"J" Crochet Hook
7 oz. 4 Medium Weight Yarn in Orchid (I used Red Heart brand)
7 oz. 4 Medium Weight Yarn in Honeydew Melon (I used Red Heart brand)
3 oz. 4 Medium Weight Yarn in Soft White (I used Red Heart brand)
3 oz. 4 Medium Weight Yarn in Grey
1 oz. 4 Medium Weight Yarn in Black (I used Red Heart brand)
(If you desire using a 3 Light Weight baby yarn, be sure to use an “I”-sized crochet hook.)

Stitches Used:
Chain
Single Crochet
Slip Stitch
Half Double Crochet
Double Crochet
Single Crochet Two Together
Double Crochet Two Together
Scale Stitch

Crochet Baby Owl Cocoon with Hat in Newborn and 3-6 Month Sizes

I love owls, and I love baby cocoons, so I created this Baby Owl Cocoon with Hat to give to a dear friend for her baby shower.  Her husband and I worked together and when he noticed me in the break room making a similar owl cocoon for another person, he said he just had to have one of his own for his baby girl.  They are decorating their daughter's nursery in light green and lavender, so this little number fit the bill perfectly.  Since then, I have made more of these adorable cocoons as well as shared instructions on how to make it with others.

There are many owl cocoons online, but mine is different.  I take pride in that.  It may be a similar "concept" as other baby cocoons, but this is my own swing on it. That's what is so great about the crafting world--there are countless crafters out there creating a vast array of beautiful things, and they all inspire one another to use their own creativity to make their own beauty.  The possibilities are endless!

ORDERING THE CUSTOM-MADE SET ON ETSY
If you are interested in ordering a custom-made Baby Owl Cocoon with Hat Set, just click HERE for the link to my Etsy shop listing.

PATTERN NO LONGER AVAILABLE

I put a lot of work into creating this cocoon and writing the pattern from scratch. However, I am very sad to say that I can no longer share the free pattern. I really enjoyed sharing it with others and asked for nothing in return except a photo or two of finished projects. The best part of sharing it was seeing so many interpretations in the way of color combinations, embellishments, design adjustments, etc.  I also loved hearing everyone's stories about their reasons for making the set as well as their loved ones' reactions when receiving it as a gift.  

Oh well... Life does go on...  There is no point in stressing over it now.  However, I do feel badly for any crocheters who may be in the middle of making this set and now can no longer access the instructions. To those effected, please accept my sincere apologies for this inconvenience.

I will still share photos of owl cocoon sets, which others have made and shared with me.  These fellow crochet lovers shared them with me out of pride for their handiwork, and I just love seeing and sharing their creativity and hard work. Below are a few that I have enjoyed receiving so far and have been given permission to share:

January 18, 2016

I really enjoy seeing other crocheters' interpretations of this set. Check out this owl cocoon that Roxanne from ⊱Twisted Knots Crochet⊰ made!  I think it turned out so lovely.  I love the color combination she chose!

February 10, 2016

I am so pleased that so many people are using this idea to create their own lovingly-crafted creations!  A lovely lady named Marlea was so kind to e-mail a photo of the owl cocoon she made for her soon-to-arrive niece.  I think her niece is going to be snug as a bug in her aunt's beautiful handiwork!  Congratulations, Marlea, on your sweet new niece!

March 15, 2016

Fellow crochet lover and enthusiast, Mary, has just finished her version of the owl cocoon.  I enjoy when crocheters take a concept and add their own personal touches to make it their own.  She did a fine job, didn't she? 

April 4, 2016

I really like when crocheters share photos and stories of their finished projects.  Ashley was kind enough to share the owl cocoon set she just finished.  She made her set in 3-6 month size.  Great work!  The colors are fantastic, and I like the subtle sparkle in the grey yarn that she used.  A little bling is always a good idea in my opinion.  :)

June 2, 2016

A customer, "M", contacted me in May 2016 with an extra special request. Her niece was having a baby boy, and she wanted to order an owl cocoon which was lively, bright and colorful to suit her niece's bold personality. This is the first owl cocoon I've made for a little boy, so I wanted to make it more masculine. To do this, I changed the shell stitch originally used in the cocoon body and hat to my rolling meadow stitch and used the bright boy colors that "M" and I had agreed upon. To tie all the bold colors together with a neutral element, I incorporated a dark grey into the eyes, wings and breast feathers. I really like how it turned out, and she was so excited to give it to her niece!

Crochet Girl's Owl Scarf and Hat Set

This adorable owl hat ensemble is made using soft yarn in aqua, mint, grey, coral and salmon.

The scarf is composed of 10 circular owls and one un-decorated circle at the center of the scarf to allow the owls to change direction and drape right-side-up on both sides of the neck when worn. Each owl circle is crocheted individually, and then every circle is sewn together end-to-end. The eyes and beaks are appliqued onto each owl, and two pairs of feet are added to the owls on each end of the scarf. Around the exterior of the scarf is a mint & aqua border, which not only creates a raised texture around the grey edges of the owls and ears but also frames the owls and adds durability. The scarf measures 53 inches long x 5.5 inches wide.

The hat is a beanie style cap with appliqued eyes, beak, ears and bow. The pupils of the eyes are shiny silver-rimmed black buttons. The bottom border of the hat coordinates with the colors and pattern of the scarf.

Crochet Baby Owl Octagon Granny Afghan Pattern

This baby afghan pattern is of my own design. The instructions consist of octagon granny pieces that are sewn together to create an adorable detailed owl afghan with 3D features that add character and are fun for baby's play time. Also included are instructions for creating the small square and half-octagon "filler" pieces as well as the owls' eyes, ears, beaks and feet.

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Supplies Needed:

• Size I crochet hook
• Medium Weight Yarn (I use Red Heart Soft Yarn)
• Color # 1: 4 skeins white (5 oz. each) (or your preferred main color)
• Other Colors: Multiple colors of the same weight or coordinating per your preference. (3-4 oz. skeins/balls each)
• (Optional) Small buttons for the round-eyed owls
• (Optional) Standard sewing needle and black/white thread
• Yarn needle

Stitches Used:

• Chain
• Half Double Crochet
• Double Crochet
• Double Crochet Two Together
• Single Crochet
• Slip Stitch

Crochet Octagons & Circles Granny Baby Afghan

This baby afghan pattern is of my own original design. I created it as a baby shower gift for a new baby boy.  I chose to go with a nontraditional color palate of muted blues, greens and grey for his stylish mama-to-be.

To accompany this afghan, I also created matching booties and an ear flap hat.  I look forward to her reaction!

The instructions consist of octagon granny blocks that are sewn together along with diamond-shaped blocks to create a beautifully detailed afghan. The finished afghan measures approximately 33 inches long x 26 inches wide.

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Supplies Required
• Size I crochet hook
• Medium Weight Yarn (I use Red Heart Soft Yarn)
• Main Color: Bernat Softee Baby Yarn - 2 skeins of Antique White (3.5 oz. each)
• Bernat Softee Baby Yarn – 1 skein of Blue Jeans (3.5 oz.)
• Bernat Softee Baby Yarn – 1 skein of Mint Green (3.5 oz.)
• Bernat Satin Yarn – 1 skein of Sage (3.5 oz.)
• Bernat Satin Yarn – 1 skein of Heather Grey Mist (3.5 oz.)
• Yarn needle

Stitch Key
• Chain (ch)
• Half Double Crochet (hdc)
• Double Crochet (dc)
• Double Crochet 2 Together (dc2tog)
• Half Double Crochet 2 Together (hdc2tog)
• Single Crochet (sc)
• Slip Stitch (sl st)