Baby Blankie With Red Heart® Baby TLC!

It's my first time working with Red Heart® Baby TLC Yarn. And wow, this yarn is soft. Rightly so since it's for babies. I checked out the "Shop Red Heart" site and found a description of this yarn:

"This light-weight yarn has a soft hand and shimmering luster that makes it great for blankets, sweaters, and booties for your special little one."

A skein of Baby TLC yarn is approximately 328m (358yds). Got excited to work with these 2 colors: Lilac (7555) and Powder Pink (5737). Of course, I went to the ever-reliable internet for free patterns to find out what I could do with these. I looked for patterns of baby blankies and I found this free one from Crochet Today! (click on the picture to go to the page with the download link for the free pattern):

Pattern by mayae published in Crochet Today! site: http://www.crochettoday.com/crochet-patterns/simple-baby-blanket

I wanted the blankie to be simple so I got rid of the circle motifs around it. Yes, people, you don't have to follow the pattern (unless you really want it to look like that) :) I used my Susan Bates Silvalium® aluminum crochet hook (which you can pre-order here) size US H8 or 5.00mm for this.

Here's my version of the baby blankie. Ta-da!

I put my own little twist to it by interchanging colors for every 2 rows. The pattern is actually very simple: just HDCs (half double crochets) in every row! If you look up close, there's an added texture to the blanket.

It even looks knitted. The HDCs are crocheted interchangeably in the front and back loops of the preceding stitches (HDCs), thus the "ribbed" effect. This small difference in where to place the stitches is able to change the character of the entire blankie. This pattern is so simple, a beginner can make it.

This would make a lovely gift for a baby. I did this blankie within the span of a week (with breaks of course). If you're a pregnant mom and have lots of time, why don't you make one for your baby? (I'm not pregnant, by the way) :) It's a piece for keeps. The size achieved by crocheting 2 skeins of Red Heart® Baby TLC to make this blankie is 26in x 28in.

If you're curious on how this yarn really feels, feel free to drop by GIGI Coffee & Cupcakes in the Felina Corporate Plaza lobby in Eastwood (just beside the Citibank building) on May 4 & 11 (Sat), between 12NN-2PM. This is actually my free time between my 2 workshops on those days. I will have stocks of these Baby TLC yarn which you could also purchase on site. A text message informing me in advance of your visit would be greatly appreciated. You may reach me at (0906) 269-5192. You may also order this yarn from me and I can have it delivered to your place, just send me an email at gantsilyoguru@gmail.com.

Available colors are: Lime, Lilac, Powder Pink, Powder Yellow, Powder Blue and White. You can check these colors in the swatches available here. A skein of Baby TLC is PhP 355.

There are also stores within Metro Manila that carry Red Heart® yarn. You might want to check the store nearest you to see if Baby TLC is available there. Go to this link for a list of these stores.

You may also pre-order a 6-pc. set of Susan Bates Silvalium® aluminum crochet hook from me here.