Southwest Touch Newborn Baby Blanket Pattern to Crochet

During the first months of being pregnant with my daughter, I lived homeless on the streets of Denver. I've come so far in the last 7 years that I often find myself completely forgetting the experience ... but I'll never be able to forget how it felt.

I was asked recently why I donate so many things to charities - and why, more specifically, do I choose Colorado charities to donate to? It all goes back to that very sorry experience. I honestly don't know that I would have come as far as I have if not for the kindness, generosity, and true caring of several wonderful individuals I met then. Safe and happy with my child now, warm and able to put it all from my mind for weeks or months on end, I feel the desire to help someone else.

It's that "pay it forward" concept.

This pattern was created for charity giving, and its design and name hearken back to those days, too. They are reminiscent of a scared girl who longed for home, all of the patterns and colors that were so familiar. Of a soon-to-be mother who was desperate to give her daughter everything wonderful. So, it's for the mothers - all of them.

One thing about this pattern that is very, very different from most baby afghans you'll find is that it has no "holes" anywhere. This is because many hospitals and other charities don't like the holes - little fingers can get caught in them easily.

There are only two stitches used in this pattern, which makes it perfect for beginning crocheters and will work up very quickly for more advanced ones. The stitches to know are the single crochet, and the slip stitch.

Hook Size: J/10 6.0 mm (or size to obtain gauge)
4-Ply Worsted Weight Yarn - Main Color (MC) 6 oz. Contrast (A) 6 oz.
Gauge: 4 sc = 1"
Finished Size: 25" x 25"

With MC, ch 76

Row 1: Single crochet in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across (75 sc). Turn.

Rows 2-6: Ch 1. 1 single crochet in each single crochet across. Turn. Join A with slip stitch at end of 6th row.

Row 7: With A, ch 1. *1 single crochet in each of next 2 single crochets. 1 long single crochet 2 rows below. 1 long single crochet 3 rows below. 1 long crochet 2 rows below*. Repeat * across. Turn.

Rows 8-10: Ch 1. 1 single crochet in each single crochet across. Turn. Join MC at end of 10th row.

Row 11: With MC, ch 1. *1 long sc 2 rows below. 1 long single crochet 3 rows below. 1 long crochet 2 rows below. 1 single crochet in each of next 2 single crochets*. Repeat * across. Turn.

Rows 12-17: Ch 1. 1 single crochet in each single crochet across. Turn. Join A at end of 17th row.

Repeat rows 7-17 of pattern until work measures 25" (approximately 8 times). Finish off.

Border:

Attach MC at corner.

Round 1: Work 3 single crochet in each corner, 1 single crochet in each single crochet/space around. Join with slip stitch to first single crochet.

Round 2: Single crochet in each single crochet around. Join with slip stitch to first single crochet.

Round 3: Slip stitch in each single crochet around. Finish off.