"Play Ball" Toddler Blanket

Last week, I base umpired my first 10 and under baseball game with my hubby behind the plate.  It was fun and exhilarating -- and I was a little nervous 'cause parents seem to really get into the games...lol.  Anyway, in honor of my induction into the world of umpiring, I wanted to make a simple blanket design that could be worked up quickly.

Using the pattern instructions from my previous post, "Simple Block Pattern," I made (20) 8" x 8" blocks.  Here's the Pattern LINK to make the blocks.

If you would like to purchase the Ad-free, PDF version of this pattern, here is the link:  

https://www.etsy.com/listing/964661849/toddler-baseball-blanket-pattern?ref=shop_home_active_1

"Play Ball" Toddler Blanket Free Pattern

Size:  Approximately 35" x 45"

Gauge:  12 HDC x 10 Rows = 4"

Materials:
--4.5, 5.0 and 5.5mm hooks
--RHSS Yarn #4 in red, white, navy, light blue and brown
--tapestry needle for weaving

U.S. Stitch Abbreviations:
Ch:  chain
Sl st:  slip stitch
St:  stitch(es)
SC:  single crochet
SC2tog:  single crochet 2 stitches together (creates a decrease)
HDC: half double crochet
DC:  double crochet
Rep:  repeat
Sk:  skip
FO:  fasten off
MR:  magic ring

Directions:
1.  Once you have your 20 blocks with the border constructed, then you are ready to lay out your pieces in your desired pattern,

2.  To join your blocks together there are a couple options:
A.  Whipstitching.  Example:  I joined the top Row together by whipstitching each block to each other. I then continued to whipstitch the remaining 4 horizontal rows.  And last, I whipstitched the completed rows together.

OR

B.  Single crochet or slip stitch.  You can join 2 block sides together and either, use a single crochet stitch or a slip stitch to join together.  And, then complete rows first.  And, then complete, completed rows to completed rows.

Here's a pic of my blocks joined together.  As you can see, I worked my colors diagonally.

Blanket Border:

1.  With light blue, I SC in each st around, placing 3 SC in each corner.  Sl st join to first st and FO yarn.

2.  Join navy yarn and Ch1.  SC in same st as Ch1.  SC in next 4 st.  *In the next st, you will create a "spike stitch" by dropping down to first Border row and make a HDC st.  Then, SC in next 5 st.*. Rep  around, placing 3 SC in each corner.  (If you have to manipulate your number of SC stitches versus the spike stitch, then that's fine.) Sl st join to first st and Ch1.  

3.  HDC in each st around.  Sl st join to first st and FO.  Weave ends.

If desired, you can add additional border rows.  

Appliqués:

For my appliqués, I made 2 balls, 2 bats and 4 stars.  

1.  Baseball (make 2):

--4.5mm hook

--white yarn

--red or blue yarn for stripes 

1.  6 SC to MR.  Sl st join to first st and Ch1.  (6)

2.  2 SC in each st around.  Sl st join to first st and Ch1.  (12)

3.  2 SC in first st, 1 SC in next st.  Rep around.  Sl st join to first st and Ch1.  (18)

4.  2 SC in first st, 1 SC in next 2 st.  Rep around.  Sl st join to first st and Ch1.  (24)

5.  2 SC in first st, 1 SC in next 3 st.  Rep around.  Sl st join to first st and Ch1.  (30)

6.  2 SC in first st, 1 SC in next 4 st.  Rep around.  Sl st join to first st and Ch1.  (36)

7.  2 SC in first st, 1 SC in next 5 st.  Rep around.  Sl st join to first st and FO.  (42)

8.  Use contrast color and embroider stripes.  (See pics) 

I made 2 circles and whipstitched together but you can just make one circle and then embroider the stripes.  

2.  Bat (make 2):

--4.5mm hook 

--brown yarn 

1.  Ch8.  1 SC in 2nd ch from hook and across.  Ch1 and turn.  (7)

2.  1 SC in each st across.  Don't Ch1.  Turn.  (7)

3.  Sl st in the first 2 st.  Ch1.  1 SC in next 3 st.  Ch1 and turn.  (3)

4-9.  1 SC in each st across.  Ch1 and turn.  (3)

10.  2 SC in first st, 1 SC in next st, 2 SC in last st.  Ch1 and turn.  (5) 

11-14.  1 SC in each st across.  Ch1 and turn.  (5)

15.  2 SC in first st, 1 SC in next 3 st, 2 SC in last st.  Ch1 and turn.  (7)  

16-19. 1 SC in each st across.  Ch1 and turn.  (7) 

20.  2 SC in first st, 1 SC in next 5 st, 2 SC in last st.  Ch1 and turn.  (9)  

21-24. 1 SC in each st across.  Ch1 and turn.  (9) 

25.  2 SC in first st, 1 SC in next 7 st, 2 SC in last st.  Ch1 and turn.  (11)

26-31. 1 SC in each st across.  Ch1 and turn.  (11)

32.  SC2tog, 1 SC in next 7 st, SC2tog.  Ch1 and turn.  (9)

33.  SC2tog, 1 SC in next 5 st, SC2tog.  Ch1 and turn.  (7)

34.  1 SC in each st across.  Ch1 and turn.  (7) 

35.  SC2tog, 1 SC in next 3 st, SC2tog.  Ch1 and turn.  (5)

36.  1 SC in each st around.  FO and leave a long tail for attaching.  

3.  Star (make 4):

--5.0mm hook 

--navy yarn 

1.  6 HDC into MR.  Sl st join to first st and Ch1.  (6)

2.  2 HDC in each st around.  Sl st join to first st and Ch1.  (12)

3.  2 HDC in first st, 1 HDC in next 3 st.  Rep around.  Sl st join to first st.  (15)

4.  *Ch5.  SC in 2nd ch from hook, HDC in next ch, DC in next 2 ch.* Sl st to 3rd st of Round 3.  First point is made.  Sl st into next st.  Rep from * to *.  Sl st to 5th st of Round 3.  Sl st into next st.  Rep from * to *.  Sl st to 8th st of Round 3.  Sl st into next st.  Rep from * to *.  Sl st to 11th st of Round 3.  Sl st into next st.  Rep from * to *.  Sl st to 14th st.  Sl st to next st.  FO and leave a long tail for attaching.  

I placed the stars in each corner.  Then I attached a bat and ball on blocks 2 and 3 of Row 2 and then a ball and bat on blocks 2 and 3 of Row 4.  

Happy Crocheting 

Legal:

--don't use/claim my design as your own

--don't use/claim my pics as your own

--okay to make and sale your finished work

--don't share my pattern electronically or in print format (without prior consent) but provide a link to my blog