Crochet help please!

[BabbleBee]

I have very basic ability crochet, can happily do a granny square but have never ventured beyond that. My lovely, lovely friend is 25w pregnant and I’d like to have a go at a blanket but something prettier than a granny square. Any recommendations please? Also which yarn? I’m thinking a gentle sage green would be nice. Thanks I’m advance

Stylecraft do a sage green Stylecraft special though personally I think it's a bit boring for a baby blanket.
A colourful ripple blanket would be lovely and is a simple pattern to make. Have a look at the colour packs on Wool Warehouse Colour packs

Have a look at attic24. Lovely simple blanket patterns with photos. And mostly in stylecraft special.

There is a pattern named 'call the midwife' that looks lovely. I have made similar & it is only trebles & chains so fairly simple and straight forward.

@FeliciaFancybottom I agree, it might be a bit flat in one colour. The packs are good, maybe I’ll rethink and do something multicoloured but tonal.

@ChamomileLawn I will check that out, thank you.

@VittysCardigan Yes they’re beautiful but I’d assumed very difficult! Will have a look at a pattern, I discounted it on difficulty without checking!

The call the midwife blanket is really easy :)
www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/call-the-midwife-afghan

Or otherwise I agree with the Attic 24 ripple pattern, I've made a few of those for friends' babies. You need more than one colour to get the best effect from the pattern - you could do a couple of shades of green with white or cream. attic24.typepad.com/weblog/ripple-blanket-know-how.html

Here's one I made in rainbow colours

I think I prefer the look of the midwife blanket, and sticking to one colour will be easier.

My friend is vegan too so I need to make sure that I buy yarn that doesn’t have any wool content. At least, I assume that she wouldn’t want wool!

That is so pretty!

I second an Attic24 pattern. The Neat Ripple blanket is easy and once you're going it's easy to memorise the pattern and just plough on through. 11 repeats of the 'V' shape in the pattern made a decent sized cot blanket when I made it in DK. This was the first blanket I crocheted and I've made several since then. Her blog with photos is great for beginners too.

I use Stylecraft Special DK or Scheepjes Colour Crafter DK, both acrylic and stand up to washing and a gentle tumble dry if necessary (on a low heat). You want a yarn that can be washed and dried without too many special requirements for baby things.

There are some lovely granny square blanket patterns but I hate sewing them all together!!!

Thank you. Fewer colour changes also means fewer ends to sew in

If you’re going to do a pattern with one colour, have you considered a variegated yarn? Something like this might be nice for a baby: www.woolwarehouse.co.uk/james-c-brett-baby-twinkle-print-dk-aqua-mix-btp34-100g

I don’t find the colour changes easy, and I worry that it’ll all unravel at those points! Also the sewing together / sewing in ends… not good there either haha!

@PeppaPigIsBacon (love the name!) yes that’s a great idea, reminds me of the jumpers my mum used to knit me.

have a look at Bella Coco on YouTube, she has a great channel. I use LoveCrafts own yarn which is Paintbox yarn.

How about doing a traditional granny square ( one big one ) but in a lovely variegated or colour change yarn ? There are some lovely ones , and maybe use 4 ply so its less 'chunky ' feeling . Maybe something like this in cotton www.woolwarehouse.co.uk/yarn/scheepjes-whirl-all-colours

Use cotton or bamboo for a baby blanket. It’s breathable.

@ArseInTheCoOpWindow that’s a good idea, thank you.

@bookbook I think I’d like to have a go at the midwife blanket and keep that as plan b.

@Thenmydogsteptonabee I’d forgotten about her, I watched loads in lockdown. Will have another look. Thanks for the reminder!