Gingham Check Baby Blanket Crocheted in Blue, White and Green - Photo © Michael Solovay

I just updated our list of crochet baby blanket patterns with a new link to this boy-friendly gingham check baby blanket. This easy-to-adapt design is available in three different sizes: receiving blanket size, crib size and twin size.

If you haven't yet learned the tapestry crochet technique, this is a great starter pattern for learning it. If you're familiar with it already, this pattern will be a piece o' cake for you to work on.

Related Resources:

• Free crochet baby patterns
• Free checkerboard patterns
• Free tapestry crochet patterns

Simple Crocheted Flower Motif - Photo © Erica Jackofsky

Crocheted flowers don't need to be frilly, fancy or challenging to make. This easy flower reminds me of a lovely child's drawing; the design is so simple, yet so beautiful. This is a pattern you'll be able to use over and over for embellishing a variety of delightful craft projects.

If you need an idea for how to use this flower motif, be sure to check out Erica Jackofsky's January wedding stole, a design which coordinates well with these flowers. Both free crochet patterns are available on our website.

More Free Flower Patterns

• Easy crochet flower patterns
• Beaded rosette pattern
• Crochet flower applique pattern
• More free patterns for crocheted flowers

Jovonne emailed the following question to me:

Amy,

I am cross-stitching a large pattern on a crocheted blanket. It is a baby blanket. I would like to know if there is a product that could be brushed onto the back or sprayed on the back of the cross-stitching to secure the ends. Even with the ends of the yarn woven thru the back of the pattern, it still has small scraggly ends. I want to make sure the pattern doesn't unravel when the blanket is laundered. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Jovonne

My response:

Hi Jovonne,

Thanks for getting in touch, and thanks for your interest.

Usually, I just leave really long ends at each end of my cross stitch and either crochet over top of them (if possible) or weave them in as usual. But that doesn't help you if you are already finished with the cross stitching?

Off the top of my head, I am not aware of any such product, but that doesn't mean one doesn't exist. I will post your question in my crochet blog and invite comments from others; Perhaps someone out there knows of a solution that would work for you.

So, does anyone have any suggestions for Jovonne? I am sure she isn't the only one wondering about this. Thanks in advance to anyone who can help.

Crochet a Granny Square With a Flower in the Center - Photo © Lori Jean Karluk

This granny square features a lovely aster flower as the focal point. You could crochet either part separately, but together they are stunning!

This granny square design was created by Lori Jean Karluk, guest author for crochet. We've shared the free pattern here on our website, and we hope you'll enjoy it!

• Get the flower granny square pattern
• See a detailed photo of the embroidery
• Learn how to crochet a granny square
• Look at different crochet granny square patterns
• Learn how to sew granny squares together
• Find more free patterns for crocheted flowers