Crochet Baby Blankets: 13 Easy to Intermediate Designs

This no-frills outing by crocheter Simpson (Supersize Crochet Animals) shows how to crochet blankets that any infant will want to cuddle with. Eschewing instructions on how to crochet or make different stitches, Simpson gets straight to the blankets. There’s the “cocoa stripes” piece made up of beige and brown shell stitch strips, “Evelyn dreams” with its taupe mesh bookended by white and orange stripes, and “happy time,” a turquoise item that mostly sticks to double crochet stitches, making it the simplest of the set. The intermediate designs include a “roly-poly play mat” with concentric circles featuring designs inspired by stained glass windows, and the blue, green, yellow, and pink “cutie-pie stitch sampler blanket” that uses a different kind of stitch every other row. Simpson does a solid job balancing style with simplicity, though the lack of guidance on crocheting basics means beginners won’t want to make this the first crochet manual they pick up. Additionally, those who prefer to work off a chart will be disappointed by the exclusive use of written instructions. Crocheters who have mastered the basics will get the most out of this. (May)