Shell Stitch Baby Shawl

January 17, and winter has come to the heartland! There’s about 8 inches of snow on the deck and picnic table… and the ground.  We were fortunate to escape the snow for this long… last week, the temperatures were in the upper 50’s! It is pretty outside, but I was hoping the warmer weather would last a bit longer.  At least, we often have spring weather in March, so we may not have to view a white landscape for long… certainly not as long as my Minnesota friends and family have to endure the cold and snow.  The temperature is 39 degrees right now, and the forecast predicts temperatures in the 40's the next few days, but we are expecting another snowstorm toward the end of the week!  The "Sprinkle" for baby Cairo has been postponed, due to the predicted snowstorm.  I didn't know they have baby showers for babies after the first... but they are called "Sprinkles" now.  

I’ve been busy crocheting a baby shawl for my new little great-grandson, who was due the beginning of February, but he made his appearance just after midnight Sunday morning, so that means he was born on January 13th. 

He weighed in at 5 pounds 9 ounces, and is 19 inches long. Welcome to our family… and the world, Cairo Donavon Davis!  I just finished his shawl Friday night, and am now working on a couple of baby quilts for him.

Newborn, left photo

One day old, photo on right

Big brother, Arlo, is happy to have his little baby brother, but is quick to let him know that Tricia is HIS grandma, and he isn't very willing to share her at this time. 

Shell Stitch Baby Shawl:

Crochet Hook: J/10

Yarn needle

Baby Sport Yarn, weight class 3, 1 ball  (12.3 oz.)

Finished Measurement: approximately 34  x 36                                                                                   

Pattern difficulty: Easy

Key to abbreviations:   

Chain (ch)

Single crochet (sc)

double crochet (dc)

slip stitch (sl st)

skip (sk)

stitch (st)

space (sp)

Using J hook, chain 122 stitches (multiple of 8 plus 2).

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sk next 2 ch, 5 dc in next ch, sk next 2 ch, sc in next ch, *sk next 2 ch, 5 dc in next ch, sk next 2 ch, sc in next ch; repeat from * across; turn—Twenty 5-dc shells.

Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as first dc here and throughout), 2 dc in first sc, sk next 2 dc, sc in next dc (center dc of 5-dc shell), sk next 2 dc, *5 dc in next sc (5-dc shell), sk next 2 dc, sc in next dc (center dc of 5-dc shell), sk next 2 dc; repeat from * across to last sc, 3 dc in last sc; turn—Nineteen 5-dc shells and one 3-dc half-shell at each end.

Row 3: ch 1, sc in first chain, sk next 2 dc, *5 dc in next sc, sk next 2 dc, sc in next dc (center dc of 5-dc shell), sk next 2 dc; repeat from * across, ending with sc in top of last dc in the set of 3 dc shell.

Repeat Rows 2–3 to desired size, or until all yarn is used, ending with a complete row.  I left a bit of yarn to do Round 1 of the border, then switched to ivory yarn to do rows 2 and 3.

Border (shown in photos):

Round 1: work sc evenly spaced around all edges of blanket, working 3 sc in each corner; join with sl st in first sc.

Round 2: Ch 1, *sc in next 2 sc, ch 1, sk 1 sc, working 3 sc in each corner; repeat from * around; join with sl st in first sc.

Round 3: Ch 1, sc in same st as join, *sc in each sc (2), 3 dc in each ch 1 space; repeat from * around, working 6 dc in center of each corner. Join with sl st in first sc. Using yarn needle, weave in all ends. Block lightly, if desired.

Today is my oldest little sister's birthday, and also was my parents' wedding anniversary.  Happy birthday, Dianne!  Dad lives with her now that our mother is gone, and they take good care of each other.  I hope they are having sunny weather and are able to get out to celebrate!

If the sun isn't shining today where you live, add a few more smiles to brighten your surroundings!  Everything is better when you're smiling.