Thursday, January 3, 2013

Basic Button Up Burial Cocoon- Free Pattern




 



Hello again and welcome to 2013!

I'm only a handful of days into this year, and it already feels better then the last :) This year, I want to aim to release one crochet pattern and one scrap kit every week (that's 52 of each for the year) so lets see how we go. Not an unrealistic goal, but something that will deff make me think!

Ok so onto the pattern :)
Today's pattern is a fully front opening cocoon that is designed to hold a baby up to 18/19 weeks gestation. Babies lost at this age are more often then not far too small and too delicate to dress, so wraps and swaddling are more appropriate. This cocoon can be used to hold bub, as a way to transport, and as a burial item. The colour combinations are endless, however I do like to trim in white or cream because it just looks nicer against the skin tone of these very early babies. You could jazz these up with interesting buttons, a few loud stripes or some appliqued shapes like small fish, hearts, stars ect. You can also close them in a few ways. Some places refer to small pouches like this as foetal demise pouches, but that just sounds crude to me, so burial cocoons it is.



Ive made these in 4, 5 and 8 ply (fingering, sport and dk weight) and there isn't really a lot of difference in it. I like using a 5ply/sport weight cotton for a nice soft and light drape.

Supplies:
Yarn in 4,5 or 8ply (fingering, sport,dk)in main and contrasting colours (a 3rd colour if doing stripes)
4mm hook
needle for sewing in ends
If using buttons, 3 matching ones for closing.

R1. Ch3, 10hdc into the 1st chain, join (with a sl st here and throughout)

R2. Ch2, hdc in the same st, *hdc, 2hdc in the next* Repeat around, join. (14)

R3: Repeat R2 (22)

R4: Ch2, hdc in each st around, join. (22)

R5: Ch2, hdc in the same st, *hdc, 2hdc in the next* Repeat around. DO NOT JOIN (working in rows here on out) (34)

R6-11, Ch2, Turn, hdc in each stitch across (34)

R12-14. Ch2, turn, hdc in the next 9 stitches, dc in the next 16 stitches, hdc in the last 9 stitches

End off main colour here. Join edging colour (white/cream)

R15-16. Ch2, turn, hdc in the next 9 stitches, dc in the next 16 stitches, hdc in the last 9 stitches

R17. ch1, turn, sc in each stitch across, do not end off, do not turn.

Working down the v split sc evenly in the ends of all stitches and back up the other side, placing 2sc in the corner before slst to the first st of R17.

End off, weave in ends.


If adding buttons: Position your buttons evenly on one side and sew on, making sure buttons are not too small to fall through stitches on opposite side, and not too large that they wont fit through the stitches snug.


If using ties: Mark of 3 places for the ties on one side of the opening, and mark the same stitches on the opposite side, join yarn with a sl st and ch21. End off and weave in ends. Make 6 ties in total, 3 on each side. Tie in a bow.


Stripes: To make the stripe pattern shown in my photo, colours were changed in 3 row groups starting at R6 (6,7,8 are green, 9,10,11 are yellow, 12, 13, 14 are green, 15, 16, 17 are yellow)

Pattern 1/52 for 2013
Images copyright Myshelle Cole, please do not use without permission.

23 comments:

  1. Just made one of these tonight in DK yarn with a 4mm hook. I am curious about how long yours turned out. I have no idea the size of such a tiny baby.

    Mary K

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. i was thinking of making some of these for my local hospitals. how long did yours turn out? this one looks like it would be about a foot long.

      Delete
    2. Hi Kim,
      Mine come out at around 8 inches long and 5 inches wide. Hope that helps :)

      Delete
    3. Hi there Mary, so sorry for the late reply, I didn't see your comment there.

      Mine come out at around 8 inches long and 5 inches wide. Hope that helps :)

      Delete
    4. I make mine to be approx 16 inches as newborns are average 21 which just means adding a couple rows and about 6.5 inches wide.
      I use a 5.5 hook same pattern. Fits 0-3 and sometimes up to 6 months.

      www.facebook.com/toesandbowsonline
      This is my page if you would like to check out the rest of my work :)

      Delete
  2. I am using Bernat Baby Sport yarn and the width is almost 4 inches. Will this be wide enough?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Does the chain 2 and chain 3 count as a stitch in this pattern and do you join in the chain 2 or chain 3 space?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The chain does not count, and I join to the top of the ch2. Hope that helps :)

      Delete
  4. Is there a knitted version of this pattern by chance?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey there Tina,
      Right now there is no knitted version of this pattern. I am hoping to learn to knit this year, so there may very well be some down the track :)

      Delete
  5. I had a full term still birth Jan. 3 2014 and recently took up crocheting as a thing to pass time and relieve stress. I love that you do these things for premies and babies born too soon but can you possibly post some patterns that would be for a full term angel baby? Thank you

    Ashley.

    ReplyDelete
  6. thank you very much
    I mad one and i love it :*

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm trying to make this tonight and maybe I'm over tired, but I'm stuck on R2. How does the stitch count end up 14 if you hdc, then 2hdc? I can't wrap my head around it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am having issues with the stitch count as well :( I am just going to wing it and hope it turns out big/small enough.

      Delete
    2. Also this is numbered weird. R6-11 then R7-14, are we supposed to do 3 rows of the the last one, or 8, and really be R12-19? If that is the case then the rest is also numbered wrong.

      R6-11, Ch2, Turn, hdc in each stitch across (34)

      R7-14. Ch2, turn, hdc in the next 9 stitches, dc in the next 16 stitches, hdc in the last 9 stitches

      Delete
  8. I have the same problems as the last two commentors as well...I've made a few for a local group aND always just sort of make up as I go at that point....and row 2 always gets me. Always. Any suggestions?

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi Shell,
    Just wanted to say thank you to put sooooo much energy and effort to write down all these lovely patterns, and mostly to share them for free. Can't wait to try your patterns! I was also very happy to find Barbie accessories and dress patterns, will try to convince my girls to start doing little projects together. Thanks again, and keep on doing your lovely work!!! Hugs from the other side of the globe!
    Mona

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi not sure on pattern as the rows dont make sense
    R6-11 then r7-14. Could that part be explained please as currently stuck in the middle of making one

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi not sure on pattern as the rows dont make sense
    R6-11 then r7-14. Could that part be explained please as currently stuck in the middle of making one

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oops! Sorry that's a type. 7 should read 12. Have updated.

      Delete
    2. Thank you. And thank you for pattern

      Delete
  12. Hi - I am stuck on Rnd2...how do I get 14 stitches?

    ReplyDelete