Named for my Florida hometown (which is a long way from Ireland!), this is the first project in which I experimented with lighter weight yarns. I instantly became an enthusiastic believer. Not only does this yarn help keep down the bulkiness of the post stitches, but it also produces a beautiful drape to the finished project. Be sure to use a yarn that can easily be washed for your special little honey!
Intermediate
G/6 (4mm) crochet hook
3 skeins DK (no. 3) weight yarn (project shown uses Caron Simply Soft Light [330 yds/302m per 3 oz/85g skein] in color no. 0003 Honey)
211⁄2" × 231⁄2" (54.6cm × 59.7cm), excluding edging
24 sts = 41⁄2" (11.4cm) and 7 rows = 3" (7.6cm) in Celtic Weave pattern (measure from back)
Braided Cable (worked over 6 sts)
On a RS row: [sk 2 sts, 2 fptr over next 2 sts, working in front of sts just made, fptr in each of 2 sts just skipped, fptr in each of next 2 sts (BC made)].
On a WS row: [sk 2 sts, 2 bptr over next 2 sts, working in back of sts just made, bptr in each of 2 sts just skipped, bptr in each of next 2 sts (BC made)].
Celtic Weave (worked over a multiple of 4 sts)
On a RS row: [Sk 2 sts, fptr in each of next 2 sts, working in front of sts just made, fptr in 2 skipped sts (CW made)] across.
On a WS row: Bptr in 2 sts, [sk 2 sts, bptr in each of next 2 sts, working in back of sts just made, bptr in 2 skipped sts] until 2 sts remain, bptr in next 2 sts.
The double crochet stitches in between the Braided Cable and Celtic Weave stitches are worked in the top loops of the stitches, not as front posts. All other stitches are front or back post stitches.
Ch 106.
Row 1: Dc in the 4th ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn, (104 dc).
Row 2 (RS): Ch 3 (counts as 1st dc here and throughout). Dc in 2nd dc, *work BC over next 6 sts, dc in next 2 sts. Work CW over next 12 sts. Dc in next 2 sts. Work BC over next 6 sts; **dc in next 2 sts; work BC over next 6 sts; dc in next 2 sts; work CW over next 24 sts; dc in next 2 sts; work BC over next 6 sts; dc in next 2 sts. Rep * to ** once more. Dc in last 2 sts. Turn.
Row 3 (WS): Rep Row 2, working the WS version of the indicated st patterns.
Rows 4–53: Rep Rows 2 & 3 twenty-five times more, or to within 2" (5.1cm) of desired length.
Row 54: Rep Row 2.
Row 55: Ch 3, bpdc in each post st and dc in each dc across. Turn.
Rnd 1: Ch 1. *Sc in each st across row, ch 1, turn 90°, sc in same sp (corner made). Sc evenly along row edges, ch 1, turn 90°, rep from * around. Join with a sl st to 1st sc of row. Turn.
Rnd 2 (shell with picot): Ch 1, sc in 1st st, * sk 2 sts, [4 dc, ch 4, sl st in 1st ch (picot made), 4 dc] in next st, sk 2 sts, sc in next st. Rep from * around perimeter of blanket. You may need to adjust the number of sts skipped occasionally in order for the shells to appear uniform around the corners. End by joining with sl st to 1st sc of row. Finish off.
Weave in ends and block if needed.
Shell picot edging adds a touch of elegance to this baby blanket.