One of my neighbours just had a baby boy so when I learned she was pregnant I decided to crochet a baby sleeping bag for her. I sort of free-handed it while still working on the knitted sweater for my son, as it created a welcome distraction from the sweater's repetitive pattern.
This Crochet Hooded Alpine Baby Sleeping Bag is pretty simple to make and I thought I'd write the pattern while making it so I could share it here 😁.
The yarn I picked is a bulky weight soft acrylic, I wouldn't make this in pure wool as babies' skin can be sensitive to wool, so use soft cotton, acrylic or a mix of both as long as it's soft.
It is an easy crochet pattern as all you need to do is crochet a long rectangle that is then shaped as a hood for the top part and the main sleeping part is folded over. There is no need for button holes as the chosen stitch has large enough gaps to slip the buttons in and out.
Bulky weight is great as this sleeping bag works quickly and will ensure that the baby will be extra cosy in his/her little hooded sleeping bag.
Free Crochet Pattern for the Hooded Alpine Baby Sleeping Bag:
Materials:
3 balls of James C. Brett Top Value Chunky (100g/150m/163yds per ball) in Blue,
3 balls of James C. Brett Top Value Chunky (100g/150m/163yds per ball) in Beige,
Crochet hook size 6mm (US size K/10.5);
6 large wooden buttons; make sure the buttons you choose are large enough so that they fit securely into the gaps formed by the alpine stitch when closed.
Final dimensions:
40cm (15.5in) width × 66cms (30in) length when finished (folded over).
Gauge:
11 sts x 10 rows in alpine st make a 10cm square.
Abbreviations:
SC: single crochet (double crochet UK);
DC: double crochet (treble crochet UK);
FPTR: treble crochet in the front post (double treble in the front post UK);
Pattern:
(a) Using colour A, ch46;
Row 1: SC in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn (45 sts).
Row 2: ch2, DC in each st across, turn (45 sts).
Row 3: ch1, SC in each DC across (45 sts).
(b) Row 4: ch2, DC in first SC, *FPTR in DC from row below next SC, DC in next SC*, repeat from *to* across, turn (45 sts).
Row 5: ch1, SC in each DC and FPTR across (45 sts).
Row 6: ch2, DC in first SC, *DC in next SC, FPTR in DC from row below next SC*, repeat from *to* across up to the last 2 SC, DC in the last 2 DC, turn (45 sts).
Row 7: ch1, SC in each DC and each FPTR across (45 sts).
Repeat rows 4 to 7 five more times or until your work measures about 23cms from the beginning. This will be the hood.
(c): Using colour B, work rows 4 to 7 twice.
(d): Using colour A, work rows 4 to 7 once.
Repeat (c) and (d) alternatively 5 more times, then repeat (c) once.
Last row: ch1, SC in each DC and FPTR across (45 sts).
Fasten off, weave in loose ends.
Assembling:
Form the hood by folding the top of the hood into 2 halves in order to make a triangle shape and sew or slip stitch both halves together.
Position the buttons: fold the sleeping bag all the way to where the hood finishes (where the baby's shoulders should be) and 3 buttons on each side of the back part, spaced evenly apart; there is no need for buttonholes as the buttons will close into the gaps left by the alpine stitch.
Congratulations! You have completed your crochet hooded alpine baby sleeping bag!
You can use this pattern for making your own baby sleeping bags for personal use and selling your own finished products but you cannot give or resell this pattern; If you know anyone who would like this free crochet pattern please give them this link to direct them to Sophie's Knit Stuff's Hooded Alpine Baby Sleeping Bag Free Crochet Pattern.
