A Blanket for Squiggle

[Vicelikeplague]

I first learnt crochet around christmas time last year, so I have little over seven months experience.  My first efforts can be found here: http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=372628.msg4384470#msg4384470

Of course seven months is exactly the right about of experience to be designing and crocheting my first every baby blanket!  So when I found out that the wife of a colleague of mine was due to have their fourth (and final) child and I set to work.  Having waited long enough to find out the baby's gender I settled on the idea of a garden and hit the internet!

The design element was for the overall look of the blanket not designing the patterns.  For that I used patterns found on both Ravelry and the Lion Brand website (all free ).  Six weeks and 70 odd hexagons later I had this:



close up of the pond:


The fish were my own pattern!

the lilies (x2)



lily pad


And daisies on the lawn (x9):


And for luck for "Squiggle" (this was the name mum gave her bump) I found this:



this started as a three leaf clover, but I added an extra leaf for luck!

Squiggle was born on Friday and has been dubbed Naomi Melody, the blanket has gone in the post today.  I was hoping to get it to them before the birth, but Squiggle decided that she couldn't wait any longer and came two week early.  Everyone is happy and healthy!!

The best bit is the parents don't know anything about the blanket!!  Can't wait to hear what they think of it!

[LaundryBunny]

This is gorgeous!  Great job.
I kind of wish they'd have called the baby Squiggle though... 

[littlebluegirl]

This is FANTASTIC!!  I adore your originality and creativity (and your fishies).  The parents are gonna love it (as will Squiggle, no doubt ) 

[jennythor]

wow! i kinda (super) absolutely want this for MY bed!
this is gorgeous, omgomg

[javamama]

Gorgeous!

[shmac]

Simply amazing.  I love it!

[Angry Angel]

So wonderful! I love everything about this - you did an amazing job. I think I'd put it on the wall if it were mine!

[HSG]

Beyond amazing and gorgeous! Rockin' for sure!

[xperimentl]

What a lucky baby and family, this is beautiful.  I love the hexagons and your wonderful fish and fun details.  Looks nice and soft and babies love little dimensional elements that they can play with!

[SonjaBoo]

That is so sweet -- and so Zen!!