Baby Rattle Blocks crochet pattern
My Baby Rattle Blocks pattern has made the Free Pattern circuit since I first made this very set for my son in 2010. He still has them and uses them as ‘buildings and structures' in his ‘cities'. These are wonderful to decorate a baby's room or for tummy time. Handcrafted, they'll last for years to come. I've upcycled Easter eggs filled with pony beads and used overlay crochet to add letters and numbers or a child's name. This is a wonderful project for beginners or to use up some scraps. Not just for babies; use only 5 sides to make a small cube for storing clips or jewelry. What other ways could we use these blocks?
This pattern is for two different sized blocks- 4” and 3”.
Materials:
F-hook
Worsted weight yarn of any colors (I used primary colors which babies love.)
Polyfill
Felt- if you want to sew or glue letters
Container to hold beads, beans, coins, clips or anything that will move around inside
Hot Glue or other strong adhesive to glue the container shut and add felt.
Toothpicks or safety pins to hold the squares together while you sew them so you don’t accidentally grab a side that doesn’t belong.
NOTE: You definitely want them to be squares so test it out. As you are crocheting, stop periodically and fold the square into a triangle. When the sides are even, you have a square. Tension is going to determine whether or not you go to the exact row I went to. This makes it so you don’t have to check your gauge for such a small piece and they will match up when you sew them together.
Small block- Make 6
R1: ch13, sc 12, ch1 & turn
R2: sc across, ch 1 & turn
R3-10: repeat R2 (sc across, ch 1 & turn)
If the sides are not equal, you will need to remove or add rows. Fasten off. Sew in tails, sew over them or tuck them in when you are stuffing the blocks.
Large block- Make 6
R1: ch21, sc 20, ch1 & turn
R2: sc across, ch1 & turn
R3-R17: repeat R2 (sc across, ch 1 & turn)
If the sides are not equal, you will need to remove or add rows. Fasten off. Sew in tails, sew over them or tuck them in when you are stuffing the blocks.
Tips for Sewing the squares together:
First of all, get your rattle glued and drying first.
Remember not to sew your block shut before you stuff it! (Yes, I did that twice.)
You may use a slip stitch to put the pieces together, but I found that single crocheting them together makes them appear more square and keeps them from turning into a ball when baby starts playing with them. I also recommend you hold a couple of squares together with a pin or tie while you put this puzzle together.
Stuff these lightly so they don’t turn into balls.
Once you have sewn them together, tuck your tails in and you may use crochet overlay, glue or embroider letters or smiley faces. Click HERE to see my basic tutorial on overlay crochet.
Cheryl
Sunday 13th of November 2022
Thank you for this pattern. I made them for my twin granddaughters in 2017. While I was making these blocks, I thought of another way of using them. I figured that if they were safe for infants, then they would also be safe for dementia patients. I knew 3 people whose husbands all had dementia. I made a set of blocks for each of them. They seemed to love them. Two of the spouses lived in nursing homes. When 1 of the activity director's saw the blocks, she asked me if I could make a few more sets. I told her that I could do that. I made about 3 more sets and gave them to the activities director. I don't think that I had made the blocks in a few years. Recently, I visited a friend who was rehabilitating in a nursing home. I decided to make a couple of sets of blocks for this nursing home. Thanks again for this pattern!
Caren
Sunday 17th of May 2015
I'm having no luck in finding where to follow you. Thx
celinalane
Wednesday 20th of May 2015
I'm sorry, Caren. You may click one of the icons at the top left for the social media you'd like to follow or even the rss feed, or you may sign up for my email newsletter, Crochet Coalition, in the right side bar. Thank you for your support!
melanie
Saturday 17th of January 2015
Too fun.
Roberta Bortoluzzi
Sunday 29th of June 2014
Hi, I love your craft, is beauty, I love a colors, I follow your blog, hugs from Brazil. Visit my blog - Tita Carré - free patterns crochet
celinalane
Wednesday 9th of July 2014
Thank you!