Pin this crochet pattern for baby bonding squares and make later
Have you ever heard of crochet bonding squares? It’s such a heartwarming concept. Crochet baby bonding squares help increase bonding between a mother and her premature baby since they can’t do skin to skin contact. One square is given to the mom and one square is given to the baby and they’re switched back and forth to help the baby and mother get familiar with each other.
Here I have a Free Tunisian crochet bonding squares pattern – the Sleepy Bye Bonding Squares. I designed these squares for a fun blog event organized by my friend. The Preemie Crochet Challenge is taking place over on the Sunflower Cottage Crochet Too Blog where a new Preemie design is shared for free every day (some designs are free for longer). The Sleepy Bye Bonding Squares pattern PDF is free for the whole week since this is such a great cause!
This post contains Amazon Affiliate links for which I will get a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Each download from Ravelry is a pledge to make at least one of that item to donate to a NICU or similar in November for Preemie Awareness Month. One pattern will be featured each day on the SunflowerCottageCrochet.com blog.
To get your free PDF copy of the Sleepy Bye Bonding Squares pattern follow the steps below. First, click below and enter the discount code: PREEMIE2020 on Ravelry from Aug. 19th to 26th. Then head to the main round-up page to grab more free preemie patterns!
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About the Pattern:
Skill Level: Beginner
Yarn:
Lion Brand Yarn Comfy Cotton Blend in Whipped Cream 50 yards (Light size 3 yarn (7 oz./200 g, 392 yd/358 m; 50% cotton, 50% polyester)
Caron Simply Soft in Autumn Maize (Size 4 worsted weight yarn 40 yards (6 oz./170 g, 315 yd/288 m; 100% acrylic)
Hooks:
- 6.5 mm Tunisian crochet or straight hook that is 6 to 8 in long with stopper at end, check out my favorite Clover Takumi set here
- 5.5 mm crochet hook for appliques
Notions:
Gauge:
- Gauge is 17 sts over 16 rows in Tunisian honeycomb stitch for a 4 x 4 in. square
Finished Size:
- The finished size is 6.5 in. long by 6.5 in. wide
Pattern Notes:
This pattern is for a set of Tunisian crochet bonding squares. It’s the perfect mindless project to practice Tunisian crochet and learn a few stitches! Then, add the appliques to give a cute touch. Finally, when you’re done, donate to your local hospital to support preemie moms.
- This pattern uses a few Tunisian crochet techniques. Use the following video tutorials as needed:
- Pattern rows are Forward pass instructions.
- The following instructions are implied:
- The loop already on the hook at the beginning of the row counts as the first st.
- Always Tunisian simple stitch in the last st of the row, being sure to work under both loops of the st.
- Return Pass: Follow the foundation row and each row with the Return Pass in the same color unless a color change is needed.
- Return Pass Instructions: Ch 1, *yarn over, pull through two loops; repeat from * until 1 loop remains on the hook.
- Note: Always cut yarn when changing colors in this pattern because it is made for preemie babies. Preemie baby fingers can get caught in floats.
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Abbreviations:
Sl st: Slip stitch
Sc: Single crochet
Hdc: Half double crochet
Dc: Double crochet
Tr: Treble crochet
Tss: Tunisian simple stitch
Tps: Tunisian purl stitch
RetP: Return Pass -Explained above
Tss2tog: Tunisian simple stitch 2 together
Tss3tog: Tunisian simple stitch 3 together
Sk: Skip
Ch: Chain
Square Options:
| Col A |
| Col B |
| Col A |
| Col B |
| Col A |
| Col B |
Pin this bonding square crochet pattern and make later
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Pattern Instructions:
First, Ch 25 to begin your square.
Foundation Row: Then pick up a loop in the back bump of each chain. Complete normal RetP. (25 sts)
Row 2: Next (Tss, Tps)* Rep * across. (25 sts)
Row 3: Then (Tps, Tss)* Rep * across. (25 sts)
Rows 4 and 5: Next repeat rows 2 and 3
Row 6: Then, Tss across. Leave a 6 in. tail and cut yarn.
Rows 7 to 15: Then join Color B and Tss across
Row 16: Leave a 6 in. tail and cut yarn. Lastly, join Color A again and repeat rows 2 to 6. Then, bind off. Leave a 6 in. tail and cut yarn.
Then, complete a sc border by sc evenly into each st around and completing (sc, ch1, sc) into corners.
Lastly, weave in ends as neatly as possible and cut yarn.
Then this is what the square should look like (here I started with Color B) For the square pictured, I worked as follows: Color B, Color A, Color B.:
Appliques:
Then, using 5.5 mm crochet hook make appliques as follows:
Star
Magic circle, ch 2, sc 11, (ch4, sl st into 2nd ch from hook, sc, hdc, sk next st in circle, and sl st into next st)*, rep * 4 more times
Then leave a long enough tail (12 in.) to sew applique onto square.
Moon
Ch 10, sl st, sc, hdc, dc, tr, dc, hdc, sc, sl st
Then Leave a long enough tail (12 in.) to sew applique onto square.
Night cap
Foundation Row: Ch 5 and complete foundation row
Rows 2, 4, and 5: Tss across.
Row 3: Tss2tog, tss2tog
Row 6: Tss3tog, make bobble in middle st
Then leave a long enough tail (12 in.) to sew applique onto square.
Lastly, sew appliques onto middle block, weave in all loose ends, and cut yarn.
Finally, you are done! Have any questions? The best way to reach me is via email: noorsknits@gmail.com
Finally, share your finished square with me on social media using the hashtag #SleepyByeSquares for a chance to be featured!
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This is an original pattern from Noor’s Knits, ©2020. Please do not reprint, repost, or sell any parts of this pattern. Feel free to link back to my blog. You are welcome to sell finished items made from this pattern, but please kindly link back to my website. Send questions to noorsknits@gmail.com.
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Pin this crochet pattern for baby bonding squares and make later
If you enjoyed this pattern, make sure you check out my free Tunisian Giving Scarf pattern!