Infant Crochet Leg Warmers & Baby Beanie

Our Jamie is expecting a baby boy the end of this month and she asked me to make a pair of crochet leg warmers for him to wear home from the hospital. I gave some thought to the length of a infant newborn leg, the diameter of the thigh and ankle and came up with a tiny, cuffed pair to keep those little legs warm. Of course, there needs to be a matching beanie for his little noggin and a super soft blanket to swaddle him in.

When I crochet, I tend to figure it out as I go, using what I have in my stash.  Here is what I did and hope you can follow…

Hook size H

Worsted Weight Yarn in both Variegated and solid colors
(I used Great Value Bernat 100% acrylique, color: Natures Way variegated and Coats & Clark TLC Cotton Plus medium Worsted Color: Cream)

These yarns are medium weight and not as thick as some worsted weight yarns (like Vanna’s Choice)  The leg warmers are soft and flexible for a newborn.

Color A: Cream for cuffs
Color B: Variegated for middle of leg warmer

Make 2
Beginning at the bottom of the leg Warmer

With color A (cream), ch 23 loosely

Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. ch 1, turn (22 sc)

Row 2: 1 sc in each across. ch 1, turn (22 sc)

Row 3: Working in back loops, sc in each sc across. ch 1, turn (22 sc)

Row 4: Working in both loops, sc in each across. ch 1, turn. (22 sc)

Row 5: sc in each sc across. Change to Color B (Variegated) ; Ch 1, turn (22 sc) (cut thread of color A)

Row 6: sc in each sc across. ch 1, turn (22 sc)

Row 7-10: work even

Row 11: 1 sc in the next 10 sc; 2 sc in the next sc; 1 sc in the next 11 sc. Ch 1, turn (23 sc)

Row 12-19: work even

Row 20: 1 sc in the next 11 sc; 2 sc in the next sc; 1 sc in the next 11 sc. Change to Color A (Cream).  Ch 1, turn (24 sc) Leave a length of yard to sew edge seam.

Row 21: work even (24 sc)

Row 22-23: work even

Row 24: working in front loops, sc in each across. Ch 1, turn (24 sc)

Row 25: working in both loops, work even

Row 26-27: work even. Finish off leaving a length of yarn to sew edge seam

Using a yarn needle threaded with the length of yarn and keeping the top cuff turned down and the bottom cuff turned up, stitch the leg warmer closed.  I matched the yarn when sewing, cream to sew the cuffs and variegated to sew the center.  When finished sewing, knot and clip all ends.

NOTE: this pattern can be made by crocheting in rounds rather than rows eliminating a seam.  This just happens to be the way I crocheted this time, but next time I will work in rounds.

Baby Boy Crochet Infant Cuffed Beanie Pattern

Hook size H

Worsted Weight Yarn in both Variegated and solid colors
(I used Great Value Bernat 100% acrylique, color: Natures Way variegated and Coats & Clark TLC Cotton Plus medium Worsted Color: Cream)

These yarns are medium weight and not as thick as some worsted weight yarns (like Vanna’s Choice)

Using Color A (variegated) ch2

Rnd 1: 6 sc in 2nd st from hook, join

Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st around (12 sc), join

Rnd 3: ch1, (2 sc in first st, sc in next st), repeat around (18 sc), join

Rnd 4: ch1, (2sc in first st, sc in next 2 st), repeat around (24 sc), join

Rnd 5: ch1, (2sc in first st, sc in next 3 st), repeat around (30 sc), join

Rnd 6: ch1, (2sc in first st, sc in next 4 st), repeat around (36 sc), join

Rnd 7: ch1, (2sc in first st, sc in next 5 st), repeat around (42 sc), join

Rnd 8: ch1, 1 sc in each st around (42 sc), join

Rnd 9: ch1, 1 sc in first 5 st, 2 sc in next st, 1 sc in next 20 st, 2 sc in next st, 1 sc in last 15 st (44 sc), join

Rnd 10: ch1, 1 sc in each st around (44 sc), join

Rnd 11: ch1, 1 sc in first 10 st, 2 sc in next st, 1 sc in next 22 st, 2 sc in next st, 1 sc in last 10 st (46 sc), join

Rnd 12: ch1, 1 sc in each st around (46 sc), join

Rnd 13: ch1, 1 sc in first 15 st, 2 sc in next st, 1 sc in next 24 st, 2 sc in next st, 1 sc in last 5 st (48 sc), join

Rnds 14: ch 1, 1 sc in each st around (48 sc)

Rnd 15: sc in the next 20 stitches, 2 sc in the next stitch, 1 sc in the next 26 stitches, 2 sc in the next  stitch. (50 sc)

Rnd 16-18: ch 1, 1 sc in each st around (50 sc), join.  Change to Color B (cream)

Rnd  19: ch2, 1 sc in each st around (50 sc), join

Rnd 20: ch1, 1 sc in each st around (50 sc), join.

Rnd 21: working in front loops, sc in each stitch around (50 sc)

Rnd 22: working in both loops, sc in each stitch around. (50 sc)

Rnd 23-24: 1 sc in each stitch around (50 sc)

Finish off, knot ends and trim.

Follow link for Crochet Edge Fleece Blanket How-to

Update: Here is baby Jethro Ross wearing his going home from the hospital outfit.

UPDATE
I made another hat and added ear flaps

Adding ear flaps to newborn crochet beanie

You will want the ear flaps to be slightly more toward the back of the hat than the front so use your judgement for placement.

Attach yarn; 6 Single crochet across edge; turn.

Row one:
Ch 1.  sc decrease 1st two stitches, single crochet in next 2 stitches, sc decrease last two stitches. (4)

Row 2:
Chain one turn, single crochet across (4)

Row 3:
ch 1, turn. 2 sc decreases (two)

Row 4:
ch 1. Turn. 2 sc

Row 5:
ch 1 turn. Sc decrease. End off, knot ends and trim.

Attach yarn at brim edge and work a row of sc along ear flap edge to give finished look.  Add braided ties.