Baby In The Round

Baby In The Round Shawl

What Is Being Made

The Baby In The Round Shawl is a circular crocheted shawl designed by Ann Laker Vance. This intermediate-level project creates a finished piece measuring 36 inches in diameter, making it an ideal size for wrapping a baby or using as a decorative blanket. The shawl is worked from the center outward in a continuous circular construction, resulting in a seamless, symmetrical design.

Crochet Techniques Used

This pattern employs fundamental crochet techniques suitable for intermediate crafters. The shawl begins with a small circular foundation and uses even increases distributed around each round to maintain the circular shape as it expands outward. The construction method involves working in continuous rounds rather than turning rows, which creates the seamless circular structure. A shell stitch pattern is introduced once the piece reaches 30 inches in diameter, adding textural interest and visual dimension to the final 6 inches of growth.

Stitches Used

• Chain (Ch) – Used to create the initial foundation ring and spacing between shells
• Double Crochet (DC) – The primary stitch throughout the shawl, worked in increasing quantities to accommodate the expanding circular shape
• Shell Stitch – Created by working 3 double crochets into each stitch with chain-1 spaces between shells, forming the decorative edging pattern

Materials and Tools

The Baby In The Round Shawl requires Red Heart Light Weight Worsted Yarn in a color of your choice, with a total yardage of 17 ounces. A Red Heart size 6 crochet hook is used throughout the project. The light weight worsted yarn weight combined with the size 6 hook creates an appropriately drape-friendly fabric suitable for a baby shawl, while the yarn choice offers durability and easy care for items intended for infant use.

Construction Overview

The shawl is constructed in a single continuous piece beginning with a chain-6 foundation joined into a circle. Double crochets are worked twice into each chain stitch around the initial circle, then subsequent rounds continue with double crochets and evenly distributed increases to maintain the circular shape. This increase pattern continues until the piece measures 30 inches in diameter. At that point, the shell pattern is introduced, featuring triple double crochets separated by chain-1 spaces, and the shawl is worked to its final 36-inch diameter. The project concludes with casting off and weaving in all yarn ends.