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Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Knit Baby Cocoon

I have been looking everywhere for a knitted baby cocoon pattern. The only ones i can seem to find either cost $35 from etsy, or are a crochet pattern (which i can hardly do). so i made up my own. first i tried making it in the round but didn't have big enough circular needles or DPN's. then i decided to knit it flat, then slip the end stitches onto a large eye needle and pull it closed like a drawstring bag. so that's what i did here are pictures and at the end i'll post the "pattern" if you want to call it that.

it's very stretchy, width wise and length wise. (sorry for the bad pics, the sun was coming in weird)

this is the seam on the back, which you will not see. i made this for my photography so i'll just lay that side down. and in real life it doesn't look that defined.

this is a really bad pic of the bottom. i wanted to show you that it's like a little circle.
i made it so you can roll the top to adjust the length or leave it flat for longer babies.
and i still have this much yarn left. it only took one skein.
ok now how i made it:
what you need:
1 ball of Lion Brand Homespun Yarn (this was the deco or cream color i think)
1 pair 13in US size 11 8.0mm needles
large-eyed blunt needle
measuring tape/ruler
Cast On (CO) 60 stitches (this was a complete guess it has to be wide enough to fold in half)
Knit until it measures between 18-20 inches (mine is about 18in streched)
Knit 2 tog. until the end of the row (30 stitches remain)
Knit 2 rows
Knit 2 tog. until the end of the row (15 stitches remain)
Knit 1 row
Cut the yarn, leaving a long tail. thread tail into the large-eyed blunt needle, then, one at a time, thread the needle through the 15 stitches. Pull the yarn tight to make the bottom. Knot the yarn to secure.
Next make sure you have a long piece of yarn and thread into the blunt needle. making sure the piece is folded in half, sew up the side until you get to the top. Tie it off. You're done!!
i don't know if that is helpful or clear but you can ask me if you have any questions.
this isn't meant to hold a baby for a long time or leave unattended. i made it for photography purposes.
i want to make another one with chunky-er yarn and larger needles to get more of a net like look to it. and i want a green one. i went with a more neutral color b/c i want it for boys and girls.
i don't have any baby models right now. (update: so i just tried this cocoon out on a 2 week old and it was a little big but it worked. next time i might CO less stiches and make it an inch shorter- it streches a lot!) 2 friends are due in may/june and all the other babies around are too big now. this is meant for newborns. sad. oh well you get the general idea with the pictures. i hope someone finds this and can use it i was so frusturated i couldn't find any patterns so here's one that might work for you.

14 comments:

Jenn @ Cuddles and Cameras said...

Hi Amanda, you don't know me, I don't think, but we grew up in the same ward, and we have A LOT in common! I found your blog through my sisters, and really enjoy reading about your endeavors...(Hope you don't mind :) Congrats on the new camera! That's exciting!! Also I have to say that I'm in Loooove with the baby cocoon, and wish I had the knitting skills to actually make one... :( Anyways, I just wanted to say Hi, and tell you I enjoy your blog!! Jenn (Schindler-Card) :)

*alicia* said...

Thank you for the pattern!! I came across this while searching google, didn't want to pay $8 for the pattern or $50 for the finished ones on Etsy. Can't wait to make this tonight!

pelicanknits said...

thanks so much.. I am making a bunch of "props" for a photographer.. including cocoons, hats, bun ny hats, etc..I sell my stuff if you are intersted.. contact me a susan @pelicanknits.com.. My website is www.pelicanknits.com, but does not have my baby stuff on it yet.. susan in Sarasota.

Larry & Erica Evans said...

i you don't know me, but I stumbled on your blog. A friend of mine in another ward is a Photog, and wanted one of these. I figured out how to make them on the Red Round Loom. Works great. I can do limited crochet and I can't knit...so this works great!

MJ said...

Hi there- I went through the same dilemma...but decided to knit my own. I am using circular needles as a test...will post a pic on my blog when I get the chance to figure it...I;m kind of making a face opening (or I think I will try) for mine (like a little hood)...we will see just using cheapo wool till I get the "pattern" (a la make it up as I go along) down LOL!

Gramma Roxanne said...

Good Morning
I came across your blog quite by "accident" just looking to see if anyone had ever posted a free knitted baby cocoon pattern.
I made up one myself but was just curious if there was any out there. I like yours Sweet!
I made mine on circular needles doing the first part(the opening)back and forth and not circular but still on the circular needles. When I got the opening long enough then I started doing it like a stocking cap or long toque pattern. I will trim the opening edge in crochet edging. I knit and crochet. Keep up the nice work Just thought my idea might help others too with ideas. Oh and mine will fit from a very new baby to quite a bit bigger as it is stretchy. Maybe I will post a picture on my blog someday soon here. Thank-you for sharing your idea. Its great!

dec2057 said...

Here is a free pattern with a flat bottom for you to use and share ;-)
www.reliefshare.org/wordpress I make them for the hospital Right now we have a goal of 350 cocoons to make. If you want to help, jump right in.

Willie'sGurl said...

Thank you so very much.... I have been having the same kind of trouble lol I want a baby cocoon (expecting baby in September) and haven't found one that is not in the round or that isn't going to take a lot of yarn. :) love it... so adorable. :)

Laci D. Stokesay said...

I have been looking for a pattern and I love the way yours turned out! Thank you my niece is due in April and I still have three other projects to finish first. When I post to my Wednesday WIP post I'll mention you and your blog!

Mucau Amigurumi said...

Hi, Amanda! Thanks for the pattern, it's really simple and perfect for me. I just can't knit on circular needles! :D
tnkx a lot!

Amanda said...

Thank you everyone! I forgot all about this post then I see that's where all my blog traffic comes from is people looking at this pattern ;) I hope it helps you guys out!!

When I made this I had just taught myself how to knit within the year and had never knitted in the round and was nervous to try but now it's just second nature, and so simple. But for this pattern, it's so much easier to knit it flat than in the round!

I strongly dislike decreasing in the round because I always loose count so I'm glad this has helped other people!

Tami said...

Thank you so much for this pattern Amanda. I too have difficulty with DPN's and the circular. I have been looking all over for a pattern for a 2 needle cocoon. Beautiful, easy pattern.

Sarenah said...

Thank goodness Ravelry brought me to this pattern! My 10 year old daughter has been asking me for knitted sleeping bags for her Build-a-Bears. She even saved her own money to buy the yarn she wanted me to use. I had no idea where to go, until I found your pattern on Ravelry. I'm going to start on these right now. Thank you so much for this pattern!!

Unknown said...

I just made your pattern for my grandson. It was easy to follow & turned out great!!! We use it when we sit outside & it is a little too cool to not have a blanket on him. With a hat & the cocoon, he is nice & cozy! Thank You!!!!

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