Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Baby Cocoon Tutorial



Lately, I have been benefiting from many fabulous crafty tutorials. I figured I'd give back and share my crochet baby cocoon tutorial. These cocoons/pea pods, whatever you call it are very popular photography props for new born photographers, and a great shower gift for funky moms who want a unique photo of their newborn.
My talented friend Kristen captured this photo of her baby Junah in one of my cocoons.

Materials:
K Hook
Homespun - Earth

The cocoon is worked in one long oval, starting with a chain. The rounds are worked continuously, without joining. You increase (3dc in one st) one at each end as you work around the piece. You increase in the middle increase dc stitch of the previous row. You can mark the middle stitch or just look for it when you get to that point. You can also just do the increase at any point on the end. Homespun is very forgiving :)

  • Ch 24 (Just over 10 inches)
  • Dc in 3rd ch from hook and in each chain to end.
  • Dc 3 additional dc in the last chain. (you may want to mark the middle stitch, this is where you will increase again)
  • Continue down the other side of the chain, and dc in the opposite side of the chain in each stitch.
  • When you reach the end, 3 dc in the space of the turning chain, (if you choose, mark this st) and continue down the opposite side again, dc in each dc.
  • When you reach the 3 dc increase, 3 dc increase in the middle stitch of previous row, a
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    nd continue to dc down the side.
  • Continue in this pattern until you have about three rows of increases, or until the piece measures almost 14 inches long. (without pulling) Now, continue to dc around, not increasing at the ends. Continue to dc around, for approximately 6 more rows or until piece measures 6.5 inches high.
  • With a little tighter tension, sc one row around the top. Sc decrease 2 together, two times in this row. Make the decreases one on each side equally spaced from the ends. Join with sl st in top of sc. Knot to fasten off and weave in ends.

For you visual learners, here's a graph, with the increases indicated in red:

Following this size, it fit an average size newborn. You want the baby to be kinda tucked up inside and it's cute when little toes or fingers poke through. I'd be happy to answer any questions :)

If you like and use my free patterns please thank me by subscribing to my youtube channel and following my blog.

http://www.youtube.com/user/CarmenBeeCrochet?feature=mhee
http://carmenbeeblog.blogspot.com/





*Note: This item is meant only for a photography prop, babies are not meant to be left unattended in cocoon, nor is it to be used for any other purpose.

This pattern is intended for your personal use. This is my personal pattern, permission is not given to sell the pattern, or the items you make. Please credit my blog in re-posting this pattern. Thank you and enjoy!

32 comments:

Melanie said...

Thanks so much for the tutorial! My friend took pics of my newborn and I want to thank her with this cocoon for her future shoots! This tut looks perfect! I'll be sure to post pics on ravelry when I finish.

Brittney said...

Thanks for posting this- I found the link on Ravelry. My photographer friend asked me to knit some photo props and I knew generally how to do it, but without a baby to measure, I had no idea about the size. This is exactly what I needed!

Gabby Malcuit said...

Thanks for posting this!

tickledpinkwithrosesandpearls.com said...

THANK YOU! You are so awesome for posting this, I have been looking all over for a pattern!

CarmenBee said...

You're welcome everyone! Glad you enjoyed it :)

Theresa C. Eldridge said...

YOU ARE FREAKING AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOW I MUST LEARN TO CROCHET....:O(

Kay McKee said...

Thank you so much for this pattern! I've been making them just free-hand but knew I was doing it wrong. I appreciate this so much!!

Fabulous Frail Family said...

THANK YOU sooooooo much!!! I also found this on Ravelry and am soooo grateful for this FREE pattern!!!

Unknown said...

Thanks !

Alicia said...

budding photographer here and this is exactly what I was looking for! I'm building a stash of props for my shoots. Thanks so much for sharing!!

Emmers said...

Thank you for this! I made one for potential use for photography (or to give away to a photographer as well after I try. I posted the results in my blog!) http://ratchit-fratchit-emmers.blogspot.com/2011/01/newest-crochet.html

Sarah said...

Just made this for my baby coming in June, thanks for the pattern!!

Lindsey said...

Thank you!
My photographer friend has asked me to make one. I had a general idea, but also needed to know good dimensions. The one I am making will be a little lacier, but this gives me some good guidelines.k

Stylist Ashley K said...

"With a little tighter tension, sc one row around the top. Sc decrease 2 together, two times in this row. Make the decreases one on each side equally spaced from the ends. Join with sl st in top of sc. Knot to fasten off and weave in ends." Just to clarify, there are only 2 decreases and they are one on each side equal space away from the ends right? When I made this it ended up being too big & I think it is because I didn't do the decrease correct. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Barbara said...

Thanks for sharing pattern! What type of yarn did you use and did you crochet with to strands at the same time or chunky?

Mary P said...

Just finished!!! This will be a gift for my photographer friend. I'm really excited to give it to her!

clsmommie said...

You are the best! I have been looking for some cheap or free props for me new studio, and this is perfect! I plan on making this in many colors and textures.

camelia vida-ratiu said...

Hello and thank you so much for this wonderful pattern! Will you be so kind to let me know an approximate weight of this cocoon (I need to buy the yarn online and I would very much need this information). Thank you again and have a great day!

klowderman said...

Great, great, great pattern!!!! You rock!!

Unknown said...

This is perfect!!! We have 2 babys due in September and I was looking for the perfect gift...guess I found it! Thanks again!

Krazy Momma Kreations said...

I have just finished making this item and it looks amazing. Thanks for your help. I have seen these around and always wanted to make one and although the idea seems simple it's nice to know the right dimensions. Thanks. You can my finished product here http://krazymommakreations.blogspot.ca/

Hook-It-Up said...

Can this be done with any type of yarn or is it thicker or thinner than 4 ply?

ASHLEE said...

Thanks for providing a pattern/tutorial. It was very easy to follow!

I posted my finished product on my blog and of course linked back here. Check it out if you want:

http://craftsparklepop.blogspot.com/2012/05/why-i-took-up-crochet.html

Thanks again!
Ashlee

CarmenBee said...

Thanks so much Ashlee!

CarmenBee said...

Sorry to everyone I have been slacking on answering your questions. Please let me know if you still need help, or contact me on ravelry. Thanks!

Yulia said...

Thanks a lot for your tutorial. It was very helpful for me. Though the photos are yet not ready to show, but the cocoon came out very nice...hope my client will also like it.

PetraL said...

Thank you so much for your pattern. How much yarn do you need to make this one? :)

CarmenBee said...

Hi PetraL-
I didn't keep a note of the exact amount of yarn, but one skein should be enough. I used one skein of "Homespun"

Discuss and Debate said...

Could anyone out there give me some idea of what the finished measurements would be if making this for newborn twins? Thanks so much!

CarmenBee said...

Hi Kimarie -

The cocoon shown in the photo stretches to about 17'' by 9''.
You are looking to fit both twins in one? You'd have to some how alter the pattern to make the cocoon wider on the sides. I don't think you'd need to make it any taller than 9''.
Hope this helps!

Unknown said...

thank you

Unknown said...

Can you make Video of you making this I'm new at doing this and reading pattern