Weldon’s Mystery Project: Square for Baby’s Quilt

Seeking out something special to crochet for a new baby? Look back to the Victorian era for inspiration. Weldon’s Practical Crochet, Third Series (in Weldon’s Practical Needlework, Volume 1) has just the project to honor a newborn, a Square for Baby’s Quilt. But wait! There’s no illustration. What does this crochet Square for Baby’s Quilt look like?

Help us uncover the mystery of Weldon’s crocheted Square for Baby’s Quilt. Here is the pattern as it was published in 1886, with neither corrections nor alterations.

SQUARE FOR BABY’S QUILT

REQUIRED, three shades of pale pink or blue, and some white Berlin wool. With the white, make a circle of 5 chain. Into this work 4 treble 1 chain 4 times, making 16 treble in all, the chain to form the corners of square. Take the lightest shade of wool, and with it work in each corner 3 treble, 1 chain, 3 treble, then with the next work in one corner 3 treble, 2 chain, 3 treble, then 3 treble between the pale shade of previous row, and again 3 treble, 2 chain, 3 treble at the next corner; repeat this all round. Now take the darkest wool, and with it make 6 treble in each corner, and 2 clumps of 3 treble on each side, repeating it all round, which completes the square. Be careful when joining the different colours to work the ends of the wool in neatly. The same pattern is also pretty for couvrepieds or sofa blankets, the colours being chosen with reference to the furniture, or a mixture of colours, white, blue, red, olive, and gold, looks very well if the squares are arranged diagonally. For a baby’s quilt however, nothing is prettier than pale blue or pink.

Before you chain on, remember that British crochet terms differ from those used in the United States. Here’s a handy translation of the English crochet terms.

Crochet your own Square for Baby’s Quilt. (Actually, crochet several for an entire afghan.) Then send a photo to us at piecework@longthreadmedia.com. We’d love to see the square or even a finished baby blanket!

Happy crocheting!
Elizabeth