What to Do with Old Crochet Baby Blankets: Practical Tips and Ideas
Crochet baby blankets often hold sentimental value, serving as treasured keepsakes from a child’s earliest days. However, as time passes and children grow, these blankets might no longer serve their original purpose. Instead of letting these hand-crafted gems gather dust in storage, several creative and meaningful options exist to repurpose, donate, or gift them.
Repurposing old crochet baby blankets can give them new life and create renewed meaning in your home or the life of a loved one. Donating or gifting these handmade treasures can also spread joy and warmth to others. Additionally, turning the blankets into display items will beautifully showcase their craftsmanship and the love woven into each stitch, while caring for them properly can ensure a long-lasting legacy.
Repurposing Old Crochet Baby Blankets
Turning Blankets into Cushions
A great way to give new life to your old crochet baby blankets is by re-purposing them as eye-catching cushions. To do this, you can simply fold a blanket in half, stuff, and sew it up. If the blanket is quite “lacy” then you may need to add a fabric liner to it at well.
Alternatively, for a baby blanket made of square motifs, you can select a portion of the blanket (such as a square of nine or sixteen motifs), cut it out taking care not to damage the motifs you are keeping, and add a fabric backing of the same dimension. If needed, you could add a few extra rounds of crochet stitches to increase it up to a desired size. Next, sew the edges of the crochet and fabric backing together, leaving an opening to insert the filling or cushion pad. Stuff the pillow firmly, and close the opening with a careful hand stitch.
The resulting cushions will be both attractive and meaningful, featuring the original crochet work and yarn.
Creating Quilts
Another way to extend the life of a crochet baby blanket is by incorporating it into a quilt. With a careful selection of complementary fabrics, create quilt squares the same size as the blanket. Arrange the squares in a pleasing layout, joining all squares, including the blanket, to create a larger quilt. Typical quilts are created using a three-layer system: the quilt top, a layer of batting, and a backing fabric. Stitch these layers together and finish the perimeter with a binding to complete the new, repurposed quilt.
Enlarging the Blanket
As little ones grow, so do the sizes of their beds and over time they will outgrow their baby blankets. However, you can easily extend the life of a blanket by simply adding on some extra crochet motifs, rounds or rows, until the blanket reaches its new desired size. You may wish to remove any border on the initial baby blanket before enlarging. For best results, take care to use a yarn of the same thickness to that of the original blanket.
Read this article for more guidance on how to increase the size of a blanket.
Framing for Wall Art
One creative way to display an old crochet baby blanket is by turning it into a piece of framed wall art. Here’s how:
- Select a frame: Choose a frame that complements the colors and design of the blanket, as well as the room where it will be displayed.
- Prepare the blanket: Gently clean and dry the blanket, if needed, and iron out any wrinkles.
- Mount the blanket: Use acid-free adhesive tape or fabric pins to secure the blanket to foam core or mat board, ensuring that the blanket lays flat and doesn’t stretch.
- Assemble the frame: Place the mounted blanket into the frame and secure the frame backing. Hang the framed blanket on the wall.
This method allows you to preserve and showcase the beautiful craftsmanship of the crochet blanket while adding an artistic touch to your home.
Donating Crochet Baby Blankets
When it comes to giving new life to old crochet baby blankets, donating is a wonderful option. Not only can it serve as a heartfelt gesture, but it also positively impacts the lives of others in need. Below are a few worthy causes to consider.
Donating to Hospitals
Hospitals are often in search of crochet baby blankets for their neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). These blankets provide comfort to premature and critically ill infants. To donate, simply contact your local hospital and inquire about their specific donation guidelines. Some hospitals may require blankets to meet certain size and fabric requirements, or they might have a list of approved patterns. Following these guidelines will ensure that your donated blankets are put to good use.
Supporting Nursing Homes
Nursing homes can also benefit from donations of crochet baby blankets. Elderly residents may find comfort and warmth in these handmade items, particularly those who suffer from dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Contact local nursing homes to learn about their donation preferences, as they may have specific requirements for the colors, patterns, and sizes of the blankets. Donating with the needs of the nursing home in mind will maximize the impact of your gift.
Helping Homeless Shelters or Refuges
Lastly, homeless shelters and refuges are other worthwhile causes to consider when donating crochet baby blankets. Not only can these blankets provide warmth and comfort, but they can also serve as a reminder that someone out there cares about those in need. To donate, reach out to local homeless shelters or refuges to inquire about their needs and preferences. It is important to remember that shelters may have different requirements regarding acceptable blanket sizes, as well as any particular need for children or family-specific shelters. By respecting these guidelines, you can be confident that your donation will directly benefit those who need it most.
Passing On Handmade Crochet Baby Blankets
Handmade crochet baby blankets are a heartfelt creation that can be cherished and securely passed down for generations. Whether made with love by a family member or friend, or purchased from a skilled artisan, passing on these cozy, soft blankets is a lovely gesture to demonstrate care and affection. There can be something very special about wrapping a baby up in a handmade blanket, knowing that other family members or friends have delighted in its warmth before.
Conclusion: What to Do with Old Crochet Baby Blankets
Crochet baby blankets are cherished items that carry memories and sentimental value, but as time passes and their purpose becomes obsolete, it’s worthwhile to find alternative uses for them. Old crochet baby blankets can be enlarged, re-purposed as quilts or cushions, donated or gifted, or even displayed as wall art.
Giving new life to old crochet baby blankets is an environmentally friendly and heartfelt way to cherish memories and showcase the creativity in textile art. From decorative cushions to wall art, there are plenty of ways to incorporate these keepsakes into your home or share them with loved ones as special gifts.
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