Babies crave time on their
tummies—it’s a chance to strengthen their neck muscles and begin that all-important
wiggling that develops into crawling. But no one wants to be bored on their
tummy.
So, I designed this
colorful play mat, featuring crinkle tabs that give baby something fun to play with!
This mat is backed with a piece of felt for stability.
SKILL
LEVEL: Beginner
SIZE:
29" x 49", blocked
GAUGE
16 sts x 20 rows in sc = 4" square
MATERIALS
Yarns
220 Superwash from Cascade
(100% superwash wool; 3.5 oz; 220 yds)
A 2 skeins in color 1961
Camel
B 2 skeins in color 1973
Seafoam Heather
C 2 skeins in color 836 Pink
Ice
D 2 skeins in color 851 Lime
E 1 skein in color 842 Light
Iris
Hooks and Notions
Size H-8 (5 mm) crochet
hook
Sewing thread and sewing
needle
Crocheter’s toolbox
supplies
4" x 8" crinkle
paper
1½ yards of felt, ¼"
thick, 36" wide
SQUARES
Make 8: 2 each in A, B, and C; 1 each in D
and E.
With selected color, ch 49.
Row 1: Turn, sc in 2nd ch from
hook and each st across. 48 sts
Rows 2–59: Ch 1,
turn, sc in each st across.
Fasten off with long tail.
TABS
Make 3.
With D, ch 24.
Rnd 1: Sc in first st (to join in
circle), and each st across. 24 sts
Rnds 2–8: Sc in
each st.
Fasten off with long tail.
ASSEMBLY
Block squares to 12½"
square, so that they’re all the same size and have straight edges. Consistency
of size among squares is more important than matching measurements.
Assemble squares referring
to photo as follows: Whipstitch together along horizontal seams and use
mattress stitch along vertical seams. Notice each pair of squares is displaced
4" from adjacent pair.
Cut crinkle paper to size
of tab and insert 1 piece into each tab. Flatten tab and use long tail to whipstitch
closed along final rnd.
With length of D (or your
long tail, if you have some left), attach tab to mat at each horizontal seam,
slightly offset from vertical seams, as shown in photo.
With sewing thread and
running stitch, attach felt to back of mat. Knot and cut thread. Trim felt to shape
of mat
