Baby Afghan (Girl) Round or Square?

[LadiBug329]

I need an opinion....

I am getting ready to make a baby blanket for a shower gift - its a girl. 

Which would be a better useful blanket...a round ripple or square/rectangle?

 

If round, what size would you recommend? And approx how many ounces / grams of yarn would be needed? (Thinking about Baby Bee Hushabye or I Love This Yarn because they are so soft. No LYS near me)

 

I just made a rectangle in a ripple pattern...36x42 for a baby boy, and it used approx 18 ounces (2-1/2 balls of Caron Cakes).   Its a bit big for an infant, but a good size for the crib and naps once the baby gets bigger.  

 

Thanks for any and all input!!  

[redrosesdz]

HI Ladibug!

 

I don't think that the shape matters as much as the type of yarn.  I wouldn't use anything with wool in it, like caron cakes, for a baby.  You don't know if they'll have an allergic reaction.  The best yarn is acrylic and/or plant fibers.  I stick with yarn that says "baby" for clothing and accessories for babies and with sturdy yarn, like RHSS, for toys.  So, you might want to think of another use for the rectangle that you made.  Here's an interesting discussion on the subject of yarn and baby safety...

 

https://www.reddit.com/r/knitting/comments/2rw05k/how_to_know_if_a_yarn_is_baby_safe/

 

The Crochet Crowd has afghan sizes and an afghan calculator.

http://thecrochetcrowd.com/afghan-sizes/

http://thecrochetcrowd.com/afghan-calculator/

 

ETA: Your rectangle is a nice size for a lapghan. 

[LadiBug329]

Thank you for the info!  I really like the Baby Bee Hushabye...its acrylic and cotton - and really soft.   ILTY is 100% acrylic and softer than RHSS but has many more color options than Hushabye. 

I already gifted the baby blanket made with Caron Cakes...assumed it was 100% acrylic...I didn't read the label.  It was washed and dried before gifting, with no shrinkage.  Hopefully no reactions to it. 

 

I know as a mom (25 years ago) all the blankets I had were square or rectangle.  That was before the infant carriers and strollers being a must have for moms.   

 

I was thinking of a round ripple (rosereds 12pt ripple) and making button tabs ( that can later be removed ) on it to attach to the infant carrier/car seat?  

[redrosesdz]

Here are some patterns at Ravelry for car seat/carrier covers.  I'd use one of those sizes, if you want it to double as a blanket & cover.  5 of the patterns are free.

 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/search#query=car%20seat%20cover&view=captioned_thumbs&sort=best&craft=crochet&fit=baby