Frugal Friday (Big Baby Blankets)

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Nothing says frugal to me more than a multi-purpose item. Rather, three multi-purpose items. Take a look at these beauties...


These are three baby blankets I had made for the twins. It all started when a friend of my mother's presented her with two large baby blankets to give me when the twins were born. They were much bigger than regular-sized receiving blankets and sported beautiful hand-crocheted trim my mom's friend paid a lady to add. The only thing that bothered me about them were the ducks. Now don't get me wrong. I like ducks. There are nothing wrong with ducks. However, because I enjoyed these blankets so much, they were ALWAYS with me, whether wrapped around one of the babies, thrown over my shoulder or folded over my arm on the way into church. One day as I sat looking at one particular duck taking a bath while wearing sunglasses, I said to myself, "Self, why couldn't I buy beautiful fabric, cut it to the size I want and pay the friend of my mom's friend to hand-finish the edges?" An idea was born and once I finally got up the gumption to go to Walmart and buy the fabric, my idea took wings.

The crochet lady charged me only $20 to hand-crochet each of the 4'x6' blankets and as you can see, they turned out beautifully.


These are not your typical flannel or fleece baby blankets. I specifically purchased 100% cotton and had her crochet only one layer thick as I knew the babies would be swaddled snugly in these blankets during the heat of the summer. I bought three, so in case one needed to be washed, I would still be able to sport the other twin in his matching blanket!

As I said at the beginning of this post, these blankets are multi-purpose. Obviously, I use them to swaddle the babies, like this...


I also find that these are excellent nursing blankets. The babies are at a stage where they love to grab and pull every thing their little hands can reach, so it is very difficult to keep a blanket over them while nursing. These blankets are so long, though, that it is a challenge for them to pull it off if I have it draped behind my back. I either use them as a wrap while breastfeeding, like this...


...or they can simply be laid over the key components to ensure modesty, like this...


Other uses for these blankets:
-Impromtu tablecloth
-Sun shield
-Peek-a-boo toy
-I've even used them as a wrap-around skirt at the pool, like this...


I've often wondered what I would have done had I not known someone who could crochet an edge like this...


I'm sure I could have stiched on some kind of decorative add-on or simply folded the hems over and zigzagged them, but I sure do love her handiwork!

And there you have it....my big, beautiful baby blankets!

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