Labyrinth Lullaby Baby Bonding Square Pattern
I bet you’ve held a handmade gift and felt the love woven into every stitch? I really believe that’s the magic of crochet. And today, I’ve got a project that’s not just about the craft, but about creating a tangible connection with your precious baby. We’re talking about the heart-warming tradition of crochet baby bonding squares. This super sweet crochet bonding square pattern is made with the delightful King Cole Cherished DK yarn that I’ve been raving about lately! I love it for so many reasons and thought that it was perfect for this adorable pattern too.
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What Are Crochet Baby Bonding Squares, Anyway?
Imagine a soft, handmade square filled with a mother’s love, designed to comfort and soothe a newborn. That’s the essence of a crochet baby bonding square. These small, typically 5×5 inch squares, are crocheted in pairs. One stays with mama, held close to her skin, while the other cuddles the baby. Every few hours, they swap, allowing mom’s scent to soothe baby and vice versa. It’s a simple yet powerful way to foster a bond, especially when a mama and baby might be separated for any reason.
Why Crochet a Bonding Square Pattern is Worth Your Time
- A Labor of Love: You’re not just creating a square; you’re crafting a keepsake, a symbol of the bond you share with your little one.
- Stress-Relief for You, Comfort for Baby: The rhythmic motion of crochet is soothing and meditative. Beneficial in this often difficult time. And the end result provides tactile and olfactory (smell) comfort for your baby.
- Easy & Quick Project: Even if you’re a crochet newbie, this free pattern is a breeze to learn. It’s a fantastic way to dip your toes into the wonderful world of crochet.
- Perfect Gift for New Moms: A handmade bonding square is a thoughtful, personalized gift for any new parent.
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Tips Before You Begin Your Crochet Bonding Square Pattern!
Before you grab your crochet hook, let’s talk about crafting the ideal bonding square pattern. Here are a few things to consider:
- Simplicity: A simple pattern is best for beginners, and results in a quick make.
- Softness: Choose a soft, baby-friendly yarn. Avoid anything scratchy or with lots of fuzz.
- Washability: Baby things get messy! Choose a yarn that can be easily washed and dried.
Free Crochet Bonding Square Pattern!
Bonding make amazing gifts for a new baby, and especially for new Moms! They’re like giving the gift of coziness and security, but even better because YOU made it! They’re a thoughtful gift that will help mother and baby connect in the way nature intended.
From the perspective of you the crocheter. Crochet blanket square patterns are wonderful in that they allow us lots of opportunity to practice a particular stitch or technique, or learn a new one! They’re a great way to relax while crocheting, because of the repetitive nature of a simple project, once you have the hang of the stitches and the rhythm of the pattern down, the yarn just flows!
Making Your Bonding Square Extra Special
This Labyrinth Lullaby bonding square pattern creates a lovely textured square that’s both visually appealing and soft to the touch. Here are few more ideas to customize your own crocheted squares, to make them even more special.
🍼 Personalization: Add a crocheted initial or a simple heart to make it unique.
🍼 Color: Use the colors of baby’s nursery or a favorite family color for a special touch.
🍼 Gifting: Pair your bonding square with a matching baby hat or booties for an extra special gift.
The Joy of Sharing: Donating Bonding Squares
Did you know that many hospitals accept donated crochet baby bonding squares? They’re used in NICUs (Neonatal Intensive Care Units) to help premature babies and their families. If you’re feeling extra generous, consider crocheting a few extra squares to donate. They really will be appreciated. Just make sure to reach out to the NICU to find out before you begin stitching, any specifications they require in terms of size, color or yarn.
Like Free Patterns? Then make sure you check out my most popular Free Pattern –> Tiny Dinosaur Amigurumi! Want to see even more? You can find all of my other Free Crochet Patterns <– Right here!!
My Amazing Bonding Square Pattern Testers!
Where would we be without these incredible pattern testers?! Thank you so much to my dedicated pattern testers for creating your sample bonding square pattern projects to help work out all the kinks before the pattern is published! My absolute fave part of designing is getting to see the amazing projects y’all WIP up using my patterns! I greatly appreciate my testers’ feedback which helps ensure that I can provide you with the highest quality pattern! My testers have all done such an amazing job creating their beautiful crochet bonding squares!! Make sure to check those out below!!
Thank you so much for testing the Labyrinth Lullaby Crochet Bonding Square Pattern: Sherry Staples, Brenda Meineke, Angela Moretz-Costello, Carol Danys, Erica Allewell, Kirsty Cummins, Linda Woodthorpe, Lora Nix, Loretta McDonald, and Susan Cassidy.
Make your Bonding Squares!
Materials:
- YARN: King Cole Cherished DK Weight 3 yarn, (100% Low Pill Acrylic, 3.5 oz/100 g, 262 yds/240 m).
- Sample Yarn: I used King Cole Cherished yarn in Lavender
- YARDAGE: MAKE 2: BONDING SQUARES: 80-100 yards total or 40-50 yards each
- HOOK: US I/9 5.5 mm
- Yarn needle, Scissors
Finished Size:
Bonding Squares (2): 5″ wide x 5″ long
Gauge: (Use Lemon Peel st: sc, dc) 13 rows x 12 sts = 4” square
Experience Level: Intermediate
Pattern Key:
st(s) – stitch(es)
space – sp(s)
sl st – slip stitch
ch – chain
sc – single crochet
hdc – half double crochet
hhdc – herringbone half double crochet (See special stitches)
puff st – puff stitch (See special stitches)
lem peel st – lemon peel stitch (See special stitches)
hdc 3rd lp – hdc in the 3rd loop (See special stitches)
fhdc – foundation half double crochet (See special stitches)
yo – yarn over
FO – fasten off
BLO – Back Loop Only
Special Stitches:
Lemon Peel Stitch: sc, dc
The Perfect Yarn for Crochet Bonding Squares Pattern!
The yarn I selected for this sweet textured preemie baby crochet bonding sqaures pattern is called King Cole Cherished. It was sent to me as part of the Brand Ambassador program with King Cole Yarn. I truly fell in love while working with this yarn and am excited for future projects!
Cherish is a low pill acrylic that is super soft and wonderful to work with baby yarn! It is so soft but durable, and easy to care for. Plus it comes in tons of adorable colors – currently 37 shades that range from neutrals, to soft hues, to vibrant colors! In addition you’ll find that Cherish Yarn comes in 3 varieties – Solid Cherished with 37 hues, Variegated Cherish with 34 beautiful color blends, and Cherish Dash in 5 versions of white with colorful dashes for a unique look!
Find Cherish and Cherished in your local yarn shop here.
Order Cherished Solids online from Lovecrafts here.
Order Cherish Variegated online from Lovecrafts here.
Cherish is a soft, easy care baby yarn that is perfect for little ones to make blankets, garments, and accessories.
Cherish/Cherished Label Details:
- 100% Low Pill Acrylic
- 262 yds/240 m, 3.5 oz/100 g
- Recommended hook/needle size is 4 mm/US 6
Special Stitches:
CHAINLESS FOUNDATION HALF DOUBLE CROCHET (fhdc):
STEP 1: Ch 2, yo, insert hook in 1st ch, yo again, and pull up a loop (should be 3 loops on hook), yo again and pull through 1st loop on hook, yo again and pull through all 3 loops on hook. 1 st.
STEP 2: yo, turn left side of your work toward you and you will see what looks like the top two loops of a stitch (this is your “foundation chain”), this is where you will now insert your hook, yo again, and pull up a loop (there are now 3 loops on your hook), yo again and pull through 1st loop on hook, yo again and pull through all 3 loops on hook. 2 st.
STEP 3: Yo, insert hook into the next “stitch” on the left side of your work, yo again, and pull up a loop (there are now 3 loops on your hook), yo again and pull through 1st loop on hook, yo again and pull through all 3 loops on hook. 3 st.
STEP 4: Repeat Step 3 until you have completed the number of stitches called for in your beginning chain. Follow the pattern directions from here, keeping in mind you have completed both the beginning chain and first row of stitches!
See this post for more help with Chainless Foundation Crochet Stitches: https://greenfoxfarmsdesigns.com/foundation-crochet-stitches
Crocheting in 3rd Loop (hdc 3rd lp/sc 3rd lp): When working in rows, the 3rd loop is found on the front/working side (instead of the back/wrong side as it would be in the round). Turn the top of the work toward you to see the 1st and 2nd loops. On the front/working side of the row you can see the 3rd loop (just below the 2nd loop,) that you will be working your stitches into. Work your stitches into the 3rd loop just as you would in the 1st and 2nd loops. Hdc in the 3rd lp is pictured below, use the same method for sc in 3rd lp. You will end up with a ridge on the right side of your work, formed by the 1st and 2nd loops.
PUFF STITCH (puff st):
STEP 1: Yo, insert hook in next st, yo and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook).
STEP 2: Yo, insert hook in same st, yo and pull up a loop (5 loops on hook).
STEP 3: Yo, insert hook in same st, yo and pull up a loop (7 loops on hook).
STEP 4: Yo and pull through all 7 loops on hook, DO NOT CH 1. Puff st completed.
Herringbone Half Double Crochet (hhdc): Yo, insert hook in next st, yo and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), pull 1st loop through 2nd loop on hook, yo and pull through last 2 loops on hook. Hhdc completed.
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NOTES:
- Read through the entire pattern first.
- Beginning chain does not count as a stitch.
- Place the 1st stitch of each row in the same stitch as ch 1.
- Sl st does count as a stitch on the final round of the border only.
- Repeat stitches between [ and ] the number of times indicated.
- Bonding Squares are worked in rows, then the border is worked around the outside edges of the square.
- For hdc in 3rd lp, keep in mind that turning your work after each row affects where the 3rd loop is located – in the front rather than the back. This is noted in the pattern as well.
- Blocking is highly recommended.
- This pattern is FREE, and has been thoroughly tested and tech edited. Please feel free to share any comments or ask any questions you many have! I welcome your feedback!!
- This post and all it contains including the pattern and photographs are my intellectual property and copyright protected property of GreenFoxFarms LLC © 2024. You are welcome to make as many as you like to sell, giveaway, etc. You may NOT sell, or alter and claim as your own this pattern. You may not use my photographs. This pattern is not for mass production.
- If you want to share this pattern online, you must only share a link to my blog post. You may not copy and paste my text or the pattern to another site. Thank you for respecting my work.
- By using this pattern, you are agreeing to abide by these terms.
Pattern Release Details:
This heirloom crochet bonding square pattern is now available for purchase in my Ravelry Shop or as part of a Preemie Pattern SET in my Etsy Shop!The Crochet Bonding Square pattern is FREE here on my blog, OR you can purchase the AD-FREE, printer friendly, PDF copy with detailed tutorials and full pattern support for a couple of dollars.
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Pattern Download RAVELRY
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Labyrinth Lullaby Bonding Square Pattern
Free Crochet Pattern for the Preemie Challenge
I am so excited to share that my new Labyrinth Lullaby Preemie Bonding Squares Pattern is featured in the 2024 Preemie Challenge! What is the Preemie Challenge? In order to encourage people to make and donate needed handmade items for premature babies and their families, Helen of Sunflower Cottage Crochet has created a wonderful annual event called the Preemie Challenge that Helen has hosted each summer since 2020! A new designer and pattern is featured each day and free to view or download!
HOW TO GET YOUR FREE BABY BONDING SQUARE PATTERN FREE DOWNLOAD:
I’m so excited to share that my Labyrinth Lullaby Crochet Preemie Bonding Square Pattern is featured TODAY on the Preemie Crochet Challenge hosted by Helen of Sunflower Cottage Crochet!
🍼 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2024 ONLY you can download a FREE PDF!
🍼 You have the rest of the month to grab your FREE copy of the Labyrinth Lullaby Bonding Square Pattern.
🍼 NO CODE IS NEEDED FOR THIS DOWNLOAD!!
🍼 Click the Download button below. This will take you to the About page on my blog where you can learn more about Green Fox Farms Designs and my patterns.
🍼 Scroll down that page and find the PURPLE BOX and click the button to get your FREE PDF Download of the BONDING SQUARE PATTERN! 👇
🍼 Enjoy and Happy Hooking friends! Make sure to check back to the Preemie Crochet Challenge each day through 6/30/24 to get a new FREE Crochet Pattern to make and donate!
JUST CLICK THE DOWNLOAD BUTTON BELOW TO GET THE FREE PATTERN!
What is a Bonding Square?
Bonding squares are 5 inch squares made in pairs, either knit or crochet. One is worn by the mother of a premature baby (against her skin), and the other is kept with the baby in the incubator to help with bonding during physical separation. The squares are swapped each time mother visits the baby so the baby can associate the mother’s smell and begin to form the bond we all need to thrive.
Many NICUs use these squares to help with bonding, and you can help by making squares to donate to your local NICU or to a family with a premature baby! Please check with your local NICU to find out if they are accepting donations, and any specific rules or regulations they have in place regarding donated items. Most hospitals request that the yarns used for baby items be of a DK/Baby/Weight 3 or smaller and that they are very soft, washable yarns usually acrylic for ease of care.
LABYRINTH LULLABY BONDING SQUARE PATTERN:
Pattern Directions:
BONDING SQUARE: (make 2)
- Make 2 squares for Donating or Gifting.
- Size pre-border: 4” wide x 4” long.
- With Border: 5” wide x 5” long.
Row 1: Fhdc 14, turn (14 hdc). Alternately, you can loosely ch 15, hdc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across, turn, (14 hdc).
In Row 2 when you work in the 3rd lp, remember that the 3rd lp of Row 1, will be in the front of the stitches.
Row 2: Ch 1, hdc, hdc in 3rd lp next 12 sts, hdc, turn, (14 hdc).
Row 3: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn, (14 sc).
Row 4: Ch 1, [hdc, puff st,] 6 times, hdc in next 2 sts, turn, (8 hdc, 6 puff sts).
Row 5: Repeat Row 3.
Rows 6-8: Ch 1, lem peel st 7 times, turn, (7 sc, 7 dc).
Rows 9-11: Repeat Rows 3-5.
Row 12: Ch 1, hdc in each st across, turn, (14 hdc).
Row 13: Ch 1, hdc, hdc in BLO next 12 sts, hdc, (14 hdc). Do not FO. Complete Bonding Squares with Border below.
BONDING SQUARE BORDER:
To form the corners, you will place sc, ch 2, sc, where the sc are worked in the same sts as the 1st and last st for each side, separated by a ch-2 sp. Corner: (hhdc, sc,) ch 2, (sc, hhdc).
Round 1:
Side 1: Ch 1, working down side of square, (sc, hhdc,) 12 hhdc spaced evenly down side, (hhdc, sc,) ch 2. Side 1: (Ch-2, 2 sc, 14 hhdc).
Side 2: Rotate, working along bottom of square, (sc, hhdc,) hhdc in next 12 sts, (hhdc, sc,) ch 2. Side 2: (Ch 2, 2 sc, 14 hhdc).
Side 3: Rotate, working up side of square, (sc, hhdc,) 12 hhdc spaced evenly up side, (hhdc, sc,) ch 2. Side 3: (Ch-2, 2 sc, 14 hhdc).
Side 4: Rotate, working along top of square, (sc, hhdc,) hhdc in next 12 sts, (hhdc, sc,) ch 2, sl st to join to 1st st of round. Side 4: (Ch 2, 2 sc, 14 hhdc).
R1 Total: (4 ch-2 sp, 8 sc, 56 hhdc).
Round 2: Sl st in each st around, 2 sl st in each ch-2 sp, sl st to join, (72 sl sts).
FO and weave in ends! Make a pair and you have a wonderful donation to help a premature baby bond with mom!!
A crochet baby bonding square is so much more than just a piece of yarn. It’s a symbol of love, comfort, and connection. Whether you’re making it for yourself, a loved one, or to donate, you’re creating something truly special. So grab your hook, choose your favorite yarn, and let the love flow through your stitches.
Please Share your Baby Bonding Squares!
Now it’s your turn! Have you ever crocheted a bonding square? Do you have a favorite tip or story to share? Let’s chat in the comments below!
I hope you enjoy this free crochet baby bonding square pattern as much I enjoyed creating it for you! I would love to see your gorgeous projects on Ravelry and social media! Please tag me in your photos so I can see what you’ve made! I adore getting to see the beautiful projects y’all have made with my patterns! It’s the reason I do what I do!! (Plus the yarn benefits are pretty great too!! )
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