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I’m Marie Segares from Underground Crafter and I love to crochet for charity. While there are definitely situations when money or other volunteer services are more helpful, there is something incredibly healing and inspiring about a handmade gift. That’s why I’m always on the look out for charities that accept handmade goods. In this post, I’ll be introducing you to one such charity and sharing a free crochet pattern, so read on for more details.

Featured Charity: Binky Patrol

The Binky Patrol has been distributing handmade blankets since 1996. This national, volunteer-led, non-profit organization distributes handmade blankets to children facing health challenges or living with trauma. With 160 chapters across the country, as well as tens of thousands of volunteers, they distribute blankets, or binkies, to children all over the United States.

Tips for Making Great Binkies

The Binky Patrol asks for handmade blankets that are at least 3′ (1 m) square. Blankets can be sewn, quilted, knitted, crocheted, or made with fleece. Since most blankets are distributed to children in shelters or hospitals, choose easy care yarns that can be machine washed and dried. Binkies are only accepted from smoke-free homes.

For crocheted and knit blankets, weave in all ends securely and avoid fringe, which can present a choking hazard to infants and toddlers. Avoid religious messages and be sure to attach a Binky Patrol label. (Labels can be obtained through a local chapter or by mail from the national headquarters.) You can choose to donate a binky through a local chapter or by shipping it to the headquarters in Oregon. You can find more information on the Binky Patrol website.

Sandy Dunes Binky

Crochet Pattern by Underground Crafter

Finished Size

• Adjustable. Photographed sample measures 30” (76 cm) wide x 36” (91.5 cm) long.

Difficulty Level

• Easy.

Materials

• Lion Brand Heartland (5 oz/142 g/251 yds/230 m/100% acrylic) – 2 skeins ea in 109 Olympic (CA), 124 Big Bend (CB), and 098 Acadia (CC), or approximately 500 yds (457 m) in ea of 3 colors in any medium weight yarn.
• US Size I-9 (5.5 mm) crochet hook, or any size needed to obtain gauge.
• Yarn needle.

Gauge

• Completed Square = 3” (7.5 cm) in pattern. Exact gauge is not critical for this pattern.

Abbreviations Used in This Pattern

• CA – Color A
• CB – Color B
• CC – Color C
• ch – chain
• dc – double crochet
• ea – each
• hdc – half double crochet
• rep – repeat
• Rnd(s) – Round(s)
• sc – single crochet
• sl st – slip stitch
• sp – space
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• * Rep instructions after asterisk as indicated.

Pattern Note

• For a scrappy version, you’ll need approximately 6.25 yd (6 m) in ea of 2 colors for ea square.

Pattern Instructions

Motif – Make 20 ea

• Motif A: CA center, CB border.
• Motif B: CA center, CC border.
• Motif C: CB center, CA border.
• Motif D: CB center, CC border.
• Motif E: CC center, CB border.
• Motif F: CC center, CA border.

Motif Center

• Ch 4, skip 3 sts, join with sl st to first ch to form ring.
• Rnd 1: Ch 4 (counts as dc + ch-1 sp), *dc, ch 1 in ring; rep from * 5 more times, dc in ring, sc to top of ch 3 to join (counts as ch-1 sp). (16 sts)
• Rnd 2: Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in same ch-1 sp, ch 1, *2 dc in ch-1 sp, ch 1; rep from * 5 more times, 2 dc in ch-1 sp, sc to top of ch 3 to join. (24 sts)
• Rnd 3: Ch 1, sc in same ch-1 sp, *sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in ch-1 sp; rep from * 6 more times, sc in next 2 sts, sc in first ch-1 sp, fasten off and join new color with sl st to first sc. (32 sts)

Motif Border

• Rnd 4: Ch 1, sc in same st and next st, hdc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st, ch 2, 2 dc in next st, *hdc in next 2 sts, sc in next 2 sts, hdc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st,ch 3, 2 dc in next st; rep from * around to last 2 sts, hdc in next 2 sts, join with sl st to first sc, fasten off with 12” (30.5 cm) yarn tail for joining. (52 sts)

Assembly

• Following placement diagram, join squares together to form rows and then join rows together.

• With right side facing, begin with hook and yarn tail in last ch of ch-3 sp. Line up sts and join with sl st through back loops of ea layer, skip last 2 ch of ch-3 sp. Use CC to join rows together in same fashion. (You can find a photo tutorial for making a slip stitch join here.)

Finishing

• With yarn needle, weave in yarn tails securely.

What’s your favorite charity to crochet for?

P.S. Don’t forget to enter our #StitchWithLove giveaway – it runs until the 14th!

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