In each month’s charity spotlight, I’ll be introducing a charity that accepts crochet or knitting projects for donation along with a free pattern, so read on for details about this month’s charity, The Binky Patrol.
This post contains affiliate links. Yarn for the sample was generously provided by Lion Brand.
May’s Featured Charity: The Binky Patrol
The Binky Patrol is a volunteer-led, nonprofit organization that has been distributed handmade blankets, known as binkies, to children facing health challenges or living with trauma throughout the United States since 1996. You can contribute locally through one of 160 Binky Patrol chapters or mail your donations to the national headquarters.
Binkies can be sewn, quilted, knitted, crocheted, or made with fleece and should be at at least 3′ (1 m) square. Many Binkies are given to children in hosptials, so they are only accepted from smoke-free homes.
Choose an easy care yarn that can be washed and dried in the machine. Be sure to weave in your ends securely. Don’t use fringe, which can pose a choking hazard for infants and toddlers. Since most blankets are distributed to children in shelters or hospitals, choose easy care yarns that can be machine washed and dried. Never include religious messages and don’t forget to add a Binky Patrol label, which you can pick up from your local chapter or request by mail from the national headquarters.
Here are two other Underground Crafter free crochet patterns that would make great binkies:
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 any ea of 3 colors in any medium weight yarn.
Shop for Lion Brand Heartland at your favorite retailer!
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
sk – skip
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, sk 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, sk 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.
4 thoughts on “Crochet Pattern: Sandy Dunes Binky”
Thanks, Marie! It so very much appreciated when donations are made . . . and it really is not hard. As crafters we have such an opportunity to give back providing comfort, care, support and even inspiration through our generous handmade gifting!! Thank you for this special pattern and spotlighting a special charity. How wonderful that you are taking the time to feature such an important venture!!!
Thanks for commenting, Darlene! I try to spotlight charitable organizations that work with crocheters and knitters (and in this case, seamstresses and quilters) because I know so many of us want to help.
Thanks, Marie! It so very much appreciated when donations are made . . . and it really is not hard. As crafters we have such an opportunity to give back providing comfort, care, support and even inspiration through our generous handmade gifting!! Thank you for this special pattern and spotlighting a special charity. How wonderful that you are taking the time to feature such an important venture!!!
Thanks for commenting, Darlene! I try to spotlight charitable organizations that work with crocheters and knitters (and in this case, seamstresses and quilters) because I know so many of us want to help.