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.

You can find more information about Binky Patrol on their website, including information about hosting your own “Bink-a-Thon,” how to send in donations, and free patterns.

Tips for Making Great Binkies

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:

Don’t forget to share a picture on Ravelry or with my Facebook page if you make one!

If you want an easy print format, you can buy an ad-free PDF version on Craftsy.

Sandy Dunes Binky

Crochet Pattern by Underground Crafter

This beginner-friendly motif blanket is perfect for donation to the Binky Patrol or as a stashbuster.

Finished Size

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

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 any ea of 3 colors in any medium weight yarn.

Shop for Lion Brand Heartland at your favorite retailer!

LeisureArts | Craftsy | Jo-Ann | Amazon

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.

Finishing

With yarn needle, weave in yarn tails securely.

© 2016 by Marie Segares (Underground Crafter). This pattern is for personal use only. You may use the pattern to make unlimited items for yourself, for charity, or to give as gifts. You may sell items you personally make by hand from this pattern. Do not violate Marie’s copyright by distributing this pattern or the photos in any form, including but not limited to scanning, photocopying, emailing, or posting on a website or internet discussion group. If you want to share the pattern, point your friends to this link: http://undergroundcrafter.com/2016/05/18/free-pattern-sandy-dunes-binky/. Thanks for supporting indie designers!