Maria was a neighbor to my parents from the day she was born until she went to college.

I watched her, and her younger sister, Sarah, grow up and leave the nest to have husbands and homes of their own.

This past month I received an email from Sue, Maria’s mother, telling me that after 6 years of trying, Maria and her husband are expecting a baby boy.

After Maria told her mother the news she said, “But Mom, I don’t know anything abut boys.”

Her mother’s response, “In the near future you will learn.”

When Maria and Sarah were born, I designed and made cross stitched samplers for both of them. Since my eyes are no longer good enough for making a new sampler, I will crochet several items for this new addition to our extended neighborhood family. Each item will be designed specially for him.

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This pattern includes a photo tutorial on adding a crochet “foundation” to an unfinished receiving blanket/piece of cotton flannel. This way, you will not have to find a pre-finished blanket to add this edging to.

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100% of the purchase price for the pattern goes to no-kill animal shelters in Western New York and in my home state of Indiana.