Nova was a beautiful baby girl in the town where I work. About the same time Charlotte was diagnosed with cancer, Nova became a victim of child abuse when her caretaker shook her. To honor Nova this April, which is Child Abuse Awareness Month, I have designed this blanket for her.

Blue is the color of child abuse awareness, and purple is an acronym used to help parents of newborns understand why their baby is crying and how to cope. That’s why I designed the Nova Baby Blanket in blues and purples, although I’m sure it would look beautiful in any color combination. There is help for parents who feel overwhelmed when their baby cries, and I’m trying to raise awareness with the Nova patterns this month. Find more information here and share with someone you think needs it.

The Nova Baby Blanket uses a very simple Cl/V-stitch repeat for the body of the blanket. The border uses a similar technique to give the blanket a colorful, polished look. This pattern is easy to read, and it includes a photo tutorial on the Cluster st.

Whether you’re making a blanket for a new baby in the family or you’re donating to hospitals or foundations that help families with young children, this pattern is an excellent go-to. It works up quickly, and you can create it in colors that mean something to you.