Crochet-lined receiving blankets

A single layer of flannel is easier to wrap.

Nothing beats a good swaddle, at least if you are an infant.  Most store-bought receiving blankets are too small or too thick to wrap a baby well, though. The most useful swaddling blankets are flannel ones you make yourself. 

Supplies:

1. A 42 x 42-inch square of the best flannel you can find. Make sure it is flame retardant. (If it is not, it will have something printed along the edge, like "not for children's night clothes.")
2. Cotton thread of any weight and color. Pearl cotton #5 works well. You'll find this with the embroidery  threads at the store.
3. A crochet needle small enough to pierce the flannel. A medium weight, such as a Boye steel crochet hook size 4, seems to work the easiest.

Line the whole border of the flannel with blanket stitches.

Steps:

1. Wash and dry the flannel.
2. Turn a 1/4-inch hem along the flannel. Stick the hook through the material under the hem (one thickness of material), and make a single crochet over the hem. Make another single crochet to lie on the top edge of the hem. This is what my grandma calls a "blanket stitch."
3. Make another blanket stitch 1/2-inch down the material, and continue around the flannel.