The “Imagination Hearts - Baby Bonding Cloth” crochet pattern is available as a premium PDF download on Ravelry.
NOTE: PDF has a total of 5 different sized 'heart' patterns.
Imagination Baby Bonding Cloths are designed to help parents foster a deeper connection with their babies through the powerful sense of smell—one of the most developed senses in infants.
Widely used in NICUs, these soft, heart-shaped cloths come in sets of two. One cloth is worn by the parent against their skin, while the other stays with the baby. By swapping them daily, both parent and baby share each other’s scent, enhancing emotional bonding and potentially supporting lactation.
This simple, yet meaningful gesture helps create emotional closeness, deepen the parent-child bond, and bring comfort, even when apart. Give new parents the gift of connection with the soothing power of scent—keeping their baby close, even from a distance.
Imagination Baby Bonding Cloths also make
great baby washcloths!
Materials
➤Yarn: 100% Cotton
➤Yardage: 10-80 yds
➤Hook: 5.5 mm
Stitches & Abbreviations
US Terminology
➤ * * = Repeat stitch pattern between * *
➤ Ch# = Chain number of times specified
➤ St/Sts = Stitch/Stitches
➤ SS = Slip Stitch
➤ SK# = Skip number of sts specified
➤ SC = Single Crochet ➤ HDC = Half Double Crochet
➤ DC = Double Crochet
➤ EX-DC = Extended Double Crochet - Yarn over (YO), insert hook, YO, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), YO, pull through 1st loop on hook (3 loops on hook), YO, pull through 2 loops. Repeat again. Moogly Video Instructions for EX-DC
NOTE: You can substitute a TR st in place of this. ➤ PUFF = Puff Stitch: Yarn Over (YO), insert hook, YO, pull through stitch & draw up a loop. Repeat 2 more times, for a total of 7 loops on your hook. YO, draw through 6 loops, YO draw through remaining 2 loops.
Notes & Special Instructions
➤ Chains at beginning of a round/row NEVER count as a stitch. ➤ Total number of stitches per round/row in (#) at end.
➤ This pattern can be made in all 1 color or 2 (or more) colors: If using multiple colors, continue to use same color until pattern states to use new Color (A or B). Color B will be color used on DC/PUFF rows. ➤ First DC Options: In this pattern, the 1st DC st in rows/rounds will always be noted as a regular DC. There will be NO Chain instructions on rows/rounds beginning with a DC.
Use your preferred method for 1st DC stitch of these rows/rounds.
1 - Chainless Starting DC: This is the technique I prefer to use. I also use this technique for 1st FPDC/BPDC of rows/rounds. Moogly Video Tutorial for Chainless Beginning DC st
2 - Stacked SC: Stacking 2 SC will result in a similar look to a DC st without added bulk of a Ch2. Brianna K Video Tutorial for Stacked SC
3 - Ch3: Use this as 1st DC of row/round.
4 - 4 - Ch2: This will get your sts to height of a DC & then place a regular DC in 1st st of row/round. TIP: To hide Ch2 join seam: Ch2, SK 1st (join) st, work 1st DC of rnd in next st, work remainder of rnd as indicated, working last st of rnd over Ch2 into 1st (join/skipped)
st of rnd. ➤ I suggest using the invisible join for a seamless look when finishing off.
IMAGINATION HEART BABY BONDING CLOTH PATTERN
NOTES: | This piece is worked in Rounds. At the end of each round, SS to join to 1st st & do NOT turn. REMINDER: Pattern is written using chainless beginning DC. Use your preferred method for 1st DC. |
Start: | With Color A: Magic Circle OR Ch4 & SS to join circle OR Ch2 (work Rnd 1 in 1st ch) |
Rnd 1: | Ch1, 8 SC in the circle. (8) |
Rnd 2: | With Color B: [1 DC, 1 PUFF] in each st around.. (16) |
Rnd 3: | With Color A: Ch1, 2 SC in each st around. (32) |
Rnd 4: | With Color B: 1 DC in 1st st, 1 PUFF in next st. 1 DC in next st, 1 PUFF in next st. Repeat around. (32) |
Rnd 5: | With Color A: Ch1, 2 SC in 1st st, 1 SC in next st. 2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st. Repeat around. (48) |
Rnd 6: | With Color B: Ch1, SK 1st & 2nd sts, [1 HDC, 1 DC] in next st, 1 PUFF in next st, 3 Ex-DC in next st. 1 PUFF in next st, 1 DC in next st. Repeat again. 1 PUFF in next st, [1 DC, 1 HDC] in next st, 1 HDC in each of next 3 sts, 1 SC in each of next 4 sts, 1 HDC in each of next 4 sts, [1 HDC, 1 DC] in next st, 2 EX-DC in next st, Ch1, 2 EX-DC in next st, [1 DC, 1 HDC] in next st, 1 HDC in each of next 4 sts, 1 SC in next 4 sts, 1 HDC in each of next 3 sts, [1 HDC, 1 DC] in next st, 1 PUFF in next st, 1 DC in next st. Repeat again. 1 PUFF in next st, 3 Ex-DC in next st, PUFF in next st, [1 DC, 1 HDC] in next st, Ch1, Sk last 2 sts. (56) |
TRIM: | With Color A: Ch2, Sk Ch1, SS in next st. Ch1, SS in next st. Repeat around. Ch2, SK Ch1. Use invisible join to 1st st to fasten off. Weave in ends. |
