Nugget Lovey Crochet Pattern {Free}

The Nugget Lovey is a great crochet pattern for when you’re looking for a quick project to donate to NICU units or moms of preemies. It works up quickly and doesn’t require too much yarn, so you can use up some of your stash at the same time.

Make sure you check with your local NICU department to see if they are accepting loveys and/or other preemie items, and what their specific regulations might be.

The Nugget Lovey is part of the Nugget Preemie set.

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MATERIALS

Finished Size: 9″ x 9″

Yarn: #4 bulky weight – 1.7 oz/85 yds skeins
Sample used: Caron One Pound in Soft Sage

Crochet Hook: Size K/10.5 (6.5 mm)

Notions: Yarn Needle

Gauge: 13 sts x 12 rows = 4” in pattern

Difficulty: Beginner: Uses easy stitches with no shaping.

Abbreviations:

ch – chain
dc – double crochet
edc – extended double crochet
sl st – slip stitch
sc – single crochet
yo – yarn over

For a full list of abbreviations, please see my List of Abbreviations.

Notes:

Lovey can be adjusted by adding, or subtracting, in multiples of 2.
When adjusting the size be sure to consider yarn requirements.

Special Stitches:

Edc (extended double crochet) – yo, insert hook in next ch-sp, yo, pull up loop, yo, pull through 1 loop on hook, [yo, pull through 2 loops on hook] twice.

The Nugget Lovey was created for the Annual Preemie Challenge 2023 that is hosted by Sunflower Cottage Crochet. It will be available for free download until the end of the event.

LOVEY CROCHET PATTERN

Ch 28.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, *dc in next ch, sc in next ch; rep from * across, turn. (27 sts)

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in 1st st, *ch 1, skip next sc, sc in next st; rep from * across, turn. (14 sc, 13 ch-1 sps)

Row 3: Ch 1, sc in 1st sc, *edc in ch-sp, sc in next sc; rep from * across, turn. (14 sc, 13 edc)

Rows 4 – 25: Repeat Rows 2 & 3.

Border

Round 1: (Sc, ch 1, sc) in corner, work 1 sc in each st across top, (sc, ch 1, sc) in corner, work 1 sc in each row end, (sc, ch 1, sc) in corner, work 1 st in each st across bottom, (sc, ch 1, sc) in corner, work 1 sc in each row end, sl st in first sc to join.

Fasten off.