Trade in your traditional baby crib mobile for this easy to make macramé mobile that can be used long after the baby starts to pull his/her self up in the crib! The typical crib mobile, though usually very pretty, can only be left on the crib until the baby starts pulling up, then off it comes. Very short lived for the money we pay for them!
I wanted to make something that wouldn’t have to be taken down when the baby started pulling up in the crib. It must be hung high enough that the baby cannot reach it when he/she starts standing up in the crib.
My mind immediately went to macramé. Showing my age aren’t I!! Do you know how hard it can be to find macramé pattern books? I ordered mine from Amazon and it is straight from the 70’s, only at a higher price now than it was then.
If we had only known to save some of the things we tossed!
We have a bedroom that is designated for the grandkids. It has twin beds, each with pull-out trundles, which really works great for sleepovers. Four beds, 3 grandchildren and 1 grandma, perfect fit! But during the day when the 1-year-old needs a nap, there isn’t any napping for babies in that room! It’s normally a loud and busy room!
So the crib is currently in what we fondly refer to as the blue room, because you guessed it, the walls are painted blue. I wanted to introduce some different colors to the room, so in choosing a bedding set for the crib, I chose one with a small dab of blue, but mostly shades of green and brown.
I chose to make the baby mobile in a green shade also. I ordered the cord from Amazon along with the macramé pattern book.
This pattern was extremely easy to make. It only consisted of two knots; the half-knot and the “wrap” knot.
Supplies needed for macramé mobile:
- 50 yards – 6mm cord
- 1 – 2 inch metal ring
- 1 – 8 inch metal ring
- 1 – 10 inch metal ring
- 3 wood baby blocks
- 1 small stuffed animal
Hint: The 12 foot cords would be much too difficult to work with if left hanging straight, instead wrap the ends and secure with a rubber band. Then just pull out what you need as you go along.
The finished length of the mobile is 3 feet 6 inches including fringe. Remember, it has to be hung up high enough that the baby/toddler cannot reach it while standing up in the crib. Keeping it out of reach will prevent harm to the child by there pulling it down and becoming entangled in it. It doesn’t have to go over the crib either, it could be hung in any other corner of the room.
In the 70’s the art of macramé was very popular and I think it will experience another boom of popularity. So all of you baby boomers – get out there and try it again, because, like me, you’ve probably forgotten how much fun it is!
Remember you can find the book on Amazon for $5.25 here.
