Hammock Sling! My Fringed, Handknit, Photo Portrait Prop Baby Blanket

Here are instructions on how to use my Fringie prop photography blankets as a hanging baby sling during newborn to 9 month old photo sessions!

Thank you to professional photographer Katrina Stevenson in Lakeland, Florida for being the first to use my Fringie to suspend babies!


Here's a "before" shot of how the photo was made:


Katrina writes: "... I just had both parents hold it with a bean bag underneath to spot! If for any reason you only have one parent it's possible you could tie one end to your backdrop stand but it may be risky! And I always lay the fringe on the beanbag then place the baby in and then have the parents lift! Hope that helps!"

This outdoor photo with the 'Granola' cream hammock tied to a branch was captured by Josie Hamper of All For Fun Photography in Longview, East Texas (she says that because the baby was so new at 15 days old, Josie secured her with a sash by wrapping the sash around her torso then feeding the sash through the open stitching of the hammock and tying her into the hammock):




And the dear image above was captured and prepared by professional photographer Cheryl Woody of Frozen Moments Photography in Columbiaville, Michigan.

Cheryl writes about the session: "I have a large beanbag bed that I always use under the babies whenever I am lifting them off the table in any manner. The parents each held one end of the hammock and lifted the babies up. I can't wait to use the hammock again!" Here's another pic that shows how the hammock was held:




Below you'll find a shot of the cream, green and brown hammock from Kimberly Bush of Bluff View Photography in Peoria, Illinois:



You can see that Kim used the four END TASSELS to tie the hammock. The knit blanket base is under the branch. The right-most front tassel is in front of the branch and the right-most back tassel is behind the branch. Then the tassels are double knotted together above the branch. She repeated with the left-most tassels of the front and back fringe rows.

Here is a photo from Karen Fullmer Photography in Glendale, Arizona with her Fringie, showing the same technique of double knotting the end tassels around a horizontal branch:

Safety Tips:

a) Baby only needs to be suspended a few inches off the floor for a dramatic effect

b) A bean bag or other cushion should be placed underneath hammock

c) Use the entire end tassels to tie up hammock (not just a few strands)

d) Hammock can be tested first with a melon or container of liquid that weighs about the same as a baby

e) Bean bag, parents holding the hammock sides, etc. can always be edited out later

I hope you enjoy using your Fringie to create baby photos that will last a lifetime!

Appreciating you,
Celeste (Crickets)

Super Fringie: Double Size Fringed Yarn Blanket Photo Prop

Mollie Kendall Photography puts a perfect baby atop my Super Bohemian Fringie!

Care & Use of Your Super Fringie Photo Prop
By Celeste (Crickets), Fringies Designer & Creator

Thank you for choosing my double size Super Fringies for your portrait photography business! This post shares some great ways to get the most use out of your new photography prop.

Stephanie Neal Photography's wonderful depiction of my Super Oatmeal Fringie design...perfect baby not included!


Your Super Fringie will arrive folded and possibly a bit compressed from its journey; you may be surprised by how small it seems at first! Remove it from its packaging, carefully unfold and gently shake, fluff and finger-comb, combing with the fingers of one hand while (optional) stabilizing the center seam with the other (it’s kind of like caring for a very colorful wig)!

Shelly Dibble of Storybook Photography spreads her Bohemian Super Fringie into a 2 feet x 4 feet, sheepskin-sized oval


I find the easiest way to keep the Super Fringie untangled is to carry it by the seam. So, if I were to move it, I would slide one of my hands/forearms under the seam and lift the Super Fringie so that it lays on my forearm (draped kind of like a towel on a waiter's arm in a fancy restaurant).

Spreading your Super Fringie out into an oval shape allows for maximum coverage, giving two feet of additional length (one foot of fringe will extend past each end of the center seam). Your Super Fringie is approximately 2 feet x 2 feet until it’s spread out in an oval; then it grows to 2 feet x 4 feet. This technique is especially helpful to create a “halo” of color all around your subject. Lay the Fringie down in its rectangular shape and then spread out either side of fringe like a fan into a semi-circle, so that it will create an oval. Here’s a picture that shows the seam and how the yarn is arranged:



It’s helpful to pat and jiggle the thick yarn at the center of the “fans” to spread it out toward the ends, and to finger-comb the yarns into place, combing with the fingers of one hand while stabilizing the center seam with the other. It doesn’t have to be perfect! Typically, the baby’s spine will lie along the (comfortable) center seam. Here’s an example from Heather Bridge Photography:



Another option is to use a basket in conjunction with a Super Fringie as in this image by Kayleen Feil Photography:



First, drape the Super Fringie over the front side of the basket like a towel hanging to dry (with the center seam parallel to the lip of the basket). Then, if you like, bring some fringe to the back, inner wall of the basket.

To store your Super Fringie away from dust or pet dander, either drape it over a pants hanger and hang in a closet, or carefully fold and store on a covered shelf or in plastic.

Super Fringies are stain and wear resistant. For occasional spot cleaning, hand wash in cool water with mild soap. Do not wring (gentle squeezing is okay, please do not twist). Dry flat (or blow dry on cool setting).

For photos & ideas with the newborn sized Fringie (half as large as the Super Fringie), please click here

To contact me with questions, please visit my online boutique

Here's a fun gallery of pics of the Super Fringie in use from some of my cherished customers (I welcome watermarked photos emailed to me at cricketscreations@live.com):

Hilarye Schoyt: I love your photography of baby J with my Super Bohemian Fringie!



Cassie Gillespie of CLG Photography got her basket in the garden section of Hobby Lobby and paired it beautifully with my Oatmeal Super Fringie


Jamie Rogers Photography shows off some inventive color manipulation and post processing with my Bohemian Super Fringie



I love the warmth and chemistry in this image by Photography by Patrice with twins and my Oatmeal Super Fringie

Photography by Patrice uses a sheepskin as a bed and my Oatmeal Super Fringie as a blanket!



Here Trudy Holtz Photography snaps newborn Gus nestled in the arms of his parents with the Rainbow Super Fringie as a swaddling "blanket"




Two fun pics from Rae Leytham of a wiggly baby and my Oatmeal Super Fringie



Boston Terrier pup Noah looks comfy in this image by Amy Wilson at Capturing Smiles with my Bohemian Super Fringie





Tracy Joy Photography did such a great job with these images of the Christmas Super Fringie!



Emily Morgalis' treatment of my Super Rainbow Fringie



The wonderful Gina Cristine Photography with my Super Bohemian Fringie



Jennifer Burns Photography, my Super Rainbow Fringie and a sweet baby



Ann Easterling Photography took this amazing pic with my Super Oatmeal Fringie photo prop and her darling Madison!



Thank you again for your support, I'll end with this fun photo from Kelli Klosowski of Limesmile Images with the Rainbow Super Fringie used as a little mat!