Easy crochet baby blanket

There’s something uniquely heartwarming about wrapping a new baby in a blanket made by hand. It’s a tangible expression of love, care, and a cozy welcome into the world. If you’re new to crochet or looking for a relaxing, quick project that still yields a beautiful result, an easy crochet baby blanket is the perfect place to start.

This guide will walk you through a simple yet elegant pattern that uses basic stitches, making it ideal for beginners. You’ll learn the essential techniques to create a soft, comfortable, and cherished blanket that’s perfect for cuddles, tummy time, or as a thoughtful gift.

Why Crochet an Easy Baby Blanket?

• Beginner-Friendly: Uses simple, repetitive stitches that are easy to master.
• Quick to Finish: Works up relatively fast, giving you a satisfying sense of accomplishment.
• Personalized Gift: A handmade blanket is a deeply personal and treasured gift for baby showers, birthdays, or welcoming a new arrival.
• Practical & Cherished: Babies need blankets! This one will be used and loved for years.
• Stress-Relieving: The rhythmic motion of crochet is incredibly calming and therapeutic.
• Uses a Variety of Yarns: Flexible enough to work with many different baby-friendly yarn types.

Key Considerations Before You Start:

1. Yarn Choice (Crucial for Babies!):
   • Fiber: Always choose soft, hypoallergenic, and machine-washable yarns. Acrylic, superwash merino wool, cotton, or blends are excellent choices. Avoid scratchy or delicate fibers that can’t withstand frequent washing.
   • Weight: Worsted weight (Category 4) is ideal for beginners as it’s easy to work with and widely available. DK (Light Worsted/Category 3) makes a lighter blanket, while bulky (Category 5) will make a very quick, thick blanket.
   • Quantity: For a standard baby blanket (approx. 30×30 to 40×40 inches), you’ll need anywhere from 800 to 1200 yards of worsted weight yarn, depending on your stitch and hook size. It’s always best to have a little extra.
   • Color: Pastels are classic, but feel free to choose bright, cheerful colors or sophisticated neutrals! Variegated (self-striping) yarn is fantastic for an “easy” blanket, as it creates beautiful color changes without needing to switch yarns.
2. Hook Size:
   • Match your hook to your yarn weight, but also consider your personal tension. For a baby blanket, you generally want a hook size that creates a soft, drapey fabric, not too stiff.
   • For Worsted Weight yarn: H/8 (5.0 mm) or I/9 (5.5 mm) are common starting points.
3. Blanket Size:
   • Lovey/Security Blanket: 12×12 to 18×18 inches
   • Stroller/Receiving Blanket: 30×30 to 36×36 inches (Our pattern aims for this range)
   • Crib Blanket: 36×48 to 40×60 inches (Requires more yarn and more rows/stitches)
   • Our pattern is easily adjustable by changing the starting chain and the number of rows.
4. Gauge (Not as Critical, but Good to Know):
   • For blankets, exact gauge isn’t as critical as for garments, but it will affect your final size and yarn usage. Aim for a fabric that is soft and flexible. If it’s too stiff, go up a hook size. If it’s too loose and gappy, go down a hook size.

Materials You’ll Need:

• Yarn: Approximately 1000 yards of soft, machine-washable Worsted Weight (Category 4) yarn. (e.g., 4 skeins of a 250-yard yarn). A variegated yarn is highly recommended for ease and beauty!
• Crochet Hook: Size I/9 (5.5 mm) or J/10 (6.0 mm) – choose based on your desired fabric drape.
• Yarn Needle (Tapestry Needle): For weaving in ends.
• Scissors: For cutting yarn.

Essential Crochet Abbreviations:

• ch: chain
• sc: single crochet
• hdc: half double crochet
• dc: double crochet
• st(s): stitch(es)
• sp: space
• ***…***: repeat instructions within asterisks
• [ ]: indicates stitch counts

The Easy Stitch Pattern: The “Granny Stripe” or “Simple Shell”

This pattern creates a beautiful, textured fabric quickly and easily, using only chain stitches and double crochet (dc). It’s also known as the “Granny Stripe” when worked in multiple colors, but it’s lovely in a single color or variegated yarn too!

Notes on the Pattern:

• This blanket is worked in rows, back and forth.
• The turning chain (ch 3) at the beginning of each row counts as your first double crochet stitch.
• We’ll work dc stitches into chain spaces, not into the tops of individual dc stitches, which makes it very easy to find where to put your hook!

Pattern Instructions: Easy Crochet Baby Blanket (Approx. 36 x 40 inches)

Starting Chain:

1. Using your chosen yarn and hook, ch 122. (This will be the width of your blanket. To adjust width, chain any multiple of 3, then add 2 more chains for the turning chain.)

Row 1 (Foundation Row):

1. Dc in the 4th ch from your hook (the 3 skipped chains count as your first dc).
2. Dc in the next ch.
3. Skip 2 ch, dc 3 in the next ch. Repeat from * to * across the row until you have 3 chains remaining.
4. Skip 2 ch, dc in the last ch.
   • [This row will have groups of 3 dc stitches and a dc at the end, not counting the turning chain. The first dc group is formed by the starting chain + 2 dc.]
   • Ch 3 (counts as first dc for next row), turn.

Row 2 (Pattern Repeat Row):

1. Dc 2 in the first space (this is the space between the first dc and the next group of 3 dc from the previous row).
2. Skip the next 3 dc (the group of 3), dc 3 in the next space (the space between the 3 dc groups). Repeat from * to * across the row.
3. When you reach the end of the row, you will have a group of 3 dc and then the turning chain from the previous row. Skip the 3 dc, then dc 3 in the space between the last dc group and the turning chain.
   • Ch 3 (counts as first dc for next row), turn.

Continue Repeating Row 2:

1. Repeat Row 2 for all subsequent rows until your blanket reaches your desired length (approximately 40 inches for a receiving blanket). You’ll typically make around 80-100 rows, depending on your yarn and tension.

Finishing the Blanket:

1. Once you’ve completed your final row and are happy with the length, do not turn.
2. Fasten Off: Cut your yarn, leaving a tail about 6-8 inches long. Yarn over your hook and pull the tail completely through the loop on your hook to secure.
3. Weave in All Ends: Thread your yarn needle with each yarn tail. Carefully weave the tails into the stitches of your blanket, making them as invisible as possible. Go in one direction for a few stitches, then reverse direction for a few more to secure them. Trim any excess yarn close to the fabric.

Optional: Adding a Simple Border

A border can give your blanket a polished, finished look. A simple single crochet (sc) border is perfect.

1. Attach Yarn: Attach new yarn (or continue with the same yarn) with a sl st in any corner stitch of your blanket.
2. Round 1 (Sc Border): Ch 1 (does NOT count as a stitch). Sc evenly around the entire blanket.
   • Corners: Work (sc, ch 1, sc) in each corner stitch to keep the corners neat and flat.
   • Sides: Work 2 sc stitches into the side of each dc row.
   • Top & Bottom: Work 1 sc into the top of each dc stitch/ch sp.
   • Join with a sl st to the first sc of the round.
3. Optional Additional Rounds: Repeat Round 1 for a thicker border. You can make 2-3 rounds of sc for a nice finish.
4. Fasten Off and weave in ends.

Congratulations! Your Easy Crochet Baby Blanket is Complete!

Tips for Success & Customization:

• Consistent Tension: Try to maintain an even tension throughout your work. This ensures your blanket is uniform and attractive.
• Stitch Markers: If you’re new, placing a stitch marker in your first and last dc of each row can help you keep track of where to put your hook.
• Color Changes: If you want to add stripes (and you’re not using variegated yarn), simply cut your current yarn, leaving a 6-inch tail, and attach your new color on the ch 3, turn at the beginning of a new row. Weave in those ends!
• Different Sizes: To make a wider blanket, chain a longer multiple of 3 (plus 2 more chains). To make a longer blanket, simply keep crocheting more rows until it reaches your desired length.
• Softer Fabric: If your blanket feels a bit stiff, you might be crocheting too tightly. Try going up half a hook size. Conversely, if it feels too loose, go down half a hook size.
• Care: Always refer to your yarn label for specific washing instructions. Most baby blankets made with acrylic or superwash wool are machine washable and dryable, which is perfect for busy parents!

This easy crochet baby blanket is a wonderful project that will bring joy to both the maker and the recipient. It’s a testament to the beauty of handmade gifts and a perfect way to practice and build your crochet skills. Happy crocheting!

Video tutorial: