
I am so excited to finally show you my newest little monkey’s baby blanket!
At the time I’m writing up this blog post, I’m 38 weeks along (although when it gets published, Baby Henry will already be born). I can feel him kicking around inside and I get the feeling he’s just as anxious to be born as I am to hold him in my arms.
For Henry’s blanket, I chose one of my favorite yarns, Cascade Longwood. It has a beautiful stitch definition that I knew would be important in a textured blanket like this. This definitely turned out to be a heavy, warm blanket, perfect for draping over the carseat of a winter baby.
When I started the blanket, I knew that I wanted to use ribbing for the ends to give it a nice finished, modern look. I started out intending to do the entire body of the blanket in herringbone half double crochet, but once I got through the first color block, I couldn’t let go of the nagging feeling that it needed a little more interest. So on a whim, I switched to one of my other favorite stitches, the SC+HDC combo for the 2nd color block. I loved the contrast between the blocks (and how it allowed me to change stitches just when I started getting bored), so I went with it! You can see the different textures – ribbing, herringbone, and SC+HDC – in the photo below.
I think this blanket would make a gorgeous, modern statement for a boy or a girl, depending on the colors you pick.
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UPDATE: He’s here!
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HENRY’S BABY BLANKET
Level: Easyish
Size: Blanket measures 30″x38″. Adjustment instructions are given in Notes section.
Hook: H (5.0mm)
Yarn: I used about 1,330 yards of Cascade Longwood (from Jimmy Beans Wool), but any #4 worsted weight yarn will work. Here’s my breakdown, and the colors as assigned in the pattern:
COLOR A (White): Cascade Longwood – 01 White (about 220 yards, or <2 skeins)
COLOR B (Navy): Cascade Longwood – 40 Midnight (about 370 yards, or almost 2 full skeins)
COLOR C (Gray): Cascade Longwood – 02 Frost Gray (about 370 yards, or almost 2 full skeins)
COLOR D (Green): Cascade Longwood – 18 Green Spruce – discontinued (about 370 yards, or almost 2 full skeins)
You’ll also need: Yarn needle for weaving in ends
Gauge: Not super important, but 14 rows of 16 HHDC = 4″.
Abbreviations Used:
ST/STS (stitch/stitches)
SL ST (slip stitch)
SK (skip)
CH (chain)
SC (single crochet)
HDC (half double crochet)
SC+HDC (this just means to put a single crochet and a half double crochet in the same stitch)
HHDC (herringbone half double crochet; see “special stitch” below)
BLO (back loops only)
Special Stitch:
HHDC – Herringbone Half Double Crochet. Here’s how you do it:
HHDC: Yarn over, insert hook into stitch. Yarn over, pull loop through stitch AND through first loop on hook (this is similar to a slip stitch motion). Two loops remain on hook. Yarn over and pull through both loops.
(If you need additional help, Moogly has an excellent video tutorial here. Please note that while her video considers the CH2 at the beginning of rows as a stitch, the pattern below does not.)
Notes:
(1) This pattern is written in American Standard Terms.
(2) Starting CHs do not count as stitches.
(3) To adjust the width of your blanket, add or subtract rows from the first ribbing section of the pattern (just be sure to end up with an even number of ribs). To adjust the length of your blanket, you can add/subtract more blocks of color, or make each block taller/shorter.
(4) Blanket is worked in one piece (except for color changes). In other words, the ribbing at the bottom is not created and sewn on separately.
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SECTION 1: TOP RIBBING
To begin: With COLOR A (white), CH9.
Row 1: SC in 2nd CH from hook and in each remaining CH. (8)
Row 2: CH1, turn. SC in BLO of each ST across. (8)
Rows 3-120 (or until ribbing measures about 30″ long, but keep it an even number): CH1, turn. SC in BLO of each ST across. (8)
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SECTION 2: BODY OF BLANKET
The body of the blanket is divided into 6 color blocks which alternate between blocks of Herringbone HDC and blocks of SC+HDC combos. Each color block is separated by a thin, 2-row block of white.
Body, Row 1: CH1, do not turn. SC evenly down the long edge of the ribbing, putting 1SC in each ribbing row (each peak and each valley). It is important to end with an even number of stitches in this row. (120)
Switch to COLOR B (navy), fasten off previous color.
Row 2: CH1, turn. SC in each ST across. (120)
Rows 3-18: CH1, turn. HHDC in each ST across. (120)
Row 19: CH1, turn. SC in each ST across. (120)
Switch to COLOR A (white), fasten off previous color.
Rows 20-21: CH1, turn. SC in each ST across. (120)
Switch to COLOR C (gray), fasten off previous color.
Row 22: CH1, turn. SC in each ST across. (120)
Rows 23-40: CH1, turn. HDC in 1st ST. (SK next ST, SC+HDC in next ST) across until 1 ST remains. SC in remaining ST. (120)
Row 41: CH1, turn. SC in each ST across. (120)
Switch to COLOR A (white), fasten off previous color.
Rows 42-43: CH1, turn. SC in each ST across. (120)
Switch to COLOR D (green), fasten off previous color.
Row 44: CH1, turn. SC in each ST across. (120)
Rows 45-60: CH1, turn. HHDC in each ST across. (120)
Row 61: CH1, turn. SC in each ST across. (120)
Switch to COLOR A (white), fasten off previous color.
Rows 62-63: CH1, turn. SC in each ST across. (120)
Switch to COLOR B (navy), fasten off previous color.
Row 64: CH1, turn. SC in each ST across. (120)
Rows 65-82: CH1, turn. HDC in 1st ST. (SK next ST, SC+HDC in next ST) across until 1 ST remains. SC in remaining ST. (120)
Row 83: CH1, turn. SC in each ST across. (120)
Switch to COLOR A (white), fasten off previous color.
Rows 84-85: CH1, turn. SC in each ST across. (120)
Switch to COLOR C (gray), fasten off previous color.
Row 86: CH1, turn. SC in each ST across. (120)
Rows 87-102: CH1, turn. HHDC in each ST across. (120)
Row 103: CH1, turn. SC in each ST across. (120)
Switch to COLOR A (white), fasten off previous color.
Rows 104-105: CH1, turn. SC in each ST across. (120)
Switch to COLOR D (green), fasten off previous color.
Row 106: CH1, turn. SC in each ST across. (120)
Rows 107-124: CH1, turn. HDC in 1st ST. (SK next ST, SC+HDC in next ST) across until 1 ST remains. SC in remaining ST. (120)
Row 125: CH1, turn. SC in each ST across. (120)
Switch to COLOR A (white), fasten off previous color.
Row 126: CH1, turn. SC in each ST across. (120)
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SECTION 3: BOTTOM RIBBING
In this section, we will be creating the bottom ribbing by making vertical ribs and attaching them with slip stitches to the last row of the body as we go. We’ll be referring to “Row 126” quite a bit; that’s the last row of the body of the blanket we completed, and that’s what the ribbing will be attaching to.
CH9.
Bottom Ribbing, Row 1: Turn work and SC in 2nd CH from hook and in each remaining CH. SL ST in the first SC of Row 126, then SL ST in the next SC of Row 126 as well. (8, plus the 2 SL STS along Row 126)
Row 2: CH1, turn. Skipping over the 2 SL STS you put in Row 126, SC in BLO of each of the 8 STS of the ribbing to create another row of ribbing. (8)
Row 3: CH1, turn. SC in BLO of each of the 8 STS of the ribbing to create another row of ribbing. SL ST in each of the next 2 STS of Row 126. (8, plus the 2 SL STS along Row 126)
Row 4: CH1, turn. Skipping over the 2 SL STS you put in Row 126, SC in BLO of each of the 8 STS of the ribbing to create another row of ribbing. (8)
Repeat Rows 3-4 all the way along Row 126. (You should end up with 120 rows of ribbing, which is the number of stitches in Row 126).
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Hello, thank you for a beautiful pattern! I have a question…. I am trying to use up some of my ever-growing yarn stash. I have some Brava #@ sport weight that I would like to use up. How would a #2 weight affect this pattern? Thank you!
Love all your patterns! I am doing Henry blanket. I read too quickly and did not do sc in white. I am at the bottom ribbing portion. I kept wondering why it looked off and finally read again. The row of single crochet before starting ribbing made the straight line “finished” look. I will be making several of these I’m sure.🙂🙂
Hi! First off, I LOVE LOVE LOVE this blanket! I made a first one for a friend, then made two more for two of my nieces. I am working on what is now my FOURTH for my newest niece coming this November! I make it a bit wider to grow with them.
I noticed at some point that the color blocks alternate on the pattern between 16 and 18 rows, back and forth. I think I did the same number for each block in the past but I wanted to ask if this was intentional and what the purpose is so that I better understand.
Or did I just calculate wrong several times LOL!
I am not the designer, but my thoughts are that the different stitches are not identical in height, so to make the blocks measure equally in height, the row count is different
Making this blanket now and have just arrived at rows 45-60, wondering why there is 15 rows in this colour block( green) and not the 17 rows in the other blocks of colours? I’m enjoying making this and find it an easy pattern to follow. Thanks for publishing this gorgeous pattern.
I paid for Henry’s Baby Blanket in PDF but I never got the download.
I love this blanket and would love to make it for my nephew. I was just hoping you have in a video tutorial
Love the looks the blanket but mine. curls or has a wave in it. Am using #4 medium yard with a 5mm (H8) hook. Am I using the wrong yard? Any help would be appreciated, am a beginner. 🙂 Thanks
I’ve just started this pattern- looks beautiful- and have done about 130 rows of the ribbing but it’s only about 18 inches long. Am using 5mm hook and 4 seasons 8ply wool. Will the pattern still work as long as I make it long enough?
How is your blanket going? This is my second time to make this blanket/throw. I am using a 5mm hook and acrylic worsted weight yarn #4 (medium). My ribbing is 130 rows and is 34 inches wide. Not sure why yours is only 18 inches unless you crochet really tight. I love this pattern and stitches. Good luck!
I’ve restarted the blanket, but realise now that 4 worsted is the same as 10 ply in Australia, but I’m using 8 ply.
Will give it another go😀- happy crocheting 🧶
This blanket is modern and just what I was looking for. Instructions were easy to follow once I practiced the stitches. I used sea foam and navy blue only. Posted and tagged on Instagram! Thanks Rebecca
Thanks so much for sharing your patterns and talent! LOVE your work so much! I love this blanket and want to make it as a full size throw. Can you explain how to adapt it for that? I’m a newbie! TIA
Hi, I have looked forever for the perfect Afghan for my first great grand! She is 10 months old and I couldn’t find a baby pattern this is perfect! I will make it in mom and dads college colors! Will have to find the green elsewhere as you don’t carry it anymore would prefer to have all colors from the same source as it is college colors. Any ideas? JoanThomas DJthomas34@comcast.net.net Thanks for the pattern! 🙏
I have a question on row 23 the first grey sc/HD’s row. When I get to row 24-40do I make my stitches in the sk one space?
Is row 23 and 24 correct? Shouldn’t it be Hdc in last st in row 23 instead of sc? Thank you junnetski1
The SC at the end goes well with the HDC in the previous row and makes the end look really nice. I’m working on this blanket now. 🙂
Hi. would it make any difference if I make this with a smaller hook? Like a 4.5 mm hook?
I fell in love with the colors in this blanket the first time I saw it. Now I have a grandson on the way and am excited to make it. Do you know if the Cascade 220 Superwash yarn is comparable to the one you used in your blanket? This is the description on the eatsleepknit website. Thanks for your help with picking the right yarn for this blanket.
Cheryl
100% Peruvian wool yarn that is truly machine-wash AND -dryable. Forgot to include this description.
Hi Cheryl! It’s a great yarn. A bit more dense than what I used but still soft, and will make a long-lasting blanket. 🙂
I received the Cascade 220 Superwash yarn and it’s not as soft as I was hoping. I found some Sugar Bush Bold that is the closest to the Cascade Longwood. They don’t have any color close to the green spruce ☹️. I don’t suppose you have any secret stash you would be willing to part with? 😊
Hi I am not understanding how to do the ribbon at the end of the blanket? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
This video should help: https://youtu.be/i5F_OMt6eFc
Thank you so much for this pattern! I just finished my blanket for my daughter who is now 4 months, just in time for her Christening. And I LOVE it! Do you Have an Instagram account I should refer to when I publish pictures? Regards from Skåne, Sweden.
Thank you! My Insta is @yarnandchai.design.
Hi Rebecca! Thanks so much for this pattern – I absolutely love it! I’m at the very end, with the ribbing, and I’ve watched your YouTube tutorial. The video shows you putting an SC in the last stitch at the end of each row of ribbing (Row 4 in the written pattern), but the pattern says to SC in BLO all the way across. Which method do you prefer these days?
Good catch! These days I usually put the SC in the last stitch of my ribbing. I find that keeping the last stitch in the BLO creates a larger hole.
Love this pattern! Finishing up for a good friend of mine before her sixth daughter arrives in August! I used Lion Brand Feels like Butta yarn in charcoal, white, dusty pink, and light pink. So soft and beautiful with the stitches you chose!
Thanks so much for your generosity in sharing your talent Rebecca. May your productivity never cease to increase. Best regards to you and yours this holiday season!