One of the most common Malia-related requests I get is for a blanket pattern. I always said I’d publish one, but it’s taken me a long time. (Sorry!)
Truthfully, I’ve been incredibly overwhelmed with life (business and otherwise) for a while. So about a year ago, I decided to <*gasp*> ask for some help. I commissioned a talented crocheter from our Facebook group to create a Malia Baby Blanket with the pattern I had in my head. It was a little scary for me, considering this was the first time I’d asked someone to invest time making pattern of mine that I hadn’t actually made and tested myself yet. But as you can see, it went well… and Erica did a phenomenal job with it!
I mean look at all those beautiful LBS stitches.
It’s taken me entirely too long to get this pattern published (again, life = overwhelming), but here it is!
ABOUT THE YARN
I sent Erica some Paintbox Simply DK for this sample. I’d never used Paintbox yarn before, and I have to say, the color choices are pretty amazing. I feel like some of the larger yarn companies are trending toward putting out more new lines of yarn with fewer colors to choose from in each one, and I love Paintbox’s philosophy of keeping it simple, because that enables them to be able to offer a wide variety of color choices. This particular yarn (Simply DK) is an acrylic, and while it’s soft, I wasn’t sure if it was soft enough to be a baby blanket. But with a wash, the blanket definitely softened up.
VIDEO TUTORIAL
If you need a little extra help with the stitches in the Malia stitch pattern, here is a video tutorial! (Please note that this tutorial does not follow the Malia Baby Blanket pattern; I simply show you how to do the Malia stitch pattern by crocheting up a swatch of it.)
Prefer a PDF?
This pattern is also available as an ad-free, printable PDF! You can purchase the individual pattern, or get it as part of a 4-pattern bundle. And if you love PDFs, you might want to check out my All Access Pass. It’s an awesome deal! (Or, scroll down for the free version!)
MALIA BABY BLANKET
Difficulty: Easyish
Finished Size: Approx. 30” wide x 37.5” long (stroller blanket size). Each color block is approx. 7.5” tall.
Hook: 4.5mm (US-7) hook
Yarn: Approx. 1,950 yards of #3 DK weight in 5 colors. You’ll need about 390 yards per color. Yarn used in sample photos is Paintbox Simply DK in Paper White (COLOR A), Stormy Grey (B), Marine Blue (C), Bubblegum Pink (D), and Neon Pink (E).
Gauge: 18 HDC x 14 rows = 4″ square
You’ll also need: Yarn needle
Terms and Abbreviations:
ST/STS (stitch/stitches)
SL ST (slip stitch)
SK (skip)
CH (chain)
SC (single crochet)
HDC (half double crochet)
LBS (large bean stitch – see “Special Stitches”)
BLO (back loop only)
3rd LOOP (work stitch into 3rd loop only – see “Special Stitches”)
Special Stitches:
Large Bean Stitch (LBS)
Insert hook into stitch, yarn over and pull through (2 loops on hook). Yarn over, insert hook into same stitch, yarn over and pull through (4 loops on hook). Yarn over, insert hook into same stitch, yarn over and pull through (6 loops on hook). Yarn over, insert hook into same stitch, yarn over and pull through (8 loops on hook). Yarn over and pull through all 8 loops. Chain 1 to close the stitch. (Because this stitch creates two sets of loops – one when creating the bean, and one when closing the stitch – each completed Large Bean Stitch will count for two stitches in the row or round’s final stitch count.)
3rd Loop Only
Half double crochet stitches have a 3rd loop that we utilize in this pattern. When working in turned rows, as in this pattern, the 3rd loop can be found just below the front loop on the side of the work that is facing you. When instructed to work in “3rd loop only”, insert your hook into this special loop. This creates a delicate braided look on the opposite side of the pattern.
Notes:
(1) This pattern is written in American Standard Terms.
(2) CH1s at the beginning of rows do not count as a stitch in the final stitch count.
(3) A video tutorial for the stitch pattern is available up in the post, or by clicking here.
(4) You may prefer to use one hook size larger than your gauge hook to complete the ribbing at the beginning and end of the pattern. Some people tend to crochet ribbing a little tighter, which can result in some minor pulling inward at each end of the blanket.
INSTRUCTIONS
TOP RIBBING
With COLOR A, CH11.
Row 1: SC in 2nd CH from hook and in each remaining CH. (10)
Rows 2-144 (or until ribbing measures about 30″ long; be sure to complete an even number of rows): CH1, turn. SC in first ST. SC in BLO of each of the next 8 STS. SC in final ST. (10)
– – – – – – – – – –
BODY (Row count restarts back to 1)
Body, Row 1: CH1, do not turn. SC in each row end along the long edge of the ribbing. (144, or however many ribbing rows you completed)
Row 2: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. (SK next ST, LBS in next ST) 71 times. SC in final ST. (144)
Row 3: CH1, turn. HDC in each ST across. (144)
Row 4: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. SC in 3rd loop of each of the next 142 STS. SC in final ST. (144)
Row 5: CH1, turn. SC in each ST across. (144)
Row 6: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. (LBS in next ST, SK next ST) 71 times. SC in final ST. (144)
Row 7: CH1, turn. HDC in each ST across. (144)
Row 8: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. SC in 3rd loop of each of the next 142 STS. SC in final ST. (144)
Row 9: CH1, turn. SC in each ST across. (144)
Row 10: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. (SK next ST, LBS in next ST) 71 times. SC in final ST. (144)
Row 11: CH1, turn. HDC in each ST across. (144)
Row 12: CH1, turn. SC in 3rd loop of each ST across. (144)
Rows 13-28: Repeat Rows 5-12, in order, twice. (144)
– – – – – – – – – –
Switch to COLOR B; fasten off COLOR A.
Rows 29-60: Repeat Rows 5-12, in order, 4 times. (144)
Rows 61-64: Repeat Rows 5-8. (144)
– – – – – – – – – –
Switch to COLOR C; fasten off COLOR B.
Rows 65-68: Repeat Rows 9-12. (144)
Rows 69-100: Repeat Rows 5-12, in order, 4 times. (144)
– – – – – – – – – –
Switch to COLOR D; fasten off COLOR C.
Rows 101-132: Repeat Rows 5-12, in order, 4 times. (144)
Rows 133-136: Repeat Rows 5-8. (144)
– – – – – – – – – –
Switch to COLOR E; fasten off COLOR D.
Rows 137-140: Repeat Rows 9-12. (144)
Rows 141-164: Repeat Rows 5-12, in order, 3 times. (144)
– – – – – – – – – – – – – –
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 164” 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. If you need a little help with this part, here’s a tutorial video.
CH11.
Row 1: Turn. SC in 2nd chain from hook and in each of the remaining 9 chains. SL ST into the first SC from Row 164, the stitch on which your CH11 was built. SL ST into the next SC from Row 164. (10, plus the two slip stitches along Row 164)
The section we just created, built on the CH11, will hereafter be referred to as the “ribbing.”
Row 2: CH1, turn. Skipping over the 2 SL STS you put in Row 164, SC in BLO of each of the first 9 STS of the ribbing. SC in both loops of the last ST. (10)
Row 3: CH1, turn. SC in 1st ST. SC in BLO of each of the remaining 9 STS of the ribbing. SL ST in each of the next 2 STS of Row 164. (10, plus the 2 SL STS along Row 164)
Row 4: CH1, turn. Skipping over the 2 SL STS you put in Row 164, SC in BLO of each of the first 9 STS of the ribbing. SC in both loops of the last ST. (10)
Rows 5-144: Repeat Rows 3-4 all the way across Row 164.
Fasten off and weave in ends.
– – – – – – – – – –
Done! If you’re sharing on social media, be sure to hashtag #maliababyblanket and tag me @yarnandchai.design
Hope you enjoyed it!
Love this pattern! I used it as inspiration to create my own pattern. A few of the changes I made was to SC in BLO on both the top and bottom ribbing. I find it gives the ribbing an even more textured appearance. I also made my bean stitches smaller by not YO as many times. It gave the blanket a more dense fabric, due to the fact that I live in quite a cold climate and that extra heaviness was just what I needed. I named my pattern Ribbing and Bean! Thanks so much for sharing your pattern!
Hello. This is a lovely blanket. I would love to save it. I am new here. How do I access your patterns? Are you on Ravelry?
Thank you and gave a blessed day.
Cheryl
What do you think about Lion Brand 24/7 cotton Rebecca? Do you think it’s too rough for a baby? Ever since making the Malia Shoulder bag when that pattern came out, I’ve used nothing but that yarn for almost everything! A baby blanket I just don’t know. What do you think? I have so much of it I wouldn’t even need to buy anything. (but if it’s too rough for a baby I don’t want to use it. I have a great niece soon to be born and want to do this right!
Hi Paige! I wouldn’t use it for a baby blanket. 🙂
Thank you Rebecca!
I think I knew it deep inside but it sure helps to get your opinion on it. I’m going to order the yarn you used! I do love the color selection they have and your blanket is so beautiful I know I’ll love mine.
Thank you for all you do for us. Your patterns are the prettiest, most modern and unique out there and I love them all!
Neither of my parents had ever had Christmas stockings since they were children. I made them each a Malia Christmas stocking a year ago Christmas, and they loved them so much and showed everybody who came over. They even took them down off the mantle to show their favorite waitress where they eat dinner all the time, lol. Everybody loved the beautiful pattern and I’ve since made 6 more.
I’m on row 6 of the Malia Baby Blanket, and was wondering if there is a misprint. After you SC in the first stitch, aren’t you supposed to skip a stitch? Thanks for your help.
Rows 2 and 6 are the same except that one’s repeat begins with the skip, and the other’s begins with the LBS. If you don’t do this, the project will lean to the side and you’ll end up with a distorted blanket 🙂
Thanks so much! I appreciate you answering my question. I’m making a blanket for my newest granddaughter, and wanted to make sure I understood it correctly. Makes perfect sense now that I think about it!!?
Hello Rebecca! I hope you and your family are well and enjoying Fall! Excited to make this beautiful pattern for my first grandchild! I have a question – once I finish the ribbing, do I SC in every peak and valley in the ribbing? I had the 144 rows of ribbing but I can’t figure out how to have 102 SC. Thanks for your help!
Oh goodness, you found a typo! It should say 144. Sorry!!
I am happy to hear that – I thought for sure it was some technique I don’t know about yet… thank you for a quick response with such busy days. Looking forward to another CAL and loved making the linen stitch blanket and the ADORABLE pumpkins! Thanks for being such a creative designer and excellent teacher.
I just wanted to say thank you for all of your wonderful patterns. I am so amazed at the disrespect and rudeness of some comments. Everyone should be more respectful and have a better attitude when posting their comments. Again, thanks.
Thank you Teena! It’s ok, the good ones always outweigh the mean ones 🙂
Oh. My. GOODNESS! The Malia is MY FAVORITE STITCH PATTERN ???? I’ve made the hat and cowl and I get SO MANY complements! I think it’s been my favorite thing to make so I’m excited to do the blanket!!!! Yay!
Love it!! I’m almost done, working on the final edge…but it’s fanning out wider than it should be. I guess I should just skip some rows and try to keep an eye on working it straight? Read through the pattern a few times and I’m pretty sure I’m doing it right!
Hey Angela! Have you watched the video I linked to? Usually the reason for the fanning out is not realizing that you’re working a slip stitch into a stitch that was already worked. I explain it visually in the video. 🙂
That’s it…thank you for the quick reply!! I was slipping back into the same stitch like the first row, instead of the next stitch. I was processing that working down and then back was counting as two rows and thought I would be skipping every other stitch. That should fix it! Thanks!!
*wasnt processing
OH! This beautiful! I’m running to the yarn shop now so I can start is gorgeous blanket. Thank you for sharing.
I love your colors! I have to admit that I used the Malia pattern to make a “Linus” blanket for a friend’s baby. I used the Caron Latte Cakes yarn that is sooooo very soft and the LBS stitches make wonderful little bumps for tiny fingers to play with. The only other difference is that I made ribbing all the way around. I have made many many messy bun hats for gifts. Thank you so much for sharing your amazing talent!
Ohhhh. Late cakes! GOOD IDEA!!!! I think I’m going to do that as well thanks for sharing!
I just looked at Latte Cakes and online it looks like it’s a bulky weight yarn? The other Caron Cakes I’ve used are generally a #4, so I’m not sure I found the right yarn. Is it bulky, and if so, what size hook did you switch to for the correct gauge?
Thanks!
Wow! This is absolutely stunning! Thank you so much for sharing xxx
This is so pretty!! I’m a pass holder and I’m wondering how do I download the pdf? Thanks for all of your amazing patterns.
Here are the steps to access your All Access Pass:
1. Sign in to your Yarn + Chai account
2. Click “Passholder Area” in the very top menu (above the logo)
3. If the next screen says “content restricted”, hit the refresh button. Otherwise you should see images of all of my patterns. Click an image to open the PDF.
This is absolutely gorgeous! I was wondering how to adjust the size to make this bigger?
For width, your rows just need to have an even number of stitches. For height, you just need to adjust each color block as needed 🙂
Thank you!
Yes thank you for that, I was wondering also how to make it larger, I have no babies so a big blanket is what I’ was looking for as well
It would really help to note this in the pattern. I read, re-reread, went up and down trying too figure out what the starting chain number should be.. 11 doesn’t cut it when it’s just the swatch. I noticed this same discrepancy on the purple and grey linen stitch afghan too. You really need to let us know the multiple at the beginning of the pattern.
Hi Donna, 11 is not a swatch; that’s the actual starting chain for the blanket because the ribbing is done first. (Same with the linen stitch baby blanket.) As far as including the multiple for the pattern, I often do, but I sometimes do not; this blanket was designed as a baby blanket, so any information I offer on how to resize it to something else is more of a bonus tip and isn’t a standard or required info to include in the pattern.
Hello! I’m new to crocheting and I was wondering if I could use a sport weight merino wool yarn with a 26 sts gauge for this blanket? If not is there another baby blanket pattern that would work with this yarn? Thank you for your help in advance 😊