
Would you believe I’ve never made a baby blanket before?
I mean, I’ve tried. I’ve started them. I’ve tried to stick with it. I’ve given up more than a few times.
It’s not because they’re hard to make; you can find baby blanket patterns for any skill level. They’re just so… big. And I’ve mentioned before that I have an incredibly short attention span. I can’t even finish a dishcloth without starting another project. My workspace is covered in half-finished items. (And by “workspace”, I am referring to the 6′ chest freezer in my dining room. I don’t know what’s weirder, the fact that my workspace is a chest freezer in my dining room, or the fact that I even have a chest freezer in my dining room. But whatever.)
But, I’m also much quicker with crochet than I was before. As with anything, we get better the more we practice, right? And, even more importantly… my friends are having BABIES! Over the next few months, there will be a few new tiny bundles of joy for me to hold and love on and crochet for. So, with winter over (that’s according to the calendar, not the inch of snow I can see from my window right now), it’s time to set aside my crazy love of scarves and start focusing on all things baby. Starting with some blankets!
This first one is simple and soft, but makes a modern statement with its bold colors and ridged lines. If you can do a double crochet, you can make this blanket, and you’ll be the talk of the baby shower!
A note for the experienced crocheter: This pattern is simply rows of DCs worked in back loops only, with an edging of 1 row each of SC and DC (4 to a corner). I have included all of my color changes in the pattern below, but the detailed nature of that pattern might drive you nuts. I’ve included a “shortcut” version below the pattern that you might prefer if you are sticking to my color choices.
I used 2 beautiful colors from Bernat Satin for this project. You can purchase it here!
MY FIRST BABY BLANKET
Hook: I (5.50mm)
Yarn: Soft worsted weight. I used a few different brands, which you have to be careful doing, because not all worsted weight yarn is the same (especially when you’re dealing with baby yarn). But these worked out fine for me:
- Color A: White (Hobby Lobby’s I Love This Yarn) Approx. 210 yards
- Color B: Soft Fern (Bernat Satin – affiliate link) Approx. 140 yards
- Color C: Lagoon (Bernat Satin – affiliate link) Approx. 140 yards
- Color D: Strawberry (Caron Simply Soft) Approx. 140 yards
- Color E: Grey Mist (Hobby Lobby’s I Love This Yarn) Approx. 70 yards
Difficulty: Beginner-Easy
Finished Size: Approx. 26″x30″
Notes:
- Ch 2 does NOT count as starting DC.
- I’m writing the pattern according to my color changes, but you can plan out the blanket any way you want. It’s just row after row of DCs in back loops only. Be creative!
- This blanket is worked in BACK LOOPS ONLY after the first row. I don’t put this on each and every row’s instructions.
- I’ve been asked how I get such straight edges. My trick is that when I Ch2 at the beginning of a new row, I make my first DC in the NEXT stitch. Then at the end of the row, when it seems like I’m out of stitches but need to make one more, I make it in the Ch 2 knot from the previous row. This technique provides a nice straight edge. I promise I’ll do a photo tutorial soon. 😉
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
With Color A,
Row 1: FDC 94.
(FDC = Foundationless Double Crochet. I swear by this method and I have an awesome tutorial here. It’s faster and easier than chaining the first row. If you don’t feel like learning it right now, you can also complete this row by chaining 96, then DC in 3rd ch from hook and DC across.)
Switch to Color B.
The rest of this blanket, until you get to the edging, is worked in the BACK LOOPS ONLY.
Rows 2-6: Ch 2. 1 DC in next St and in each St across (94 DC)
Switch to Color A
Row 7: Ch 2. 1 DC in next St and in each St across (94 DC)
Switch to Color E
Row 8: Ch 2. 1 DC in next St and in each St across (94 DC)
Switch to Color A
Row 9: Ch 2. 1 DC in next St and in each St across (94 DC)
Switch to Color C
Rows 10-14: Ch 2. 1 DC in next St and in each St across (94 DC)
Switch to Color A
Row 15: Ch 2. 1 DC in next St and in each St across (94 DC)
Switch to Color E
Row 16: Ch 2. 1 DC in next St and in each St across (94 DC)
Switch to Color A
Row 17: Ch 2. 1 DC in next St and in each St across (94 DC)
Switch to Color D
Rows 18-22: Ch 2. 1 DC in next St and in each St across (94 DC)
Switch to Color A
Row 23: Ch 2. 1 DC in next St and in each St across (94 DC)
Switch to Color E
Row 24: Ch 2. 1 DC in next St and in each St across (94 DC)
Switch to Color A
Row 25: Ch 2. 1 DC in next St and in each St across (94 DC)
Rows 26-47: Repeat rows 2-23
EDGING:
With Color A (which you should have ended on in row 47),
Ch 1. SC evenly around the entire blanket, using 3 SC in each corner. Ch 2. 1 DC in each SC around, using 4 DC in each corner. Fasten off. Weave in all ends.
BABY BLANKET (COLOR CHANGE SHORTCUT PATTERN)
The rows are worked in the following colors:
- White
- Soft Fern
- Soft Fern
- Soft Fern
- Soft Fern
- Soft Fern
- White
- Grey Mist
- White
- Lagoon
- Lagoon
- Lagoon
- Lagoon
- Lagoon
- White
- Grey Mist
- White
- Strawberry
- Strawberry
- Strawberry
- Strawberry
- Strawberry
- White
- Grey Mist
- White
- Soft Fern
- Soft Fern
- Soft Fern
- Soft Fern
- Soft Fern
- White
- Grey Mist
- White
- Lagoon
- Lagoon
- Lagoon
- Lagoon
- Lagoon
- White
- Grey Mist
- White
- Strawberry
- Strawberry
- Strawberry
- Strawberry
- Strawberry
- White
What a beautiful blanket. I would like to enlarge it to 35”x40”. What adjustments must I make to your pattern?
Thank you,
Roslyn
I am brand new to crocheting and so confused!! Can I crochet this pattern in the front loops because I have no idea what to do with the back loops??? Help!!
I cannot seem to weave in ends without them coming out eventually with use
What am I doing wrong?
When you weave them in, do you go back the opposite direction and weave them in again, once or twice, right across the same path?
I feel like I do but I must not be doing something right.
Thanks ?
Rebecca, this is gorgeous and your choice of colors is awesome …. Thank you so much for the free pattern …
Lovely blanket..
when you do the border sc are you putting one in each double chrochet on the sides or two?
love this pattern looking forward to making, thank you so much.
Take heart! I just thought you should know……
I also have a 6ft chest freezer in my dining room…..
Yes, it also becomes my workspace!
I think we are both short on space!
Currently my freezer is covered with folded washing, which will need to be put away if I am going to get anything out for dinner!
I decided to use your pattern to make my little girl due in November blanket. I ordered yarn Organic Cotton Yarn from Yarn Baby http://www.yarnbaby.biz. Can’t wait to get started on this project!!
I am an experienced crocheter of 60 plus years. There have been many times when a simple quick pattern such as you baby blanket is just what I need. Thank you for giving it to us.
Janet