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!Â
MY FIRST BABY BLANKET
Hook:Â I (5.50mm)
Yarn:Â 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) Â 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)Â Approx. 140 yards
- Color E: Grey Mist (Hobby Lobby’s I Love This Yarn) Approx. 70 yards
Difficulty: Beginner-Easy
Finished Size:Â 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: FDCÂ 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:Â Ch 2. 1 DC in next St and in each St across (94 DC)
Switch to Color A
Row 7:Â 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
I am working on my second baby blanket since February. I just found out a neighbor is now pregnant. I’m going to give this pattern a try except I will change strawberry cream to lemon chiffon like color. They already know it is a boy!
Thank you for posting
Can you tell me the stitch gauge? My daughter is making this lovely blanket and she is living in a different state. Thanks so much for the pattern!!!
Thank you for sharing your pattern.
This is a very easy pattern to follow. Thank you for sharing it. I have a difficult time reading instructions and I find your instructions are very easy to read. I have been crocheting a long time, and as I get older things are not quite so easy for me. I really appreciate your comments and instructions. Thank you again.
Elaine
I love this blanket. It’s a simple easy pattern to follow and the blanket is colorful but not to overpowering.
Thank you for understandable instructions! I have never done the chainless method and your instructions and illustrations were very easy to follow. I have been making baby blankets for Warm Up America and for Palliative care babies and can’t wait to make one with this pattern.
I’m trying to make this blanket what yarn could I substitute for the hobby lobby yarn?
Any worsted weight yarn on the lighter side should work fine 🙂
I would love to see a tutorial on your straight edges. Counting and stitch markers still give me wavy edges. Love the web site.
i have a friend who just had a baby I’ll make this for her
thank you—-i have four great nieces expecting this year–so a new easy pattern will be awesome
Love the way you write that and I could totally relate to the half finished crafts around the house. You must have been talking about me 🙂 That said I will try the blanket today and hope I can finish it before the child turns 18.
😀
When starting the FDC–I get the first step but then trying to make the 2nd DC you say to put the hook through the loop. I’m not sure what you mean. I tried putting it into the same 3rd away from hook space but I got a circle not a line
Are you talking about the FDC tutorial? There’s a photo in the tutorial that highlights which loop I’m talking about.
I’m just about to start this blanket but is the terminology used in USA or Uk terms as the differ slightly. Thanks
US. One of these days I’ll get around to updating all my old patterns with complete information 🙂
Oh, my gosh, when I read what you said about not being able to finish a dishcloth without starting another project, I laughed out loud. Me to a tee. LOL I thank you for this pattern – I collect them. Whether I will ever get around to making it is a question, but I appreciate your sharing.
Just finished making this for my nephews baby. It looks so awesome. Thank you for posting your pattern.
I’m very new to crochet but my friend is pregnant and I want to make her baby girl something special from me. Thanks for the pattern. I’m grateful I have the time to make it before she will really need it.
Your colours are beautiful, a well written crisp pattern, I love it.
Thank you!!! I love the foundationless double crochet and wish I had found it years ago (I am 64). My mother in law was an avid crocheter, helped me to fine tune my techniques and she would have loved it too. I will share this technique with my friends; we crochet (and knit) in Kent, England for the local special baby unit. All our yarn is donated by kind people and we put love into every stitch. X