Easy Crochet Baby Blanket
I am so excited to share this free pattern with you to make an easy crochet baby blanket. This is such a beautiful blanket, with a few basic simple crochet stitches, that will help you to make the perfect baby blanket for the new baby in your life.
This pattern is an easy blanket crochet pattern for crocheters of all levels. No matter if you’ve been crocheting for years, or are very new to crocheting, and are looking for a basic pattern to start with, this is just a pattern for you.
Handmade baby blankets are beautiful and thoughtful gifts for a new baby boy or baby girl. You might even consider making a baby blanket as a doll blanket for the little girl in your life. This crochet pattern will help you to make adorable baby gifts, without the hassle or headache of trying to figure out the complicated pattern.
Let’s begin by looking at the basic crochet stitches you will need in order to make this easy crocheted baby blanket.
Basic Crochet Stitches
There are just a few different stitches you will need to know in order to make this easy crochet baby blanket. The main stitch used in this baby blanket is called the shell stitch. To make the shell stitch, you will need a chain, a single crochet stitch, and a double crochet stitch. These three stitches together are what will make up the shell pattern on this easy crochet baby blanket pattern.
Chain Crochet Stitches
To make a chain crochet stitch, you will need to first make a slipknot, then put it onto your crochet hook. Wrap your yarn in what is called yarn over (YO), wrapping it from the back to the front around your crochet hook pull the new loop through the old loop on the hook. This is called a chain stitch.
Single Crochet Stitch
A single crochet stitch is made by inserting your hook into the stitch indicated, wrapping the yarn over from the back to the front in what is called yarn over, then pull this new yarn through the loop where your hook is inserted, there are now two loops on your crochet hook. Yarn over once more and pull through both of the loops on your hook. This makes a single crochet stitch.
Double Crochet Stitches
A double crochet stitch is very similar to a single crochet, only you manage double the loops. To make it double crochet stitch, first yarn over, then insert your hook into the stitch indicated, yarn over again, and pull the new loop through the stitch. There are now three loops on your hook. Yarn over once more and pull through the first two loops on your hook. Yarn over one more time and pull through the remaining two loops on your hook. This creates a double crochet stitch.
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Types of Yarn to Use
There are so many different types of yarn to choose from, so how do you know which is best for making this easy crocheted baby blanket? You have cotton yarn, bulky yarn, chunky yarn, acrylic yarn, worsted weight yarn, and many more different types of yarn. Of course, this is your project, so you can choose to use any type of yarn you prefer. In general, it’s a good idea to use worsted-weight yarn or baby yarn.
Hobby Lobby has some great options for soft worsted weight yarn in their regular section as well as in their baby yarn section. Another good option would be to use Bernat baby yarn. It is fine, yet soft making it a great option for a baby blanket. My personal recommendation for the best yarns would be to select a soft yarn, that will be easy to work with, and whatever colors you like the best.
Not only are there many different yarn types but there are also different colors to choose from. You can choose to make your blanket a solid color or make color changes to your blanket as you work. This is a great way to mix things up if you wish. Making a blanket or a solid color is also nice but may get difficult to work on after a while, especially if you’re making a large blanket.
How much yarn do you need?
The amount of yarn you will need depends on how large you would like your baby blanket to be. The normal crib-size blanket will typically use 4 to 6 skeins of 4.25 oz (333 yds) worsted-weight yarn. Keep in mind different skins have varying amounts of yarn on them.
Hook Size
To determine what size of crochet hook you should use; I would suggest referencing your yarn package. It will have a suggested crochet hook size right on the label. If you’re using baby yarn, these tend to be thinner, so you will likely want to use a smaller-sized hook. Other types of worsted-weight yarn may be a little bit thicker, so you can use a medium-sized crochet hook.
Baby Blankets in Different Sizes
Of course, you are free to make your crocheted baby blanket in whatever size you wish. You can make a basic square blanket, or you can make it to specific dimensions. Traditional crib-size blankets can be anywhere from 36 x 54 inches to 45 x 60 inches.
Other baby blanket sizes you might consider would be a security blanket that is usually 14 x 17 inches, a stroller-size blanket that is usually 30 x 35 inches, or a receiving-sized blanket which is often 40 x 40 inches.
Now they have a general idea of all of the tips and tricks with this free pattern, including what the basic stitches are in this simple baby blanket pattern. Now that you know what type of yarn you should select for the simple pattern, and what size of hook to choose, let’s jump into this easy crocheted baby blanket pattern.
Easy Crochet Baby Blanket Pattern
Skill Level: Beginner
Abbreviations
ch – chain
sc – single crochet
dc – double crochet
sl st – slip stitch
st /sts – stitch/stitches
*Please note that this crochet pattern is written in US terms.
Materials
6 baby-weight skeins of yarn (approximately) 4.25 oz skeins of 333 yards each
Size G or 4.25 MM crochet hook
Scissors
How to Crochet A Shell Blanket
Row 1: Begin by making your starting chain. Chain approximately 98 stitches, or until your chain measures your desired length. For the best results, you should chain a multiple of 6 stitches, then add 2 to that number. You can create as many chains as desired, but the pattern works best when the number of chains can be evenly divided by 6, this is why I recommend using 96 plus 2 to equal 98 chain stitches.
Row 2: In the 3rd ch from your hook, make 5 dc sts in the same ch space (this is the first shell). *Skip the next 2 sts, sc in the next st, skip the next 2 sts, then make 5 dc in the next st*. repeat from * to * to the end of the row until you reach the last stitch. The last st at the end of each row should be a half shell, to make this, you will want to make 3 dc sts in the same st, rather than the full 5 dc sts. Ch 1 and turn.
Row 3: The first stitch in this row will be a sc on top of the last stitch made from the previous row. Skip the next 2 sts, and make 5 dc st in the sc from the previous row. Skip the next 2 sts, sc in the 3rd dc st from the previous rows shell. Repeat across. Repeat the row until the blanket is your desired size. Then finish off and weave in the ends.
Repeat row three until the blanket reaches your desired size. Keep in mind that you may need to adjust your stitches, depending on how many chain stitches you created at the beginning. Please feel free to make the blanket to your desired size.
Edging (optional and not pictured)
If you want to make an edging, you can also do this shell stitch around the edge. First, you will want to do a row of single crochet stitches around the entire edge. Make sure to evenly space your stitches so that they lay flat. In the corners make 3 sc sts.
Once you have an entire border of single crochet stitches, you can work the shell stitch, making 5 dc stitches, skip 2, then make a sc, skip 2, then 5 dc sts in the next space. If your shell stitch falls at the corner, which it hopefully will, you will want to make 7 dc sts in the corner, rather than 5 dc. Otherwise, make your normal shell stitch all the way around. When you reach the starting point, join then finish off and weave in the ends.
FAQs
What is the Best Crochet Stitch for a Baby Blanket?
You can use whatever crochet stitch you prefer for a baby blanket. I am partial to this shell stitch because it is easy, looks nice, and allows you an easy stitch pattern to make a lovely project.
What is the Best Size for a Crochet Baby Blanket?
You may choose what size you want to make your crochet baby blanket. Some of the best sizes include:
A Recieving Blanket 18 x 18 inches to 36 x 36 inches
Swaddle Blanket 40 x 40 inches to 48 x 48 inches
Crib Blanket 36 x 54 inches to 45 x 60 inches
Multi-Use Blanket 30 x 40 inches
What size should I crochet a baby blanket?
The size of the blanket you crochet is entirely up to you, and what you intend the blanket to be used for. Basic baby blankets range in size from 18 x 18 inches to 45 x 60 inches.
How to Resize a Crochet Blanket Pattern?
The best way to resize a crochet blanket is to add or subtract as many chain stitches as it takes for your blanket to measure your desired size when you start making the first row.
Simple Crochet Baby Blanket
There are many crochet baby blanket patterns out there, and I am honored that you have chosen to check out my pattern. This easy pattern is a great one if you are just learning to crochet, or are looking for a simple project. The pattern for this baby blanket is what is known as a simple shell stitch, using only chains, single crochet, and double crochet stitches.
I especially like this pattern, when you insert your hook through one side of the loops, rather than going through both loops in the previous stitches, because it gives the blanket much more dimension and character. This is what has been done in the pictures displayed here for this pattern, giving the beautiful blanket much more texture, and noticeable shell shapes, than you might otherwise accomplish.
If you are looking for an easy stitch pattern to make crochet blankets, then this one is a great choice. I hope you will enjoy this crochet baby blanket pattern! It is definitely one of my favorites!
Free Crochet Pattern for Beautiful Baby Blankets
I hope that you have enjoyed this free pattern to help you make your own baby blanket. Baby blankets are the perfect gift that will make a great baby shower gift. I hope that you enjoy this pattern and that it is helpful in making your next easy crochet baby blanket!
Easy Baby Blanket Crochet Patterns and More!
For more free crochet patterns, please click HERE. Thank you so much for stopping by, and for taking the time to check out my free pattern.
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Easy Crochet Baby Blanket
Materials
- 6 baby-weight skeins of yarn approximately 4.25 oz skeins of 333 yards each
- Size G or 4.25 MM crochet hook
- Scissors
Instructions
- Row 1: Begin by making your starting chain. Chain approximately 98 stitches, or until your chain measures your desired length. For the best results, you should chain a multiple of 6 stitches, then add 2 to that number. You can create as many chains as desired, but the pattern works best when the number of chains can be evenly divided by 6, this is why I recommend using 96 plus 2 to equal 98 chain stitches.
- Row 2: In the 3rd ch from your hook, make 5 dc sts in the same ch space (this is the first shell). *Skip the next 2 sts, sc in the next st, skip the next 2 sts, then make 5 dc in the next st*. repeat from * to * to the end of the row until you reach the last stitch. The last st at the end of each row should be a half shell, to make this, you will want to make 3 dc sts in the same st, rather than the full 5 dc sts. Ch 1 and turn.
- Row 3: The first stitch in this row will be a sc on top of the last stitch made from the previous row. Skip the next 2 sts, and make 5 dc st in the sc from the previous row. Skip the next 2 sts, sc in the 3rd dc st from the previous rows shell. Repeat across. Repeat the row until the blanket is your desired size. Then finish off and weave in the ends.
- Repeat row three until the blanket reaches your desired size. Keep in mind that you may need to adjust your stitches, depending on how many chain stitches you created at the beginning. Please feel free to make the blanket to your desired size.
Edging (optional and not pictured)
- If you want to make an edging, you can also do this shell stitch around the edge. First, you will want to do a row of single crochet stitches around the entire edge. Make sure to evenly space your stitches so that they lay flat. In the corners make 3 sc sts.
- Once you have an entire border of single crochet stitches, you can work the shell stitch, making 5 dc stitches, skip 2, then make a sc, skip 2, then 5 dc sts in the next space. If your shell stitch falls at the corner, which it hopefully will, you will want to make 7 dc sts in the corner, rather than 5 dc. Otherwise, make your normal shell stitch all the way around. When you reach the starting point, join then finish off and weave in the ends.
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