How to Make Baby Blanket – Baby Blanket Crochet Pattern

How to make baby blanket – baby blanket crochet pattern. Here is a really classic baby blanket crochet pattern that I have been using for years and want to share with you today. It’s easy to make, beginner friendly, has two basic stitches and can be done in a weekend.

Handmade Gifts

I’m making a gift for someone who is having their first child and is also a co-worker of mine. My go to baby shower gift is a made with love, handmade crochet baby blanket. I have made so many baby blankets that I have lost track of how many.

Crochet baby blankets are THE perfect gift. The reason it’s so perfect is because of the thought, care and love that goes into making anything by hand. It’s made especially for one person, no one else on earth will have that same item. It’s a tradition that has been passed down for years by aunts, mothers, grandmothers and friends. Family members or friends usually make newborns a crochet blanket, baby beanie or booties so that the little one has something handmade in their first outfit. A special outfit or blanket to wear as they leave the hospital and head for their new home.

MAKE SURE YOU CHECK THIS OUT!

Are you an absolute beginner and you want to learn crochet? After you read this post, make sure you check out Learn To Crochet for Absolute Beginner’s. It’s jam packed with even more information, links and resources that are so helpful when you’re first learning. It also has a section with free patterns that are great for beginners. So make sure you check this out, seriously don’t forget!

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How to Make a Baby Blanket – Yarn Selection

Yarn Color

I know this is listed as the second step but for this baby blanket I had to find out my co-workers baby colors or color pallet first. I’m laughing as I’m typing this right now but being the age that I am (over 50) can I tell you that my kids and most of the younger folks I make items for are in their 30’s and most prefer a neutral pallet of grey, beige or cream (boring!) I love color but this is a gift so it’s really important to find out what colors the recipient like and pick your yarn accordingly.

Yarn Weight

I like to use Worsted Weight 4 ply yarn for this project but beware, not all Worsted Weight 4 ply yarns are the same. There’s nothing worse than buying yarn and getting 1/3 of the way into your blanket only to realize that it’s not going to work out.

True Story

So I bought two skeins of yarn in two different colors and started working on this baby blanket while I was away during Christmas. I was crocheting in the car on the long drive back home and knew it was all wrong but kept on crocheting. All the time I was hoping that it would get better, it didn’t. I was so bummed out, the yarn was soft but had no weight to it. It may work for a baby doll blanket but not a human baby blanket. It was listed as a 4 but I soon realized that not all yarn is the same.

Once I got home, I ran over to Joann’s to get the brand I always use. Red Heart Super Saver 4 ply yarn in my two colors and started all over. Why didn’t I get that yarn to begin with? Simple, it’s not very soft on the shelf or one of the nicer brands they have so I was trying to impress my co-worker with a nicer yarn but let me tell you a SECRET.

Red Heart Super Saver in the solid colors doesn’t feel nice to the touch when it’s sitting on the shelf at the craft store or even in your hands when you are working up your blanket. But, when you wash it on delicate and then put it on low in the dryer for 20 minutes with a few fabric softener sheets it comes out soft and cuddly EVERY TIME. I only used one skein of each color, each skein on sale for $3.49 each making this crochet baby blanket pattern under $10 to make! Can’t beat that.

Best Weight for Baby Blankets

Most yarns used for blankets have a weight of 3 – 6. I don’t use yarn that is a 3 because I think it’s too thin. I also know that not all weights of 4 ply yarn are the same thickness so try to pick one that feels heavy but is still a 4. Weight 5 is nice but gets expensive because there is less yarn and costs more. I think 6 is just too thick for a newborn but pick what you like. This pattern uses 4 ply Red Heart Super Saver yarn.

How to Make a Baby Blanket – Pick Pattern

Find a pattern

Picking the pattern or style for a project is one of the hardest things to do. I like to look at patterns online by doing google searches, searching in YouTube and on Pinterest. No matter what your skill level, there are things that everyone needs to consider when picking their pattern.

1. How many colors do I want to use?
2. How will those colors interact with each other?
3. Do I want each color to have a different stitch?
4. Will the stitches be compatible with each other in regards to stitch count needed?
5. Are these good stitches for a baby blanket?
6. Will these stitches leave nice edges and not get all wonky on the sides?
7. What type of border do I want and will the stitches look good with that border?

Create a pattern

If you don’t find a pattern that you like then make your own pattern. It’s easy, it starts with finding what stitch or stitches you want to use. I like to go to YouTube on some of my favorite crochet channels and look at their stitch tutorials. Keep in mind that some stitches have more texture, can be heavier (like cable stitches) and should be suitable for a newborn or small baby.

Also, pay attention to the stitch count needed for each pattern or stitch you pick. Some stitch patterns require a multiple of 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 and some just need even number or no requirements. If you are unsure what I’m talking about refer to the pattern or the tutorial will tell you at the beginning when you chain your first row.

Whatever number you need for your pattern, make sure you follow it and then you will know what size options you have for your finished item. You can easily adjust the size of the finished item by knowing the stitch counts required. If the required stitch count is 3 then make sure your total starting chain can be divided by 3. If you want to make it smaller then shorten the starting chain in multiples of 3. And if you want it bigger then increase the starting chain in multiples of 3 just as an example.

Example: The Shell Stitch normally requires a multiple of 3 stitches, but in my pattern it only requires 2. I wanted my shell stitches closer together. It’s my pattern, I can do whatever I want and so can you when you create your own patterns. Try it, you will love it.

How to Make a Baby Blanket -Hook Selection

I used a size J hook for the main portion of the blanket and the border, as listed on the skein packaging. That’s all I have to say about hook selection. I feel like Forest Gump.

How to Make a Baby Blanket – Material Needed

My striped baby blanket crochet pattern uses 2 skeins of 4 ply yarn, J crochet hook and yarn needle. The package will tell you what the ply is on the label, look for the number 4:

1. 1 skein white 4 ply yarn – Red Heart Super Saver (White)
2. 1 skein blue 4 ply yarn – Red Heart Super Saver (Blue)
3. 1 crochet hook – size J
4. 1 yarn needle

After you gather up the materials, scroll down for the stitch instructions and free pattern.

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How to Make a Baby Blanket – Free Pattern

To make this baby blanket you will need to know how to make a single crochet, double crochet and slip stitch. Beginner friendly and super easy. This baby blanket crochet pattern is in US terminology, not UK.

Pattern Abbreviations (US):

sc = single crochet

dc = double crochet

Baby Blanket Body

Weave Tails

Weave all tails before starting border. Make sure all tails are knotted once before you weave. Take yarn needles and weave tails into blanket. Weave each tail separately. Make sure it looks like on the reverse side before cutting excess tail.

Shell Stitch Border

Row 76: (Blue Yarn) Continue crocheting with blue yarn, sc around the blanket on all four sides. Please 3 sc in all four corners so you will have a nice rounded border on the corners. Change to white yarn on last stitch.

Row 77: (White Yarn) Place 5 dc in first stitch, skip 1 stitch, sc in next stitch, skip 1 stitch. Repeat all around the border until you get to the end. Slip stitch into the first sc stitch from previous row. Tie off, weave tails and trim.

How to Make a Baby Blanket – Wash It

Machine wash cold on the gentle cycle by itself with a little soap. I just use regular laundry detergent but you could also opt for baby detergent that is allergy free, fragrance free too. Tumble dry on low cycle for about 15 or 20 minutes. Do not add bleach and do not iron. Blanket will be soft and fluffy, ready to snuggle up a baby or for baby to snuggle with it.

How to Make a Baby Blanket – Gift It

I hope you will enjoy making this sweet baby blanket crochet pattern and giving to someone who is having a baby. Add a special touch and get a label or order a label with your name on it and attach it some where near the border with sewing needle and thread. That way every time they use or see the blanket, they will see it was made with love by YOU.

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About Sew Nikki

If this is your first time stopping by, welcome! My name is Nikki. I’m a crochet pattern designer and weekend quilter with a super small sewing space. I taught myself how to sew and quilt by watching YouTube videos! My blog has How-To’s, Free Patterns and Pattern Reviews. Read more about me here.

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