There are so many things to consider when crocheting baby blankets. Yarn, hook, pattern to use, size to make, etc. It’s enough to make your head spin!
Today we are going to break down some of the common questions you may have about how to craft a perfect crochet baby blanket. At the end, I’ll share with you my favorite FREE easy crochet baby blanket patterns for blankets that I have designed.
My goal is to share helpful information that will help you to create a beautiful heirloom-quality blanket that you will be proud to gift or to keep for your own little one (or grandkiddo!).
Let’s dive in. But, before we get to the knitty gritty of your baby blanket questions, let’s answer a very pressing question first.
The American Academy of Pediatrics warns not to put anything soft in a babies crib, so like any other blanket, a crochet baby blanket needs to be used with parental supervision. Treat a crochet blanket the same you would any other blanket with a baby.
Using a crochet baby blanket for a car seat, stroller, or swing (or whenever a caregiver is present) is perfectly fine. I would caution against using one in a crib with a small baby, especially if the baby is left alone to sleep.
Once the child gets a little older you might find that a crocheted baby blanket is perfect because it has small gaps in the yarn for breathability but still provides warmth and comfort.
So, would I personally use a crochet blanket for my baby? Yes, when I am there!
Now that we have the safety issue addressed, let’s move on!
Baby blankets are easy to crochet and all you need are the basics: yarn, hook and a quality crochet pattern (that doesn’t mean you have to pay for it!). Be sure to check the pattern for any other supplies that may be needed, such as a yarn needle or stitch markers.
We will discuss yarn farther down, but let’s take a minute to talk about hooks – a necessary item when crocheting baby blankets.
I get a lot of questions about the hook size in my blanket patterns. I often use a hook 2-3 sizes larger than the ball band calls for. I find this gives the fabric a lot more drape, which is definitely desirable for a blanket. Using a hook that is too small will make the blanket stiff and the yarn won’t be as soft as it could be.
So always check the written instructions for a blanket and use the hook size the designer has written in the pattern, not what the yarn itself calls for (if you want it to turn out like the blanket in the pattern!).
Choose yarns that are easy to care for, soft against a baby’s skin and will hold up to wear and tear. You want a yarn that will keep its shape once it’s been washed (babies are messy!), doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, and feels great to the touch.
I am not going to recommend specific yarns, just the types of yarns that will do well. If you want a few specifics, this article discusses the best yarns for blankets. There are typically two camps: acrylic/polyester lovers and cotton lovers.
Acrylic & Polyester: These yarns are great when it comes to easy care. Most are machine washable, hold up well (although some may pill so be careful!) and a lot of them have a good feel, although some may be scratchy, so be sure to test them out.
You can see from the free patterns below that I do use these types of yarns for some of my blankets. What I would caution you about, though, is that if you plan on machine washing it you make a swatch and run it through a wash and dry cycle. This will let you know how it will look after washing.
We were gifted a beautiful crochet blanket for our last child (we have 4 boys!) and the first time we washed it the yarn shrank up and it looked nothing like the original blanket, nor did it have the same feel. So please test it out if you are giving it so this doesn’t happen. Your recipient will thank you!
Cotton Yarns: I do love cotton yarn. Most of them are cool and crisp and would be a good choice if you are worried about a baby overheating. They are also easy to care for and are durable. Again, I would make a swatch and wash it, just to be sure.
Depending upon the size you are making, a typical baby blanket takes between 700 to 1500 yards of yarn (assuming a worsted weight blanket), so a typical 3.5 oz skein that has 220 yards will take 3-7 skeins to crochet a baby blanket. Some larger skeins will take less.
Common crocheted baby blanket sizes are:
Receiving Blanket: 18-36″ square
Swaddle Blanket: 48″ x 48″ or 40″ x 40″
Stroller/Car Seat Blanket: 30-40″ rectangular (can be various sizes)
Crib Blanket: 40″ x 60″
There are many wonderful crochet stitches that make great baby blankets. Some of my favorites are:
1. The basic sc, hdc or dc
2. Duchess Lace Stitch (see below!)
3. Sedge Stitch (also see below!)
4. Waffle Stitch
5. C2C (corner to corner)
6. Basket Weave Stitch
7. Chevron Stitch
8. Blanket Stitch
9. Moss Stitch
10. Mini Bean Stitch
You can also see this amazing collection of over 25 crochet stitches perfect for blankets (with photos and many video tutorials, too!).
How to Crochet a Baby Blanket
How to Crochet a Baby Blanket
Learn the basics of crocheting a baby blanket with this handy printable guide.
Materials
- Yarn of choice
Tools
- Crochet hook appropriate for yarn. If unsure, check the ball band.
Instructions
One thing people love about making baby blankets is that they are pretty easy (well, most of them anyway!). There is no shaping to consider and they are usually square or rectangular.
I recommend using a hook that is one or two sizes larger than the yarn label calls for. This tends to give the finished blanket a lot more drape and it just feels better.
- Start with the number of chains recommended in the pattern. If you are not using a pattern, check out the stitch multiple in the stitch pattern instructions for the starting chain.
- After you get your first few rows done, the rest is easy peasy. You will just keep working your stitch pattern until the blanket is as long as you would like it to be.
- Then, borders. Oh my! There are such options. I tend to like lacy borders and that’s what you will see on quite a few of my designs, but also a simple single crochet border can look quite nice.
I recommend starting the border with a round of single crochet (preferably in the same color as the blanket, if possible) and then working the border called for in the pattern.
This gives a much more even look and will help your border look nice.
Notes
Total time will vary depending upon size of blanket, stitch pattern, yarn size and other variables.
Crochet Borders for Baby Blankets
So now you’ve crocheted a baby blanket in a beautiful stitch, but what now? You need a border! Like I said above, I recommend a round of single crochet first.
You can see over 25 of my favorite crochet border patterns here! This ultimate post contains tips and tricks for perfect crochet borders as well as over 25 amazing border patterns, all FREE with photos and written instructions, many with videos.
My Favorite FREE Easy Crochet Baby Blankets
By far the most popular baby blanket pattern on my site, this blanket has been made many times with gorgeous results. It is made with worsted weight yarn in a combination of chain stitches, the single crochet stitch and the double crochet stitch. Full video tutorial, too!
This free crochet baby blanket pattern uses two Caron Cotton Cakes to create a striped blanket with a shell border. This pattern is a one row repeat and also includes a video tutorial and was featured on Hookin’ on Hump Day from Moogly Blog!
Lion Brand Yarn’s Feels Like Butta is wonderful in this striped blanket with a lacy border. Grab the bonus bundle skeins from Michael’s stores and make this blanket with 2 skeins!
You can snag this pattern as a free pdf download when you join the newsletter! See the subscription box below.
One skein Red Heart Super Saver Ombre and one solid skein for the border will allow you to crochet this easy blanket. The yarn does the color work for you! Also check out the Elegant Ombre Baby Blanket. Both of these blankets also come with video tutorials!
This free crochet pattern uses Bernat Blanket yarn and the c2c technique to whip up an amazing baby blanket super fast! You could also replace the double crochet with half double crochet, which also works for c2c blankets. Bernat Baby Blanket yarn can also be used.
This blanket works up fast in Super Saver Ombre yarn from Red Heart! No need to worry about color changes because the yarn does it all for you.
Need a baby shower gift in a flash? Using super bulky yarn and a giant crochet hook, this easy crochet baby blanket really CAN be made in a weekend. Video tutorial, too!
This free pattern uses Paintbox yarn in simply chunky yarn to work up fast and give gorgeous results. This is a blanket you’ll want to make again and again. The video tutorial walks you through each step.
Tartan Plaid Baby Blanket
This blanket uses Biggo yarn from We Crochet/Knit Picks to make a beautiful blanket that works up super quickly. Use surface slip stitch to achieve the tartan plaid look. Don’t worry, it’s not as hard as it looks (it only uses basic crochet stitches), and there is a video tutorial for each step!
If you are interested in seeing more, be sure to check out all of my free crochet patterns here!
Arketta
I signed up for the 10 day work shop and paid for the e book but never got a email on doing the workshop can you please send me the 10 day work shop
Thanks
Arketta Butler
amanda
Hi! The workshop comes in a daily email and you should have started getting these immediately, which continued for 10 days. If you can’t find them I can add you to the email sequence again and send the emails over to you. 🙂