Crocheting a baby blanket is a perfect first project—it’s forgiving, repetitive, and extremely rewarding. You don’t need complex stitches or fancy tools—just some soft yarn, a hook, and a little patience. This guide will walk you through making a soft, cozy blanket that’s ideal for baby gifts, keepsakes, or nursery decor.
✅ 1. Gather Your Supplies and Choose a Simple Stitch
🧵 Materials:
- Yarn: Worsted weight (Category 4) or DK (Category 3) in a soft acrylic or cotton blend
– Approx. 800–1000 yards (for a 30″ x 36″ blanket) - Hook: 5.0 mm (H-8) or 5.5 mm (I-9) crochet hook
- Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
- Scissors
🔤 Stitch choice: For beginners, choose one of the following easy stitches:
- Half double crochet (hdc) – soft, fast, and creates a nice texture
- Granny stitch (3 dc clusters) – classic and great for color changes
- Moss stitch (sc, ch 1, skip 1) – perfect for a light, modern look
✨ We’ll use the half double crochet (hdc) stitch in this example for its simplicity and comfort.
🧵 2. Start Crocheting Your Blanket
Step-by-Step Pattern:
- Chain: Ch 90 (or any even number for desired width)
- Row 1: Hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn.
- Row 2: Ch 1 (does not count as stitch), hdc in each stitch across. Turn.
- Repeat Row 2 until the blanket measures about 36″ long or your desired length.
- Fasten off and weave in all yarn ends with a tapestry needle.
🧸 Optional: Change colors every 5–10 rows for stripes or use a variegated yarn for a fun, no-fuss color effect.
🎀 3. Add a Simple Border
To give your blanket a clean finish:
- Work 1–2 rounds of single crochet (sc) evenly around all four edges of the blanket.
- Place 3 sc in each corner to keep it flat.
- Optional: Add a decorative border like shell stitch or crab stitch (reverse sc) for extra flair.
📏 Don’t worry if the edges aren’t perfect—blocking the blanket (lightly shaping and drying it flat) helps even everything out!
🎉 Conclusion
Crocheting your first baby blanket is a satisfying and heartwarming project. With just a few basic stitches and some soft yarn, you can create something handmade and meaningful. This easy pattern can be customized with different yarns, colors, and borders as you grow your skills. Keep it simple, be patient, and enjoy the process—your cozy creation will be cherished for years to come.
Images and patterns courtesy of crochetcabin6160