Easy Crochet Baby Blanket Pattern (Free): Soft, Washable and Done in a Weekend

A baby blanket is the most-requested crochet gift there is, and the best ones are not the most elaborate. They are soft, they wash without fuss, and they are the right size. This pattern uses half double crochet, which gives a dense, squishy fabric with no holes, and a simple two-round border.

US terms. ch = chain, hdc = half double crochet, sc = single crochet, dc = double crochet, st = stitch, sl st = slip stitch.

Choosing the Size

• Lovey — Size: 35 x 35 cm; Chains (worsted, 5.5 mm): 42
• Receiving / stroller — Size: 75 x 90 cm; Chains (worsted, 5.5 mm): 92
• Standard shower gift — Size: 80 x 100 cm; Chains (worsted, 5.5 mm): 98
• Crib — Size: 90 x 110 cm; Chains (worsted, 5.5 mm): 110

The pattern below is written for the 80 x 100 cm size. Adjust the chain count for the others; any number works since hdc has no repeat.

Materials

• Yarn: about 800 to 900 m of worsted weight (category 4) machine-washable yarn. Baby-line acrylic, a cotton/acrylic blend, or superwash merino. That is 4 to 5 balls of 100 g. Buy 5.
• Hook: 5.5 mm (US I-9). Go up to 6.0 mm for a drapier blanket.
• Yarn needle, scissors.

Gauge

About 12 hdc and 9 rows = 10 cm. Not critical; the blanket will be a little bigger or smaller.

The Pattern

Foundation: Chain 98 loosely. If your chains tend to be tight, make them with a 6.0 mm hook and switch to 5.5 mm for Row 1.

Row 1: hdc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. 97 sts.

Row 2: ch 1 (does not count as a st), turn. hdc in the first st and in each st across. 97 sts.

Repeat Row 2 until the blanket measures 95 cm, roughly 85 rows. The border adds the last 5 cm.

Count your stitches every 10 rows. In hdc the first stitch of a row hides under the turning chain, and losing it once per row makes a very obvious taper.

The Border

Round 1: do not fasten off. ch 1, sc evenly around all four sides. Along the top and bottom, 1 sc in each stitch. Along the sides, work about 3 sc for every 2 rows of hdc. Work 3 sc into each corner. Join with a sl st to the first sc.

Round 2: ch 2, dc in each st around, working (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) into each corner sc. Join.

Round 3: ch 1, sc in each st around, 3 sc in each corner ch-1 space. Join. Fasten off.

Weave in all ends twice, in opposite directions. Baby blankets are washed constantly and ends that are weaved once will come loose.

Simple Variations

Stripes. Change color at the start of a row by pulling the new color through the last two loops of the last hdc. Carry the unused color up the side; the border hides it. Try 6 rows of a main color and 2 rows of an accent.

Third-loop texture. Work every hdc into the third loop (the horizontal bar behind the top V) on right-side rows only. Gives a knit-look texture that looks far more complex than it is.

Moss stitch version. Chain an even number. Row 1: sc in 2nd ch, [ch 1, skip 1, sc in next] across. Row 2: ch 1, turn, sc in first ch-1 space, [ch 1, sc in next ch-1 space] across. Repeat Row 2. Reversible, lies flat, very soft.

Bulky weekend version. Chain 62 with bulky yarn (category 5) and an 8 mm hook, hdc rows to 95 cm. Takes about a third of the time.

Yarn Choices That Work

• Baby acrylic (the soft, slightly squishy kind): cheap, machine washable, tumble dryable, comes in every pastel and every bright. The practical default.
• Cotton/acrylic blends: breathable, soft, good for warm climates.
• Superwash merino: the luxury option, warm and washable. Still lay it flat to dry.
• Avoid: mohair, alpaca with a halo, anything hand-wash only, chenille that sheds, and any yarn that pills after the first wash (test it).

Whatever you choose, wash the finished blanket once before gifting it. It softens the yarn, removes any residue, and proves it survives the machine.

Safety Notes

• No holes large enough for a finger or toe.
• No buttons, beads or appliqués that could come off.
• No loose long fringes.
• A note on the gift tag: "Machine wash cold, tumble dry low."

Gifting It

Fold it into thirds, roll it, tie it with a ribbon in a matching color, and attach a card with the care instructions. If you know the nursery color, one accent stripe in that color is the detail people remember.

A blanket made from this pattern can be sold; please do not republish the pattern text itself.