Making a crochet afghan requires time and commitment. But what if we tell you that you can create a smaller blanket for the little munchkins in your lives using the same techniques? There are plenty of crochet baby blanket patterns for beginners. This wonderful project is a thoughtful baby shower gift that many will love and treasure for generations.
If you’re wondering how to crochet baby blanket, you’ve come to the right place. Over here, we’ll go through the essentials and explore the best yarn for a baby blanket. We’ve also included a baby blanket size chart and a list of free baby blanket patterns to help kickstart your journey.
A Quick Guide On How To Crochet A Baby Blanket
You can either work the crochet baby blanket patterns based on the given size or alter the dimensions to your preference. If you have difficulty understanding basic stitches, look for a project that uses a single row repeat pattern. Scroll down to see the free patterns.
The Best Yarn For Baby Blankets
You can use any yarn for crochet baby blanket patterns. Though, there are a few factors to weigh in before purchasing your materials. Taking into account diaper messes, excessive drools, milk spit-ups, and more, you’d want something durable and suitable for daily use. It is recommended to go for a yarn that can withstand multiple washes, preferably in a washing machine, without shrinking or felting.
- Fiber Content
Another essential thing to consider when choosing the best yarn for a baby blanket is the fiber content. As babies are more prone to developing skin reactions, it will be best to choose a soft yarn not to irritate the baby’s delicate skin. You’d want a high-quality acrylic yarn or cotton yarn in this case. They’re generally lightweight, highly breathable, and create the coziest blankets. They are easily washable and come in many different colors.
- Yarn Weight
The yarn weight determines the outcome of a project. Lightweight yarns produce a lighter-weight blanket in general. They’re great for summer and for creating lacy patterns. However, they require a more significant time commitment instead of bulky yarn. Similarly, crocheting with heavyweight yarns produces a heavier blanket. They work up much faster, making them an excellent option for preparing last-minute gifts. You can estimate the total weight of a finished blanket by multiplying the number of balls/skeins of yarn by the measurement on the yarn label. Use our yarn weight conversion chart to help you translate the terms between countries.
Check out our top eight yarn recommendations for a handmade baby blanket:
- Lion Brand Babysoft is easy to work with and comes in various pastel, printed, and solid colors. There is an option to choose between a sport weight yarn or light worsted weight yarn. However, the latter is slightly heavier and more suitable for a simple baby blanket.
- Material: 60% Acrylic & 40% Nylon
- Care: Machine washable / dryable
- Weight: Light Worsted Weight, #3
- Crochet hook size: 4mm / G6
- Yardage: 459yds / 420m
- The Bernat Softee is a type of yarn that lives up to its name; super soft and cuddly. It’s one of those classic yarns people reach out to for any baby crochet project. They’re an excellent choice for anyone looking for affordable yet good-quality yarn.
- Material: 100% Acrylic
- Care: Machine washable / dryable
- Weight: Light Worsted Weight, #3
- Crochet hook size: 4mm / G6
- Yardage: 362 yds. / 331 m
- Try the Bernat Baby Blanket Yarn if you want something thicker that builds up fast. It’s a chunky yarn that creates the warmest cover, a perfect gift for a new mother in the colder months. Don’t be mistaken for the Bernat Blanket Yarn. They’re very similar, except the Baby Blanket series is tested against harmful substances, making it safer for babies.
- Material: 100% Polyester
- Care: Machine washable
- Yarn Weight: Super Bulky, #6
- Crochet hook size: 8mm / L11
- Yardage: 220yds / 201m
- Lion Brand Comfy Cotton Blend comes with color changes throughout the yarn. It’ll work well by itself or paired with a solid color yarn. Instead of multiple skeins of yarns, you might only need one to crochet a colorful baby blanket or a small nursery decor. Be ready to experiment with fun colors that inspire creativity!
- Material: 50% Cotton & 50% Polyester
- Care: Machine washable/dryable
- Yarn Weight: Light Worsted Weight, #3
- Crochet hook size: 6mm / J10
- Yardage: 392 yds / 358 m
- The Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice is available in many bright colors to create unique crochet pieces. Some crocheters have mentioned that it is not as soft as other acrylic yarns, but it can withhold a lot of wear and tear!
- Material: 100% Acrylic
- Care: Machine washable & dryable
- Weight: Worsted weight, #4
- Crochet hook size: 6mm / J10
- Yardage: 170 yds / 156m
- KnitPicks Brava is another affordable option for those who are on a budget. They are gentle on baby skin yet durable enough to last long. It comes in generous yardage and an array of colors that work beautifully.
- Material: 100% Acrylic
- Care: Machine washable & dryable
- Weight: Worsted weight, #4
- Crochet hook size: 5.5-6.5mm / I-K
- Yardage: 218 yds / 199m
- The Lion Brand 24/7 cotton yarn is straightforward to work with and produces a very light and soft blanket. Since it’s made through mercerization, the quality is much stronger and holds its shape better—an excellent choice for summer projects, baby afghans, or baby garments.
- Material: 100% Mercerized Cotton
- Care: Machine washable & dryable
- Weight: Worsted weight, #4
- Crochet hook size: 4mm / G6
- Yardage: 186yds / 170m
- The Baby DK is one of the most popular paintbox yarns for a baby blanket crochet pattern. They’re primarily available in pastel shades so that you can explore different color combinations for a modern baby blanket. Also, it’s incredibly durable and soft to the touch, ensuring a comfy wrap around the newborn.
- Material: 55% Acrylic, 45% Nylon
- Care: Machine washable & dryable
- Weight: Light worsted weight, #3
- Crochet hook size: 4mm / F
- Yardage: 183yds / 167m
Crochet Baby Blanket Size
Just like an adult-sized blanket, baby blankets come in many forms. There’s the lovey, preemie, stroller, baby, receiving, crib… you name it! Thankfully, crocheting a baby blanket is much more forgiving than oversized blankets as you are not required to fit them onto a bed or mattress size. There’s no need to worry if you’re a few inches off.
Most crochet baby blanket patterns are written with a specific size in mind. Hence, if you want to alter the size, you’d need to know the measurements. Use this little guide to help you determine the right blanket size to create your adorable baby gifts. Remember, these numbers are just an approximation; you can still size up or down based on your preference.
| Blanket Type | Size (inches)Width x Length |
|---|---|
| Lovey | 12” x 12” |
| Security | 16” x 16” |
| Preemie | 18” x 18” |
| Stroller | 30” x 36” |
| Baby | 36” x 36” |
| Receiving | 40” x 40” |
| Crib | 40” x 60” |
| Toddler | 36” x 48” |
33 Free Crochet Patterns For Baby Blankets
Here’s a list of free crochet baby blanket patterns that use simple stitches to create incredible textures. We’ve laid out the skill level, suggested yarn weight, and key stitches for each pattern so you can easily decide on the most suitable project for yourself. You’d be surprised to see the variety of styles you can make with primarily single and double crochet stitches. For those who are up for a challenge, we have a few great projects for you, too!
An excellent place for beginners is to pick a baby blanket crochet pattern with basic stitches. We hope you found this helpful guide! Let us know if you made any patterns we suggested. Don’t worry if you finish your project early; it would be nice nursery decor while waiting for the new baby’s arrival.
Please refer to the respective links for the complete list of crochet stitches and patterns.
Tassel Star Blanket Crochet
Say hello to the Star Tassel Blanket! It's a gorgeous baby blanket that is easily customizable, and the size is 35" from point to point.
Skill Level: Beginners
Yarn Weight: DK #3
Major Stitches: DC, HDCSP
Crochet Feather and Fan Baby Blanket
With a small hook size and lightweight yarn, this pattern makes a great summer blanket. You will end up with an elegant design for a girl's bedroom.
Skill Level: Beginner
Yarn weight: Worsted, #4
Major Stitches: SC, DC
Granny Stitch Baby Blanket Pattern
The easy stitch pattern in this tutorial creates a delicate texture for a beautiful blanket when performed repeatedly. If you despise weaving in the ends, you can crochet the blanket in one color.
Skill Level: Beginner
Yarn weight: Worsted, #4
Major Stitches: DC
3 Hour Afghan
This is the go-to pattern if you need a quick baby shower gift. You can make it broader and larger by increasing the chain stitches or adding more rows.
Skill Level: Beginner
Yarn weight: Super bulky, #6
Major Stitches: SC, DC
Crochet Baby Cocoon
This isn't precisely a blanket, but it's also a warm covering that helps keep the little one snug. It's usually meant for babies under a year old; however, you can make an exception for toddlers or pre-schoolers if you're familiar with adjusting pattern sizes.
Skill Level: Beginner
Yarn weight: Worsted, #4
Major Stitches: HDC, Bobble
Bear Crochet Baby Blanket
What an adorable modern baby blanket design! The soft colors and cotton material create a lovely afghan for nursery decor or a bedspread.
Skill Level: Beginner
Yarn Weight: DK, #3
Major Stitches: SC, HDC, DC
Rapid Ripple Baby Blanket Crochet Pattern
Here's a baby afghan designed with different colors to showcase the texture. It's a single row repeat pattern that works primarily with double crochet stitches. Watch the video tutorial to see how to create the ripple stitch beautifully.
Skill Level: Beginner
Yarn weight: Worsted, #4
Major Stitches: DC
Crochet Baby Boy Blanket
This is an afghan pattern designed to be the fluffiest cover. While it's made with boyish colors, you can experiment with feminine shades to suit a baby girl.
Skill Level: Beginner
Yarn weight: Super Bulky, #6
Major Stitches: DC, HDC
Striped Rainbow Baby Blanket
This gender-neutral baby blanket pattern makes a great gift for parents-to-be. Working in multiple color changes can be tedious, but nothing beats the beautiful outcome. You can pair dark and bright colors to better contrast the texture.
Skill Level: Beginner
Yarn weight: DK, #3
Major Stitches: SC, DC
Crochet Stroller Blanket
A blanket with a hood to keep the little ones warm and cozy on the go? The yarn looks incredibly soft and luxurious that you'd probably be tempted to make one for yourself.
Skill Level: Beginner
Yarn weight: Super Bulky, #6
Major Stitches: SC, DC
The Bonnie Blanket
What a lovely heirloom baby blanket! The designer gives very clear instructions with picture tutorials. You’d be able to complete this project quickly once you get the hang of the 4-row repeat pattern.
Skill Level: Advanced Beginner
Yarn weight: DK, #3
Major Stitches: SC, DC
Sunburst Granny Square Blanket Crochet Pattern
This tutorial teaches you how to crochet a sunburst granny square and how to join them using the flat slip stitch joint method. We've also come up with a guide on how to produce a variety of non-repeat color sequences by using only 8 different yarn colors. Absolutely stunning!
Skill Level: Intermediate-Advanced
Yarn weight: Sportweight, #2
Major Stitches: DC
Rumi Crochet Baby Blanket
This cuddly blanket may look like mini waffles, but it uses treble crochet instead of the usual front post double crochet you'd typically see in a waffle stitch pattern. It's made with a white color base and hints of blue that enhance the texture.
Skill Level: Advanced Beginner
Yarn weight: Worsted, #4
Major Stitches: DC, TR
The Paisley Crochet Baby Blanket
This design combines the classic granny square pattern with soft shades. The squares are made up of the same stitches with a slightly different color sequence.
Skill Level: Advanced Beginner
Yarn weight: Worsted, #4
Major Stitches: DC
Easy Ombre Baby Blanket
The best thing about an ombre blankie is that it can be in any colorway. Since it's entirely customizable, you can choose your colors based on the gender of the baby.
Skill Level: Beginner
Yarn weight: Worsted, #4
Major Stitches: SC, DC
The Bias Tunisian Baby Blanket
Tunisian crochet is a blend of knitting and crochet. The hook used is usually longer than a regular crochet hook to hold multiple loops. This pattern is a perfect beginner project for those who are new to this technique.
Skill Level: Beginner
Yarn weight: Worsted, #4
Major Stitches: Tunisian Simple Stitch
Crochet Rose Baby Blanket
Create a tactile blanket, but make it extraordinary! This pattern comprises 25 individual squares, each with a blush pink rose in the middle. Perhaps, this will go into your collection of free heirloom crochet baby blanket patterns!
Skill Level: Advanced Beginner
Yarn weight: Sportweight, #2
Major Stitches: SC, DC
Solar System Crochet Baby Blanket
This is one of the most unique baby blanket crochet patterns we've seen. The designer completely nailed the outer space theme with its distinctive shape and bold colors.
Skill Level: Advanced Beginner
Yarn weight: Worsted, #4
Major Stitches: SC, HDC, DC
Serenity Blanket
Here's a free easy lacy baby blanket crochet pattern for the warmer days! Depending on the style you're going for, you can change the colors or opt for an even lighter-weight yarn.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Yarn weight: Worsted, #4
Major Stitches: HDC, DC
Basket Weave Crochet Pattern
This free pattern allows you to practice crocheting post stitches. It creates a beautiful and thick textured afghan that resembles a basket.
Skills: Intermediate
Yarn Weight: Worsted, #4
Major Stitches: SC, HDC, FPDC, BPDC
Corner to Corner Heart Blanket
If you're interested in C2C crochet, start with this simple two-color pattern. It's a technique where you work diagonally from one corner to another, creating tiny tiles throughout the project.
This Rocketship Crochet Baby Blanket is a more playful C2C pattern for those feeling adventurous.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Yarn weight: DK, #3
Major Stitches: DC
Crochet Harlequin Blanket
This underrated classic baby blanket crochet pattern looks great with any color. The pop of pink really flaunts the decorative crochet stitch.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Yarn weight: Bulky, #5
Major Stitches: SC, DC
Bobble Crochet Baby Blanket (+7 Bonus Sizes)
This baby blanket crochet pattern produces a lovely 3D texture. It also comes in seven additional sizes, perfect for making matching blankets for you and your own baby!
Skill Level: Intermediate
Yarn weight: DK, #3
Major Stitches: SC, HDC, Bobble
Crochet Boxed Block Stitch Blanket
The subtle color change in this boxed stitch pattern produces a classic yet chic design. You can also make the blanket with one solid color to make it more vintage.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Yarn weight: Worsted, #4
Major Stitches: SC, DC
Pique-A-Boo Baby Blanket
Worked with the pique stitch, this great technique produces a beautifully thick-textured blanket. It’s crocheted in a continuous round and finished with a reverse shell stitch border.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Yarn weight: Worsted, #4
Major Stitches: SC, DC, Pique
Secret Garden Round Blanket
Here's an airy blanket that looks great without fancy color changes or textures. The designer kept it simple yet classic with the circular shape and lacy shell texture, providing a delightful look that softens the interior of your space.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Yarn weight: Worsted, #4
Major Stitches: SC, DC
Free Crochet Lovey Patterns
Check out these unique and adorable lovies!
Bear Crochet Lovey Blanket
Learn how to make this adorable bear lovey pattern. It's a lovely design to gift newborns and expecting mothers and is adaptable to other animal amigurumi. The lovey is about 20" square.
Skill Level: Avid beginners/Intermediate
Yarn Weight: Worsted #4
Major Stitches: SC
Zebra Crochet Lovey Blanket
This beautiful Zebra Crochet Lovey pattern is to die for! It's soft on your little ones' skin and perfect to snuggle with. It's precisely 23" from point to point, and the Zebra's head is 4" wide.
Skill Level: Avid beginners
Yarn Weight: Worsted #4
Major Stitches: SC, DC, HDC
Prism Baby Lovey
Most crochet lovey patterns are designed with an Amigurumi on top, but here's something for the baby to snuggle with and chew on! The wooden baby teether can be changed to a silicone material.
Skill Level: Beginner
Yarn weight: Fingering, #1
Major Stitches: SC, DC
Hippo Lovey by The Blue Elephants
Instead of making two parts, this tutorial teaches you how to crochet a baby lovey in one piece. Meaning it'll ensure a more secure bond between the Amigurumi head and blanket.
Skill Level: Beginner
Yarn weight: Aran, #4
Major Stitches: SC, DC
Elephant Snuggle
This mini granny square baby blanket crochet pattern is paired with an adorable Amigurumi elephant head! It's excellent for beginners who wish to practice the classic stitch pattern without having to make big-sized crochet afghan.
Skill Level: Beginner
Yarn weight: Sportweight, #2
Major Stitches: SC, DC
Crochet Little Lamb Lovey
Designed to be slightly bigger than regular loveys, this crochet baby security blanket pattern is a fantastic gift for toddlers. The soft yarn, oversized Amigurumi head, and blanket make it comfortable to hold and cuddle.
Skill Level: Beginner
Yarn weight: Worsted, #4
Major Stitches: SC, DC
Bunny Lovey Blanket
Visual learners, this tutorial is for you. The author provides a thorough guide on how to crochet the Amigurumi pieces, the blanket, and how to join the parts together.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Yarn weight: Sportweight, #2
Major Stitches: Refer to the video
Disclaimer: Please note that we may earn a small commission if you purchase an item through the affiliate links above. It doesn’t change the price you pay, but in a way, you are supporting us in creating more craft projects for you!