Cherished Baby Blanket – Free Crochet Pattern

Cherished Baby Blanket

Learn how to crochet a beautiful and easy baby blanket with this Cherished Baby Blanket Crochet Pattern.

This soft and snuggly reversible baby blanket is a delight to crochet and is perfect for a newborn baby, baby showers, an heirloom blanket, christening gifts or even to make as a large throw blanket. 

It’s a gender-neutral baby blanket that is made from the center out. That means there are no large numbers of starting chains that you need to count or work into. And, you can make the blanket any size you’d like and you don’t need to decide what size to make before you begin – simply stop after any round. 

There’s a built-in border with gorgeous natural scalloped edges on every side.

I used a solid color for the entire blanket but you can get creative and alternate colors or use a different color for the border. There are options for customizing your blanket listed at the end of the pattern and video tutorial. I can’t wait to see what you create!

Use the Table of Contents below to jump to any section of the pattern or keep scrolling down to view all the details, the step-by-step video tutorial and the written instructions.

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Pattern Details

Skill Level

Easy

Size

The pattern creates a baby blanket that is approximately 31” x 31”. The size is easily customizable. Instructions for adjusting the size are included in the pattern.

Materials

Yarn: You can use any size 3 (light) or size 4 (medium) yarn. You will need approximately 850 yds in total.

I used Patons Canadiana in the color “Cherished Pink.” This yarn is size 4 (medium) and 100% acrylic. A skein is 205 yds / 187 m and 3.5 oz / 100 g. I used 5 skeins in total.

Crochet Hook Size: 

For size 3 (light) yarn: J/10 (6.00 mm).
For size 4 (medium) yarn: K/10.5 (6.50 mm).

These hook sizes are intentionally larger than what many yarn labels may recommend. This helps create the soft, lightweight drape of the blanket. 

Other Materials: Yarn needle, scissors and a measuring tape. Optional: stitch markers.

Terminology

This pattern is written for right-handed crochet using standard US terminology. If you’re more familiar with UK terms, here’s my US to UK Conversion Chart. 

Abbreviations

• ch/chs = chain/chains
• ch-2 sp = chain-two space
• dc = double crochet
• RS = right side (front)
• sc = single crochet 
• Shell = see Special Stitch
• sl st = slip stitch
• sp/sps = space/spaces 
• st/sts = stitch/stitches
• WS = wrong side (back)

Gauge

Exact sizing is not important. For reference, after Round 3, my work measured 3.5” x 3.5” (measured at the widest points). Your finished size may vary depending on the yarn used and your tension. If your stitches feel too loose or too tight, you can adjust your hook size as needed.

Pattern Notes

• The instructions are exactly the same whether you are using size 3 or size 4 yarn. The only difference is the recommended hook size.
• You will turn your work at the start of every round. On right side (RS) rounds, the front of your work will be facing you. On wrong side (WS) rounds, the back of your work will be facing you. Turning at the start of each round creates an invisible seam, improves the stitch definition and makes the blanket completely reversible.
• You may find it helpful to place a stitch marker in the top of the first single crochet stitch made in every round. 

Special Stitch

For this pattern, Shell = (sc, ch 2, 2 dc) in the same sp.

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Video Tutorial

Watch the step-by-step video tutorial below or keep scrolling down for the written instructions.

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Just a Reminder!

This pattern is also available as a PDF, which includes everything listed here but as a printer-friendly, ad-free PDF that you can instantly download, save, print, make notes on and keep forever.

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Pattern Instructions

Blanket Body

Start: Make a Magic Circle.

Round 1 (RS):

In the Magic Circle, make 4 Shells. Reminder: In this pattern, Shell = (sc, ch 2, 2 dc) in the same sp.

Pull the end of the Magic Circle tight to close. 

Sl st into the top of the first sc st to join.

(Stitch count: 4 Shells)

Need help with Round 1? “Make 4 Shells” means to make the following sts into the Magic Circle in this order: sc, ch 2, 2 dc, sc, ch 2, 2 dc, sc, ch 2, 2 dc, sc, ch 2, 2 dc. 

Note: Every time you make a Shell, you create a ch-2 sp that you will work into on the next round. This ch-2 sp is under the two chs and between the 2 dc sts and sc st. For the rest of the pattern, except for when joining the round, only work into ch-2 sps, not into tops of sts. Each Shell has 1 ch-2 sp. 

To make the written instructions easier to follow, this “ch-2 sp” is always referred to as a “sp.”

Round 2 (WS): Ch 1 and turn. 

In each sp, make 2 Shells. 

Sl st into the top of the first sc st to join. 

(Stitch count: 8 Shells)

Need help with Round 2? “In each sp, make 2 Shells” means to work in each of the 4 ch-2 sps from Round 1. In each ch-2 sp, make the following sts in this order: sc, ch 2, 2 dc, sc, ch 2, 2 dc. 

Round 3 (RS): Ch 1 and turn. 

In the first sp, make 1 Shell.

In the next sp, make 2 Shells.

*In the next sp, make 1 Shell.

In the next sp, make 2 Shells.*

Repeat from * to * around.

Sl st into the top of the first sc st to join.

(Stitch count: 12 Shells)

Round 4 (WS): Ch 1 and turn. 

In the first sp, make 1 Shell. 

In the next sp, make 2 Shells.

*In the next 2 sps, make 1 Shell.

In the next sp, make 2 Shells.*

Repeat from * to * around until there is 1 sp left.

In the last sp, make 1 Shell. 

Sl st into the top of the first sc st to join.

(Stitch count: 16 Shells)

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Note: While the detailed instructions continue until Round 11, for the rest of the blanket body, you are essentially doing the same thing each round: 

Ch 1 and turn. In each sp, make 1 Shell except for the 4 corner sps. In each corner sp, make 2 Shells. 

Sl st into the top of the first sc st to join.

(Each round increases by 4 Shells)

The corner sp is always the second Shell you come across in each corner. Always make 2 Shells in this second corner sp (only).

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Round 5 (RS): Ch 1 and turn. 

In the first 2 sps, make 1 Shell. 

In the next sp, make 2 Shells.

*In the next 3 sps, make 1 Shell.

In the next sp, make 2 Shells.*

Repeat from * to * around until there is 1 sp left. 

In the last sp, make 1 Shell. 

Sl st into the top of the first sc st to join.

(Stitch count: 20 Shells)

Round 6 (WS): Ch 1 and turn.

In the first 2 sps, make 1 Shell. 

In the next sp, make 2 Shells.

*In the next 4 sps, make 1 Shell.

In the next sp, make 2 Shells.*

Repeat from * to * around until there are 2 sps left.

In the last 2 sps, make 1 Shell. 

Sl st into the top of the first sc st to join.

(Stitch count: 24 Shells)

Round 7 (RS): Ch 1 and turn.

In the first 3 sps, make 1 Shell. 

In the next sp, make 2 Shells.

*In the next 5 sps, make 1 Shell.

In the next sp, make 2 Shells.*

Repeat from * to * around until there are 2 sps left.

In the last 2 sps, make 1 Shell. 

Sl st into the top of the first sc st to join.

(Stitch count: 28 Shells)

Round 8 (WS): Ch 1 and turn.

In the first 3 sps, make 1 Shell. 

In the next sp, make 2 Shells.

*In the next 6 sps, make 1 Shell.

In the next sp, make 2 Shells.*

Repeat from * to * around until there are 3 sps left.

In the last 3 sps, make 1 Shell. 

Sl st into the top of the first sc st to join.

(Stitch count: 32 Shells)

Round 9 (RS): Ch 1 and turn.

In the first 4 sps, make 1 Shell. 

In the next sp, make 2 Shells.

*In the next 7 sps, make 1 Shell.

In the next sp, make 2 Shells.*

Repeat from * to * around until there are 3 sps left.

In the last 3 sps, make 1 Shell. 

Sl st into the top of the first sc st to join.

(Stitch count: 36 Shells)

Round 10 (WS): Ch 1 and turn.

In the first 4 sps, make 1 Shell. 

In the next sp, make 2 Shells.

*In the next 8 sps, make 1 Shell.

In the next sp, make 2 Shells.*

Repeat from * to * around until there are 4 sps left.

In the last 4 sps, make 1 Shell. 

Sl st into the top of the first sc st to join.

(Stitch count: 40 Shells)

The blanket body continues in this fashion. The written instructions now change to a short-form format. The “Short-form Instructions” table below outlines the exact number of sps and total Shells in each round. 

Round 11 (RS): Ch 1 and turn. 

Make 1 Shell in each sp except for the 4 corner sps. 

In each corner sp, make 2 Shells. 

Sl st into the top of the first sc st to join.

(Stitch count: 44 Shells) 

Reminder: the corner sp is always the second Shell you come across in each corner. Always make 2 Shells in this second corner sp only.

Rounds 12-30: Repeat Round 11.

(Each round increases by 4 Shells)

You can adjust the size of your blanket by repeating Round 11 more or less times. You can end the blanket body after any round. I ended my blanket body after Round 30, which is a WS round. After Round 30, my work measured 30” x 30”.

After completing Round 30 or after reaching your desired size, do not fasten off. Proceed to the Blanket Border instructions.  

Short-form Instructions

The table below outlines the exact number of sps and total Shells in each round. 

• Column A) = Round Number
• Column B) = Ch 1 and turn. In the first ___ sps, make 1 Shell. In the next sp, make 2 Shells.
• Column C) = *In the next ___ sps, make 1 Shell. In the next sp, make 2 Shells.*
• Column D) = Repeat from * to * around until there are ___ sps left. In the last ___ sps, make 1 Shell. Sl st into the top of the first sc to join. 
• Column E) = Stitch count: ___ Shells.

Reminder: Shell = (sc, ch 2, 2 dc) in the same sp.

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Blanket Border

Blanket Border Round 1: Ch 1 and turn.

Make 1 Shell in each sp around. (Do not make 2 Shells in the corner sps.)

Sl st into the top of the first sc st to join.

(Stitch count: the same number of Shells as your final blanket body round).

Fasten off and weave in all loose ends. 

Customization Options

You are welcome to experiment using different colors. 

To change colors: place a new color on your hook and pull it through the loop of your old color that is currently on your hook. Fasten off the old color (meaning to cut the yarn that’s attached to the skein).

Different Colored Border: After finishing the blanket body, change colors. With the new color, follow the instructions for Blanket Border Round 1. My border (made after completing Round 30) used approximately 55 yds of yarn. 

Larger Different Colored Border: As you near your desired blanket size, change colors. Use the new color for several rounds of repeating Round 11 and for Blanket Border Round 1. 

Alternate Colors Throughout: Change colors at the end of any round. You can switch colors every round or every few rounds—get creative and have fun experimenting!

And now you have a new blanket! 

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More Baby Blanket Patterns

There are lots more crochet baby blanket patterns! Here are a few you might like:

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