Simple Baby Blanket – Free Crochet Pattern

Easy Crochet Baby Blanket Pattern

While I was pregnant with my second daughter, I wanted to make an easy crochet baby blanket that would be beautiful but also practical. I knew from experience that I didn’t want the spaces/holes (that most crochet blankets have) to be too big as my first daughter’s fingers would often get caught in them. As well, I wanted the blanket to be breathable, easy to make, quick, and affordable.

This Simple Baby Blanket Crochet Pattern has been absolutely wonderful and I’m excited to share the pattern!

The pattern creates a blanket that is 39″ wide x 47″ high but the size is completely customizable. I chose to make this blanket slightly larger than a standard newborn blanket so it can grow with my daughter. In my experience, the size was perfect for when she was a little baby and even as a toddler and child!

Wondering what size you should make your blanket? Check out this handy Crochet Blanket Sizes Chart.

About This Blanket & Pattern

• It’s super soft and cuddly.
• Lightweight and great for summertime or as an extra layer in the winter.
• Easy to make – only requires knowledge of single crochet stitch and double crochet stitch (often called a Lemon Peel Stitch) and a slip stitch… perfect for a beginner learning how to crochet a baby blanket or an advanced crocheter!
• For the size I made, I used only one skein of the economical big ball size of Bernat Baby Sport (A skein is 1256 yds / 1148 m and 12.3 oz / 350 g).
• This yarn comes in pink, white and blue, perfect to make for a girl, boy or unisex/gender neutral.
• Plus, this yarn is washable and dryable!
• The easy baby blanket crochet pattern is customizable so you can make it any size you’d like.
• Fast… it works up quickly.
• Looks beautiful on display in the nursery and of course, on a baby!

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

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More Easy Crochet Baby Blanket Patterns

If you enjoy this Simple Baby Blanket, you may also like these easy crochet baby blanket patterns. Each pattern includes step-by step-written instructions as well as a video tutorial, making them all great for beginners or experienced crocheters.

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Pattern Details

Skill Level

Easy & beginner-friendly

If you are an absolute beginner, learn How to Crochet a Baby Blanket for Beginners.

Size

This pattern creates a blanket that is approx. 39” wide x 47” high.

Materials

Yarn: You can use any size 3 (light) yarn. You will need approx. 1256 yds. I used one skein of the economical big ball size of Bernat Baby Sport in the color “Baby Pink.” This yarn size 3 (light) and 100% acrylic. A skein is 1256 yds / 1148 m and 12.3 oz / 350 g. 

Crochet Hook Size: K/10.5 (6.50 mm).

Other Materials: Scissors, yarn needle and a measuring tape. 

Can I Use a Different Yarn Weight and/or Hook Size?

This pattern was designed, made and tested using size 3 (light) yarn and a K/10.5 (6.50 mm) hook. You are welcome to try a different yarn weight and/or hook size but the size, overall look and feel of your blanket as well as the amount of yarn required may be different.  See the FAQ section at the end of the pattern for more information.

Terminology

This Simple Baby Blanket Crochet Pattern is written in English for right-handed crochet using standard US crochet terminology. If you are more familiar with UK terminology, check out my US to UK Conversion Chart.

Abbreviations

• ch = chain  
• st/sts = stitch/stitches 
• sk = skip
• sl st = slip stitch
• sc = single crochet
• dc = double crochet

Speaking of abbreviations, check out my free Crochet Abbreviations List that you can save and refer to at anytime.

Pattern Notes

• Chains never count as stitches. 

Gauge

Exact sizing is not important for this pattern. For reference, 4” x 4” = 11 sts (counting both sc and dc sts) and 10 rows. To make a gauge swatch, ch 19 and follow the blanket body pattern. Learn more about gauge. 

How to Adjust the Size

The number of starting chains determine the height of your blanket and the number of rows determines the width.

To adjust the height of the blanket, make more or less starting chains in multiples of 2 + 1 (meaning that you will need an odd number of starting chains). To adjust the width of the blanket, make more or less rows.

The FAQ section at the end of the pattern includes directions for making specific sizes. 

Video Tutorial

For step-by-step video instructions on how to crochet this Simple Baby Blanket, you can watch this video tutorial. Or scroll down for the written pattern.

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How to Crochet the Simple Baby Blanket

Blanket Body Instructions

Start: Ch 117.

Row 1: In the second ch from the hook, sc. 

In the next chain, dc. 

*In the next chain, sc. 

In the next chain, dc.* 

Repeat from * to * across.

(Stitch count: 116 sts). 

Row 2: Ch 1 and turn.

In the first st (the st attached to the ch and the top of the dc from the previous row), sc. 

In the next st (the top of the sc from the previous row), dc.

*In the next st, sc.

In the next st, dc.*

Repeat from * to * across.

(Stitch count: 116 sts. Reminder: chains never count as sts).

Row 3 and on: Repeat Row 2 until the height of your blanket body measures approx. 36” (approx. 90 rows) or your desired height (which technically is the width of the blanket). You can end after any row. Do not fasten off. 

Blanket Border Instructions

Note about the video tutorial: you may notice some small discrepancies between the video and these written instructions. I’ve improved the pattern since publishing the video and recommend you follow these written instructions. 

Border Round 1: Ch 1 and turn. 

TOP: In the first st (the st attached to the ch), make 3 sc (first corner made). Sc in each st across the top until there is 1 st left. In the last st across the top, make 3 sc (second corner made). 

SIDE (DOWN): Working down the side and into the sts at the end of each row (not the spaces), sc evenly all the way down.

(Need help with where to work into? At the end of each row, there is a dc st followed by a ch-1/sc st. I worked only into the dc sts. I made 1 sc into the top of each dc st and 1 sc into the bottom of that same st (I worked into one or two loops). The exact st placement and count are not important – the goal is to have evenly placed sc sts all the way down (and up) the side). 

BOTTOM: When working into ch sts, work under both loops of the ch. In the first ch at the bottom, make 3 sc (third corner made). Sc in each ch across the bottom until the last ch. In the last ch across the bottom, make 3 sc (fourth corner made). 

SIDE (UP): Working up the side into the sts at the end of each row, sc evenly all the way up (same as working down the side).

Sl st into the first sc st made in the round to join.

Border Round 2: Ch 1 and turn.

In the first st (the st attached to the ch), sc. 

Sc in each st around, making 3 sc in each corner st (the corner st is the middle sc st of the 3 sc made in each corner in the previous round). 

Sl st into the first sc made in the round to join. 

If you need any help with this part of the border, please see the FAQ section at the end of the pattern.

Border Rounds 3, 4 & 5: Repeat Border Round 2. 

Border Round 6: Ch 1 and turn. 

Sl st in the first st (the st attached to the ch).

*Sk the next st.

In the next st, make 5 dc (Shell made). 

Sk the next st.

Sl st in the next st.* 

Repeat from * to * around. 

(Nothing special happens at the corners.)

Your last st is a sl st into the first sl st made in the round. 

As you approach the first sl st made in the round, if you don’t have the correct number of sts to follow the pattern, back up and don’t sk a st (or sk 2 sts) between Shells and/or sl sts to make it work.

Fasten off and weave in loose ends. 

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FAQs

Can I Use a Different Yarn Weight and/or Hook Size?

This pattern was designed, made and tested using size 3 (light) yarn and a K/10.5 (6.50 mm) hook. You are welcome to try a different yarn weight and/or hook size but the size, overall look and feel of your blanket as well as the amount of yarn required may be different. 

For example, if you use size 4 (medium) yarn, your blanket may be thicker and heavier with tighter stitches that look different and your blanket may not be as flexible, lightweight and airy as it was designed to be. 

If you would like to try making it with size 4 (medium) yarn, you can try using the same hook size (K/10.5) or try going up hook size (perhaps a 7.00 mm or a L/11 (8.00 mm)). I recommend you make a small sample (ch 25 and follow the pattern) to see if you like it.

Learn more about yarn weights and crochet hook sizes.

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Why Does My Yarn Label Say to Use a Smaller Hook?

For this pattern, using a lightweight yarn (size 3) and a large crochet hook (K/10.5) creates a slightly textured, drapey, soft and flexible fabric – perfect for a baby blanket! The hook size on a yarn label is just a recommendation. Mixing yarn weights and hook sizes can create unique and wonderful designs.

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Why is my Chain Row Shorter than 44”?

Everyone makes their chains with different tensions. It’s best not to measure your chain row. Instead, measure the width after making several rows. If after several rows, you would like to make it a different size, you can start again with a different number of starting chains (in multiples of 2 + 1). 

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Does Each Row of the Body of the Blanket Have the Same Number of Stitches?

Yes. For the entire blanket body, you will repeat Row 2. Each row will have 116 stitches. 

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When Working on the Border, Why Do You Ch 1 and Turn? 

Turning your work at the beginning of each round of the border creates a lovely texture that makes the border looks beautiful on both sides. 

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I’m Confused About the Border – After I Turn, When Do I Make the Corners? 

“Make the <first> corner” means to make 3 sc in the corner st (the corner st is the middle sc st of the 3 sc sts made in each corner in the previous round).

For Border Round 2 (after ch 1 and turn): sc down the side, make the first corner, sc across the bottom, make the second corner, sc up the side, make the third corner, sc across the top, make the fourth corner. Sc into any remaining sts. Sl st to join.

For Border Round 3 (after ch 1 and turn): sc in any sts until the first corner st, make the first corner, sc across the top, make the second corner, sc down the side, make the third corner, sc across the bottom, make the fourth corner, sc up the side. Sl st to join. 

Border Round 4: Same as Round 2

Border Round 5: Same as Round 3.

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Does this Stitch Have a Name?

Yes, the stitch used in the blanket body (alternating between single and double crochet stitches) is often called the Lemon Peel Stitch.

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How Many Chains Are Required to Make it a Different Size?

Making 117 starting chains creates a blanket that is approx. 44” without the border (47” with the border). You can adjust the size by making more or less starting chains in multiples of 2 + 1 (meaning you need to have an odd number).

As a guideline: 116 sts = 44“ wide, which means there are approx. 2.6 stitches in an inch. You can take the width you want your blanket to be (in inches) and multiply it by 2.6. That should give you a rough estimate of how many stitches you will need in a row for your desired width. Then, round up that number to the nearest odd number – that’s how many starting chains you will need. 

Here’s an example: You want your blanket to be 100”. 100 x 2.6 = 260. Round up 260 to the nearest odd number = 261. To make your blanket approx. 100” wide, you would make 261 starting chains. (This is a rough estimate and has not been tested but it should give you a width that is close to what you want it to be). 

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How Long Will This Take to Complete?

This truly depends on how quickly you crochet. Many crocheters have commented on how fast this is to make! A good way to determine how long it will take you is by timing how long it takes you to complete a row and multiply that by 90 rows (and then add time for the border). 

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Does it Look the Same on Both Sides?

Yes, it does! The blanket is completely reversible.

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I hope you enjoyed making this Simple Baby Blanket Crochet Pattern!

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