Your new favorite baby shower gift is here.
My favorite gift to give at a baby shower is a crochet baby blanket. This has been one of my favorites to make for many years, and now I’m sharing the pattern with you.
There is truly nothing better than sitting down to work on a blanket for a special new baby. Every stitch is infused with the anticipation of who they will be, excitement for their arrival, and love for them and their family. You can tailor the colors to match the baby’s room decor, or just pick something fun.
I always use a good ole’ acrylic yarn for my baby blankets. Say what you will about acrylic, big box yarns, but there are some really soft ones out there in gorgeous colors, and they truly can’t be beat for affordability and ease of care. The last thing I want my baby shower gift to do is bring mom more work than necessary – a wool blanket, while nice, isn’t something a lot of people know how to care for. I include care instructions and encourage them to let baby use it and love it. When it can just be tossed in the washer and dryer, mom’s way more likely to let it be a beloved snuggly blankie rather than an untouchable piece of room decor.
I love using 3 colors, 3 rows in each color, but feel free to mix it up! A single color would make this a timeless, heirloom piece, to be handed down for years. You could use 2 colors – start with one for the first part of the blanket, use the middle to fade into the 2nd color, then finish the blanket in the 2nd color.
This would also be a really great opportunity for a scrappy blanket! Make every row a different color.
Recommended Yarn
Hobby Lobby I Love This Yarn or other worsted weight yarn of your choice.
- Stroller Size – 1,300 yards
- Lapghan Size – 2,600 yards
- Small Throw Size – 3,750 yards
- Large Throw Size – 4,800 yards
Hook Size
US J / 6.0 mm
Finished Size
- Stroller – 34″ x 36″ (86 cm x 91 cm)
- Lapghan – 42.5″ x 54″ (108 cm x 137 cm)
- Small Throw – 51″ x 63″ (130 cm x 160 cm)
- Large Throw – 59.5″ x 72″ (151 cm x 183 cm)
Gauge
I recommend completing a small swatch in pattern to get the best gauge.
Chain 34 and follow the first 6 rows of the pattern.
Laid flat this should be 8.5 inches (21.5 cm) wide x 2 inches (5 cm) tall along the flat edge
Stitches Used
- ch(s) – chain(s)
- hdc – half double crochet
- sk – skip
- st(s) – stitch(es)
Pattern
NOTES
Feel free to get creative with your colors – make it scrappy, stripe it, make it solid, hold 2 thinner yarns together to get a marled effect.
The chain at the beginning of a row does NOT count as a stitch.
PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS
Instructions for different sizes are written as follows : Stroller (Lapghan, Sm Throw, Lg Throw)
Ch 130 (162, 194, 226)
Row 1 – 2 hdc in 2nd ch from hook, *hdc in next 7 sts, sk 1, hdc in next 7 sts, 3 hdc in next st,* repeat to last ch, 2 hdc in last ch.
Row 2 – Ch 1, 2 hdc in 1st st, *hdc in next 7 sts, sk 2, hdc in next 7 sts, 3 hdc in next st,* repeat to last st, 2 hdc in last st.
Row 3 – Ch 1, 2 hdc in 1st st, *hdc in 3rd loop in next 7 sts, sk 2, hdc in 3rd loop in next 7 sts, 3 hdc in 3rd loop in next st,* repeat to last st, 2 hdc in last st.
Your 1st 2 hdc and last 2 hdc are worked as normal, not through the 3rd loop.
Rows 4-72 (4-108, 4-126, 4-144) – Repeat rows 2 & 3
Fasten off and weave in any yarn ends.
I love to see your finished projects, so be sure to use #RidgewayBlanket and #blackbirdmountaindesigns when you post your photos on social media!
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