Learning how to crochet a baby blanket is often high on a crafter’s list. Consequently, we have a few free crochet patterns for beginners you may love:
- Half Double Crochet Blanket Tutorial
- Easy DIY crochet baby blanket patterns you can finish in a weekend
- Easy DIY Crochet Baby Blanket Pattern – Soft Clouds
For example, this featured pattern is another gingham-style blanket in our series of easy baby blanket crochet patterns. As an illustration, check out these other gingham blankets:
Notes on the stitch for this crochet baby blanket
As a matter of fact, you want an easy crochet stitch for your project. Why do we love this easy crochet stitch? With this in mind, here are some characteristics of this stitch:
- it uses 3 basic crochet stitches (chain, single crochet, and half double crochet);
- it is the same stitch repeat (2-stitch cluster of sc & hdc);
- it is reversible and both sides look exactly the same;
- you repeat the same row again and again;
- the color scheme is fresh and the yarn is very soft;
- Caron Simply Soft yarn is readily available at many retail stores and online.
Materials for this crochet baby blanket
The color scheme for this baby blanket consists of fresh pure white, pink, and color-rich plum. We are using Caron Simply Soft yarn for this entire blanket.
- 2 skeins of Caron Simply Soft yarn in White
- 4 skeins of Caron Simply Soft yarn in Soft Pink
- 2 skeins of Caron Simply Soft yarn in Plum Wine
- crochet hook 5.00 mm, US – H/8
- scissors
- tapestry needle
Note that you’ll have leftover yarn of all three colors. Consequently, we are going to post a free pattern on how to use these leftovers to crochet something pretty.
VIDEO TUTORIAL
Watch a quick video tutorial for this blanket to understand and master this crochet technique.
Easy crochet stitch for this baby blanket
In order to achieve the same look, chain multiples of 12. Consequently, you’ll need 12 x 13 chains as the blanket consists of 13 squares, each with 12 stitches.
Equally important, you need an odd number of squares to create a gingham effect. Accordingly, you will be changing colors after every 12 stitches while carrying one strand of color hidden (on top of your crochet work).
For more on this technique, check out this tutorial: Crochet Baby Blanket Pattern (pink gingham – free and easy)
Because the middle color here is Soft Pink, it will be carried throughout the whole project. Consequently, you will be alternating Soft Pink and White for one row of squares and then switching to Soft Pink and Plum for the next set.
Most importantly, when you are ready to start with a new color, pull through with it your last half double crochet.
As can be seen, the stitch itself is quite easy:
- first, you crochet single crochet into the stitch;
- second, you make a half double crochet into the same stitch;
- third, you skip a stitch and repeat the same.
As a result, you’ll have six of these clusters for each square. Overall, the density fo this stitch is enough to hide well the color strand that is carried on top.
In summary, each square (except the 1st and the last ones) has 12 stitches and 10 rows. It is a one-row repeat as you’ll make these clusters always on the top of single crochet from a previous row.
In the end, to change color just pull through with a new color strand, as illustrated below.
Abbreviations
ch – chain
sc – single crochet
hdc – half double crochet
sk – skip a stitch
Directions
Ch 156 +2 + 1 (with Soft Pink). Just to balance the size of last and the first square and have an edge stitch, I’ve added an extra ch to both (that’s why there is +2). Plus 1 is the turning chain.
Row 1
First square (with soft pink): sc into the 2nd ch from the hook, *sk 1 ch, sc into next ch, hdc into the same ch (sc+hdc cluster) *; continue * * for the next 12 ch (you’ll have 6 sc+hdc clusters).
For the last hdc, pull through with white. Place soft pink yarn strand on top of your stitches and continue to crochet with white.
Second square (with white): *sk 1 ch, sc into next ch, hdc into the same ch*; continue * * for the next 12 ch (you’ll have 6 sc+hdc clusters).
Continue alternating colors until you have 12 squares. Correspondingly, for the last (13th) square you’ll have 13 chains left, so after 6 sc+hdc clusters, sc into the last ch (for the edge stitch).
Ch 1, turn.
Row 2
First square (with soft pink): sc into the last sc; *sk 1 ch, sc into next ch, hdc into the same ch (sc+hdc cluster) *; continue * * for the next 12 ch (you’ll have 6 sc+hdc clusters).
For the last hdc, pull through with white. Place soft pink yarn strand on top of your stitches and continue to crochet with white.
Second square (with white): *sk 1 ch, sc into next ch, hdc into the same ch*; continue * * for the next 12 ch (you’ll have 6 sc+hdc clusters).
Continue alternating colors until you have 12 squares. Correspondingly, for the last (13th) square after 6 sc+hdc clusters, sc into the last sc (for the edge stitch).
Rows 3-10
Repeat row 2. On the 10th row, for the last stitch, pull through with new color (Plum Wine).
Rows 11-21
Repeat row 2 while alternating Soft Pink and Plum Wine.
Continue until you have a blanket 13 squares wide and 13 squares long. Pull through yarn and secure the last stitch. Next, you can add a crochet border to your blanket.
As shown above, the edging for this crochet baby blanket is pretty simple – just 2 rows of hdc.
Accordingly, after you’ve added two rows of crochet baby blanket border on all 4 sides, pull through and secure yarn and weave in the tail ends.
To summarize, you’ve learned a simple crochet blanket stitch, mastered the gingham crochet technique, and have added an easy edging.
Now you have a beautiful finished crochet baby blanket. Obviously, you can modify this color scheme and use different colors of Caron Simply Soft yarn.
Note, you’d need twice as much of your middle color (soft pink in our blanket) as the two other colors used in the project.
