Crochet baby lovey is a perfect quick crochet project. Most importantly, you can finish it in one evening if you need a quick handmade gift for a baby shower.
By the way, are you looking for more crocheted gifts? For this reason, check out our ultimate collection of 100+ gift ideas:
What is a baby lovey?
A baby lovey is any small blanket or toy a child uses to self-soothe when going to sleep. A small crochet baby lovey is a perfect example of such an item.
There are many free patterns of crochet baby loveys that you can find. In fact, we are going to share one of the iconic patterns called ‘viral’ as you can crochet it very quickly.
Viral Crochet Pattern
This popular pattern is also called ‘virus’ as it grows quickly with each round. In fact, it is created going around the center, building on itself with each round.
As a result, these patterns can be as big as you want: from a small lovey to a big throw or blanket. Check out our blanket sizes chart to make your choice.
What Yarn Can You Use for a Crochet Baby Lovey?
As a matter of fact, you can use any yarn. One of the most popular choices would be any baby yarn.
For this viral crochet baby lovey, we used Bernat Baby Coordinates Yarn which you can conveniently order online.
What Crochet Stitches Would You Use for a Viral Crochet Pattern?
Not only is this pattern easy to follow, but it also uses only 4 basic crochet stitches: chain, slip, single crochet, and double crochet stitches. As a result, it is one of the must-do patterns for beginners.
Consequently, the pattern has 4 repeating rows and grows similarly to a granny square. Comparatively, if you are familiar with a granny square technique, you will have no problems mastering this lovely stitch.
Furthermore, it is a great pattern to master double crochet stitches. In reality, you will have a unique opportunity to work on the uniformity of the stitches.
Materials
- Bernat Baby Coordinates Yarn (in pink or pink ombre)
- 4 mm crochet hook
- tapestry needle and craft scissors
Abbreviations
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- dc – double crochet
- ch sp – chain space
Pattern Notes
First, you’ll work the pattern from the center by repeating the four rows. The clusters will grow with each 4-row repeat. Second, always count the beginning ch3 as the first dc. Finally, you complete the row with the slip stitch into the beginning chain.
Foundation Row
Ch 7 and sl st into the first ch forming a circle.
Row 1
ch 3, 19 dc into the circle, sl st into the beginning ch 3 (20 dc stitches).
Row 2
ch 3, dc into the sl st, 2 dc into each stitch around, sl st into the beginning ch 3 (40 dc stitches).
Row 3
ch 4 (counts as first dc and ch 1), dc + ch1 into the next stitch and all other stitches, sl st into the 3rd ch of the beginning ch 4 ( 40 st + 40 ch sp).
Row 4
(it is a foundation row forming 4 corners of the lovey) ch 7, skip 1 ch sp, sc into the next ch sp; ch 3, skip 1 ch sp, sc into the next ch sp; ch 3, skip 1 ch sp, sc into the next ch sp; ch 3, skip 1 ch sp, sc into the next ch sp; (half of the first corner).
Ch 7, skip 1 ch sp, sc into the next ch sp; ch 7, skip 1 ch sp, sc into the next ch sp; ch 3, skip 1 ch sp, sc into the next ch sp; ch 3, skip 1 ch sp, sc into the next ch sp; ch 3, skip 1 ch sp, sc into the next ch sp; (second corner).
ch 7, skip 1 ch sp, sc into the next ch sp; ch 7, skip 1 ch sp, sc into the next ch sp; ch 3, skip 1 ch sp, sc into the next ch sp; ch 3, skip 1 ch sp, sc into the next ch sp; ch 3, skip 1 ch sp, sc into the next ch sp; (third corner);
skip 1 ch sp, ch 7, skip 1 ch sp, sc into the next ch sp; ch 7, skip 1 ch sp, sc into the next ch sp; ch 3, skip 1 ch sp, sc into the next ch sp; ch 3, skip 1 ch sp, sc into the next ch sp; ch 3, skip 1 ch sp, sc into the next ch sp; (fourth corner);
ch 7, skip 1 ch sp, sc into the same ch sp as the first starting ch 7; sl st into the first ch 7 space.
Now all 4 corners of the baby lovey are completed. You are ready to start your 4-row repeat.
Row 5
(repeat row 1 with a chain connection between the corners – you’ll be making 10 dc into each 7 ch sp) ch 3 (counts as 1st dc), 9 dc into the same ch 7 sp, sc into ch3 sp of the previous row; ch 3; sc into the next ch3 sp of the previous row; * 10 dc into ch 7 sp, 10 dc into the next ch 7 sp; sc into ch3 sp of the previous row; ch 3; sc into the next ch3 sp of the previous row; *
Consequently, repeat between * * three more times, 10 dc into the last ch 7 sp, sl st into the beginning ch3. Now you’ve completed all four sides and four corners of the lovey.
Row 6
(repeat row 2 with a chain connection between the corners) ch 3 (counts as 1st dc), 9 dc into next 9 stitches, sc into ch3 sp of the previous row; * 20 dc into next 20 stitches, sc into ch3 sp of the previous row; *
Repeat between * * three more times, 10 dc into the last 10 stitches, sl st into the beginning ch 3. Now you’ve completed all four sides and four corners of the lovey.
Row 7
(repeat row 3 by making dc + ch1) ch 4 (counts as dc +ch1). 8 dc+ch1 into the next 8 dc stitches; dc into the last st, sc into ch3 sp; *19 dc + ch 1 into next 19 stitches, dc into the last st, sc into ch3 sp;*
Repeat between * * three more times, 10 dc+ch1 into the last 10 stitches, sl st into ch 3 of the beginning ch4. Now you’ve completed all four sides and four corners of the lovey.
Row 8
(now we will make a foundation row for the future clusters and add 1 cluster on each side) ch 7, skip 1 ch sp, sc into the next ch sp; ch 3, skip 1 ch sp, sc into the next ch sp; ch 3, skip 1 ch sp, sc into the next ch sp; ch 3, skip 1 ch sp, sc into the next ch sp; (half of the first corner).
Ch 7, sk the next ch cp, dc, sc dc, and ch sp, sc into the next ch sp (created a foundation for 1 additional cluster on the side).
* skip 1 ch sp, sc into the next ch sp; ch 3, skip 1 ch sp, sc into the next ch sp; ch 3, skip 1 ch sp, sc into the next ch sp; ch 3, skip 1 ch sp, sc into the next ch sp; ch 7, skip 1 ch sp, sc into the next ch sp; ch 7, skip 1 ch sp, sc into the next ch sp; skip 1 ch sp, sc into the next ch sp; ch 3, skip 1 ch sp, sc into the next ch sp; ch 3, skip 1 ch sp, sc into the next ch sp; ch 3, skip 1 ch sp, sc into the next ch sp.
Ch 7, sk the next ch cp, dc, sc dc, and ch sp, sc into the next ch sp (created a foundation for 1 additional cluster on the side).*
Repeat between * * three more times, skip 1 ch sp, sc into the next ch sp; ch 3, skip 1 ch sp, sc into the next ch sp; ch 3, skip 1 ch sp, sc into the next ch sp; ch 3, skip 1 ch sp, sc into the next ch sp; ch 7, skip 1 ch sp, sc into the same ch sp as the fist starting ch 7; sl st into the first ch 7 space.
Finished Size
As a result, the finished size of this crochet lovey is 12″ x 12″.
Summary
While the instruction may seem complicated at first glance, you’ll get the pattern quickly. After the first repeat of these four rows, you wouldn’t need instructions. In brief, you will be making:
- a foundation row
- dc row (10 dc into each ch7 sp)
- another dc row (10 dc into each dc)
- dc+ch1 row
As can be seen, the finished lovey consists of 3 repeats of these four rows. While three repeats are enough for a baby lovey, you can create a bigger baby blanket.
Of course, when you master this viral crochet pattern, you can create any size blanket. However, crochet baby lovey is a great start.
Furthermore, it is a quick one-skein project that you can finish in a few hours. After all, it is important when you are in a hurry to have a handmade gift for a baby shower.
