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Free Crochet Baby Blanket Pattern

This blanket pattern is free with no sign-up and no paywall. It is designed as a weekend project using a simple hdc repeat that is easy to pick back up between naps. Below is the full row-by-row, start to finish.

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A cute newborn baby wearing a handmade knit outfit in a cozy crib with loving hands nearby.

Materials

  • 3 skeins worsted weight (#4) yarn, about 600 yards total
  • 5mm (H-8) hook
  • Yarn needle, stitch markers
  • Finished size: 34 by 34 inches

Any worsted weight yarn substitutes fine here, but check your gauge first. A swatch that runs even 1 stitch off per 4 inches can shift your finished size by 3 inches or more across a full blanket.

Abbreviations and stitches used

This pattern uses ch (chain), hdc (half double crochet), and st (stitch). There are no special techniques, just a straightforward hdc repeat from edge to edge.

Pattern instructions

Foundation chain and row 1 setup

Chain 103. This gives you a multiple of 1 plus 3 for the turning chain, so any width adjustment just needs the chain count to stay odd. Row 1: hdc in the third chain from the hook and each chain across (101 hdc).

Main body

Row 2 to 80: ch 2, turn, hdc in each stitch across. Keep your turning chain consistent, always 2 chains, so the side edges stay straight instead of stair-stepping. My gauge with a 5mm hook runs 4 stitches per inch, so 101 stitches gives the 34 inch width above. Count your rows in groups of 10 with a stitch marker, since losing count is the most common mistake on a plain repeat like this one.

To resize, add or remove chains in single-stitch increments from the foundation row, since this stitch pattern has no multiple-of-X requirement beyond the 3-chain turning allowance.

Cozy newborn baby lying on brown fabric wrapped in a red crochet blanket, exuding innocence and warmth.

Border and edging

Join yarn in any corner. Single crochet evenly around all 4 sides, working 3 sc in each corner to keep the blanket from curling at the edges. Join with a slip stitch, fasten off, and weave in the last end. Give the finished blanket a quick steam block, which flattens the border and helps the edges lie flat.

Frequently asked questions

How many skeins of yarn for a baby blanket?

This pattern uses 3 skeins of worsted weight yarn, about 600 yards total, for the 34 by 34 inch finished size. Buy a 4th skein if you plan a contrast border.

What size should a crochet baby blanket be?

This pattern finishes at 34 by 34 inches.

Can beginners crochet a baby blanket?

Yes, this pattern uses only hdc from start to finish with no special stitches. If you want something even simpler, try our Easy Crochet Baby Blanket instead.

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