How to Crochet a Baby Blanket

How to Crochet a Baby Blanket

If learning how to crochet a baby blanket doesn’t make you excited about learning how to crochet, you’re likely in the minority. Baby blankets are among the most popular crochet projects, alongside crochet scarves, crochet hats, and regular crochet blankets.

Image source: Cream of the Crop Crochet

Crochet provides mental health benefits and enjoyment, and allows you to create wonderful items with just crochet hooks and yarn; no fabric required!

If you’re ready to learn how to make baby blankets with crochet, continue reading. In this article, the following topics will be covered:

• • How to crochet a baby blanket for beginners
  • The best baby blanket crochet patterns for beginners
  • How to crochet a baby afghan using the corner to corner method
  • How to crochet a baby blanket: video tutorials

How to Make a Baby Blanket in Crochet for Beginners

Before learning how to crochet an easy baby blanket, you will first need to make a few decisions about the finished look of the blanket.

Select the Size for Your Baby Blanket

Determine what size blanket you’d like to make. Many different blanket sizes have a specific function, which makes them both practical and beautiful.

Baby Blanket Size	Dimensions	Description
Lovey	10” x 10”	One of the most popular blanket sizes. Great for soothing babies and offering comfort.
Security	16” x 16”	A slightly larger version of a lovey.
Preemie	22” x 22”	Specifically made for preemie babies, and often a welcome donation at NICUs (neonatal intensive care units).
Car Seat	28” x 30”	Keeps babies and toddlers warm in their car seats.
Stroller	30” x 36”	Protects babies from the elements in the strollers. Sizes can change depending on the stroller size. Alternative stroller sizes include: 22” x 30”  14” x 32”
Receiving	36” x 36”	This blanket gets its name from the tradition of wrapping a baby in a blanket before passing it to its mother.

There’s no wrong size for a baby blanket, but consider the size of the project you feel comfortable taking on. Beginners are often encouraged to start with smaller-sized projects to avoid feeling overwhelmed and help build momentum.

Image source: Pinterest

Choosing the Best Yarns for Baby Blankets

Image source: Pinterest

Any type of yarn can be used to learn how to crochet a blanket for a baby, but who doesn’t want the softest yarn possible? The most popular baby blanket yarns for beginners. are medium weight (four) yarns or worsted weight (five) yarns.

While considering yarns for your baby blanket, there are a few key considerations to keep in mind.

• • Machine washable
  • Safe for the dyer
  • Soft against baby’s skin

The most important consideration for your yarn is whether it works with the pattern you’re following. Always read your pattern instructions carefully.

The Easiest Baby Blanket Crochet Pattern

Image source: Easy Crochet

Ready to learn how to crochet a baby blanket easily for beginners? This basic baby crochet pattern couldn’t get any simpler. Gather your supplies and test your gauge before creating this 35’ x 30” baby blanket.

• • Approximately 432 yards of bulky yarn (to make a gauge of 7 single crochets x 5 rows = 4 inches)
  • Size N crochet hook (9 mm)
  • Scissors
  • Yarn needle
  • Measuring tape

Image source: Easy Crochet

For this pattern, you only need to know how to work the single crochet and the chain stitch. 

1. 1. Chain 54. Start working in the second chain away from the hook and work a single crochet in every chain across the row.
   2. Work row one by chaining one (for your turning chain), single crocheting in the second stitch away from the hook. Continue single crocheting in every stitch across. Turn the work.
   3. Stitch rows 2-44 by repeating step number two.
   4. To finish, fasten off the yarn after row 35 and weave in loose ends with your yarn needle.

Congratulations, you’ve created your first-ever crochet baby blanket! Since they’re flat and small, you’ll find baby blankets are easier than learning how to make beanies. 

If you plan to give your baby blanket away as a gift, consider adding a custom woven label with the baby’s name and/or birth date. 

How to Crochet a Baby Afghan Using the Corner to Corner Method

The corner to corner method of crocheting afghans and blankets is quick and creates a beautiful finished product. Changing colors between rows creates a diagonally striped baby blanket that any little one would love.

Image source: Crochet Kingdom

This method requires a few extra crochet skills, namely increasing and decreasing. The corner to corner method is worked in blocks. Keep it simple by stitching with just one color and work up to color changes and corner to corner charts.

Image source: Heart Hook Home

This corner to corner baby blanket pattern, you will create blocks consisting of three double crochet stitches. Follow the instructions below to create your very own corner to corner baby afghan.

1. 1. Chain five.
   2. Double crochet into the third, fourth, and fifth chains away from your hook. This creates your first “block.”
   3. Work row two by chaining five and double crocheting into the third, fourth, and fifth chains away from your hook. Slip stitch into the top of the chain space from the very first block. Chain two. Finish the block by crocheting three double crochets into the same chain-space.
   4. Start row three by chaining five to start the increase. Double crochet into the third, fourth, and fifth chains away from your hook. You’ve just completed the first block of row three.
   5. Continue row three by slip stitching into the top of the chain-space of the last block from row two. Chain two. Crochet three double crochets into that chain-space.
   6. Keep working in this method, continuing to increase until your blanket reaches your desired width.
   7. Once your blanket has reached its desired width, continue working the slip stitch, chaining two, and lacing three double crochets in each chain space. Work this way until you reach the end of the row.
   8. Now you’re ready to start decreasing. At the end of the row, turn the work and slip stitch up the side of the block (instead of chaining five). Slip stitch into the chain space where you would normally add a block.
   9. Continue making blocks until you arrive at the other end of the blanket.

The above instructions appear more intimidating, but you will settle in comfortably once you learn the rhythm of the project. Feel free to follow along with this video tutorial until you’re confident in this method.

After you’ve mastered the corner to corner method, you might discover that it’s your favorite method for making baby blankets. Don’t forget to add customized care labels and hang tags if you decide to create some to sell.

The Best Baby Blanket Crochet Patterns for Beginners

Beginner crocheters still crave variety and challenge. If the basic crochet baby blanket pattern has left you underwhelmed, check out this list of more baby blanket patterns.

1. 1. Granny Square Baby Blanket

Image source: Daisy Cottage Designs

If you know how to crochet a basic granny square, you can create this beautiful granny square baby lovey. The picot edging adds the perfect finishing touch.

      2. Pretty Ripple Baby Blanket

Image source: Noble Knits

Looking for something different? This sweet ripple baby blanket pattern creates a 27” by 30” blanket any young one is sure to love. You’ll need to know how to double crochet, decrease, change colors, and chain stitch.

Check out the video tutorial for more guidance:

      3. The Three Hour Afghan

Image source: Crochet Dreamz

As the name suggests, this three-hour baby afghan comes together quickly and measures 37” by 36” when finished. You only need to know the single crochet, double crochet, and chain stitch.