A crochet baby blanket makes a warm and wonderful gift to welcome a little one into the world. Fortunately, baby blankets are among the easiest projects to crochet. Its small size makes it quick to complete, and you can customize the colors to match the baby’s nursery or car seat. By combining soft, touchable yarns with basic crochet stitches, you can create a one-of-a-kind gift from your hands and your heart.
When choosing yarn for your crochet baby blanket, washability should be the top priority. Most yarn manufacturers offer machine washable, durable baby yarns in a variety of weights, textures and colors. Fingering weight yarn is extremely fine and soft; it requires a small crochet hook, and your finished project will be lightweight and delicate, perfect for a summer baby. Sport weight, or 3-ply, is the most common variety of baby yarn; it combines lighter weight with durability, and the smooth texture is easy to work with. Bulky or chunky yarn is widely available in a variety of fun colors; it requires a large hook, works up quickly, and provides a soft, nubby texture for curious little fingers to explore.
The easiest pattern for a crochet baby blanket is basic single crochet. Simply make a chain slightly wider than you desired finished project, and add single crochet rows until the project is the desired length. You can make this baby blanket with a solid color, or change colors at the end of the row to create stripes. This is an excellent project for a beginner, and it works up beautifully with thick chunky yarn, since the yarn itself provides eye-catching pattern and texture.
For a little more challenge, baby blankets can be crocheted in ripple designs, and the standard granny square gives traditional charm to your project. Both patterns are fairly easy to make, with endless color combinations and design variations. They can be made in solid color pastels for a soothing muted design, or make them in bright, bold colors with lots of contrast to stimulate baby’s curiosity.
Crochet baby blanket patterns are easy to find, with designs for the beginner all the way to the most advanced crafter. You can pick up free pattern sheets wherever you purchase yarn, and these designs are usually simple and straightforward. Most beginning crochet books include at least one baby blanket pattern, and some books are dedicated entirely to baby designs. Search the internet for dozens of free crochet patterns from yarn manufacturers and crochet clubs, or adapt your favorite full-size afghan patterns by simply making them smaller. With a little creativity and easy crochet stitches, you can create a one-of-a-kind crochet baby blanket that combines heirloom quality with your own unique style.
