Easy Woven Look Baby Blanket - Free Crochet Pattern

This baby blanket is simple enough for a beginner, but pretty enough for gift giving. Worked in single crochet only, changing colors with each row makes the woven appearance even more unique. The simple stitch works up quickly, which more than compensates for the numerous color changes and weaving in so many ends.

I've used this stitch for a scarf pattern in a single color and decided to try using several colors for a different look in a blanket. As written, the pattern is worked in four colors, but would also make a good stash-buster project. Try using black or white as your main color and alternate every other row with whatever yarn scraps you have left in your stash.

This baby blanket pattern is provided free and may not be sold. You may sell the items you make from the pattern, but you may not sell the pattern itself.  You may print a copy for yourself, but if sharing with friends, please give them the link to this blog post.  Thanks for respecting my efforts to provide free patterns for you!

Skill Level - Beginner
Gauge - Not Important

Pattern Directions for Woven Look Baby Blanket

Abbreviations:

ch = chain
sc = single crochet
sk = skip
sp = space

Size I crochet hook and starting chain of 124 and worsted weight yarn should result in a blanket approximately 34" wide. To adjust the width, simply increase or decrease the starting chain in increments of two.

The colors I used for the blanket in the photo are:

MC (main color) = white
A = Lavender
B = Cornmeal
C = Honeydew

Pattern sequence will be one row of each color as follows:

A, MC, B, MC, A, MC, C, MC, repeating sequence until piece is desired length, ending with MC.

Foundation:  With size I hook and color A, ch 124.

Row 1: SC in second ch from hook, *ch 1, sk 1 ch, sc in next. Repeat from *, ending with sc in last ch. Leaving tail, cut yarn but do not bind off. Attach MC as indicated above, ch 2, turn.

Row 2: SC in first ch 1 sp, *ch 1, sc in next ch 1 sp. Repeat from *, ending with sc in turning ch. Leaving tail, cut yarn but do not bind off. Attach color B, chain 2, turn.

Repeat row 2 alternating colors each row as indicated above until you reach desired length. Bind off, weave in all ends. For a more finished look, add a simple sc border around the blanket, putting 3 sc stitches in each corner.

Choosing different color combinations can make each blanket truly unique, so don't be afraid to experiment.  Can't deal with weaving in all those tails?  Tie them off to make fringe!

Enjoy!

~ Marie Anne

P.S.  Make sure to check out my other free crochet patterns!

Classically Simple Shell Afghan - Free Crochet Pattern

This afghan is made from a very simple shell crochet stitch that can be mastered by a beginner, yet result in a beautiful throw that anyone would be pleased to own.  It's pretty enough to satisfy someone who is more advanced in the art of crochet but wants a simple project to work on that doesn't take a lot of concentration, and easy enough for a novice to complete a beautiful afghan or baby blanket.

While it could be crocheted in a striped manner in your choice of colors, I prefer the look of a single color for this particular afghan pattern.  The blanket works up very quickly and requires only a basic knowledge of the single and either half-double or double crochet stitches and virtually no counting - easy to work on while watching TV without having to worry about losing your place.

Materials needed

Size K crochet hook
Worsted weight yarn in the color of your choice
(5 7-oz skeins should yield an afghan approximately 52" wide x 54" long)

Abbreviations

Ch=chain
SC = single crochet
DC = double crochet
HDC = half-double crochet

The starting chain is a multiple of 3 plus 1.  A chain of 145 should result in an afghan approximately 52" wide.  To make a baby blanket that is 30" wide, start with a chain of 91.  To make larger or smaller, simple add or subtract in increments of 3.

Classically Simple Shell Pattern Directions

With size K crochet hook and worsted weight yarn, ch 145 for afghan, or 91 for baby blanket.

Row 1:  SC in second ch from hook and SC in each remaining stitch across.  Ch 3, turn.

Row 2:  *Skip first two stitches 3 DC in third stitch (all 3 in same stitch), skip two stitches.  Repeat from *, ending with DC in last stitch (turning ch).   Ch 2, turn.

Row 3:  Skip first stitch, HDC across row.  Ch 3, turn.

Repeat rows 2 and 3 for pattern, until afghan measures the desired length.

Last row:  After final row 2 of pattern (shell row), ch 1, turn.  SC in second stitch and remaining stitches across.  Bind off, weave in ends.

Close up of afghan made from pattern  as
written with the HDC rows between shell rows

Note:  I have also made this afghan with a row of DC between the rows of shells, instead of the HDC rows.  It works up quicker with the DC rows, but I personally think it looks more tidy with the HDC.  You might want to work up a swatch doing it with both the HDC and the DC rows to see which way you like better before starting on a large afghan.  A starting ch of 16 should give you swatches large enough to get a good idea of the how the pattern will look.

Enjoy!

~ Marie Anne

P.S.  Don't forget to check out the rest of my free crochet patterns!

Almost Reversible Baby Blanket - Free Crochet Pattern

You can see that the black is more prominent on
one side, while the reverse looks a little lighter

This puffy shell crochet pattern can be made in two (one light and one dark) or four (two light and two dark) colors.   It’s not completely reversible in that both sides are totally different, but five DCs worked into one stitch makes it a slightly puffy, so the light colors will be more prominent on one side, the dark on the other.

Using four colors won’t be quite as vibrant as the black and white version, but the intensity of the colors will look different on each side as long as you alternate the rows of light and dark colors. It doesn’t matter which color you start with, as long as you repeat the pattern of one row of light, then one row of dark. For a border, work a few rows of single crochet alternating two or more of the colors used in the afghan, or single crochet in one or two colors and then a shell border to give the blanket a finished look.

This pattern can also be made into a full sized afghan, but it can be time consuming to change colors for every row, and then have so many ends to weave in. The shell pattern itself is very easy to crochet, but if changing colors and dealing with those pesky tails is tedious for you, keep that in mind before attempting this pattern to make larger than a baby or lap blanket.

The pattern can be worked in a single color and the shells will still be somewhat puffy, but obviously won’t have the reversible effect.

Materials needed:

Crochet hook size J
Any worsted weight yarn in contrasting light and dark colors
Yarn needle to weave in ends

Abbreviations:

Ch = chain
SC = single crochet
DC = double crochet
HDC = half-double crochet
SK = skip
ST = stitch

Dimensions:

The starting chain should be a multiple of 6 plus 2, and each multiple of 6 (two shells) measures just under 2”. The following dimensions are approximate, and are before adding your choice of border:

30” wide = chain 98
44” wide = chain 146

Almost Reversible Shell Pattern

For a blanket worked in four colors, colors A and C will be the darker colors, and colors B and D will be the lighter colors. If using only two colors, just alternate A and B.

Note: Color A will also be the first row of SC border around the finished blanket.

For a 30” blanket, ch 98 with color A.

Row 1: Sc in 2d ch from hook and in each ch across; leave tail and cut yarn.

Row 2: Attach color B, ch 1, turn. SC in first st, *sk 2, work 5 DC in next st, sk 2, sc in next st. Repeat from * across; leave tail and cut yarn.

Row 3: Attach color C, ch 3 (counts as first DC), turn. Work 2 DC in first st, * sk 2, work SC in next st, sk 2, 5 DC in next st. Repeat from * across, ending with 3 DC in last stitch.

Row 4: Attach color D, repeat row 2.

(You’ll be making a SC at the peak of the shell in the previous row, and the 5 DC shell in the valley between two shells in the previous row).

Repeat pattern rows 2 and 3 until desired length, ending with row 3.

Last row: Attach color A, ch 1, turn. SC in first DC, *HDC in next 2 DC, DC in SC, HDC in next 2 DC, SC in next DC, repeat from * to end. This will make the top of the afghan even, instead of leaving the scalloped shell at the top, and becomes the top border. SC down both sides with color A to complete the first row of border. Add additional rows of SC and/or a shell border to complete.

Enjoy!

~ Marie Anne

P.S.  Make sure to check out more of my free crochet patterns.

New Project - Baby Socks With Crochet Edging

I'm always trying to think of new things to crochet, and since I've been working with thread so much, I  wanted to  make something else besides doilies.  I suck at trying to crochet clothes, but thought it would be neat to try doing lacy edgings on things, so I thought baby socks with a cute trim would be something easy to try for a first project.

As luck would have it, I had a tough time finding plain white baby socks when I was in town the other day. Walmart had ONE pair of plain white socks so I grabbed them, but even these aren't the type I really wanted.  They're fairly thick, and the cuff rolls down twice, which made it interesting.

I did a simple border of pink and yellow for my first attempt at crocheting a trim on baby socks, and I think they came out ok, except for the border being so low because of the way they're folded.  I'm going to have to try to find a source for toddler and baby thin cotton socks that only fold down once.

My first baby socks with a crocheted edging

I plan on crocheting pastel and bright colored borders on the socks, thinking they'll be cute with Easter dresses and summer sundresses when sandals aren't appropriate.  I'll probably send this pair to my granddaughter to try out for me.  I hope they fit!

This border was a real simple one, but I ordered a book the other day that's just crochet borders and edgings, so I'll get more creative as I do more of them - again, if I can find socks!

Have you ever crocheted edgings on items already made?

~ Marie Anne

Crochet Baby Sunhat Pattern Prototype

I'm still working on my own crochet pattern for a baby sunhat, and so far I like what I've come up with, but the only drawback is sizing them.  The two I made did fit ok on my baby doll model, but I'll be seeking real baby models to try them on before I publish the pattern.

What do you think?  (click photos to enlarge)

Flecked hat on babydoll model

Flecked hat on babydoll model

White sunhat on babydoll model

White sunhat on babydoll model

White with blue/yellow/lime green flecks

Solid white sunhat

Flecked hat with flower

I've made both of the hats so far in a single color, but will try adding a band of an alternate color too, perhaps where the openwork is, and the last row of the brim.   I might not be quite done with this sunhat pattern yet, but I'm pretty close!

~ Marie Anne

Busy With Custom Orders, Charity, and Etsy Listings

These last few months have been busy ones with hook and yarn.  I'm still making squares and assembling them for comfortghans for the charities we're working with (please join us on Facebook at Hands, Hearts, and Hugs!).

I've also got custom orders to finish, the latest being a baby blanket for a fellow retired Marine friend who is expecting a great-granddaughter.

I've got a couple of things still to list on Etsy, but here are two that I listed yesterday and this morning, one for baby boy, one for baby girl.

The blue/brown blanket is from my own Almost Reversible Baby Blanket pattern.  You can see that it's lighter on one side than the other.  The pink variegated is simple granny squares edged and then joined with milk chocolate yarn in a somewhat decorative method that I devised myself.  I'll have to figure out how to write it up and get good photos so that I can share that at a later date.

I've still got a beautiful green shamrock afghan to list on eBay to benefit our charities.  Watch for that soon.

More later ... must get my fingers busy!

~ Marie Anne

Almost Reversible Baby Blanket in Pinks and Browns

I finished this latest Almost Reversible Baby Blanket the other day and am really pleased with how it turned out.  I love the pinks and browns together, and of course how it's lighter on one side than the other.

More photos and the link to the pattern on my Ravelry page.  While there, make sure to look around to see what else I've got posted!

I haven't decided whether I'll sell this blanket on Etsy, or save it to give to my first grandbaby who will be two weeks old tomorrow.

~ Marie Anne

Almost Reversible Shell Pattern

And finally, here's the pattern for all the baby blanket pics I've been posting lately!

Almost Reversible Shell Baby Blanket and Afghan Pattern

Almost Reversible Baby Blanket done in black and white

Not everyone would like black and white for a baby, but you'd be surprised at the pretty nursery decor in black and white, like this one below.


Click the link to the pattern at the top of the page to see other color combinations I've either completed or started.  I've got more colors in mind for this one too; the possibilities are endless!

If you're on Ravelry, post your projects to show others what you've done with this pattern.

~ Marie Anne

Shell Blanket in Purples and Greens

I've been working on a custom order for an online friend who wanted two toddler sized blankets, and posted the other day that I had finished the one in greens and brown. I finished the second one last night and got it all listed on Etsy.

Here's the second one, done in two shades of purple, and two shades of green.

I love this shell pattern, but it is tedious since there's a color change every row, which also means that there's lots of ends to tie in, which I know everyone loves.

This pattern is almost reversible if you use two lighter colors and two darker colors (or just two colors -- light and dark), and I hope to get it written down soon to share with everyone.  I'm working on another now that I think is stunning, and have several other color combinations in mind as well.

See more photos of both blankets on the Etsy listing.

~ Marie Anne

Crochet Shell Baby Blanket Finished

I posted photos of the green and brown shell baby blanket I was working on the other day, and here is the finished product.

(click photos to enlarge)

The lighting isn't perfect, but the colors of the blanket itself are pretty true.

It's amazing how much better a piece looks after you weave in all the ends (and there are a LOT of them in this pattern!) and finish with a simple crochet border.

I think it turned out ok and hope my friend and customer likes it for her nephew.  Next up is one for her niece.  We're still working on a color scheme for that one.

~ Marie Anne

Shell Baby Blanket in Greens and Browns, WIP

This shell pattern has been popular lately, and is the same pattern as the yellow blanket I posted the other day.  I have a custom order to crochet two baby blankets, one each for a boy and girl, that will grow with them into toddler-hood.

My customer didn't want a typical blue for the little boy's blanket, so we went with greens and brown. After working up various swatches, this is the color scheme she chose.

(Click photos to enlarge)

The pattern isn't quite reversible, but because the shells are somewhat puffy, it appears that way.  I've folded it so that you can see both sides, but next to each other. The photo above shows the darker colors on the left, while the photo below shows it reversed, with the lighter colors on the left.

I really like playing with colors for this pattern as you can get a completely different look depending on the order of colors used.  I still have the baby girl blanket to crochet in this shell pattern, and I've got several other combinations in mind as well.

Stay tuned, because I'll be posting them all!

~ Marie Anne

Pretty in Pink Camo Crochet

Since I've got several crochet projects going at once, I figured I'd better capture some of it for posterity before things get away from me.  I'm working on 2-3 items for custom orders for friends, and also a baby blanket pattern or two with different color ideas that I've come up with on my own.

This pink camouflaged baby blanket is for an online friend's daughter who just had a baby girl.  She saw an afghan in my Etsy shop the other day that was regular green, black, and brown camo, and said she'd like something in pink camo.  She left it up to me as to the design, but wanted something a little bigger than normal baby-sized blanket so it would grow with the baby into toddler-hood.

Here's what it looked like after a few rows:

(click photos to enlarge)

And here is a full skein of yarn worked up:

I really like how this is turning out and am excited to get it finished.  It's an easy, mindless crochet pattern yet turns out very pretty, so I can see myself making more like this or similar to add to my shop on Etsy.

~ Marie Anne

Catie Alice Baby Blanket and Hat Photos

I posted earlier about a blanket I had designed for Catie Alice, my first grandbaby who is due in a few weeks, but the photos I had before weren't the best.  I took everything outside and tried to get better photos in natural lighting, and these are just a little better.

I made a little hat to go with it too, but I haven't written up the pattern for that yet (I'll have to do another and write it down as I go).

Click photos to enlarge

If you missed it earlier, here's the free crochet pattern for the baby blanket (again, hat to follow if I can figure out what I did!).  It's crocheted with Lion Brand Baby's First, which is soft and stretchy and works up quickly.  I used Pixie Dust (cream/off-white) for this set.

Another free baby blanket and hat coming soon!

~ Marie Anne

New Baby Blanket Patterns in the Works

I fell in love with Baby's First yarn (Lion Brand) the other day, and was itching to find the perfect crochet pattern to work something up with it.  I came up with one of my own, and figured it would be easy enough to come up with another two simple baby blanket patterns, in hopes of creating a three-pattern set for an eBook, specifically for Baby's First yarn.  I usually list my easy patterns for free, but thought I might try something a little different this time and see if I could actually make a buck or two selling them.

All three patterns (provided I figure them out!) will be using Baby's First, a very soft and chunky yarn that works up quickly with a large crochet hook.  I'll be appealing to those who want a weekend project for an upcoming baby shower gift that needs to be completed in a jiffy.

Here's a sneak peek of the first pattern that I just snapped with my cell phone, so not the best quality or color. This swatch was done in Lion Brand Baby's First yarn in Beanstalk.  I really do love this stuff.

Have you ever created your own crochet patterns?  If so, do you offer them free on your blog, or sell them on Etsy or Ravelry?  After finishing the patterns, I'll have to get good photos, name the individual patterns and the eBook compilation, layout the patterns in an attractive, yet easy to follow manner, and decide on a price.  I can't help but wonder if it will be worth the effort, but I think I'll give it a shot anyway.

Stay tuned!

~  Marie Anne

Baby Hat Day

With my first grandbaby on the way in November, I'm anxious to crochet some cute things for her (yes, she's a she!).  Baby blankets are a given as I have several different patterns that I like to crochet so she'll get more than one, I'm sure.  I'm hopeless at booties, and have only made one halfway decent baby sweater, so I thought I'd look to hats.

I made this little hat this morning out of Aran Fleck yarn, weaving a chain of black yarn that's then tied into a bow at the brim.  It's one of Bev's simple patterns and I could make a number of them from the leftover yarn I have in my stash, but my concern is sizing.  The finished measurements of this baby hat seems to be in line with charts I've seen, but I'd feel a lot better if I had an infant model to try them on.  I'd hate to send my son and his wife a half dozen hats in various colors and have none of them fit, ya know?

Do you have a favorite baby hat pattern that you know works out well for a newborn baby, and up to a few months old?  I'll be looking around at various pattern sites, but if you have a personal favorite, please leave a link in the comments and I'll check it out.

~ Marie Anne

Finish WIPs or Start New Projects? Decisions, Decisions

I'm pretty much laid up now with a bum knee, and since the weather is turning colder, it's the perfect time to break out hooks and yarn and keep my fingers occupied.  I do have one custom afghan that's almost finished, and one baby blanket that won't take long to complete, but my problem is I want to start something new.

My first grandbaby is due in November, and of course there are several things I'd like to make for her.  This one blanket WIP will likely be for her, but I bought more yarn to make another, and might do a couple of hats, and perhaps attempt a sweater (something I'm no good at) or a cocoon (or whatever you call those things).

Baby Blanket Done and Listed on Etsy

I posted last week about the baby blanket that was almost done and I finally finished and got pictures and listed on Etsy.  Even though I wasn't too keen on the color choices, it grew on me as I kept going and I think it turned out ok after all.

More photos on Etsy

It's a good sized blanket, measuring 35" square, a good size for a toddler to drag around.

I've already got more than one project in the works (don't we all?), so check back later for WIP Wednesday!

Almost Done

I'm almost finished with the dark green, navy, gray and white blanket I posted about last week.  After much worrying about the colors initially, I'm actually starting to like it.  I worked with several different combinations of number of rows and placement of colors and it really does make a difference.  Having the gray/white/gray the same number of rows as the two primary colors sets it off nicely, I think, and doesn't make it quite so dark.

The Blue and the Gray

... ok, and some green and white too.

I'm working on a custom order for Etsy and think I finally have the colors figured out. We bantered back and forth about what she wanted and I gave her my input, and I think we've finally come to an acceptable color scheme, giving the customer what she wants while making it a little easier for me to look at while working on it (I didn't like the choices at all).

Knit Spa Cloths and a Secret Preview

This week I'm working on getting the spa cloths done that were part of the giveaway that ended the other day.  Linda Ann chose her cloths to be knit out of a pretty variegated cotton yarn in various shades of olive green and ecru, with a touch of teal thrown in.