Easy Baby Blankets to Crochet

Yarn companies have special lines of yarn just for little ones. The colors and textures are soft and perfect for a baby blanket. If you crochet, a treasured gift for a new baby is a blanket. Even if you don't know anyone with a baby or one on the way, you can make several of these easy-to-crochet baby blankets and have them in reserve. This same pattern can be used for a lap blanket for an adult.

Purchase 18 ounces of medium worsted-weight yarn, and use a size H crochet hook. The yarn doesn't have to be specifically made for babies. However, Red Heart's Baby Steps and Baby Teri Yarn are good choices for this project. Your crocheted baby blanket will finish at the size of 32 inches wide and 35 inches long, approximately. The size will vary according to your crochet style. If you crochet loosely, the blanket will measure slightly larger; if you crochet tighter, the blanket will be a bit smaller.

This pattern is written with a beginner in mind. Experiment with stitch variation or colors, if you are more experienced at crocheting.

Chain 132. Single crochet in the second chain from the hook and in each chain after that, to the end of the row.

Chain three (this counts as the first double crochet of the next row) and turn your work to the other side. Double crochet in the second single crochet stitch (of the row) and in each one to the end of the row. Repeat this row two more times, except ending with one chain (instead of three chains) before your turn your work.

Single crochet in the second double crochet stitch and in each one to the end of the row. Repeat this pattern, of three double crochet rows and one single crochet row) until the crochet blanket measures 35 inches, or the desired length. Cut your yarn, and pull the end through the crochet hook loop. Weave the yarn tail into the last row of crochet.

To create a nice edging around the crochet baby blanket, make a yarn loop on your crochet hook and slip stitch it to the first stitch of the row. This makes a nice pattern if you use an alternate color yarn, from the blanket. Chain one and work a single crochet stitch in the same first stitch. Work a single crochet in each of the stitches across. When you get to the last stitch of the row, work three single crochets in that stitch. This will help your work to ease around the corner of the blanket.

Repeat this pattern, working three single crochets in the last stitch of the row, two more times. When you get to the stitch where you began, work one more single crochet in that stitch. If you remember, you started with a chain one. By adding two single crochet, you will complete the corner easing with three stitches in that corner. Slip stitch to the top of the single crochet in that corner group. Cut your yarn and pull it through the crochet loop. Weave in the tail.