Welcome, fellow yarn enthusiasts! Today, we're embarking on a delightful journey to create a beautiful and unique crochet baby blanket. The design you'll learn here is my very own creation, perfect for gifting or adding a handmade touch to your little one's nursery. This project is incredibly easy, making it ideal for beginners and experienced crocheters alike.

What You'll Need:

  • Yarn: Medium-weight baby yarn in your choice of colors. The original tutorial uses a lovely combination, and you can adapt it to your preferences.

  • Crochet Hook: A 4 mm (US size G/6) crochet hook is recommended for the medium-weight yarn. If you desire a softer, more drapey blanket, you can opt for a 3 mm or 3.5 mm hook. Adjusting the hook size can also be helpful if your tension is typically tight or loose.

  • Scissors: For snipping your yarn.

  • Tapestry Needle (Optional): For weaving in loose ends.

Getting Started: The Foundation Chain

  1. Create a Slip Knot: Begin by making a slip knot on your crochet hook.

  2. Chain Stitch: Now, we'll create the foundation chain. This chain needs to be a multiple of 2. Make sure your chain is neither too tight nor too loose – a relaxed tension is key for a beautiful drape. Continue chaining until you reach your desired blanket width.

Row 1: Establishing the Base

  1. Skip Two Chains: After completing your foundation chain, skip the first two chains from your hook.

  2. Single Crochet: In the third chain from your hook, insert your hook, yarn over, and pull up a loop (two loops on your hook). Yarn over again and pull through both loops. This completes your first single crochet (sc).

  3. Chain One: Next, chain one stitch (ch 1).

  4. Skip One Chain and Single Crochet: Skip the next chain in your foundation chain and work another single crochet (sc) in the following chain.

  5. Repeat: Continue this pattern of "chain one, skip one chain, single crochet" across the entire foundation chain. Your first row will consist of a series of single crochet stitches separated by chain-one spaces.

Row 2: Introducing the Unique Stitch

  1. Chain Three and Turn: At the end of the first row, chain three (ch 3). This turning chain counts as your first stitch in this row. Turn your work.

  2. Yarn Over and Insert Hook (First Space): Yarn over (yo). Insert your hook into the first chain-one space from the previous row. Yarn over and pull up a loop (three loops on your hook).

  3. Yarn Over and Insert Hook (Over the Single Crochet): Yarn over again. Insert your hook over the top of the next single crochet stitch from the previous row. Yarn over and pull up a loop (four loops on your hook).

  4. Yarn Over and Insert Hook (Second Space): Yarn over once more. Insert your hook into the next chain-one space from the previous row. Yarn over and pull up a loop (five loops on your hook).

  5. Pull Through Three Loops: Yarn over and pull through the first three loops on your hook (three loops remaining).

  6. Pull Through Remaining Two Loops: Yarn over and pull through the remaining two loops on your hook. This completes your first unique stitch.

  7. Chain One: Chain one stitch (ch 1).

  8. Repeat: Repeat steps 2 through 7 across the row. You'll be working into each chain-one space and over each single crochet from the previous row.

  9. Final Stitch: When you reach the end of the row, you'll insert your hook into the last chain-one space, over the last single crochet, and then into the very last chain-one space. Complete the stitch as before.

Changing Colors (Optional):

The tutorial demonstrates a color change after the first row of the unique stitch. Here's how to do it:

  1. Finish the Last Stitch: Complete the last unique stitch of the current color until you have two loops left on your hook.

  2. Introduce New Yarn: Drop the current color and pick up your new yarn. Yarn over with the new color and pull through the two loops on your hook.

  3. Continue with New Color: Chain two (ch 2) with the new color and turn your work.

Row 3 (and Subsequent Rows with the New Color): Establishing the Single Crochet and Chain Pattern

  1. Chain Two and Turn: Chain two (ch 2). This turning chain does not count as a stitch. Turn your work.

  2. Single Crochet in the First Space: In the first chain-one space from the previous row, work a single crochet (sc).

  3. Chain One: Chain one stitch (ch 1).

  4. Single Crochet in the Next Space: In the next chain-one space, work another single crochet (sc).

  5. Repeat: Continue this pattern of "chain one, single crochet in the next chain-one space" across the entire row.

Row 4 (and Subsequent Rows of the Unique Stitch): Repeating the Pattern

  1. Chain Three and Turn: Chain three (ch 3) and turn your work.

  2. Yarn Over and Insert Hook (Second Space): Crucially, for this row, skip the first chain-one space and insert your hook into the second chain-one space from the previous row. Yarn over and pull up a loop.

  3. Yarn Over and Insert Hook (Over the Single Crochet): Yarn over and insert your hook over the top of the next single crochet stitch. Yarn over and pull up a loop.

  4. Yarn Over and Insert Hook (Next Space): Yarn over and insert your hook into the next chain-one space. Yarn over and pull up a loop.

  5. Pull Through Three Loops, Then Two Loops: Yarn over and pull through the first three loops, then yarn over and pull through the remaining two loops.

  6. Chain One: Chain one.

  7. Repeat: Continue this pattern across the row, remembering to always work into the chain-one spaces and over the single crochet stitches.

Alternating Rows for the Pattern:

You will now alternate between Row 3 (single crochet and chain spaces) and Row 4 (the unique stitch row) to create the body of your blanket.

  • Important Note for Edge Consistency: Pay close attention to where you begin the unique stitch rows. In one unique stitch row, you start in the first chain-one space. In the subsequent unique stitch row, you start in the second chain-one space. This variation helps maintain a consistent and even edge to your blanket.

Continuing and Finishing Your Blanket:

Continue alternating these two rows until your blanket reaches your desired length. To finish your blanket:

  1. Work a Final Row of Single Crochet: You can end with a row of single crochet stitches for a clean edge. Simply chain one and turn, then work a single crochet in each single crochet and each chain-one space from the previous row.

  2. Fasten Off: Cut your yarn, leaving a tail. Pull the tail through the last loop on your hook and tighten to secure.

  3. Weave in Ends: Use a tapestry needle to weave in any loose ends neatly into the back of your work.

Enjoy Your Handmade Baby Blanket!

Congratulations! You've now created a beautiful and unique crochet baby blanket. This design is not only visually appealing but also offers a lovely texture. Feel free to experiment with different color combinations to create a truly personalized gift.

Thank you for following along with this tutorial. Happy crocheting! Don't forget to share your creations!