My Top 3 Go-To Baby Blanket Patterns
“Do you have a favorite stitch or pattern for a baby blanket?
I vaguely recall you saying they need to have holes so the baby doesn’t suffocate.”
You bet. A good friend of mine asked recently for some pattern recommendations so I figured I’d share the shortlist I keep coming back to. And yes, I do typically use open stitches with lots of spaces because I’m paranoid, but more on that later.
Crochet Diamond Lace Baby Blanket by Jessica Underwood
This is my absolute favorite and is the pattern I used when I made my daughter’s first baby blanket.
Pros
Looks amazing with a self-striping yarn, which means less ends to weave in.
Every row is a little different. If you get bored doing the same stitch for hours, this is your pattern.
It looks way more complicated than it is! Prepare for compliments.
Cons
You have to pay attention. You can get away with not counting but messing up the lace design is a real possibility. This isn’t one to tackle when you're half-watching a Love Island episode.
6-Day Supernova Blanket by Betty McKnit
This pattern is well-written and easy to understand and includes a lot of helpful tips and guidance. I’ve tried a couple star blanket designs and found others to be difficult to follow.
Pros
It’s unique! Aka not your typical rectangular blanket.
Like the Crochet Diamond Lace Baby Blanket, very row is different.
Works up fast. Maybe not “6 days” fast but close.
Cons
Looks better if you manually change colors at the start of the rounds (instead of using a self-striping yarn) and this is only a con because I hate weaving in ends.
Requires a lot of counting and close attention. I’ve found I can’t take this project to stitch n’ bitch gatherings because I constantly mess up.
Continuous Granny Square
This is a really good beginner pattern to use because it demonstrates quickly what happens if you miscount and your sides aren’t even. The pattern linked is for a book cover, but it’s also just a big granny square.
Pros
Seriously satisfying to watch this one grow.
No complicated instructions; perfect for multitasking.
Just minor counting required.
Cons
Can get too repetitive after a while.
Stitches are a bit heavier so you may have to plan to use a lighter weight yarn.
One thing all of these have in common is the use of open stitches (double crochets and chain spaces). I might be overly cautious, but it makes me feel better knowing these cozy blankets still have some air flow even if they’re only used during stroller rides or play time.
Another similarity is all of these blankets start in the middle and work in the round. I’ve found that working like this helps you feel like you’re accomplishing more in a shorter amount of time.
Since I have four baby blankets to finish before the year is over I might revisit some of these tried-and-true patterns myself!