How To Crochet Sweet Baby Blanket + Tutorial

My project today, Sweet Baby Blanket Pattern, is a fun square crocheted from the middle and is so lovely and pretty in pink.

If it looks familiar, that is because it is a square version of my Christmas Trimmings Afghan!  I started this one, but when Michael challenged me with a holiday-themed idea, I knew I could turn this fun pattern into a rectangle for home decor use.  I do like squares for babies, though, as swaddling and cuddling them seems nice.

Once you get crocheting on this one, you will notice the repeat, but the colours are opposite reflections because I only used 2 colours of Red Heart With Love in this design.  This textured blanket would also look nice in a solid color, or even 3 colors or more.  As Michael always says, "you are the artist"!

If you would like to continue to make this blanket a bigger, queen-size bed topper, you can just leave off the last two rounds and continue the repeat pattern until the size you desire.  The stitch counts will grow proportionally.

Pattern is updated April 20, 2023 to be more simple in the downloadable. The repeating is the same instructions but with a different colour sequence. You will notice that in the download.

Tutorial

Sweet Pink Baby Blanket

Designed by Jeanne Steinhilber

Red Heart® With Love™ (198 g/7 oz, 338 meters/370 yards)

Color A - Sweet Pink - 2 balls 

Color B - Eggshell - 2 balls

Size U.S. J/10 (6.0 mm) crochet hook.

Measurements Approx 42” x 42” [106 x 106 cm]. 

Abbreviations List 

• Beg = Begin(ning)
• BLO = Back loop only
• Ch = Chain
• Dc = Double crochet
• Dcbp = Double crochet back post
• Dcfp = Double crochet front post
• FLO = Front loop only
• Hdc = Half double crochet
• Rep = Repeat
• Rnd(s) = Round(s)
• Sc = Single crochet
• Sc2tog = Single crochet 2 together
• Sc3tog = Single crochet 3 together
• Sk = Skip
• Sl st = Slip stitch
• Sp = Space
• St(s) = Stitch(es)
• Tr = Treble crochet
• Tr2tog = Treble crochet 2 together
• Tr3tog = Treble crochet 3 together
• Yoh = Yarn over hook

Special Stitches

Shell = 7 dc in selected st.

Standing Sc = Form slip knot and insert onto the hook. Insert hook into st, yoh and pull loop through, yoh through 2 loops. 

Instructions

1st rnd: (RS) With A, ch 2, in 2nd ch from hook, [1 sc, ch 2] 3 times, 1 more sc in same ch, join with 1 hdc (counts as ch 2 corner here and throughout) to beg sc. 1 sc per side, 4 ch 2 corners.

2nd rnd: Ch 3 (counts as dc here and throughout), 1 dc in same sp (working around post of hdc), *1 dc in next st,** (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch 2 sp; rep from * twice, them from * to ** once, 2 dc in beg corner, join with 1 hdc to top of ch 3. Break A. 5 dc per side.

3rd rnd: With B, join with standing sc in any ch 2 corner, (ch 2, 1 sc) in same sp, *working in FLO, 1 sc in each st to corner,** (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in ch 2 sp; rep from * twice, then * to ** once, sl st to beg sc. Break B. 7 sc per side.

4th rnd: With A, join with sl st in any corner, ch 3, (1 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in same sp, *, ch 1, sk first st from 3rd rnd, working in first BLO from two rnds below, [1 dc in next st, ch 1, sk next st] to corner,** (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch 2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once more, sl st to beg ch 3. Break A. 7 dc per side.

5th rnd: With B, join with standing sc in any ch 2 corner, (ch 2, 1 sc) in same sp, *1 sc in each st and sp to corner,** (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in ch 2 sp; rep from * twice, then * to ** once, sl st to beg sc. Break B. 13 sc per side.

6th rnd: With A, join with sl st in any corner, ch 3, (1 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in same sp, *working in BLO, 1 dc in each st to corner,** (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch 2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once more, sl st to beg ch 3. 17 dc per side.

7th rnd: Sl st in the next st and into the ch 2 sp, ch 3, (1 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in same sp, *ch 1, sk next st, [1 dc in next st, ch 1, sk next st] to corner,** (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch 2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once more, sl st to beg ch 3. Break A. 12 dc per side.

8th rnd: With B, join with standing sc in any ch 2 corner, (ch 2, 1 sc) in same sp, *1 sc in next 2 sts, [1 dc in skipped st from 6th rnd, 1 sc in next st] until 1 st before corner, 1 sc in next st,** (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in ch 2 sp; rep from * twice, then * to ** once, sl st to beg sc. 9 dc, 14 sc per side.

9th rnd: Sl st into ch 2 sp, (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in same sp, *1 sc in each st to corner,** (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in ch 2 sp; rep from * twice, then * to ** once, sl st to beg sc. Break B. Turn. 25 sc per side.

10th rnd: (WS) With A, join with standing sc in any ch 2 corner, (ch 2, 1 sc) in same sp, *1 sc in next st, [sk next 2 sts, (2 dc, 1 sc) in next st] to corner,** (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in ch 2 sp; rep from * twice, then * to ** once, sl st to beg sc. Break A. 27 sts per side. Turn.

11th rnd: (RS) With B, join with standing sc in any ch 2 corner, (ch 2, 1 sc) in same sp, *working in BLO, 1 sc in each st to corner,** (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in ch 2 sp; rep from * twice, then * to ** once, sl st to beg sc. 29 sc per side.

12th rnd: Sl st into the ch 2 sp, ch 3, (1 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in same sp, *1 dc in each st to corner,** (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch 2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once more, sl st to beg ch 3. 33 dc per side.

13th rnd: Sl st in next st, sl st into corner, ch 1 (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in same sp, *1 sc in each st to corner,** (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in ch 2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once more, sl st to beg sc. Break B. 35 sc per side. 

14th rnd: With A, join with standing sc in any ch 2 corner, (ch 2, 1 sc) in same sp, *1 hdc in next st, 1 dc in next st, 3 tr in next st, 1 dc in next st, 1 hdc in next st, [1 sc in next st, 1 hdc in next st, 1 dc in next st, 3 tr in next st, 1 dc in next st, 1 hdc in next st] to corner,** (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in ch 2 sp; rep from * twice, then * to ** once, sl st to beg sc. Break A. 49 sts per side.

15th rnd: With B, join with standing sc in any ch 2 corner, (ch 2, 1 sc) in same sp, *sc2tog in next 2 sts, 1 sc in next 2 sts, 3 sc in next st, 1 sc in 2 sts, [sc3tog in next 3 sts,  1 sc in next 2 sts, 3 sc in next st, 1 sc in next 2 sts] until 2 sts before corner, sc2tog in next 2 sts,** (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in ch 2 sp; rep from * twice, then * to ** once, sl st to beg sc. Break B. 51 sts per side.

16th rnd: With A, join with sl st in any corner, ch 4 (counts as tr here and throughout), (1 tr, ch 2, 2 tr) in same sp, *tr3tog in next 3 sts, [1 dc in next st, 1 hdc in next st, 1 sc in next st, 1 hdc in next st, 1 dc next st, tr3tog in the next 3 sts] to corner,** (2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr) in ch 2 sp; rep from * twice, then * to ** once, sl st to ch 4. Break A. 41 sts per side.

17th rnd: With B, join with standing sc in any ch 2 corner, (ch 2, 1 sc) in same sp, *1 sc in each st to corner,** (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in ch 2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, join with sl st to beg sc. 43 sc per side.

Repeat 2nd to 17th rounds once, then 2nd to 13th rnd once. See border at the end of the instructions below.

The repeat starts here. The colour sequence is different, as noted on the downloadable and below.

18th rnd: Sl st in next st, sl st in ch 2 sp, ch 3, (1 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in same sp, *1 dc in each st to corner,** (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch 2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once more, sl st to beg ch 3. Break B. 47 dc per side.

19th rnd: With A, join with standing sc in any ch 2 corner, (ch 2, 1 sc) in same sp, *working in FLO, 1 sc in each st to corner,** (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in ch 2 sp; rep from * twice, then * to ** once, sl st to beg sc. Break A. 49 sc per side.

20th rnd: With B, join with sl st in any corner, ch 3, (1 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in same sp, *working in BLO from 18th rnd, ch 1, sk next st, [1 dc in next st, ch 1, sk next st] to corner,** (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch 2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once more, sl st to beg ch 3. Break B. 28 dc per side.

21st rnd: With A, join with standing sc in any ch 2 corner, (ch 2, 1 sc) in same sp, *1 sc in each st and sp to corner,** (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in ch 2 sp; rep from * twice, then * to ** once, sl st to beg sc. Break A. 55 sc per side.

22nd rnd: With B, join with sl st in any corner, ch 3, (1 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in same sp, *working in BLO, 1 dc in each st to corner,** (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch 2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once more, sl st to beg ch 3. 59 dc per side.

23rd rnd: Sl st in the next st and into the ch 2 sp, ch 3, (1 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in same sp, *ch 1, sk next st, [1 dc in next st, ch 1, sk next st] to corner,** (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch 2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once more, sl st to beg ch 3. Break B. 33 dc per side.

24th rnd: With A, join with standing sc in any ch 2 corner, (ch 2, 1 sc) in same sp, *1 sc in next 2 sts, [1 dc in skipped st from 22nd rnd, 1 sc in next st] until 1 st before corner, 1 sc in next st,** (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in ch 2 sp; rep from * twice, then * to ** once, sl st to beg sc. 30 dc, 35 sc per side. 

25th rnd: Sl st into ch 2 sp, ch 1 (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in same sp, *1 sc in each st to corner,** (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in ch 2 sp; rep from * twice, then * to ** once, sl st to beg sc. Break A. Turn. 67 sc per side.

26th rnd: (WS) With B, join with standing sc in any ch 2 corner, (ch 2, 1 sc) in same sp, *1 sc in next st, [sk next 2 sts, (2 dc, 1 sc) in next st] to corner,** (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in ch 2 sp; rep from * twice, then * to ** once, sl st to beg sc. Break B. Turn. 69 sts per side.

27th rnd: (RS) With A, join with standing sc in any ch 2 corner, (ch 2, 1 sc) in same sp, *working in BLO, 1 sc in each st to corner,** (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in ch 2 sp; rep from * twice, then * to ** once, sl st to beg sc. 71 sc per side.

28th rnd: Sl st into the ch 2 sp, ch 3, (1 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in same sp, *1 dc in each st to corner,** (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch 2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once more, sl st to beg ch 3. 75 dc per side.

29th rnd: Sl st into corner, ch 1 (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in same sp, *1 sc in each st to corner,** (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in ch 2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once more, sl st to beg sc. Break A. 77 sc per side.

30th rnd: With B, join with standing sc in any ch 2 corner, (ch 2, 1 sc) in same sp, *1 hdc in next st, 1 dc in next st, 3 tr in next st, 1 dc in next st, 1 hdc in next st, [1 sc in next st, 1 hdc in next st, 1 dc in next st, 3 tr in next st, 1 dc in next st, 1 hdc in next st] to corner,** (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in ch 2 sp; rep from * twice, then * to ** once, sl st to beg sc. Break B. 105 sts per side.

31st rnd: With A, join with standing sc in any ch 2 corner, (ch 2, 1 sc) in same sp, *sc2tog in next 2 sts, 1 sc in next 2 sts, 3 sc in next st, 1 sc in 2 sts, [sc3tog in next 3 sts,  1 sc in next 2 sts, 3 sc in next st, 1 sc in 2 sts] until 2 sts before corner, sc2tog in next 2 sts,** (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in ch 2 sp; rep from * twice, then * to ** once, sl st to beg sc. Break A. 107 sts per side.

32nd rnd: With B, join with sl st in any corner, ch 4, (1 tr, ch 2, 2 tr) in same sp, *tr3tog in next 3 sts, [1 dc in next st, 1 hdc in next st, 1 sc in next st, 1 hdc in next st, 1 dc next st, tr3tog in the next 3 sts] to corner,** (2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr) in ch 2 sp; rep from * twice, then * to ** once, sl st to ch 4. Break B. 83 sts per side.

33rd rnd: With A, join with standing sc in any ch 2 corner, (ch 2, 1 sc) in same sp, *1 sc in each st to corner,** (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in ch 2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, join with sl st to beg sc. 85 sc per side.

Repeat starts again.

34th rnd: Sl st in next st, sl st in ch 2 sp, ch 3, (1 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in same sp, *1 dc in each st to corner,** (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch 2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once more, sl st to beg ch 3. Break A. 89 dc per side.

35th rnd: With B, join with standing sc in any ch 2 corner, (ch 2, 1 sc) in same sp, *working in FLO, 1 sc in each st to corner,** (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in ch 2 sp; rep from * twice, then * to ** once, sl st to beg sc. Break B. 91 sc per side.

36th rnd: With A, join with sl st in any corner, ch 3, (1 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in same sp, *working in BLO from rnd 34, ch 1, sk next st, [1 dc in next st, ch 1, sk next st] to corner,** (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch 2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once more, sl st to beg ch 3. Break A. 49 dc per side.

37th rnd: With B, join with standing sc in any ch 2 corner, (ch 2, 1 sc) in same sp, *1 sc in each st and sp to corner,** (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in ch 2 sp; rep from * twice, then * to ** once, sl st to beg sc. Break B. 97 sc per side.

38th rnd: With A, join with sl st in any corner, ch 3, (1 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in same sp, *working in BLO, 1 dc in each st to corner,** (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch 2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once more, sl st to beg ch 3. 101 dc per side.

39th rnd: Sl st in the next st and into the ch 2 sp, ch 3, (1 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in same sp, *ch 1, sk next st, [1 dc in next st, ch 1, sk next st] to corner,** (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch 2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once more, sl st to beg ch 3. Break A. 54 dc per side.

40th rnd: With B, join with standing sc in any ch 2 corner, (ch 2, 1 sc) in same sp, *1 sc in next 2 sts, [1 dc in skipped st from 38th rnd, 1 sc in next st] until 1 st before corner, 1 sc in next st,** (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in ch 2 sp; rep from * twice, then * to ** once, sl st to beg sc. 51 dc, 56 sc per side. 

41st rnd: Sl st into ch 2 sp, ch 1 (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in same sp, *1 sc in each st to corner,** (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in ch 2 sp; rep from * twice, then * to ** once, sl st to beg sc. Break B. Turn. 109 sc per side.

42nd rnd: (WS) With A, join with standing sc in any ch 2 corner, (ch 2, 1 sc) in same sp, *1 sc in next st, [sk next 2 sts, (2 dc, 1 sc) in next st] to corner,** (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in ch 2 sp; rep from * twice, then * to ** once, sl st to beg sc. Break A. Turn. 111 sts per side.

43rd rnd: (RS) With B, join with standing sc in any ch 2 corner, (ch 2, 1 sc) in same sp, *working in BLO, 1 sc in each st to corner,** (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in ch 2 sp; rep from * twice, then * to ** once, sl st to beg sc. 113 sc per side.

44th rnd: Sl st into the ch 2 sp, ch 3, (1 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in same sp, *1 dc in each st to corner,** (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch 2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once more, sl st to beg ch 3. 117 dc per side.

45th rnd: Sl st into corner, ch 1 (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in same sp, *1 sc in each st to corner,** (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in ch 2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once more, sl st to beg sc. Break B. 119 sc per side.

46th rnd: With A, join with standing sc in any ch 2 corner, (ch 2, 1 sc) in same sp, *sk next 2 sts, 7 dc in next st (1 shell created), sk next 2 sts, [sc in next st, sk 2 sts, 1 shell in next st, sk 2 sts] to corner,** (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in ch 2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once more, sl st to beg sc. Break A. 20 shells per side.

47th rnd: With B, join with standing sc in any ch 2 corner, (ch 2, 1 sc) in same sp, *1 sc in next st, [sk next st, 1 dcfp next st, 1 dcbp in next st, 1 dcfp in next st, 1 dcbp in next st, 1 dcfp in next st, sk next st, 1 sc in next st] to corner,** (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in ch 2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once more, sl st to beg sc. Fasten off. 123 sts per side.

Damp block finished afghan to shape and enjoy.