Crochet Modern Striped Baby Blanket

Step into the world of modern crochet with this stunning striped baby blanket. This project combines traditional crochet techniques with a contemporary twist, resulting in a stylish and unique blanket that is perfect for any little one. The vibrant colors and bold stripes make this blanket a true statement piece, adding a touch of modernity to any nursery. This crochet project takes the beloved craft to new heights, combining classic techniques with a contemporary aesthetic. The result is a stunning baby blanket that is both stylish and cozy, making it the perfect addition to any nursery.

Difficulty:
Easy

Techniques used:dc3tog stitches,reverse single crochet (crab stitch), post stitches.

Materials Needed:

5mm hook, or hook needed to obtain gauge (blanket body)
4mm hook for crab stitch edging
1240, (1675, 1700, 2030, 3000, 4160) total yards #3 Bernat Baby Sport in 2 colors of your choice, I used nearly equal amounts of #3 light weight Bernat Baby Sport in “White” and “Baby Grey“. If you decide to make the optional tassels you will need an additional 15-20 yards of this yarn in the color of your choice.
Yarn needle
Scissors
Measuring tape
Blocking boards

Stitch markers

Stitches Used:
sl st = slip stitch
ch = chain
sc = single crochet
hdc = half double crochet
dc = double crochet
dc3tog = double crochet 3 together
FPtr = front post treble crochet
BPtr = back post treble crochet

Additional terms:
RSC spike = reverse single crochet (crab stitch) worked in the style of a spike stitch. Insert hook through the top of the stitch 1 row below where you are currently, complete the stitch as you would a normal rsc (or crab stitch).
sp/sps = space/spaces
ch/chs = chain/chains
Prev = previous

Gauge:
13 sc in 4”

Measurements:
(Measurements are approximate. Some blocking is required.)
Baby blanket (36″ x 36″) – ch 120
Crib/Lapghan (36″ x 48″) – ch 120
Receiving blanket (42″ x 42”) – ch 138
Toddler Blanket (42” x 50″) – ch 138
Small Throw (52” x 60”) – ch 174
Large Throw (60 “ x 72”) – ch 198

Additional notes:
-ch-3 or ch-4 at end of row counts as first dc, or dc + ch1 of next row
-ch-1 at beginning of row does not count as a stitch.
-Always make last dc in 3rd chain of turning chain of previous row
-I used 2 colors for this blanket, but you are welcome to make it in a single color, or or more than 2 colors if you wish.

“LOVES AND CUDDLES” MODERN BABY BLANKET CROCHET PATTERN (US TERMS):

This sweet little striped baby blanket is based on a design by Dianne Hunt. Her original design called for FPdc/BPdc throughout the body of the blanket, but I wrote this to use FPtr/BPtr. The stitches at the ends of your rows, however, should be double crochet to keep the edge from stretching too much. You may use FP/BP double crochet stitches for this blanket if you want it to be denser and more snuggly. You will need to add more rows to reach the desired length if you decide to do this.

With color A,
Ch 120, [120, 138, 138, 174, 198],
Row 1: sc in second ch from hook, sc in each remaining ch of row, ch 3 (counts as first dc of next row), turn. (119, [119, 137, 137, 173, 197)
Drop color A,

In the following row you will be creating the bottom half of the oval shapes between the 3 post stitches, and in row 3 you will be completing the top part of the oval. Change colors every 2 rows for some added interest.

Join color B,
Row 2: sk st, 3 dc in next st, sk st, *dc in next 3 sts, sk st, 3 dc in next st, sk st; repeat from * across, dc in final st of row, ch 4 (counts as first dc + ch-1 of next row), turn. (119, [119, 137, 137, 173, 197)
Row 3: dc3tog across next 3 sts, ch 1, *BPtr around next 3 sts, ch 1, dc3tog across next 3 sts, ch 1; repeat from * across, dc in final st (top of 3rd ch from prev row), ch 3 (counts as first dc of next row), turn. (57, [57, 66, 66, 84, 96] BPtr, 19, [19, 23, 23, 28, 32] dc3tog, 38, [38, 46, 46, 56, 64] ch-1 sps, 2 dc)
Drop color B.

With color A,
Row 4: sk st, 3 dc in top of dc3tog, sk st, *FPtr around next 3 sts, sk st, 3 dc in top of dc3tog, sk st; repeat from * across, dc in final st of row, ch 4 (counts as first dc + ch-1 of next row), turn. (57, [57, 66, 66, 84, 96] FPtr, 19, [19, 23, 23, 28, 32] 3-dc groupings, 38, [38, 46, 46, 56, 64] ch-1 sps, 2 dc)
Row 5: dc3tog across next 3 sts, ch 1, *BPtr around next 3 sts, ch 1, dc3tog across next 3 sts, ch 1; repeat from * across, dc in final st (top of 3rd ch from prev row), ch 3 (counts as first dc of next row), turn. (57, [57, 66, 66, 84, 96] BPtr, 19, [19, 23, 23, 28, 32] dc3tog, 38, [38, 46, 46, 56, 64] ch-1 sps, 2 dc)
Drop color A.

With color B
Row 6: sk st, 3 dc in top of dc3tog, sk st, *FPtr around next 3 sts, sk st, 3 dc in top of dc3tog, sk st; repeat from * across, dc in final st of row, ch 4 (counts as first dc + ch-1 of next row), turn. (57, [57, 66, 66, 84, 96] FPtr, 19, [19, 23, 23, 28, 32] 3-dc groupings, 38, [38, 46, 46, 56, 64] ch-1 sps, 2 dc)
Row 7: dc3tog across next 3 sts, ch 1, *BPtr around next 3 sts, ch 1, dc3tog across next 3 sts, ch 1; repeat from * across, dc in final st (top of 3rd ch from prev row), ch 3 (counts as first dc of next row), turn. (57, [57, 66, 66, 84, 96] BPtr, 19, [19, 23, 23, 28, 32] dc3tog, 38, [38, 46, 46, 56, 64] ch-1 sps, 2 dc)
Drop color B.

Repeat rows 3-7 until your blanket is about 2″-4″ shorter than you want it to be. Note: A light blocking will bring it up to the listed dimensions.

Here are the typical lengths for the different blanket sizes. You are welcome to add or subtract as desired, but you may need to use a little bit more yarn than what I used.
Baby blanket: 36″ long,
Crib blanket or Lapghan: 48″ long
Receiving blanket: 42” long
Toddler Blanket: 50″ long
Small Throw: 60” long
Large Throw: 72” long

Fasten off colors A and B, and weave in ends.

Then continue to the edging.

Edging:
In the following section we will be adding a simple border to the blanket. When working along the raw edges at the sides of the blanket each dc stitch will get 2 sts worked into the side of it (remember the ch-4 sps count as a dc+ch 1 and work into them accordingly). Your side stitch counts should be the same, as should your top and bottom stitch counts. Placing stitch markers in the ch-1 sps at the corners of those rows/rounds may be helpful in keeping them well-defined as you work.

Using Color A,
Row 1: With right (front) side of blanket facing you, attach yarn to bottom right side, sc evenly along edge, ch 1, continue working around corner and across top of blanket placing 1 sc in each st and in each ch-1 sp, ch 1, continue around corner working sc evenly down other side, ch 1, join with sl st to first row of sc at bottom of blanket.
Round 2: ch 1, sc in each st around, (sc, ch 1, sc) in each corner, join with sl st to first sc.

In the following round you will be finishing the edge with the reverse single crochet (crab stitch). You will be working this stitch around the round you just completed to give the edge more definition.

With 4mm hook, while maintaining relaxed, even tension,
Round 3: rsc spike st by inserting hook into top of row 1 and completing the stitch as normal, rsc spike st in each st around (including along the bottom of the blanket), join.

Fasten off, weave in ends.

With color B,
With 5mm hook, using relaxed tension,
Round 4: sl st around entire blanket between rounds 1 and 2.

Fasten off, and weave in ends.

Block if desired.

Optional: Make 4 tassels. Attach 1 to each corner of the blanket. You will need approximately 15-20 more yards of yarn in the color of your choice for this step.

HOW TO MAKE A SIMPLE TASSEL FROM YARN:

1. Cut 40-50 12″ lengths of yarn for each tassel. (There will 4 of them)
2. Cut another 12″ piece of yarn and tie the center of of your bundle of yarn lengths with this.
3. Cut one more 12″ piece of yarn. Hold one end still and twist the other end until it twists in on itself making a pretty cord. Keeping a tight hold over the ends, lay the cord over the center of the yarn bundle on top of the yarn you just used to tie the bundle together. Fold the tassel in half over the cord. This may require an extra pair of hands.

Note: You may feel like you have sprouted an extra pair of thumbs during this process, this is normal and the feeling should pass shortly. 

4. Attach the tassel to the ch-1 sp at the corners with a square knot. If you don’t want your tassel to dangle at the end of the cord you may tie it closer to the blanket leaving longer ends. Weave the leftover ends into the blanket
5. Cut 1 24″ length of yarn and wrap it around the tassel, 1″ below the top, several times. Knot the ends securely. Optional: Put a dot of craft glue on the knot to hold it in place.

Repeat this process 4 times: one for each of the blanket’s corners.