A new simple crochet baby blanket pattern, the Lemon Zest Blanket, is now a unisex crochet baby blanket free pattern here on the blog. Read all about this fun 2 color construction or scroll down for the complete free crochet pattern.
No time right now? Pin this simple crochet baby blanket pattern for later!
*This post contains affiliate links (only for products I love, use and spend my own money on obviously). This means I earn some yarn money if you make a purchase through one of these links (of course at no extra cost for you!), which I promise to use to create more awesome patterns like this one. All opinions are my own. See my full disclosure here.
The Lemon Zest blanket is a super fun and simple crochet pattern that’s perfect for baby blankets. Featuring a textured grid design, this two color crochet blanket pattern adds a playful touch without being too fussy. Its gender-neutral colors make it an excellent choice for any baby, whether you know the gender or want to keep it a surprise. Plus, it’s a straightforward project that even beginners can enjoy, but experienced crocheters will appreciate its charming design too.
What’s great about the Lemon Zest blanket is that it comes in 11 different sizes, so you can make a tiny one for a newborn or a larger version for a toddler to snuggle with. The texture adds a nice, cozy feel, making it ideal for tummy time, naps, or just adding a bit of warmth in the stroller. Whether you’re crafting it for your own little one or as a heartfelt gift, this blanket is sure to become a cherished favorite.
Lemon Zest Blanket Pattern Construction
The Lemon Zest blanket uses two contrasting colors to really make it stand out. The pattern keeps things simple by using post stitches to switch colors, so you don’t have to deal with complicated colorwork or carrying threads. Plus, you won’t have to worry about weaving in all those pesky ends – they’ll be hidden away in the final border, making your blanket look neat and finished.
Downloadable Lemon Zest Blanket Crochet Pattern
Grab the printable PDF of the Lemon Zest Simple Baby Blanket Crochet Pattern now in my shop, Etsy shop or on Ravelry.
More Crochet Blanket You'll Love
Before you Start your Lemon Zest Crochet Blanket
Materials
- 6 mm / US J – 10 hook
- Worsted weight yarn: Royal Zeeman yarn (100% acrylic, 100g/3.5oz, 241m/264yd):
- 1 (1, 4, 6, 8, 10, 14, 22, 36, 40, 45) skeins in off-white (MC)
- 1 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 15, 17, 19) skeins in yellow (CC)
You can easily substitute with any worsted weight yarn you want.
- Tapestry needle to weave in the ends.
Gauge
The gauge for this pattern is 14 st by 11 rows in dc stitches for a 10 cm by 10 cm square (4” by 4”).
Size
This simple baby crochet blanket pattern is available in 11 sizes, noted lovey (security, baby, receiving, toddler, crib, throw, twin, double, queen, king) throughout the pattern. Pictures illustrate the baby size.
The table below shows the different sizes.
| Blanket sizes | Inches | Centimeters | ||
| Width | Length | Width | Length | |
| Lovey | 11 | 11 | 28 | 28 |
| Security / Cuddler | 17 | 17 | 42 | 42 |
| Stroller / Baby | 33 | 33 | 84 | 84 |
| Receiving | 39 | 39 | 98 | 98 |
| Toddler | 44 | 50 | 112 | 126 |
| Crib | 44 | 61 | 112 | 154 |
| Throw | 55 | 66 | 140 | 168 |
| Twin | 66 | 88 | 168 | 224 |
| Double | 88 | 110 | 224 | 280 |
| Queen | 99 | 110 | 252 | 280 |
| King | 110 | 110 | 280 | 280 |
You can easily adapt the size to your desired project size: add/remove a multiple of 20 to the starting chain and add/remove a repeat . Make sure to adjust your yarn requirements accordingly. Each square in the blanket is 14 cm / 5.5”.
Abbreviations
This pattern uses US notations.
- st = stitch
- ch = chain
- dc = double crochet
- fpdc = front post double crochet
- bpdc = back post double crochet
Notes
Work instructions between [] the indicated number of times or until the end of the row/round. Instructions between () are worked in the same stitch/space.
The final number of stitches is indicated at the end of the row/round between < >.
The turning ch 1, ch 2 don’t count as stitches throughout the pattern except if mentioned.
The pattern is written in crochet shorthand. For example:
- “dc 1” means to double crochet in the next stitch
- “dc 2” means to double crochet in each of the next 2 stitches
- and “2 dc” means to double crochet twice in the next st
Special Stitches
- Front post double crochet (fpdc):
- Yarn over, insert hook from front to back to front behind the double crochet post below, yarn over, and pull up a long loop (3 loops on hook).
- Yarn over and pull through 2 loops (2 loops on hook), yarn over, and pull through the remaining loops.
- Back post double crochet (bpdc):
- Yarn over, insert hook from back to front to back behind the double crochet post below, yarn over, and pull up a long loop (3 loops on hook).
Yarn over and pull through 2 loops (2 loops on hook), yarn over, and pull through the remaining loops.
Tips and Tricks
I recommend working with as many threads of contrast color yarn as you have vertical lines in your crochet blanket for your size + 1 (for the horizontal lines). For the main color you’ll only need one thread that you can carry over through the squares.
- Don’t worry about ends to weave in, you can easily work over them when crocheting the final border.
- To change yarn color, work last st of old color to last yarn over. Yarn over with new color and draw through all loops on hook to complete st.
The Actual Simple Baby Crochet Blanket Pattern
With your 6 mm / US US J – 10 hook, ch 39 (59, 119, 139, 159, 159, 199, 239, 319, 359, 399) + 2
Row 1 (WS): (MC) Dc in 3rd ch from hook, dc 18, [(CC) dc 1, (MC) dc 19] across, turn.
Note: You will use a different thread of contrasting color for each vertical line of your blanket. For each CC color dc in row 1 join in a different thread of CC yarn, make one dc with it and switch back to MC yarn. Leave the thread hanging there and you will pick it back up on the next row to continue forming the vertical line. Carry over the MC yarn on the WS of your work when working these CC stitches.
Row 2 (RS): (MC) Ch 2, dc 19, [(CC) fpdc 1, (MC) dc 19] across.
Row 3 (WS): (MC) Ch 2, dc 19, [(CC) bpdc 1, (MC) dc 19] across.
Repeat Row 2 and 3 six times. Repeat Row 2 one more time.
**Leave MC yarn hanging.
Join in CC color yarn at the beginning of the last row and work in RS direction again. You’ll go back to the MC yarn thread after Row 4.
Row 4 (RS): (CC) Ch 1, sc across, turn.
Cut off CC yarn. Go back to the other side and continue working with MC yarn.
Row 5 (WS): (MC), Ch 2, fpdc 19 in the dc’s 2 rows below, (CC) bpdc in bpdc 2 rows below, (MC) fpdc 19 in the dcs 2 rows below, turn.
Repeat Row 2 and 3 seven times. Repeat Row 2 one more time.
Repeat from ** 0 (1, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 14, 18, 18, 18) times.
Border
To finish off your blanket, cut off and bind off all CC yarn threads except one. You’ll use that one to crochet your border. You can crochet over the other ends to reduce ends to weave in.
Ch 2 and dc around:
- Dc in each st
- Dc 20 in each square’s side
- 3 dc in each corner
Bind off and weave in the ends.
Blocking
You’re done with the crocheting part, make sure to weave in all the ends.
To make your blanket even prettier and help straighten your edges and open up the waffle sections block your project.
Don’t skip this step as it can make a huge difference. Read my detailed tutorial on why block, how-to, and all my tips and tricks if you need help.
Please respect my work
You may not share, sell or claim my patterns as your own. You can make finished items to sell (i.e. on Etsy, at craft fairs) from my patterns but I ask that you link back to my blog knittingwithchopsticks.com and provide credit for the pattern. Copyright 2024
No time right now? Pin this simple baby blanket crochet pattern for later!
