An easy baby blanket crochet pattern – my Boutchou Blanket – is a free crochet pattern on the blog! Read through my inspiration, where the name comes from and the perfect yarn I choose for this project. Or scroll on down for the free pattern.
No time right now? Pin this baby blanket crochet 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.
With this beautiful baby blanket crochet pattern, you’ll create an heirloom that will be cherished from birth through toddlerhood and generations after. The classic stripes and stitch definition create a baby afghan that is both traditional and modern. This blanket is great for kids and adults alike. Available in 11 sizes you’re sure to find the one you need.
Scroll down for the free version but I recommend you purchase the ad-free PDF Pattern to get all the instructions and pictures in a nice PDF you can print and take notes on without relying on your phone or an internet connection, I’ve got you covered!
The Boutchou Blanket is now available in my Etsy shop and on Ravelry. Grab your copy before you forget!
Why Boutchou?
Boutchou is a french expression coming from “Bout de Chou,” which means “piece of cabbage.” French lore dictates that babies originate from cabbages (now you know where the creator of the Cabbage Patch Doll got the idea!). The word “chou” also translates to “cute,” which made Boutchou the perfect nickname for our unborn baby while I was pregnant. Better than just calling him Baby for 9 months!
These booties, along with the rest of the Boutchou Baby Set, were designed and created especially for our sweet little Boutchou baby.
The Boutchou Crochet Baby Pattern Set
The Boutchou sweater is part of the Boutchou crochet baby pattern set which includes a hat, booties, a romper, a lovey and a matching baby blanket pattern.
Read more about each of the patterns and find the free online version here or grab the discounted PDF pattern set here.
The Yarn
For this extra special personal project, I choose to use Paintbox Cotton Aran yarn. Since an entire set uses up a lot of yarn, I knew I would need something of great quality, yet still affordable.
This yarn has amazing stitch definition, which is exactly what I wanted for this project. The simple design and lightly textured stitches of the pattern are highlighted further by my choice in yarn. I picked a cotton yarn because we live in a tropical country, and I needed something that would be easy to wash. Machine washable is an absolute must when creating anything for a baby, or else parents will rarely use it, which would be a pity!
Added bonus for those of you who want to make your set in a different color, Paintbox Cotton Aran yarn is available in 50 different shades, so you’re sure to find something you like.
A big thanks to my friends at Lovecrafts.com for sponsoring the yarn for this project (btw, did you know they also have a great library of free crochet patterns?).
Before you Start
Size
The baby blanket crochet pattern is available in the following standard blanket sizes:
Sizes are noted security (baby, receiving, toddler, crib small, crib regular, throw, twin, double, queen, king) throughout the pattern.
Pictures illustrate the toddler size.
Materials
- 4 mm / US G – 6 hook.
- Paintbox Cotton Aran (50g, 100% cotton, 85m / 93yds)
- 2 (6, 9, 11, 12, 17, 19, 38, 59, 63, 69) skeins in dolphin blue (referred to as blue).
- 1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 5, 6, 10, 16, 17, 19) skeins in banana cream (referred to as white).
- 1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 5, 6, 10, 16, 17, 19) skeins in daffodil yellow (referred to as yellow).
- Tapestry needle to weave in the end.
Gauge
The gauge for this pattern, in dc, is 15 st by 10 rows for a 10 cm by 10 cm square (4” by 4”).
Abbreviations
This pattern uses US notations.
- st = stitch
- ch = chain
- sc = single crochet
- hdc = half double crochet
- dc = double crochet
- sl st = slip stitch
Notes
Work instructions between [] the indicated number of times or until the end of the row / round.
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 otherwise.
The pattern is written in crochet shorthand. For example:
- “sc 1” means to single crochet in the next stitch,
- “sc 2” means to single crochet in each of the next 2 stitches,
- and “2 sc” means to single crochet twice in the next st.
Special Stitches
- Back loop only: Work the stitch as you normally would but instead of working through both loops, only go through the back loop.
- Front loop only: Work the stitch as you normally would but instead of working through both loops, only go through the front loop.
Tips and Tricks
- To avoid having a ton of ends to weave in at the end, I crochet the first 6-8 stitches in a new color over the old color yarn so my ends get woven in while I keep crocheting.
- To help you keep your gauge consistent you can switch to a slightly bigger hook (4.5mm or 5mm) for the yellow and white sections as these are generally tighter stitches. Don’t panic if it’s not perfectly even, blocking will fix that for you.
The Actual Blanket Crochet Pattern
With blue color yarn and your 4 mm / US G -6 hook chain 54 (114, 150, 150, 138, 170, 198, 252, 344, 366, 405) + 2 st.
Row 1: Dc in the 3rd st from the hook, dc across, turn. <54 (114, 150, 150, 138, 170, 198, 252, 344, 366, 405) st>
Row 2 – 5: Ch 2, dc across, turn.
Switch to yellow color yarn.
Row 6: Ch 1, sc across, turn.
Switch back to blue yarn.
Row 7: Ch 2, dc across, turn.
Switch to white color yarn.
Row 8: Ch 1, hdc across, turn.
Row 9: Ch 1, hdc in the back loop only, turn.
Switch to blue color yarn again.
Row 10: Ch 2, dc in the front loop only across, turn.
Row 11: Ch 2, dc across, turn.
Switch back to yellow color yarn.
Row 12 – 13: Ch 1, sc across, turn.
Switch back to blue and repeat Rows 2 to 13 2 (5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 11, 18, 21, 21 21) times.
Repeat Rows 1 to 5 once. Don’t bind off.
The last row will be referred to as the base row for the edging instructions
Edges
Edge instructions are only worked at top and bottom. Row ends are not worked.
Continue working with your blue color yarn, Ch 5 and turn.
Note: The pictures show the edging done on the matching baby sweater sleeves but the technique is identical
Row 1: Sl st in the back loop of the 2nd ch from the hook, sl st in the back loop of the next 3 st. Sl st in the next stitch of the base row, ch 1 and turn. < 6 st >
Row 2: Sl st in the back loop of the 3rd st from the hook (skipping the ch 1 and sl st in the sleeve), sl st in the back loop of the next 3 st, ch 1 and turn. < 5 st >
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 along the blanket edge.
Finish with a Row 2 starting in the last sleeve st.
Make the same edge on the other side of the blanket working in the back of the starting chain.
Blocking and Finishing Touches
You’re done with the crocheting part. Make sure to weave in all the ends.
Carefully block your blanket to give it its best shape.
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.
