This easy crochet baby blanket is a free crochet pattern for a beginner friendly & a beautifully textured unisex baby blanket. Combining a textured stitch for the main body of the blanket using front and back post double crochets and a flat faux knit stitch for the border. A lovely pairing!
I love the ribbed crochet stitch as you can see with my earlier design the Sassy Autumn Cowl as well as the faux knit stitch of the Knitty Pretty Reversible Cowl. The stitches are both very easy, have a more complex appearance and yet are still easy enough for a beginner.
I gave this pattern the name of Aurora Skies because when I look at these blankets they make me think of pictures of the Aurora Borealis in the night sky –vibrant blues, pinks and greens in a smoky dark sky. Next time I am going to work this pattern up in the Mandala Genie to attempt the green of the Aurora Borealis. I have never had the privilege of seeing the Aurora Borealis firsthand but hope to someday. Until then, I will look for those colorways in the yarns I love. Does anyone else try to find yarn to duplicate something you have seen in nature — flowers, grass, stormy skies, mountains, trees? I see yarn colorways everywhere!
I chose the faux knit stitch as the border because I like the look of it with the ribbed stitch. The ribbed stitch is so textured and I think it gives a nice contrast and I didn’t want anything too fussy for this blanket. If you are at all like me I really struggle with blanket edging — so important to find “The One”, don’t you think? I will actually make a blanket and set it aside for a while until I find one that “fits”. I have included video tutorials below for both the ribbed stitch and the faux knit stitch if you have any questions.
Aurora Skies Easy Crochet Baby Blanket Yarn
I made these blankets with the Lion Brand Mandala yarn cakes* in both Unicorn and Spirit. I love the gradient look of these blankets. I do recommend (if possible) to choose three cakes where the colors will be in order as you use them. The Mandala is a smaller fingering yarn weight of 3 and so perfect for baby blankets. If you would like to learn more about choosing self-striping cakes for a multi-cake project check out my video.
*This post contains affiliate links. You can click on any yarn or material highlighted to purchase. I will receive a small commission if you purchase but it won’t cost you any extra!
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You may also like the following free crochet patterns at Nana’s Crafty Home:
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- 1. Pineapple of My Eye Blanket
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- 2. Spring Me Forward Triangle Scarf
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- 2. Mountain Trail Tweed Blanket
As always, if you make any of my patterns please tag @nanascraftyhome on Instagram or email me at nanascraftyhome@gmail.com as I would love to see it! I love to see your finished projects.
Easy Crochet Baby Blanket Aurora Skies free crochet pattern
Completed size approximately: 30” x 33”
Materials:
3 cakes Lion Brand Mandala yarn in either Spirit or Unicorn 590 yard / 5.3 oz (1,773 yard / 15.9 oz)
Size H (5.0 mm) crochet hook
Tapestry Needle
Abbreviations:
dc = double crochet
fpdc = front post double crochet
bpdc = back post double crochet
hdc = half double crochet
ch = chain
sk = skip
sp = space
sl st = slip stitch
st = stitch
beg = beginning
Notes about pattern:
Ch 2 or ch 3 at beg of row counts as first stitch.
Pattern Instructions:
Row 1: Ch 154, dc in 3rd ch from hook and in each ch across to end. Ch 2 at beg counts as first st. Turn (153)
Row 2: Ch 2, *fpdc around next dc, bpdc around next dc* repeat between * * to end, hdc in last st. Turn (153)
Row 3: Ch 2, *bpdc around next dc, fpdc around next dc* repeat between * * to end, hdc in last st. Turn (153)
I repeated rows 2-3 for a total of 89 rows.
DO NOT FASTEN OFF!
hdc evenly around outside edge of blanket with 3 hdcs in each corner. DO NOT JOIN with a sl st at end of first round!
After the 1st round is complete, you will not join with a sl st to 1st st as you would normally, instead begin the next round by beginning the faux knit stitch — hdc into “hidden” third loop behind the front two loops. See video tutorial if you have any questions.
I completed five rows of edging before running out of yarn.
Weave in ends.
Hi! Thank you so much for being here! I am Tonya the designer behind Nana's Crafty Home. As a wife, mother, Nana of 9 & with 2 fur babies, my days are filled with love, laughter, hugs and yarn! Here you will find colorful and creative crochet designs for yourself or loved ones. My hope is that you will be inspired to learn and create along with me!
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