Free Crochet Baby Blanket Patterns -- Baby Afghans

This baby blanket is easy enough for total beginners to crochet. However, it's a great pattern for crocheters of all skill levels to consider when in need of a really quick pattern for last-minute baby shower gifts.

This blanket is a safe choice if you aren't sure of the baby's gender and you need a blanket that would work for either boys or girls.

Pictured at left: the pink version of the baby blanket. Be sure to check out some additional photos of the blanket made up in other colors:

• See this blanket crocheted in antique white
• Take a look at a sample crocheted in mint green
• See more pics; visit the gallery index.

Click Here to Get the Free Crochet Pattern.

This pretty crocheted baby afghan features lacy stripes of color.

• Find instructions for crocheting the stitch pattern with color repeat, and see a large photo of the baby afghan.
• Get the free afghan pattern.
• Get the free pattern for the baby afghan edging.

This is one of those patterns that you could make and re-make endlessly, and it would turn out different every time. The crochet work stays interesting because you can customize most of the details, and each square in the blanket can be different if you want it to be. (Or not!)

The photo at left shows one possible design for a baby blanket you can make using this pattern. The pattern is flexible enough to adapt to larger sized blankets as well; I've included instructions for five different sizes all together.

Two of the sizes are just for babies; you might like to have either a receiving blanket size or a crib size. The receiving blanket size is pictured.

Additionally, there are sizes for making throws, twin sized afghans, and full/queen sized afghans. If you happen to need a different size, it's easy to adjust the pattern accordingly. You could crochet afghans customized for every member of your family!

This boy-friendly baby blanket features a checkerboard design. My sample blanket is crocheted in blue, white and green, but this pattern could easily be re-colored in girly colors or gender-neutral colors if you prefer. The pattern includes three different sizes: receiving blanket size, crib size and twin size.

This heart sampler afghan is a patchwork-style design. It is an interesting project to crochet, and the results are simply stunning. The colorway pictured is  perfect for baby girls, but I've provided plenty of color inspiration in case you'd like to make an afghan for a baby boy; there are also some gender-neutral colorways in case you're not sure whether the baby will be a boy, or a girl.

• Get the free crochet pattern
• See a larger afghan photo

These two squares are the basic building blocks for both of the afghan ideas I linked above. There are so many things you could do with them, if you are inclined to experiment. If you stick to my pattern exactly, the result is a soft, warm baby afghan, but the squares are so versatile that I encourage you to try substituting different colors and fibers.

Striped Heart Baby Afghan Square

Be sure to grab the free crochet pattern for the striped heart baby afghan square, pictured at left. You can work multiple squares using single crochet stitch and the tapestry crochet technique. Then combine the squares to create your baby afghan, or the crochet project of your choice. We've provided a free charted design with striped heart motif, as well as the free crochet pattern. You supply the creativity!

Striped Checkerboard Baby Afghan Square

I've created a coordinating checkerboard baby afghan square so that the striped heart square shown above has a companion. You can use either design alone, or combine the two for added visual interest.

• Get the free crochet pattern
• Get the free chart
• See additional color ideas for working this design

Use this free pattern to make easy baby afghan squares in single crochet stitch.  You can crochet a bunch of these squares and join them together to create an afghan, or you can use the squares in other projects.

If you use a baby-friendly yarn to make them, these squares work up into a fantastic baby afghan. This is a versatile design that can be used in other ways as well.

Here's a link to several unisex baby afghan designs, all of which feature simple but interesting checkerboard patterns worked in tapestry crochet. I've pictured my favorite design in the series at left, but there are a couple other options as well.

I've crocheted my project samples with baby boys in mind; I used blue and white yarns which work well with the simple geometric checkerboard shapes in these patterns. You could choose girlier colors if the recipient is expecting a baby girl; and if you have no idea either way, just make a quick color change to neutrals or greens, which could work for either baby boys or girls.

This easy crocheted baby blanket is part of a baby layette set designed by Erica Jackofsky. Erica calls this her "Sweet Potato" baby set, named after the charming sweet potato colored yarn she used to crochet her project samples. The design and color of the blanket are both gender-neutral, making this an ideal choice for times when you aren't sure of the baby's gender before you start crocheting.

• Get the easy baby blanket pattern
• Check out the free crochet patterns for the matching baby booties, baby beanie hat and easy crochet hat.

Shells are popular stitches to use for crocheting baby blankets, afghans and other items. If you'd like to crochet a baby afghan (or other sized afghan) using shell stitches, this page is a great place to find a free pattern.