Wrap your little ones in a “handmade hug” with this elegant and dainty blessing blanket. Featuring a beautiful crossed double crochet texture and a delicate scalloped border, this pattern is designed to create a timeless heirloom. Perfectly sized for car seats or christenings, it is a meaningful project for any cherished new arrival.
Materials Needed
To achieve the soft, delicate finish seen in this design, the following supplies are recommended:
- Yarn: Bernat Softy Cotton (a blend of 60% cotton and 40% acrylic). This yarn provides a soft touch for infants and a clean stitch definition.
- Hook: G/4.00 mm crochet hook.
- Color: Traditional white is suggested for a “blessing” or heirloom look.
Pattern Instructions
The Body of the Blanket
The main texture is created by alternating rows of single crochet with rows of crossed double crochets (also known as the X-stitch).
- Foundation: Chain any odd number to your desired width.
- Row 1: Single crochet in the second chain from the hook and in each chain across. You should end with an even number of stitches.
- Row 2 (Crossed Double Crochet): Chain 2 (counts as first double crochet) and turn. Skip the next stitch, work a double crochet into the following stitch. Then, work a double crochet into the stitch you skipped, crossing over the first one. Repeat this across the row. End with one double crochet in the final stitch.
- Row 3: Chain 1 and turn. Work one single crochet into every stitch across, including the top of the turning chain from the previous row.
- Repeat: Continue alternating Rows 2 and 3 until the blanket reaches your desired length, ending with a single crochet row.
The Scalloped Border
The border consists of two rounds of single crochet followed by a decorative shell round.
- Rounds 1 & 2: Single crochet around the entire perimeter. In each corner, work (single crochet, chain 2, single crochet). On the sides of the rows, place two single crochets per double crochet post and one per single crochet row to keep the edges flat.
- Round 3 (Shells): Chain 1 and turn. Work a single crochet in the first stitch. Skip one stitch, then work 5 double crochets into the same stitch (creating a shell). Skip one stitch and single crochet into the next.
- Corner Strategy: To keep the border looking professional, aim to place a shell or a single crochet directly into the corner chain-2 spaces by slightly adjusting your skips (skipping 2 stitches instead of 1) as you approach the corner.
Tips for a Professional Finish
Maintaining Consistent Tension
When working the crossed double crochet (X-stitch), it is helpful to keep the base of the stitches close together. Holding the fabric firmly while crossing back to the skipped stitch prevents the “bar” of the “X” from becoming too loose or elongated, ensuring a uniform texture across the blanket.
The Importance of Turning Chains
In this specific pattern, the turning chains are representative of the first stitch of the row. To keep the sides of the blanket perfectly straight, always remember to work the final stitch of a row into the top of the turning chain from the row below. This prevents the edges from tapering inward.
Selecting the Right Yarn Blend
A cotton-acrylic blend is often preferred for baby items because it offers the breathability of natural fiber with the durability and “wash-and-wear” ease of acrylic. This ensures the blanket remains soft and holds its shape after multiple cleanings.
Step-by-Step Guide
The below video contains all the steps you need to visualize the stitch placement, manage the border corners, and complete this blessing blanket.