Easy Crochet Baby Blanket (The Barclay Baby Blanket)

Are you looking for a FREE easy crochet baby blanket pattern?

In this post, I’ll show you how to work up the ripple stitch – a quick and simple pattern consisting of a 1-row repeat.

Read on for all the details, including a photo and VIDEO tutorial!

The Barclay Baby Blanket, with its one-row repeat, is one of the easiest crochet patterns out there!

Plus, as this blanket is made with a chunky yarn and a size K (6.5mm) hook, it works up in no time at all… perfect if you need a last-minute gift for that upcoming baby shower!

YARN USED

For this pattern I used Paintbox Yarns Simply Chunky, an acrylic yarn that is extremely soft and squishy to the touch. It’s machine-washable also.

The ripple stitch creates a lot of texture and I found that the Paintbox Yarns Simply Chunky yarn was an excellent choice for this particular stitch as it contributed to the raised, bobble-like effect of the blanket.

Although it’s a chunky yarn, it’s lightweight and so soft and snuggly, making it a great choice for baby blankets…you won’t be disappointed!

The colour used in this pattern is Duck Egg Blue, a very soft shade of blue that will suit all seasons.

However, there are 60 shades to choose from, so have fun browsing through all the different colours that are available for this yarn on the LoveCrafts website!

If you’re ready to make this adorable crochet baby blanket, let’s dive into all the details now…

THE BARCLAY BABY BLANKET: AN EASY CROCHET BABY BLANKET PATTERN

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information.

Before you begin, please carefully read all the information below… I’ve included useful points that will aid you in making this blanket.

If you are an experienced crocheter and do not require the aid of photos, scroll down to the bottom to get the full pattern set out in one go!

LEVEL

Easy (see details of project levels at the Craft Yarn Council).

MATERIALS

Yarn: #5, bulky / chunky / 12 ply. I used 5 skeins of Paintbox Yarns Simply Chunky in the colour Duck Egg Blue (335), 3.5oz / 149 yds (136m / 100g).
Crochet Hook: K (6.5mm)
Scissors
Yarn needle
Pom pom maker (optional): 2.5 inches (6.25cm) in diameter.

GAUGE / TENSION

12 sts & 8 rows = 4 inches (10cm).

FINISHED SIZE

Width – 28 inches

Length – 28 inches

I didn’t block my blanket, but if you feel like it’s necessary to block your baby blanket, or you’re gifting it to someone, please read my post on How to Block Crochet. In this article, I describe the benefits of blocking and how to block acrylic projects, in particular.

STITCHES AND ABBREVIATIONS (US CROCHET TERMS)

(If you crochet using UK terms, the Craft Yarn Council have a useful page detailing the crochet term differences between the US, UK and Canada).

beg – beginning

ch – chain

dc – double crochet: Yarn over (yo), insert hook into stitch, yo, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook). Yo, pull through 2 loops (2 loops on hook). Yo, pull through remaining 2 loops. 1 double crochet completed.

fasten off – To fasten off securely, work one chain, then cut the yarn leaving a 5 – 6” tail. Pull the tail through the loop that is on your hook. Tighten gently.

sc – single crochet: Insert hook into stitch, yarn over (yo), pull up a loop (2 loops on hook). Yo, pull through both loops on hook. 1 single crochet completed.

sk – skip: Do not crochet into these stitches.

sl st – slip stitch: Insert hook into stitch, yarn over (yo), pull up a loop, you will have 2 loops on your hook. Pull the first loop through the second loop. 1 slip stitch completed

st(s) – stitch(es)

* to * – Repeat instructions between asterisks as many times as directed.

( ) – Sets of stitches to be worked within one stitch or space.

[ ] – The total number of stitches at the end of a row.

PATTERN NOTES

US crochet terms used throughout.
This blanket can be made in any size: the pattern uses a multiple of 3 + 1 (add an extra 1 for the foundation chain). For this particular pattern I chained 80 in total (I chained 78, which is divisible by 3, then 1 extra chain was made. A further 1 chain was added for the foundation chain).
1-row pattern repeat (repeat row 3).
The ch2 made at the beginning of each row counts as the first stitch of the row.
At the end of rows, your last stitch should be worked into the top of the ch2 from the previous row.
This pattern is reversible.
I have provided full written instructions at the beginning of each row. I then break down these instructions and provide photos of the required steps / stitches for greater clarification.
In most of the instructional photos, I show you what your work should look like after you have finished crocheting that particular part of the pattern.
You will follow the crochet stitches in the photo instructions from right to left.

PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS

Chain 80

Row 1. 1sc in 2^nd ch from hook, 1sc in each ch to end of row, TURN [79 sts].

Work 1sc in the 2^nd chain from your hook:

Work 1sc in each chain until the end of the row:

At the end of row 1, turn your work (clockwise or anti-clockwise, it doesn’t matter as long as you are consistent). You should have 79 stitches at the end of this row.

Row 2. Ch2 (counts as your first st), 2dc in same st, *sk 2 sts, (1sc, 2dc) in next st*, repeat from * to * until 3 sts remain, sk 2 sts, 1sc in last st, TURN [79 sts].

Ch2. The ch2 will count as your first stitch:

Work 2dc in the same stitch (at the base of your ch2):

The following stitches that you will now work will form the pattern repeat (the instructions between * to *):

Skip the next 2 stitches:

Work 1sc and 2dc into the next stitch:

Work the pattern repeat across the row to the last 3 stitches.

Work the last 3 stitches as follows:

Skip the next 2 stitches:

Work 1sc into the last stitch:

At the end of row 2, turn your work. You should have 79 stitches at the end of this row.

Row 3. Ch2 (counts as your first st), 2dc in first sc, *sk 2 dc, (1sc, 2dc) in next sc*, repeat from * to * until 3 sts remain, sk 2 dc, 1sc in top of beg ch2, TURN [79 sts].

Ch2. The ch2 will count as your first stitch:

Work 2dc in the first sc of the row (at the base of the ch2):

The following stitches that you will now work will form the pattern repeat (the instructions between * to *):

Skip the next 2 dc stitches:

Work 1sc and 2dc in the next sc:

Work the pattern repeat across the row to the last 3 stitches.

Work the last 3 stitches as follows:

Skip the next 2 dc stitches:

Work 1sc in the top of the ch2 that was made at the beginning of the previous row:

At the end of row 3, turn your work. You should have 79 stitches at the end of this row.

Repeat row 3 until you have a total of 58 rows, or your blanket measures 27 inches (69cm), from the beginning of your work.

EASY BORDER FOR YOUR CROCHET BABY BLANKET

To better showcase the texture of the ripple stitch, I decided to finish the Barclay blanket with a simple 4-row border made of single crochet stitches.

When you have finished your last row, work the border as follows:

Round 1.

Side 1. Work 3sc in the corner and sc evenly down the side of your blanket (if you work too many stitches down the sides your border will flare out; too few and your border will start to pull).

Side 2 (Bottom of blanket). Work 3sc in next corner, 1sc in each st along the bottom foundation row.

Side 3. Work 3sc in the corner, sc evenly up the other side of the blanket.

Side 4 (Top of blanket). Work 3sc in the corner, 1sc in each st across the top of the blanket, sl st to 1^st sc to join, DO NOT TURN.

Rounds 2 – 4. Ch1 (does not count as your first st), work 3sc in same st, work 1sc in each st around blanket, working 3sc in the centre sc of each 3sc corner, sl st to 1^st sc to join.

At the end of round 4, cut yarn, fasten off and weave in ends.

Using your 2.8 inch (7cm) pom pom maker, make 4 pom poms.

Attach one pom pom in each corner.

PATTERN IN FULL