Ombre yarns are perfect if you want a baby blanket with gradual color changes. The yarn does all the work for you! Try this free ombre security blanket crochet pattern with Red Heart Super Saver Ombre yarn in any colorway if you want a color effect like that in the sample. The ridges also add visual interest while being easy to create.
Security blankets can be wonderful baby gifts! Both of my kids loved the blankets I crocheted for them when they were babies. We took one of those blankets everywhere for years! It brought me so much joy to see how much they loved their blankets. The instructions below are for a security-size blanket. You can adjust it too if you’d like a larger blanket.
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This crochet security blanket pattern uses the half double crochet in the back loop stitch to create the ridges. After a few rows, this is also a very relaxing pattern that you can easily pick up anytime. The security blanket size also works up fairly quickly. And, you can easily adjust this to a larger size by adding both to the length and width.
PDF Pattern Downloads: The full pattern is included below in this post for free. You can also purchase a printable PDF of this pattern in my Etsy Shop and Ravelry Shop.
Size: One size, approximately 14.5″ x 18.5″ including border.
Yarn: Worsted weight (#4 Medium) in color(s) of choice. Approximately 240 yards.
Shown above: Red Heart Super Saver Ombre (100% acrylic), 482 yd [440m]/10 oz [283g]: Deep Teal, approximately 1/2 skein.
Hook: Size I/9 (5.5mm) or size needed to obtain gauge.
Standard Stitch Abbreviations (U.S. Crochet Terminology):
ch: chain
st: stitch
sl st: slip stitch
sc: single crochet
hdc: half double crochet
hdc blo: half double crochet back loop only
rs: right side
ws: wrong side
Tips for Making it Your Own: Adjust the width by adjusting the base chain. Adjust the length by adding or reducing the number of rows. Choose your own colors. Add one or more decorative applique pieces.
Other Tips: Placing stitch markers in the edge stitches can be super helpful. The pattern uses U.S. crochet terminology. You can find notes about U.S. and U.K. terminology at https://craftingeachday.com/notes-on-us-versus-uk-crochet-terminology/
Gauge: 13 sts x 10 rows in hdc blo = 4” x 4” (10cm x 10cm).
Free Ombre Security Blanket Crochet Pattern
Multiple: Any multiple of 3 stitches plus 2 for the base chain.
Base Chain: Ch 45 + 2 (or adjust base chain to desired width of blanket).
Row 1 (rs): Hdc in the 3rd ch from hook and in each chain across. (45 hdc)
Note: It may be helpful to place a marker in the first and last hdc of each row to mark the edge of the row. You can then move these markers up as your progress through the rows of the pattern. Using these markers for the edge stitches can help you maintain the stitch count.
Row 2: Ch 2 loosely (beginning chains do not count as stitches in this row and all subsequent rows), hdc blo in each stitch across, turn. (45 hdc blo)
Rows 3 – 42: Rep row 2.
At the end of row 42 (ws), do not fasten off and go to border directions.
BORDER
Base Rnd (ws): In the base round of the border, you will be working a round of sc around the entire blanket to serve as a foundation for the rest of the border. Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch), work 2 sc in this first corner. Continue working a round of sc evenly around the edges and sides of blanket in the following manner. Work 1 sc in every stitch along the top and bottom edges. Work 3 sc in every other corner as you go along. Work a total of 66 sc evenly spaced along both sides of the blanket. Once you have gone around the blanket, work 1 sc in the original corner, join with a sl st to first sc.
Note About Stitch Count: The goal is to have a multiple of 3 on every side plus the stitches in the corners. If you have decided to make a larger blanket, make sure your multiple follows this goal when working the base round for the border.
Note About Working Into Row-End Hdc: When working the sc stitches into the row-end hdc, work the sc into the actual hdc stitches and not the spaces in between the hdc. If the row-end has the ch-2 loosely, skip over this and work the stitches into the actual hdc stitches and not the ch-2 loosely. Although it is a little more (or a lot more!) challenging to work into the actual hdc, this will reduce the size of the “gaps” on the edges and help create a cleaner and more uniform finish.
Note on Optional Color Changes in the Base Round: I like to try to get this base round to blend in as much as possible with the blanket. To do this, I wound off different segments of the ombre yarn (some darker segments and some lighter segments). As I worked along the sides, I then switched to these different segments where appropriate to help match the border color as much as possible with the blanket color. Although there are more ends to weave in, matching the foundation round to the blanket helps give it a finished look.
Border Rnd (rs): Flip blanket over. Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch), [sc, ch 2, 3 hdc] in same st, skip 2 st, [sc, ch 2, 3 hdc, skip 2 st] around blanket, join with sl st to first sc, fasten off.
Finishing: Weave in any remaining ends. Block the blanket.
If you enjoy making baby blankets, you might also like the Snuggles and Waves Blanket in dk weight yarn. And, to try another kind of textured stitch along with making a blanket using squares, check out the Squishy Squares Blanket in worsted weight yarn.