Ombre Yarn Crochet Baby Blanket

Sometimes we want to crochet a quick baby gift. Maybe there’s a baby shower coming up in a week or two. Or, time has slipped away, and a special holiday is coming up fast.

I love security blankets for these occasions. Smaller in size, they work up quickly and can still show off beautiful stitches and colors.

Ombre yarns are super fun for these projects. The gradual color changes show off beautifully in a security-size baby blanket.

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This crochet security blanket uses a lace pattern sometimes call the thistle pattern. The rows contain shells and v-stitches that alternate with each other.

Try the pattern with Red Heart Super Saver Ombre yarn in violet or another colorway is you’d like a gradual color change effect like in the sample.

Making this in the security-size means your project will work up fast. If you’d like a larger blanket, you can adjust the width using the stitch multiple and add additional rows for length.

The Purple Ombre Security Blanket is one of the blankets in a series of security blankets I am designing for ombre yarns. If you like this blanket, you may also enjoy the Teal Appeal blanket or the Blue Ombre Security Blanket.

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 17″ x 20″ 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]:  Violet, approximately 1/2 skein.

Hook:  Size I/9 (5.5mm) or size needed to obtain gauge.

Notions: Tapestry needle, optional stitch markers, tape measure.

Gauge: 13 sts x 6 rows in dc = 4” x 4” (10cm x 10cm).  

Standard Stitch Abbreviations (U.S. Crochet Terminology):

ch(s):  chains

dc:  double crochet

rep:  repeat

sc:  single crochet

sk:  skip

sl st:  slip stitch

sp:  space

st(s):  stitches

Notes: 

• Work the base chain loosely. 
• Beginning chains do not count as stitches in all rows. 
• Placing markers on the edge stitches is recommended for counting rows and maintaining even edges.  Move these markers up as you go along.
• Adjust the width by adjusting the base chain. Adjust the length by adding or reducing the number of rows. 
• See note below in border section about optional color changes in base round, and reserve some of the yarn from the different segments of the body of the blanket if desired.

Purple Ombre Blanket Pattern

Multiple:  7 sts + 2 (plus 1 more for base chain).

Base Chain:  Ch 52 (or adjust base chain to desired width of blanket).

Row 1:  Sc in 2^nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (51 sc)

Row 2:  Ch 2 (beginning chs do not count as sts in this and all subsequent rows), dc in first st, dc in next st, *sk 2 st, 5 dc in next st, sk 2 st, dc in each of next 2 st; rep from * to end, turn. (7 clusters of 5 dc, and 8 pairs of 2 dc)

Row 3:  Ch 2, 3 dc in first st, sk 3 dc, dc in sp between 2^nd and 3^rd dc of cluster, dc in sp between 3^rd and 4^th dc of cluster, skip 3 dc, *5 dc in sp between pair of 2 vertical dc, sk 3 dc, dc in sp between 2^nd and 3^rd dc of cluster, dc in sp between 3^rd and 4^th dc of cluster, skip 3 dc; rep from * to end, 3 dc in last st, turn. (6 clusters of 5 dc, 7 pairs of 2 dc, and 2 clusters of 3 dc on the edges)

Row 4:  Ch 2, dc in first st, dc in sp between first 2 dc, sk 3 dc, 5 dc in sp between pair of 2 vertical dc, sk 3 dc, *dc in sp between 2^nd and 3^rd dc of cluster, dc in sp between 3^rd and 4^th dc of cluster, sk 3 dc, 5 dc in sp between pair of 2 vertical dc, sk 3 dc; rep from * end, 1 dc in sp before last dc (in between last two dc), 1 dc in last dc, turn.  (7 clusters of 5 dc, and 8 pairs of 2 dc)

Rows 5 – 34:  Repeat rows 3 and 4.  At end of row 34, turn and go to BORDER.

BORDER

Base Rnd:  Read notes below before starting base rnd. Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch), work 2 sc in 1^st corner (pm in the 1^st sc to mark this corner).  Continue working a row of sc across the top edge, work 3 sc in next corner (pm in the middle sc to mark corner), continue working a row of sc evenly spaced down the side of the blanket, work 2 sc in the last st (pm in the 2^nd sc to mark corner), fasten off.  Join with a sl st to next corner, work 2 sc in corner (pm in the 1^st sc to mark corner), continue working a row of sc evenly spaced up the last side of the blanket, end with a sc in corner, join with a sl st to first sc of base rnd.

Purpose of Base Rnd:  In the base round of the border, you will be working a band of sc along the top edge and both sides of the blanket to serve as a foundation for the rest of the border.  Row 1 of the blanket already provides this foundation for the bottom edge.   

Stitch Count:  The goal is to have an odd number of stitches on every edge and side plus the 3 stitches in each corner.  If you don’t have an odd number of stitches, adjust by adding or subtracting a stitch as needed on rnd 2. 

Working Into Row-End Sts:  When working the sc stitches into the row-end sts on the sides, work the sc into the actual sts and not the spaces in between the sts.  This will reduce the size of the “gaps” on the edges and help create a cleaner and more uniform finish.

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.

Rnd 2:  Flip blanket over.  Ch 1, 2 sc in same st (pm in 1^st sc), work a round of sc around the entire blanket, working 1 sc in each st and 3 sc in other corners (pm in middle sc of each corner), end round with a sc in first corner and join with a sl st to first sc.

Rnd 3:  Flip blanket over.  Ch 1, sc in same st, ch 3, sc in same st, sk st, *[sc, ch 3, sc] in next st, sk st; rep from * around entire blanket, join with sl st to first sc and fasten or if you would like an invisible looking join, use the invisible join method to finish Rnd 3 instead.  Tutorial for invisible join at Crafting Each Day Invisible Join Method.

Finishing:  Weave in any remaining ends.  Block the blanket.

PDF Pattern Downloads: Purchase a printable PDF of this pattern in my Etsy Shop or my Ravelry Shop.