Baby Blanket Loves & Cuddles
The Loves & Cuddles Baby Blanket is a soft, cuddly and squishy blanket. The cable stitches used gives it a unique quality that’s warm while at the same time being open and airy. This blanket is great to use at any time. The colors of the blanket are customizable to your taste, giving it a one a kind look.
Any baby that uses this blanket will feel comfort and warmth all the while being wrapped in loves and cuddles. I know that the baby boy this blanket is going to will love being wrapped in it.
Want a PDF print version of this pattern? You can now get it for a small fee. Why a fee? While I want to provide as many free patterns for you as possible (I will have some paid patterns here and there), I’d also like to monetize my blog (I’m being honest here) and thus creating a small income for myself so that I can continue providing more free patterns.
Materials/Yarn/Hook
- Red Heart Anne Geddes Baby, #3, Sports Weight
- Color A: Lilly – 680 yds
- Color B: Teddy – 850 yds
- Hook: I/5.5mm and H/5mm
- Notions: needles, scissors
Sizing
- Blanket measures approximately: 32”x41”
- Gauge: Not important since it’s a blanket.
- This blanket comes in one size but may be longer by adding rows.
Stitch Abbreviation
- ch – chain; yo – yarn over; sk – skip; st(s) – stitches; sp – space; sc – single crochet; dc – double crochet; hdc – half double crochet; dc3tog – double crochet 3 together; fpdc – front post double crochet; bpdc – back post double crochet; fhdc – foundation half double crochet
Specialty Stitching
- FHDC – ch 3, yo, insert hook into 1st chain (3 loops on hook), yo, pull through 1st loop (3 loops on hook), yo, pull through all 3 loops. One FHDC complete.
Experience Level
- Easy
Special Pattern Notes:
- Ch1 does not count as a stitch. Ch2 does not count as a stitch. Ch4 is considered as a dc + ch1.
- Instructions in [] are to be repeated the amount of times indicated after brackets. eg: [3dc in next st, sk1 st, 1dc in next 3sts, sk1 st] 23x – is to be repeated 23 times.
- Sk1 st = Skip one stitch
- Always make last dc in ch3 of turning chain of previous row; it will be written as “1dc in last st”.
- For this pattern, I alternated colors every 2 rows. You may alternate colors however you desire; just change your colors at the end of whichever row you want to add a new color. I will refer to color changes as “CA” for Color A and “CB” for Color B.
- You will use an H/5mm hook for the border.
Pattern Instructions
FHDC in CA– 140, switch to CB
Row 1: ch4 (1dc+ch1), [3dc in next st, sk1 st, 1dc in next 3 sts, sk1] 23x, ch1, sk1 st, 1dc in last st, turn <23 3dc in one st, 71dc>
Row 2: ch4, [1bpdc in next 3sts, ch1 1 dc3tog over next 3dc, ch1] 23x, 1dc in last st, switch to CA, turn <23 dc3tog, 69bpdc, 2dc>
Row 3: ch4, sk ch1 sp, [3dc in next st, sk ch1 sp, 1fpdc in next 3sts, sk ch1 sp] 23x, ch 1, 1dc in last st, turn <23 3dc in one st, 69fpdc, 2dc>
Row 4: ch4, ch4, [1bpdc in next 3sts, ch1 1 dc3tog over next 3dc, ch1] 23x, 1dc in last st, switch to CB, turn <23 dc3tog, 69bpdc, 2dc>
Rows 5 – 78: repeat rows 3 and 4, alternating colors at the end of each Row 4
Row 79: Switch to CA, ch2, 1hdc in same st, [1hdc in ch1 sp before dc3tog, 1hdc on top of dc3tog, 1hdc in ch1 sp after dc3tog, 1hdc in next 3 bpdc] repeat across to end, 1hdc in last st, turn, <140hdc>
Row 80: ch1, 1sc in same stitch, 1sc in each st across, switch to CB, turn and move on to finishing <140sc> Do NOT fasten off. Please read finishing notes before starting the border.
Finishing Notes: With CB and H/5mm hook, you will now work on your border all the way around blanket. Row number will be counted as one row all the way around. I will give a stitch count at the end of each side so you have an idea of where you are. Special Note: On sides (2 sides not including top and bottom) of blanket where you will be working into the post of the stitch, place 1sc in sc, place 2 sc in hdc, and place 2 sc in dc – this is just a guide of how I placed my stitches. You may have a different way of doing so and may end up with a different stitch count. The border is not dependent upon correct stitch count since it’s just a sc all around. So don’t fret if your stitch count is different than mine. You will end up with the same finish.
Row 81: ch1, 1sc in same st, 1sc in each st across top, however, place 3sc in last st of row <142 sc>, sc all the way down the side of blanket, place 3sc in last st <162 sc>, 1sc on each st across bottom, place 3sc in last st <142 sc>, sc all the up the other side of blanket, place 3 dc in last st <162 sc>. You should have approximately 608 sc all together. Join with a slipstitch to 1st sc
Row 82: ch1, 1sc in same st, 1sc in each st all the way around, join, <608 sc>
Rows 83 and 84: repeat row 82
If you want your border wider, repeat row 82 however many times you’d like.
Fasten off and weave in ends.
I hope that you’ve enjoyed this free crochet pattern by me. Let me know if you have any questions.
As always, much love and happy hooking!
Thank you for this free pattern! Could you tell us what the pattern multiples are to make a wider blanket? Thanks J
I would do multiples of 10. I hope that helps. 🙂
Thank you!
Do the instructions say how many to chain in foundation row? I didn’t see anything on how to start.
Hi! Yes, you do a FHDC of 140 in CA, then switch to CB, if you are switching colors, when finished crocheting your foundation chain.
Thank you So that would be ch 143 and fhdc in third ch Im guessing
From my Android phone
Well, if you do a foundation half double crochet, you would just do 140, since you are building your hdc one time and there’s no need to chain up and do another row of hdc. However, if you do a regular chain, then you would chain 142, and hdc in the next 139 stitches totaling 140 hdc. You will have to count your chain 2 as a hdc. I hope that helps.
Will this pattern work with cotton worsted weight yarn? Specifically Blue Skies brand. Thank you.
Hi! I’ve never used that brand but the blanket should work fine with that yarn. Just keep in mind that because it’s a bigger yarn, your finished size may be a bit bigger. Though, with blankets, that’s really a non-issue, IMO. I do like the idea of using cotton for the blanket.
Are you fastening off when switching colors?
I just carried up the yarn but you can certainly fasten off at each end. Especially if you are making it in multi colors, and love weaving in ends. 😉
I have to say that it the part of crocheting that I like the least, weaving in ends. 🙂