The Milly Baby Blanket, newborn baby blanket, is a wonderful Tunisian crochet blanket perfect for a new bundle of joy. The blanket is designed for newborn size and perfect for use in Moses baskets and strollers. It would make a thoughtful baby shower gift too!
The blanket is worked in rows using intarsia colourwork technique to change colours for individual segments.
The pattern can be easily adjusted to larger/ smaller size and different colours, opening doors to endless possibility and creativity. The super bulky yarn makes it one of those projects that grow extremely quickly, so you can have a new blanket in an evening! This project is a great option if you would like to try your hand on super bulky yarn.
If you are looking for the same pattern in larger size, have a look the Cozy Corner Blanket that is worked in the same colours but larger squares.
You can purchase the add free PDF version of the pattern at LoveCrafts here and Ravelry here.
Last Updated 4/07/2024
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Skills required:
To create this beautiful newborn baby blanket you will need to master (or already know) these stitches and techniques:
Chain, Tunisian crochet technique (alternating forward and backward passes), Tunisian simple stitch (tss), changing colours, intarsia colourwork technique, Tunisian simple stitch bind-off, blocking.
Skill level:
Finished measurements:
The final newborn baby blanket measurements (blocked):
51 x 44.5 cm (20” x 17.5”)
Materials and tools
To get the exact look as on the pictures of my newborn baby blanket, you will need:
Hobbii Udon (80% Acrylic, 20% Wool | super bulky weight | 200 g (7.1 oz) = 100 m (104 yds)), (#02) Off White (A), (#60) Black Cherry (B), (#13) Ochre (C), (#42) Cranberry (D), (#54) Pink Berry Smoothie (E)
1 ball each
Tunisian crochet hook size 15 mm (US size P/Q) with cable (at least 38 cm (approx. 15”)) or size to obtain the gauge
Tapestry needle
Scissors
You can get your craft supplies here.
Gauge:
Blocked Gauge:
6 sts x 5 rows = 10 x 10 cm (4 x 4”) over tss
The gauge is not essential for this project, but will impact the overall yardage
Understanding gauge (tension)
Gauge helps you to understand how the project turns out in terms of the final size. If you would like to achieve the exact size of the final project as in the instructions above, you gauge needs to match exactly to the above.
If you get more stitches and/or rows than stated above using the exact hook size as per instructions, your final project will turn out smaller. Conversely, if you get less stitches and/or rows than stated above using the exact hooks size as per instructions, your final project will turn out bigger.
To make adjustments, if you get more stitches and/or rows, you can try using bigger hook size to get closer to the desired size. Conversely, if you get less stitches and/or rows, you can try using smaller hook size to get closer to the desired size.
It may take trial and error to try out a few hook sizes to achieve the exact size.
Alternatively, if you really don’t want to make several samples to achieve the desired size, you can try to alter your tension as you work the project. However, I would advise to try this out once you master the basics of Tunisian crochet as it may be a bit tiresome to try to master the basics of Tunisian crochet and focus on alternating your tension while working the project.
First steps in Tunisian crochet
If this Tunisian crochet blanket is your first Tunisian crochet project and are not sure if this project matches your skills, I have a Tunisian crochet masterclass tutorial that will jump-start your Tunisian crochet journey!
Stitch guide:
Tunisian crochet stitches are worked in 2 steps; forward and return pass from right to left, with the number of sts (lps) increasing on the hook during the forward pass and decreasing during the return pass.
Standard return pass is worked as follows: ch 1, *yrh, draw through 2 lps on hook, rep from * until 1 lp on hook.
Edge stitches:
Right edge stitch- This is the first lp on hook and counts as first st unless otherwise stated.
Left edge stitch- This st is referred to in the pattern as the End Stitch (ES) and is crocheted as follows: Rotate the end of the fabric towards yourself, insert the hook under both bars (left and right) of the last st, yrh and pul.
- First row of Tunisian crochet: Insert the hook in the back bump of second ch from hook, yrh and pul across.
- Tunisian simple stitch: Insert the hook from right to left under front vertical bar of the next st, yrh and pul.
Tunisian simple stitch bind off: Insert hook from right to left under front vertical bar of the next st, yrh, pul and pull through the loop that is on the hook. One loop remains on the hook.
End of return pass changing colours in Tunisian crochet: The new colour is added when finishing the return pass of the previous row and 2 lps are remaining on the hook. Yrh with the new colour and draw through 2 lps.
| Abbreviations: | |
| ch- chain | yrh- yarn round the hook |
| st(s)- stitch(es) | pul- pull up a loop |
| lp(s)- loop(s) | FP- forward pass |
| tss- Tunisian simple stitch | RP- return pass |
| RS- right side | approx.- approximately |
| ES- End stitch | rep- repeat |
Notes:
- The Milly Baby Blanket is worked flat, RS facing from right to left.
- Each small segment is 6 sts wide and 4 rows long (measuring approx. 10 cm x 9 cm (4 x 3.5”).
- To adjust the width size, add a multiple of 6 sts. To adjust the length size, add multiple of 4 rows.
Instructions:
Newborn Baby Blanket
First Panel
With A, chain 6, yrh with B and pul, ch 6, yrh with C and pul, ch 6, yrh with D and pul, ch 6, yrh with E and pul, ch 6. (30 ch)
Row 1 FP: (in E), working in the back bump of ch sts, insert hook in 2nd ch from hook, yrh and pul, [insert hook in the next ch, yrh and pul] 4 times, drop colour E, insert hook in next ch, yrh and pul with D, [insert hook in the next ch, yrh and pul] 5 times, drop colour D, insert hook in next ch, yrh and pul with C, [insert hook in the next ch, yrh and pul] 5 times, drop colour C, insert hook in next ch, yrh and pul with B, [insert hook in the next ch, yrh and pul] 5 times, drop colour B, insert hook in next ch, yrh and pul with A, [insert hook in the next ch, yrh and pul] 5 times. 30 lps.
Row 1 RP and all RP in inc rows: Standard RP changing colours as per forward pass (each section has 6 sts in total).
Row 2: in E, tss in next 5 sts, drop colour E, insert hook in next st as for tss, yrh and pul with D, tss in next 5 sts, drop colour D, insert hook in next st as for tss, yrh and pul with C, tss in next 5 sts, drop colour C, insert hook in next st as for tss, yrh and pul with B, tss in next 5 sts, drop colour B, insert hook in next st as for tss, yrh and pul with A, tss in next 4 sts, ES in A.
Row 3: Rep Row 2.
Row 4 FP: Rep Row 2.
Row 4 RP: Standard RP till 2 lps are left on the hook, changing colour to C.
Cut the yarn on all squares except for the beginning strand (in C).
Second Panel
Row 5: (in C), tss in next 5 sts, drop colour C, insert hook in next st as for tss, yrh and pul with A, tss in next 5 sts, drop colour A, insert hook in next st as for tss, yrh and pul with E, tss in next 5 sts, drop colour E, insert hook in next st as for tss, yrh and pul with D, tss in next 5 sts, drop colour D, insert hook in next st as for tss, yrh and pul with B, tss in next 4 sts, ES in B.
Rows 6-7: Rep Row 5.
Row 8 FP: Rep Row 5.
Row 8 RP: Standard RP till 2 lps are left on the hook, changing colour to D.
Cut the yarn on all squares except for the beginning strand (in D).
Third Panel
Row 9: (in D), tss in next 5 sts, drop colour D, insert hook in next st as for tss, yrh and pul with B, tss in next 5 sts, drop colour B, insert hook in next st as for tss, yrh and pul with A, tss in next 5 sts, drop colour A, insert hook in next st as for tss, yrh and pul with C, tss in next 5 sts, drop colour C, insert hook in next st as for tss, yrh and pul with E, tss in next 4 sts, ES in E.
Rows 10-11: Rep Row 9.
Row 12 FP: Rep Row 9.
Row 12 RP: Standard RP till 2 lps are left on the hook, changing colour to A.
Cut the yarn on all squares except for the beginning strand (in A).
Fourth Panel
Row 13: (in A), tss in next 5 sts, drop colour A, insert hook in next st as for tss, yrh and pul with C, tss in next 5 sts, drop colour C, insert hook in next st as for tss, yrh and pul with B, tss in next 5 sts, drop colour B, insert hook in next st as for tss, yrh and pul with E, tss in next 5 sts, drop colour E, insert hook in next st as for tss, yrh and pul with D, tss in next 4 sts, ES in D.
Rows 14-15: Rep Row 13.
Row 16 FP: Rep Row 13.
Row 16 RP: Standard RP till 2 lps are left on the hook, changing colour to B.
Cut the yarn on all squares except for the beginning strand (in B).
Fifth Panel
Row 17: (in B), tss in next 5 sts, drop colour B, insert hook in next st as for tss, yrh and pul with E, tss in next 5 sts, drop colour E, insert hook in next st as for tss, yrh and pul with D, tss in next 5 sts, drop colour D, insert hook in next st as for tss, yrh and pul with A, tss in next 5 sts, drop colour A, insert hook in next st as for tss, yrh and pul with C, tss in next 4 sts, ES in C.
Rows 18-20: Rep Row 17.
Row 21: Tunisian Simple Stitch bind-off; follow the colour pattern as established in Row 17. Yarn colour will be changed on the last st of the previous colour- that is colour E will be added on the st 6 in B and so on.
Finishing:
Weave in all ends and block the newborn baby blanket to final measurements as above.
I would love to see and share your work on social media, use #millybabyblanket or #exquisitecrochetuk.
Pattern support: exquisite.crochet.uk@gmail.com
Further resources:
Pattern video tutorial:
(the pattern video tutorial for Cozy Corner Blanket shows exact instructions for Milly Baby Blanket):
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You can purchase the add free PDF version of the pattern at LoveCrafts here and Ravelry here.
Did you enjoy the Milly Baby Blanket pattern? Why not try my other crochet and knitting baby blanket patterns:
Thank you so much if you got this far in the pattern! I hope you got inspired for your own version using various colours. I can’t wait to see it! Don’t forget to tag me on Instagram and let me know in the comment section below how you got on with it! As always, if you have any pattern query, the quickest way to get it answered is by emailing me on the pattern support email address above.
Happy crocheting!
