Ahavah Baby Blanket

The Ahavah Baby Blanket is a beginner friendly Tunisian crochet baby blanket that comes in one size (fitted for a newborn and a Moses basket or a stroller), however it can be easily adjusted to various size as per instructions in the Notes section. It can be worked up easily in a few evenings when in need of that last-minute baby shower gift.  

It is made in cotton and acrylic Yarn and Colors yarn blend that offers great stitch definition highlighting the pattern texture and can be washed easily in a washing machine- a great asset for an item for newborns. The yarn is available in several truly unique colour combinations, so each blanket can be one of a kind piece.

I enjoyed working on this blanket so much! I wanted it to be a quick project just before my third baby arrived, so I knew I was going for something smaller in size and beginner friendly. My bump was huge, it was hard to sit at any sofa for too long, so it needed to be worked up quickly.

I had this yarn in my stash for a while for that special project. Working with 6 mm Tunisian crochet project was a dream, it gave the final fabric great texture and drape at the same time and this variegated yarn did the trick when it came to beautiful colour changes.

It is such a shame that the yarn was discontinued in a few years. Despite this, there is a plenty beautiful colourful yarns on the market that can be easily substituted.

Did I managed to complete it before the bundle of joy appeared? Just about! and I even managed to publish it right from the hospital bed! Thanks to technology and scheduling! I was given the most precious gift one can get and spread the joy by publishing the blanket pattern to celebrate this wonderful occasion!

It kind of became a tradition to publish a blanket or throw pattern on my little ones birthdays or special days, so watch out for new releases in March and October! πŸ™‚

last updated 24/02/2024

You can purchase the add free PDF version of the pattern at LoveCrafts here and Ravelry here.

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Please NOTE that this pattern is subject to copyright and is my intelectual property. The online version is for personal use only. Do not re-publish or sell this pattern in part or full, or make video tutorials of it. Any such actions are a breach of copyright and can result in legal action.

Skills required

To create this beautiful Tunisian crochet 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), Tunisian Purl stitch (tps), Tunisian slanted stitch (tsls), Return pass changing colours, binding off in Tunisian crochet, blocking.

Skill level:

Finished measurements

The final Tunisian crochet baby blanket measurements (blocked):

70 cm x 71 cm (approx. 28 x 28.5”)

Materials and tools

To get the exact look as on the pictures of my Tunisian crochet baby blanket, you will need:

Yarn and Colors Delicious (55% Acrylic, 45% Cotton, | Worsted | 100 g (3.5 oz) = 193 m (211 yds)), Forrest Fruit Vanilla (#201) 3 skeins

Tunisian crochet hook size 6 mm (US size J/10) with cable (at least 40 cm (16 in)) or size to obtain the gauge

Tapestry needle

Scissors

You can get your craft supplies here.

Gauge

Blocked Gauge:

14.5 sts x 11.5 rows = 10 x 10 cm (4 x 4”) over st pattern

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.

Stitch guide

Tunisian crochet stitches are worked in forward and return pass from right to left, with the number of stitches (loops) increasing on the hook during the forward pass and decreasing during the return pass.

Return pass is worked in the same way for all stitches (rows of stitches) used in this project as follows (EXCEPT when changing colours on return pass, please see below for details of this technique):  1 ch, *yrh, draw through 2 loops on hook, rep from * until 1 loop on hook.

Edge stitches:

Right edge stitch- This is the first stitch and is not usually worked into because there is one loop on the hook left after completing the return pass of the previous row. This one loop corresponds to the first stitch of the new row.

Left edge stitch- This stitch 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. Standard return pass.
  • Tunisian simple stitch: Insert the hook from right to left under front vertical bar of the next st, yrh and pul. Standard return pass.
  • Tunisian purl stitch: Bring yarn to the front on the work and hook, insert the hook from right to left under the front vertical bar of the next st, yrh and pul. Standard return pass.
  • Tunisian slanted stitch: Insert hook from left to right under the front vertical bar of the next st, yrh and pul. Standard return pass.

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.

Return pass changing colours in Tunisian crochet: The new colour is added when starting the return pass of the row and all loops of the forward pass are on the hook (i.e. End stitch was worked). Yrh with the old colour from front to back (this adds an extra loop on hook to create neat edge that matches the edge created during Standard RP). Add new colour on hook: draw through 2 loops, * yrh, draw through 2 loops on hook; rep from * until 1 loop on hook.

If this is your first Tunisian crochet project and are not sure if this blanket matches your skills, I have a Tunisian crochet masterclass tutorial that will jump-start your Tunisian crochet journey!

Notes

  • The Ahavah Baby Blanket is worked flat, RS facing from right to left.
  • The blanket consists of three distinct sections: Honeycomb pattern (alternation of tss and tps within and between rows), Pinstripe pattern (alternation of tss and tps within rows) and Waffle pattern (alternation of tss and tsls within and between rows).
  • The pattern starts and ends with Honeycomb section.
  • OPTIONAL: To create colour changes within the pattern texture of the Waffle pattern section (as per project pattern pictures), yarn balls (or using one strand of yarn from outside and one strand of yarn from inside of the same yarn skein) are alternated on each RP.
  • The stitch count refers to the number of lps on hook on FP.
  • The row stitch count can be adjusted by adding multiples of 2 to widen the blanket.
  • The length can be adjusted by adding either 1 section (adds approximately 7 cm (2.75 in)) or section repeat + final Honeycomb section (adds approximately 28 cm (11 in)).

Instructions

Tunisian crochet baby blanket

Chain 102

Row 1 FP: Insert the hook in the back bump of second ch from hook, yrh and pul across. 102 loops on hook.

Row 1 RP and all other RPs (EXCEPT for Waffle pattern section): Standard RP.

Honeycomb Section

Row 2: *Tss, tps; rep from * to last st, ES.

Row 3: *Tps, tss; rep from * to last st, ES.

Rows 4-9: Rep Rows 2-3.

Pinstripe Section

Rows 10-17: Rep Row 2.

Waffle Pattern Section

Row 18 FP: *Tss, tsls; rep from * to last st, ES.

Row 18 RP: Return pass changing colours in Tunisian crochet.

Row 19 FP: *Tsls, tss; rep from * to last st, ES.

Row 19 RP: As Row 18.

Rows 20-25: Rep Rows 18-19.

Rows 26-73: Rep Rows 2-25 twice.  

Rows 74-81: Rep Rows 2-9.

Row 82: Bind off.  

Finishing

Weave in ends and block to final measurements.

Enjoy your Tunisian crochet baby blanket!

I would love to see and share your work on social media, use #ahavahbabyblanket or #exquisitecrochetuk

Pattern support: exquisite.crochet.uk@gmail.com

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  
tps- Tunisian purl stitch  approx.- approximately  
tsls- Tunisian slanted stitch  rep- repeat  
RS- right side  ES- End stitch
  

Further resources

Pattern video tutorial:

For endless crochet inspiration, you can subscribe to AllFreeCrochet website here or AllFreeCrochetAfghanPatterns here.

You can purchase the add free PDF version of the pattern at LoveCrafts here and Ravelry here.

Did you enjoy the Ahavah Baby Blanket pattern? Why not try my other Blanket and Throw patterns:

Melissa Throw

Pebbles and Stars Beach Throw

Marks In The Snow Throw

Moon and Stars Tunisian Crochet Blanket

Gilal Diamond Throw

Lilly Blanket

Elsam Blanket

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!