Polka Dots & Frills: Free Crochet Blanket Pattern
Perhaps you’ve seen the adorable ruffles and dots blanket that Maybe Matilda made a while ago (or this afghan that inspired her). I have loved it ever since I came across it on Pinterest, so I decided to use her blanket as inspiration and come up with my own written pattern (that’s just how my mind works… I want a pattern written out just right so I can make it the same time and time again). Needless to say, mine is inspired by her fantastic piece, but I’ve made it my own by changing up the stitches a little bit, adding more dots, and changing the ruffle entirely. The pattern is also written in three sizes: lovie (approximately 17″ x 17″), baby blanket (approximately 35″ x 35″), and afghan (approximately 50″ x your choice). The pictured blanket is the lovie size because I was trying to use up some yarn.
This blanket is super simple. It’s perfect for the new crocheter and has a great finished look. You’ll need to know how to double, single, and treble crochet. The only tough part is the bobble. I would get it down pat before attempting the blanket.Here’s my version of the bobble instructions:
If you have no idea what that means, try reading this:
Start a TC in the next st. Instead of pulling the yarn through the last two loops on the hook like you normally would, you’re going to leave the last two loops on the hook. Then you’ll do the same thing in the same stitch three more times. This means you’ll have a total of 5 loops on your hook. Once you’ve got all 5 loops, yarn over and pull through all the loops.If you still have no idea what I’m talking about:
Please see this post (it includes pictures!!) over at Tales from Cuckoo Land.
Here’s the pattern I followed using a K hook.The ch 2 at the beginning of each round does count as the first stitch.
Frill:
Round 1: SC evenly around all four sides of the blanket. (You can end here if you’d rather not have the frills)
Round 2: Ch 3, 2 TC in the same st, 2 TC in the next st. *3 TC in the next, 2 TC in the next* around. Work 6 TC in each corner.
When I make an afghan for our house, I’m planning on adding the border just at the top and the bottom (think fringe).
Love this! Thanks so much!
Super cute! Thanks!
Do you have any suggestions for a soft (and affordable) yarn to use for a baby blanket?
@Valerie, I'm using Vanna's Choice baby on the one for Caroline. It's not as soft as some, but after MANY MANY washes, Riley's baby blankets aren't holding up too well. I'm hoping this will hold up better than the yarns used on hers.<br /><br />I've used Hobby Lobby's "Love This Yarn," too, and it's pretty soft.
I am using Loops and Threads Snuggly Wuggly and it is soft and seems to be working well!
I can just see a baby laying on this, going cross eyed trying to reach for the dots. So Cute and in my favorite color!
I know, right?? I have one in the works in pink for Caroline!
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Thank you SO MUCH for taking the time to write out step-by-step instructions for this! I found the pattern elsewhere and adored it, but was very intimidated by trying to figure out the math. I SO appreciate having everything spelled out for me! <br /><br />Do you have suggestions on how much yarn to purchase for each size? <br /><br />Thanks again!
Found this posted on Pinterest. Thanks! Love the pattern.
Love this pattern, but what I need to know it how many yards of yarn for a baby blnket 35×35? I have some great yellow cotton-blend yarn but not sure I have enough, Thanks
I absolutely love your blog! I also blog about crochet and would love to have you at my weekly link party for the fiber arts! I found you through Monkey See, Monkey Do who used your owl hat pattern. I might use this pattern to make a baby blanket. http://mymerrymessylife.com/category/crafts/hookin-on-hump-day
I'm in NJ – USA! Thanks for the free pattern for the Bobble Blanket. I just have to remember that in the USA – your SC is a slip stitch, your DC is our SC and your TC is our DC. Also sometimes we call your "Bobble" – a popcorn!
Um,this is a USA terms pattern!
Um,this is a USA terms pattern!
I love this pattern, your right it is super easy!<br />
I love this pattern, your right it is super easy!<br />
I made the lovie size in mint green to donate to Forever Warm. http://www.foreverwarm.org
I noticed the original inspiration for this blanket took 15 balls of DK weight yarn. Since I want to make a baby sized version or even just a lovie sized, I don't know for sure how much I need. How much yarn did you use on your lovie blankie?
Based upon 'ball' size of yarn being approximately 3 ounces, and 15 balls would be 45 ounces of yarn. Then I would purchase 6 skeins of yarn, each weighing at least 8 ounces each. That should give you 48 ounces of yarn. Even doing the bobbles (popcorn stitch) you should have enough to complete a good size baby blanket.
I get 49 dcs for row 1. I don't know why. But it throws the rest of the pattern off. Can u please reply to the post
Of the first 49 spaces chained,[[ from the needle]] count 2 chains back and that is where you begin your Next stitch. The chains skipped count as your First DC and then you DC 46 more. I hope that helps and did not cause more confusion.
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Love this pattern, but I thought I saw instructions for doing a contrasting color for the bobbles the first time I was here and I don't see it anymore. Was this only wishful thinking? I've actually started one in purple with white polka dots, but I'm having a hard time figuring out what to do with all the yarn on the back/wrong side.
I loveeeeeee your pattern! However, after reading all the comments about YARN, I'm a lil scared now. What YARN is everyone using. I wanted to use Red Heart Anne Geddes yarn is that Not good one for this particular blanket? Thank you for the pattern and responding 🙂
On the frill I did 2 TC and then 1 TC. Same effect less yarn.
Thank you so much for this beautiful pattern. Only problem I'm having is that my bobbles don't pop out like in the picture, they look like a much of dc in one stitch. Am I doing something wrong, I followed the pattern to a tee?<br />Barbara
I was wondering if any of you have down pat the type of baby yarn to use. You mentioned that some brands did not hold up very well after washing..I want to give this as a gift and want it to last . Thank you for your time.
I use Hobby Lobby I Love This Yarn a lot of the time. It’s soft, holds up well, and comes in a variety of colors. Hope this helps 🙂
Hobby Lobby it is!. I thought I had to buy a baby type yarn for it’s softness on baby’s skin. Thank you for your advice. No need to reply.
Darlus
Has anyone ever tried this with a variegated yarn?
Are the instructions to the polka dot & frills blanket in UK terms or U.S. The tales fro Cuckoo are in UK and it seems like these are too?
Thanks
U.S. 🙂
Are the instructions UK or U.S.? Thanks for the pattern
The instructions are US 🙂
This is so girly, and I LOVE IT!!!
I cannot wait to make one, especially with the dots a contrasting color!
Thanks for writing out the pattern for us!!
It is adorable.