Gender Neutral Crochet Baby Blanket - Free Pattern

Put a modern twist on the traditional ripple afghan with this gender neutral crochet baby blanket pattern! The free crochet pattern is below or you can purchase the ad-free, printable PDF here.

This crochet baby blanket post is a collaboration with my friends at Lion Brand Yarn. This post contains affiliate links.

Truth: As an infant, my oldest daughter slept about as well as an owl on Red Bull.

Truth: My oldest daughter still sleeps about as well as an owl on Red Bull.

Truth: While trying to coerce her to sleep in those early months, I used to play a children's song for her called "Welcome to this World" on repeat while I sobbed and wiped my nose on her receiving blankets.

This motherhood thing is quite the glamorous gig.

The thing that got me every single time about this song (besides just the complete stew of hormones I was marinating in) was the concept of welcoming a completely new human into the world and the gravity, responsibility and hope that comes along with it.

I named this gender-neutral crochet baby blanket the "Warm Welcome Blanket" because I think that making things with your hands is one of the most productive and rewarding ways to prepare for welcoming a new life into the world.

What says, "We all wanted you. We were excited to meet you. We loved you even before we knew how cute you were going to be," more than a crochet baby blanket that was lovingly stitched row after row? I can't think of anything!

I think this gender neutral crochet baby blanket makes the perfect pop of color in a modern nursery. (Isn't this little bunny just the cutest? My mom made it for my daughter using this free pattern.) If you like modern nurseries with DIY touches, check out this collection of DIY Modern Nursery Decor Ideas I put together. You can also see all my free crochet baby blanket patterns here!

This pastel and gender neutral crochet baby blanket is made with Lion Brand's Baby Soft yarn which is indeed baby soft. I love how light and airy, yet cozy this blanket ended up being. The yarn just has a perfect drape for a crochet baby blanket like this. Each skein provides enough yarn to actually make two of these "Warm Welcome" blankets, which is pretty handy if you, like me, know a lot of people who like to reproduce. 🙂

Thanks to Lion Brand Yarn for sponsoring this pattern and enabling more free patterns on Make and Do Crew! The Baby Soft yarn I used for this crochet baby blanket is on sale for the entire month of May on LionBrand.com, so now is a great time to grab your yarn in all these gorgeous colors! You can even purchase a "Warm Welcome Blanket" kit here. 

Please do not publish or share this pattern as your own. You may make items to sell with this pattern. In exchange, please link back to this post. Do NOT use my photos as your own sales photos. ­­You can read my policies here. Now let’s make something awesome!

Related: 33+ Crochet Blanket Border Ideas

"Warm Welcome" Gender Neutral Crochet Baby Blanket - Free Pattern

Purchase the ad-free, printable PDF here.

Add this pattern to your Ravelry favorites here.

Pin this pattern for later here.

Measurements:
31” x 39” (See pattern notes to adjust size.)

Supplies:
(Purchase all the yarn needed in a handy kit here.)
• 1080 yds Lion Brand Baby Soft (DK/yarn symbol “3” - 459 yds, 5 oz)
- Color A: Pastel Yellow (approx. 180 yds)
- Color B: Lemon Drop (approx. 180 yds)
- Color C: Creamsicle (approx. 180 yds)
- Color D: Apricot (approx. 180 yds)
- Color E: Mint (approx. 180 yds)
- Color F: Teal (approx. 180 yds)
• Tapestry needle
• Size H [5.0 mm] crochet hook

Gauge:
17 dc = 4”, slightly over 7 rows = 4” worked in double crochet ripple pattern

Abbreviations and Glossary:
ch – chain
dc – double crochet
dc3tog – double crochet three together
tch – turning chain
yo – yarn over

Overall Pattern Notes:
• You can easily adjust the width of this blanket. Pattern is worked in multiples of 10 stitches + 1, plus 3 for the foundation chain. For example, the pattern as written is (10 x 12) = 120 ch, plus 1, which equals 121, plus three for the foundation chain for a total of 124 chains to begin. A larger blanket might be something like (10 x 20) = 200 ch, plus 1, which equals 201, plus three for the foundation chain for a total of 204 chains to begin.

• To switch colors, use the color of the upcoming row to complete the final yo of the row you’re finishing. Proceed with new color in the next row. (See photo below.)

• Crochet over yarn tails as you switch colors and you will end up with very few, if any, ends to weave in at the end! (See photo below.)

Foundation Row: Using Color A, ch 124.

Row 1: Skip first 3 ch (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in fourth ch, *1 dc in each of next 3 ch, dc3tog over next 3 ch, 1 dc in each of next 3 ch**, 3 dc in next ch; repeat from * to end of row, ending last repeat at **, 2 dc in last ch; turn.

Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in first dc, *1 dc in each of next 3 dc, dc3tog over next 3 dc, 1 dc in each of next 3 dc, 3 dc in next dc; repeat from * ending last repeat with 2 dc in tch; turn.

Rows 3-12: Repeat Row 2. (In last dc of Row 12, switch to Color B to complete final yo. See photo above.)

Rows 13-24: Using Color B, repeat Row 2. (In last dc of Row 24, switch to Color C to complete final yo.) 

Rows 25-36: Using Color C, repeat Row 2. (In last dc of Row 36, switch to Color D to complete final yo.)

Rows 37-48: Using Color D, repeat Row 2. (In last dc of Row 48, switch to Color E to complete final yo.)

Rows 49-60: Using Color E, repeat Row 2. (In last dc of Row 60, switch to Color F to complete final yo.) 

Rows 61-72: Using Color F, repeat Row 2.

Fasten off and weave in any remaining ends.

Pass along your newly finished Warm Welcome Blanket to the newest little human in your life (that is, unless you decide to keep it for yourself!)

Here are a few more free crochet patterns for children from Make & Do Crew that you might enjoy!

1. Panda Hooded Crochet Blanket Pattern - free pattern!
2. "Happy Hexagons" Crochet Baby Blanket Pattern - free pattern!
3. Cuddly Koala Lovey - free pattern!
4. "Granny Gives Back" Hooded Blanket - free pattern!