Free Cloudy Coast Baby Blanket Pattern in 4 Colors

The Cloudy Coast baby blanket pattern is a free, easy-to-follow crochet project in four quiet coastal colors. Work 100 stitches across 128 rows with half double crochet and a raised ridge every eighth row. Finish with a simple cream border. This guide gives you the full row plan, color changes, and stitch counts.

Size and gauge

The instructions make a rectangle with 100 stitches across and 128 rows high, before the border. A sample gauge of 14 stitches and 16 rows per 4 in (10 cm) gives a body about 28.6 × 32 in (73 × 81 cm). Two edging rounds add a little to each side.

This gauge is an illustration, not a measured test sample. Your finished size depends on your yarn, hook, and tension. Measure a swatch before relying on the stated size.

For a different width, multiply your desired body width in inches by your measured stitches per inch. Round to a whole stitch and add two chains for the foundation. You can use any stitch count. For a different length, add or remove complete eight-row repeats.

What you need

• Medium-weight (4) yarn that feels soft, washes well, and does not shed easily. Choose four colors: A = Cloud cream, B = Fog gray, C = Sea blue, D = Sea glass.
• 5.5 mm (US I-9) crochet hook, or the size needed for a soft, even fabric.
• Two stitch markers, scissors, a yarn needle, and a measuring tape.
• Optional: a kitchen scale for planning yarn quantities.

Yarn brands and fiber blends vary. Check the care label before making a baby gift. A smooth acrylic or cotton blend can make the rows easier to see.

Estimate how much yarn to buy

Make a swatch that is 20 stitches wide and 16 rows tall, using the same stitch repeat. Weigh it in grams. Multiply its weight by 40 to estimate the blanket body, then allow about 15% extra for the border, tails, and differences in tension.

For example, a hypothetical 12 g swatch gives 12 × 40 = 480 g for the body. Adding 15% gives about 552 g total. This is a planning calculation, not a tested yarn requirement.

For the striped body, the approximate row shares are A 13%, B 34%, C 31%, and D 22%. Reserve extra Cloud cream (A) for the border. Check that all four yarns have similar weight and thickness.

The simple coastal texture

Most rows use half double crochet (hdc). Every eighth row uses single crochet in the back loop only (sc BLO). That short row leaves a quiet ridge, like a line of foam along the shore.

• Half double crochet: yarn over, insert hook, pull up a loop, yarn over, and pull through all three loops.
• Single crochet: insert hook, pull up a loop, yarn over, and pull through both loops.
• Back loop only: insert the hook under the loop farthest from you at the top of the stitch.
• Turning chain: chain 2 before an hdc row, or chain 1 before an sc row. Turning chains do not count as stitches.

Place a stitch marker in the first and last stitch of a row. Move the markers up as you work, especially after the shorter ridge rows.

Free Cloudy Coast baby blanket pattern

For the Cloudy Coast baby blanket pattern, use US crochet terms. Start with Sea blue (C). Each row has exactly 100 stitches. Turn after every row, and do not count turning chains as stitches.

The color-row guide

Follow the color changes below while keeping the same eight-row stitch rhythm. The slim cream bands break up the larger sea and fog sections.

To switch colors, stop before the final yarn-over of the last stitch in the current row. Complete that stitch with the new color. Then make the turning chain in the new shade. Leave tails long enough to weave in securely.

Cut the old color at each band, unless you have an established tidy way to carry it without creating loose floats. Do not leave loops or hanging strands on a baby item.

Make the border

The border uses Cloud cream (A) and single crochet. It runs all the way around the blanket without fringe or dangling ties.

The side-pickup plan spaces 111 sc along 126 interior row ends. If the border still waves or pulls in, adjust the pickups evenly for your actual gauge. Both sides should match. The counts above apply only to the exact written pickup plan.

Finish and care

Weave each yarn tail through several stitches, reverse direction, and trim only after the end is secure. Follow the yarn label for washing and drying. Spread the damp blanket flat to shape it, without stretching the edge.

Before giving it to a family, check for loose yarn ends and decorations. This is a supervised-use blanket, not a sleep accessory for an infant.

Fix common problems

If your fabric already curls, see these practical fixes for curling crochet.

Common questions

Is this blanket suitable for an absolute beginner?

A beginner who knows single and half double crochet can follow it. Make a small swatch first to practice the back-loop ridge.

Can I crochet it in one color?

Yes. Follow the same 128 rows and skip the color changes. The ridge lines still add texture.

How do I make a larger blanket?

Add stitches to the starting chain and work more complete eight-row repeats. Measure your own gauge before choosing the size.

Can a newborn sleep with this blanket?

No. Keep loose blankets out of an infant sleep space. Use it only during supervised awake time or as a keepsake.

Save this pattern and choose your next project

Save this Cloudy Coast baby blanket pattern to your Pinterest crochet board, or bookmark the page so you can return to the row guide.

• New to stitch counting? Start with our crochet beginner guide.
• Want neater stripes? Read how to crochet with multiple colors.
• Not sure which hook to use? Check the crochet hook size chart.