Are you also among several crochet enthusiasts who have browsed throughout the web to find just an easy-to-follow petal stitch crochet baby blanket tutorial yet unable to make a breakthrough? We understand and, therefore, have come up with a beginner-friendly crochet baby blanket tutorial.
We have tried to make things easier for you, especially in crafting the steps. The tutorial entails every bit you will need to make a petal stitch crochet blanket, like materials, technique, and other prerequisites.
And do you know the best part of it? It is specially designed in a way so that even a newbie can crochet following the listed steps, and that too without any prior knowledge of other kinds of stitches.
So what are you waiting for? Roll up your sleeves, and let’s explore the steps, but before that, have an overview of what a petal stitch looks like.
What is a Petal Stitch?
Petal Stitch is one of the various crocheting techniques, mostly known for its deep floral texture. The stitches in a petal stitch look like petals, and they form a 3D-like structure, much like blooming flowers. The stitch is versatile, i.e., it goes well with other basic stitches like single crochet, double crochet, etc.
The intense stitch can be used to crochet many things like blankets, shawls, cushions, headbands, and more.
Materials Required to Crochet Baby Blanket with Petal Stitch
We know you’re eagerly looking for the steps to make a petal stitch pattern. But wait a while and spend some time reading about the essential materials to avoid any interrupts during the crocheting process:
- Yarn: Choose a yarn that gracefully showcases the deep texture of the petal stitch. For the same, we recommend using a natural fiber or acrylic yarn. They have properties most suitable for baby blankets. Furthermore, they are easily washable so that you can take care of them with utmost care. Here’s an additional note that you must follow in the process ahead: If you’re making the blanket for a person with a wool allergy, choose a soft yarn like nylon yarn instead of acrylic or cotton.
- Crochet Hook: You don’t have to think much while choosing a crochet hook. Most yarns come with a label recommending what hook or needle sizes to choose for that specific yarn. Therefore, refer to the tag on your chosen yarn and look for the recommended size. If your chosen yarn lacks it, choose a crochet hook that most suits your yarn fiber and weight and the project’s look.
- Scissors: Blunt blades can make your yarn fray and may ruin the overall look of a crochet baby blanket. Therefore, choose sharp scissors that cut neatly and accurately at once.
- Tapestry Needle: Choose always the steel tapestry needle as these are strong and work for almost everything. Remember, in contrast with normal needles, tapestry needles are large when you choose a smaller number and vice versa. However, for this tutorial, we require larger numbers, i.e., small-size needles, say 24 or 26.
- Measuring Tape: Most individuals skip this tool and later regret it. It’s really helpful for measuring the gauge size and the length and width of your blanket. Further, it is used in the blocking process, too, later covered in this tutorial.
- Stitch Markers: This keeps the accuracy of your stitches and guides you for any specific stitch or highlights the beginning of rounds.
Steps to Make a Petal Stitch Crochet Baby Blanket
Now that you have the prerequisites, you can start crocheting the baby blanket with the below-listed steps. As you stitch along, remember to maintain a consistent tension throughout, and if you’re someone who loses on counts, utilize stitch markers.
Size: We start with a foundation chain of 80 stitches for a crochet baby blanket. You can change the size according to your project needs or as desired.
Step 1: Making Slip Knot and Foundation Chain
We begin by making a slip knot and foundation. This will lay the width for the crochet blanket, which you can easily carry along throughout the length. Simply follow the steps below to achieve the same:
- Create a slip knot: Make a loop with the yarn, pass the working end through the loop, and gently pull it to tighten.
- Handling the slip knot well: Hold the slip knot with your crochet hook and yarn in your dominant hand.
- Make a Foundation Chain: Wrap the yarn around the hook (yarn over) and pull it through the slip knot. This will make the very first chain. Again, yarn over and pull through to get the chain 2. Repeat the steps till you have 80 chains.
Step 2: Making a Turning Chain
The particular step requires careful consideration as this gives your crochet baby blanket a height, i.e., it helps you make the first stitch of any row. One single mistake will result in uneven side edges. Here are the steps to make a turning chain:
- Yarn Over by wrapping the yarn over the hook from front to back.
- This is where you create a number of chains according to the stitch you are working with. As we are working with a double crochet stitch, we will make three chains.
- Make a chain yarn over and pull the yarn through the loop on the hook. Repeat the step for as many chains as you want to make. We repeat it thrice.
- Once you have made the turning chain, turn your work such that your completed row, which is facing you after turning, faces down.
- Now, you can continue with the new row.
Step 3: Crafting a Petal Stitch Pattern
The main steps of all that will provide your crochet baby blanket with a petal stitch pattern, so weave carefully. The foremost thing you need to consider is to make consistent tension throughout the stitches, and for the steps to create the pattern, there is no need to worry; follow the pointers below:
- For Row 1: Work double crochet in the 4th chain from the hook, skip 2 chains working double crochet in the subsequent chain. Again, skip 2 chains and work a double crochet in the next chain. Repeat across the row, ending with a double crochet in the last chain.
- For Row 2: Make three chain stitches, which count as the first double crochet. Work 5 double crochets in the space between the petals, double crochet in the top 3rd double crochet of the next petal. Repeat this across the row. Make a turning chain and start with a new row.
- Petal Stitch Pattern: Repeat row 2 for the pattern. Each completed row creates petals between the petals of the previous row.
Step 4: Changing Colors in Petal Stitch
An optional step: follow if you want to switch colors to give your crochet baby blanket a stunning look; otherwise, skip and carry along with the next step. The listed steps below will help you switch colors:
- Before completing the last stitch of your current color, drop it and pick up a new yarn color.
- Wrap the yarn around the hook with the newly selected color and complete the stitch to secure the new color.
- Now, make a turning chain following the steps mentioned above.
- Continue with the new color for the rest of the row.
Step 6: Completing the Main Blanket
Continue crocheting until your crochet baby blanket reaches the desired size. For this tutorial, we continue till the length reaches 30-36 inches, enough for baby blankets. Fasten off the yarn, leaving a yarn tail.
Step 7: Adding a Border
After fastening off in the previous step, you can close the stitches by single crochet. However, having a border provides a crochet baby blanket with a better overall look, showcasing your skills and signifying professional work. However, to achieve this, you need to select an appropriate border. The two that go well with petal stitch patterns are a simple scalloped border and a picot edge border. We have listed the steps below to help you make the same:
Simple Scalloped Border
- Start in any corner of the blanket by making a slip knot. For this, insert your crochet hook into a corner stitch and pull up a loop. Yarn over and pull through both loops to create single crochets. Work a single crochet across the edge of the blanket, but when you reach the corner, make 3 single crochets.
- After reaching the beginning corner, slip stitch in the first single crochet to join.
- Now, chain 3 stitches in the same stitch, which counts as the first double crochet.
- Work 5 double crochets in the next single crochet.
- Skip the next 2 single crochet and make 1 single crochet in the subsequent stitch.
- Repeat the last two steps along the entire edge of the blanket.
- Once you reach the corner, work 5 double crochets and then continue with skipping 2 stitches 1 single crochet pattern along the next edges.
- Once all the edges are covered, join with a slip stitch to the beginning of chain 3. Fasten off and weave in the end.
Picot Edge Border
- Start with any corner of a crochet baby blanket. Firstly, make a slip knot by inserting your hook into the corner stitch and pulling up a loop. Yarn over and gently pull through both loops on the hook to create a single crochet.
- Work a single crochet along the entire edge of the crochet blanket, and once you reach the corner, make 3 single crochet in the corner stitch to turn.
- After completing the round, when you reach the starting round, slip stitch into the first single crochet to join.
- Chain 3 stitches in the same stitch and count it as the first double crochet.
- Work a slip stitch in the third chain from the hook to create a picot. After that, skip the next 2 single crochet and make 1 single crochet in the subsequent stitch.
- Repeat making 3 chains, skip 2 stitches, and 1 single crochet along the entire edge.
- Once you have reached a corner, make 3 chains, slip stitch in the third chain from the hook, then continue with the skip 2 stitches, 1 single crochet pattern along the next edge.
- Finally, complete making the picot border by working a slip stitch to the first chain of the beginning chain3. Fasten off and weave in the end.
Step 8: Fixing the loose ends
Once you are done making the crochet baby blanket, it’s time to fix the two yarn tails, one that you left at the beginning and the one at the end. For this, pass the yarn through the eye of a tapestry needle and weave the loose ends. This will provide a polished finish to your baby blanket.
Step 9: Blocking
Irrespective of the pattern you’re working on, despite careful consideration, the stitches look somewhat loose on completion. Further, while crocheting, sometimes the yarn tangles or, because of some unavoidable reasons, you need to fold your work, resulting in a crumbling appearance. Therefore, pass it through the blocking process to make things right and provide your crochet baby blanket with a neat, smooth, and professional look. Below are the steps for the blocking process:
- Lay down a blocking mat to provide a stable surface. Now, place your baby blanket and gently stretch the edges to make an even surface.
- Place blocking pins along the corners and edges of the crochet blanket.
- Use a measuring tape to ensure your baby blanket is of the desired size. If size mismatches, adjust the pins to achieve the desired measurements.
- Once done, spray water (avoid oversaturating) using a spray bottle. This helps the fibers relax and set the shape.
- Allow the blanket to air dry completely.
Additional Note: Read the instructions provided on yarn labels. If they don’t respond well to water, skip the step of spraying water.
Conclusion
The petal stitch technique is highly popular in crocheting, and we do recommend it. Not just because of its intense look but also because of the warmth its deep stitches provide when used ina crochet baby blanket.
Suppose you’re also looking for crocheting, a blanket that provides warmth to your baby alongside portraying your compassion. Our crochet blanket tutorial is all that you need to follow.
So why wait for more? Buck up, grab your yarn, and start crocheting. Share in the comments how easy the tutorial was and which border you used. Feel free to ask if you face any issues during the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Blocking Process Necessary for a Crochet Baby Blanket?
Blocking is a recommendable process as it provides a crochet blanket with a clean and polished appearance while adding a professional touch. Further, it helps to even out stitches and open up lace patterns. But remember, blocking isn’t suitable for all yarns, so read the instructions on your yarn before proceeding.
Is a Single Crochet Base Important for a Crochet Baby BlanketBorder?
Absolutely! Working a single crochet base before the border lays the foundation of an even edge, providing stability and a clean starting point for crocheting border stitches. This also ensures a polished finish for your baby blanket.
