How to Crochet the Smiles for Miles Blanket

Hi guys! My husband and I have a new nephew! His name is Miles, and he is one of the sweetest and calmest babies we’ve met. He sleeps most of the day, and only gets fussy when he’s hungry or needs to poop. When we heard the news, I knew I had to make him a baby blanket. It’s my way of saying, “I love you, I care about you, and you’re important to me!”

Welcoming a new addition to your family, or someone else’s, is a perfect excuse to break out your yarn, and crochet a blanket. The Smiles for Miles Blanket is designed to be customizable, so you can make a size that suits you! The free pattern below, shows you how to crochet a baby blanket, but instructions are provided to make your own size.

If you prefer to have the math (yardage, stitch counts, row counts, and border calculations) already done for you, the ad-free printable PDF includes 7 additional sizes (lapghan, small throw, large throw, twin, full, queen, and king). I hope you enjoy making this blanket as much as I did!

Crochet Skill Level: Easy / Beginner

This pattern is considered an easy level crochet pattern because it uses one basic stitch (single crochet) throughout the blanket, and the border is crocheted with the body of the blanket to make things easier. There are step-by-step pictures, helpful tips, and a complete video tutorial for extra support, included below.

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*Continue scrolling down for the free pattern on the blog with ads*

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Some Fun Features of the Smiles for Miles Blanket:

• This blanket uses the alternating single crochet spike stitch to create a simple texture. This stitch is reversible, so the blanket has the same beautiful texture on both sides. 

• The border is crocheted at the same time as the body of the blanket! This makes the blanket quick and easy to work up because you don’t have to worry about adding a border or trying to crochet along the raw edge, once you finish the body.

• The alternating single crochet spike stitches overlap, which creates a thick, dense, and warm blanket. This is a perfect stitch for colder weather blankets.

Materials: 

• 6.0mm crochet hook 
• 6.5mm crochet hook
• Scissors 
• Yarn Needle
• Yarn Bee Soft and Sleek Weight 4 Medium (100% Acrylic, 232 yd / 212 m, 5 oz / 142 g) – Dark Gray
• Custom Leather Tag (Optional)
• Steamer, Iron with a Steam Setting, or Spray Bottle (Optional)
• Blocking Mats (Optional)
• Blocking Pins or Straight Pins (Optional)

*Yarn Note: You can use ANY medium 4 (worsted/aran) weight yarn as a substitute.

Yardage:

• Number of Skeins: 6
  
• Total Yards: 1365 yds

Inspiration:

My inspiration for the Smiles for Miles Blanket came from my nephew, Miles. He is the newest addition to our family, so he gets a special blanket. It’s tradition!

Miles is my brother-in-law and sister-in-law’s second baby. They had their first born, Lucy, two years ago. I made Lucy the Bellame Baby Blanket as a baby shower gift. So at the time, her name wasn’t chosen, and her room was still being set up.

With Miles, I had more time and knowledge to work with, so I made some changes. Instead of going bold with colour, I went with a neutral dark gray to go with his room. My brother and sister-in-law created a beautiful baby room for him. It has a dark green board and baton feature wall, and a walnut-stained crib and dresser to match. So Logan and I thought that dark gray would go well with this colour scheme.

To find a modern, simple textured stitch, I referenced my “Crochet Stitch Dictionary” by Sarah Hazell. This book has 200 stitches to choose from, so it’s perfect for finding and learning new crochet stitches.

I settled on the alternating spike stitch, crocheted a small swatch to see if I liked it, and then got to work!

I finished the blanket off with a custom leather tag that says, “Miles”.

Custom Leather Tag – HERE:

If you are interested in getting your own custom leather tag, you can find one here. Hyaesun, the owner of the SunnuBunnu Etsy Shop, did an amazing job. I ordered a 2.5″ tag, with the name centered, two holes on the side for sewing, in the “Tan” colourway, with “(Heart) Miles (Heart)” written in upper and lower case letters. The tag arrived quickly and in perfect condition!

Yarn Choice

When it comes to babies, the yarn that we choose needs to be soft on their skin, and durable enough for multiple washes. As with Lucy’s blanket, I chose to use Yarn Bee Soft and Sleek because this is a low-pilling yarn, so it won’t fuzz or pill as much over time! It’s also soft, thick, and easy on the budget at $3.99/skein. I buy it when it’s on sale, so it goes as low as $2.89+ tax /skein.

However, you can use ANY medium Worsted / Aran weight yarn for this project!

Can I Use Multiple Colours for this Project?

Absolutely! You can always use mutliple colours in your crochet project. However, the alternating spike stitch causes the stitches to overlap, so I noticed that when using multiple colours, this overlap is highlighted. You can see this in the picture on the right.

So using multiple colours is a personal preference. I encourage you to make this pattern your own, and do what feels good to you!

Abbreviations: 

• Ch – chain
• St(s) – stitch(es)
• Sp – space
• YO – yarn over
• [ ] – repeat instructions inside brackets
• Sc – single crochet
• Rs – right side
• Ws – wrong side

Gauge: Approximately 10 sts x 15 rows in 4” x 4”

• 10 sts mean 5 sc & 5 spike sts

Trouble with Gauge? 

If your gauge is too small, try using a thicker weight 4 yarn or a larger crochet hook. If your gauge is too big, try using a thinner weight 4 yarn or a smaller crochet hook. You can also try adjusting your tension.

Pattern Measurements:

The Smiles for Miles Baby Blanket measures approx. 36″ wide x 40″ long, including the border. The border is crocheted at the same time as the blanket, and measures approx. 1.25″ wide on each side of the blanket (left, right, top, and bottom).

Customizing the Size of Your Smiles for Miles Blanket:

If a baby blanket isn’t what you had in mind, here is how you can create your own custom blanket:  

Width: The width of the blanket is determined by the starting chain. Chain any odd number until satisfied with the width of the blanket.

Length: The length of the blanket is determined by the number of rows. Repeat the “main row repeat” until satisfied with the length of the blanket, then end with the top of the border instructions below. 

Border: You can either follow along with the border stitch and row counts that are given in the pattern, or create a custom sized border for your blanket. From Baby – King, the border will measure approximately 1.25 (1.5, 2, 2.5, 2.5, 2.75, 3, 3.75) inches. 

Custom Border: To determine the width of the border, multiply your desired width by 0.1111. For example, for a blanket measuring 42” wide, 42 x 0.1111 = 4.6667 = 5. This means that your border will be 5 stitches wide on each side. 

To determine the length of the border, multiply the border width stitches by 1.24. In the example above, the border width stitches are 5, so 5 x 1.24 = 6.2. Round this number to the nearest whole number. So, 6.2 rounds to 6, which means that the length of the border (top and bottom) is 6 rows.   

Here is how you can adjust the pattern instructions based on the example above, for a border of 5 stitches wide and 6 rows long: 

• Rows 2 – 7: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. The bottom of the border is complete! 
• Rows 8 and on: Ch 1, sc in first 5 sts, [sc in st one row below, sc in next st] until 5 sts remain, sc in last 5 sts. 
• Once satisfied with the length of the blanket, end the blanket with the top of the border. In the example above, the border is 6 rows long, so for the last 6 rows of the blanket follow the top of the border instructions: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. 

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*The Ad-free Printable PDF has sizing instructions for 8 blanket sizes (baby, lapghan, small and large throw, twin, full, queen, and king), along with the number of yards, stitch and row counts, and border instructions. 

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The Single Crochet Spike Stitch Photo Tutorial

Each single crochet spike stitch is worked into the st one row below. 

• Insert the hook into the indicated st one row below.

• YO, and pull up the loop until it reaches the height of the current row. 

• YO and pull through both 2 loops to complete the st!

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Tips:

> How to Create Straight Edges with Single Crochets
> 2 Crochet Hacks: Maintain Stitch Counts (Without Counting) and Quickly Count Your Rows

Complete Video Tutorial:

Here you’ll find the complete video tutorial from start to finish! I hope this helps provide more a visual.

Pattern: 

Notes: 

• Please read through the tips above before starting your blanket – they make a big difference!
• The beginning ch of each row does NOT count as a st.
• Odd numbered rows are considered the Rs, and even numbered rows are considered the Ws.
• The 6.5mm crochet hook is used to crochet the starting chain, to create a loose and flexible chain that does not curl inwards. The 6.0mm crochet hook is used for the rest of the blanket.
• There is a complete video tutorial here, for extra support along the way. 

With a 6.5mm hook (see tip): 
Ch 91

With a 6.0mm hook (for the remainder of the blanket): 

Row 1 (Rs): Sc in second ch from hook, and in each ch across. Turn. <90 sc> 

Rows 2 – 6: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. The bottom of the border is complete!  <90 sc> 

Rows 7 – 145: Ch 1, sc in first 4 sts, [sc in st one row below, sc in next st] until 4 sts remain, sc in last 4 sts. The left and right side of the border is complete! 

Note: Different coloured yarns are used in the pictures below to highlight the placement of the sc spike stitch. Pictures are done on a small sample.

Rows 146 – 150: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. The top of the border is complete! 

Tie off and weave in your ends with a yarn needle!

Blocking the Smiles for Miles Blanket: 

Blocking is the process of wetting a crochet piece to make the ends and rows straight. To block this blanket, you will need a steamer / spray bottle / iron (with steam setting), straight pins, and a blocking mat / carpet / foam.  My preferred method is a steamer. 

Block your work by stretching out the blanket (vertically and horizontally), and placing pins along each side of the blanket to hold it in place. Spray the blanket with water, use a steamer, or an iron on steam setting, making sure to keep the steamer/iron at least 2 inches away from the material, so it doesn’t burn. 

Gently press the water or steam into the blanket with your hands, so the fabric absorbs it. Let the blanket dry completely before unpinning it!

Questions?

If you have any questions about the Smiles for Miles Blanket, please reach out to me. I am happy to help! Send me an e-mail through my contact page.

End Notes:  

Yay! You just made your first Smiles for Miles Blanket. I hope your family, friends, and loved ones use and love this blanket for years to come.

Check out some more fun and budget-friendly crochet patterns on the blog.

Disclaimer: You are welcome to sell items that you’ve made from this pattern; however, you are not allowed to use my pictures or sell my pattern as your own (Copyright @ ThisPixieCreates).

Other Crochet Baby Blanket Patterns You’ll Love:

• For the Love of Texture Afghan
• Flower Power Blanket
• Bellame Baby Blanket
• Blossoms Bloom Baby Blanket

This wraps up Day 87 of the 365 Day Challenge. I hope you enjoy making your Smiles for Miles Blanket as much as I did! Please tag me on Instagram @thispixiecreates, or on Facebook because I would love to see how your blankets turn out. Have a wonderful day, and happy crocheting!

Read and explore more topics in the 365 Day Blog Post Challenge here.

Love, Dayna