Hi guys! Is there anything cuter than a baby blanket? Here is another one to add to your collection: the Hidden Gem Baby Blanket. This is a moss stitch diamond striped baby blanket that is fun to crochet once you get the hang of it.
There is so much to love about this blanket:
- It has a fun, diamond design
- It’s crocheted all in one piece with no seams
- It uses the moss stitch (a combination of single crochets and chain-1 spaces that is both relaxing and addicting)
- Self-striping yarn is used to add bursts of colour to the project without doing any extra work
- The blanket changes colours every 2 rounds – this is a trick for minimizing the number of ends you have to weave in at the end of the project.
You can find the free pattern for the baby blanket size (36″ x 44″) below. If you prefer to print the pattern and avoid ads, you can find the printable PDF here. I hope you enjoy making this colorful, striped baby blanket.
If you prefer to print the pattern, the ad-free printable PDF includes step-by-step pictures and instructions to make 4 blanket sizes (Baby – 36″ x 44″, Lapghan – 41″ x 50″, Small Throw – 52″ x 65″, Large Throw – 70″ x 85″), along with instructions to customize the size of your blanket.
Pin this Moss Stitch Diamond Baby Blanket – HERE!
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Materials:
Optional Materials:
- Steamer or Spray Bottle
- Straight Pins or Blocking Pins
- Blocking Mat or Foam Board
Yarn:
- Yarn Note: You can use ANY medium 4 (worsted/aran) weight yarn as a substitute. You can use self-striping yarn or solid coloured yarn, depending on your preference.
- Lion Brand Mandala Ombre, Weight 4 Medium (100% Acrylic, 344 yd / 315 m, 150 g / 5.3 oz)
- Colour A: Tranquil
- Lion Brand Mandala Ombre is a self-striping yarn that has the following colours in each cake: purple, pink, orange, coral, aqua, green.
- Caron Simply Soft, Weight 4 Medium (100% Acrylic, 315 yd / 288 m, 170 g / 6 oz)
- Colour B: White
Yardage:
- Colour A: 910 yds / 832 m (3 skeins)
- Colour B: 1125 yds / 1029 m (4 skeins)
- Total: 2035 yds / 2149 m
Abbreviations:
- St – stitch
- Ch – chain
- Sp – space
- Sl st – slip stitch
- Sc – single crochet
- Rnd – round
- YO – yarn over
- WS – wrong side
- RS – right side
- MR – magic ring
Gauge: Approximately 12 Rnds = 4” x 4”
To check your gauge, follow the “Diamond (Width)” instructions below. Crochet at least 14 rnds before measuring your swatch to make the gauge more accurate.
Trouble with Gauge?
- If you have less than 12 rnds in 4”, try using a thinner weight 4 yarn or a smaller crochet hook, until you meet the gauge.
- If you have more than 12 rnds in 4”, try using a thicker weight 4 yarn or a larger crochet hook, until you meet the gauge.
Pattern Measurement:
The Hidden Gem Blanket pattern is a moss stitch diamond baby blanket that measures approximately 36” wide x 44” long with the border, or 34” x 42” without the border. The border adds 2” to the length and width.
Other Crochet Baby Blankets You’ll Love!
Blanket Construction:
This is a rectangular blanket with a diamond center. Here is the process for crocheting it:
- The blanket begins as a small square that increases in size with each round (Picture 1).
- Rotate the square to make a diamond and crochet until you reach the desired width of the blanket (Picture 2).
- To make the blanket longer, decrease along the sides to add length to the top of the blanket (Picture 3), then square off the top two corners (Picture 4).
- Repeat this process to add length to the bottom of the blanket, then square off the remaining bottom two corners (Pictures 5 & 6).
Customize the Size of Your Blanket:
If you’d like to make a different sized blanket – other than a moss stitch diamond baby blanket – the printable PDF includes instructions for making a custom size blanket to suit you.
This blanket has been added to the 20+ Crochet Blanket Bundle on Etsy and Ravelry. If you purchased the bundle through Ravelry, then you should receive an email with a link to download your pattern; if you purchased through Etsy, check the Google Drive bundle to download your pattern.
Changing Colour Tutorial:
At the end of Rnd 8: Before making the final YO of the sl st to close Rnd 8, drop Colour A and pick up Colour B (to make the join more secure, make a slip knot with Colour B and place it on the hook). Pull Colour B through the st and the loop on the hook, to complete the sl st and change colours! Do not cut Colour A; keep it attached to your work because you’ll need it for Rnd 11.
At the end of Rnd 10 (12, 14, 16,…52): Before making the final YO of the sl st to close the rnd, drop the current colour (beige), and let it hang from the back of your work because you will need it for future rnds. Pick up the unused colour (rust) and pull it through the st and the loop on the hook, to complete the sl st and change colours!
At the end of every second row: Before completing the final sc – when there are two loops on the hook – drop the current colour (pink) and let it hang from the back of your work because you’ll need it for future rows. Pick up the unused colour (yellow). Pull the unused colour through the remaining 2 loops on the hook to complete the sc and change colour. Colour changes happen at the end of every second row.
Right Side (RS) vs. Wrong Side (WS):
Odd numbered rnds (rows) are considered the WS, while even numbered rnds (rows) are considered the RS. On the WS of the blanket, you can see the colour changes where the yarn has been carried up the side of the blanket or up the corner of the diamond. On the RS of the blanket, you cannot see the colour changes.
Using Self-Striping Yarn (Tip):
For Colour A, I used a self-striping yarn – Mandala Ombre in the colour “Tranquil”. This yarn alternates between purple, pink, orange, coral, aqua and green.
Self-striping yarn is yarn that has multiple colours in it, so it changes colour automatically as you crochet.
Tip: If you use self-striping yarn, try to line up your colours when you finish a skein or fasten off, so that the last colour used is the first colour you use when you fasten back on. You can also fasten on with the next colour in the colour sequence of your skein/cake.
I used this trick when adding length to the top and bottom of the blanket, and squaring off the corners, so the blanket looked cohesive. You can see that opposite corners of the blanket match.
Ex. If my skein ended on Green, when fastening on with my new skein, I would either start with Green or the next colour in the sequence, which is purple.
Video Tutorial:
Here is a video tutorial to get you started with the Hidden Gem Baby blanket. It walks you through Rnds 1 – 4 of the diamond, and how to change colour at the end of Rnd 8 and 10. Timestamps are included in the description box of the video, so you can skip to the part(s) you need.
Pattern:
Notes:
- The diamond portion of the pattern is worked in turned Rnds, while the length and corners are worked in back-and-forth Rows.
- For the Rnds: the beginning ch 1 of each rnd does NOT count as a st.
- For the Rows: the beginning ch 2 of each rnd counts as a ch-2 sp.
- Odd numbered rnds (rows) are considered the WS, while even numbered rnds (rows) are considered the RS.
- After Rnd 1, each rnd starts and ends in the same corner ch-2 sp.
- After Rnd 8, change colour at the end of every second rnd (row). The unused colour should hang from the back of your work, so you can pick it up for future rnds/rows.
Diamond (Width of Blanket)
With Colour A, make a MR.
Rnd 1 (WS):
Ch 1, [sc, ch 2] 4 times in MR. Join last ch 2 to first sc with a sl st. Turn.
- Stitch Count: 4 sc, 4 ch-2 sp
Rnd 2 (RS):
Ch 1, (sc, ch 1) in first ch-2 sp. [(Sc, ch 2, sc, ch 1) in next ch-2 sp] 3 times. (Sc, ch 2) in first ch-2 sp of the rnd to complete the first corner. Join with a sl st. Turn.
- Stitch Count: 8 sc, 4 ch-2 sp, 4 ch-1 sp
Rnd 3 (WS):
Ch 1, (sc, ch 1) in first ch-2 sp. [(Sc, ch 1) in ch-1 sp, (sc, ch 2, sc, ch 1) in ch-2 sp] 3 times. (Sc, ch 1) in ch-1 sp. (Sc, ch 2) in first ch-2 sp. Join with a sl st. Turn.
- Stitch Count: 12 sc, 4 ch-2 sp, 8 ch-1 sp
Rnd 4 (RS):
Ch 1, (sc, ch 1) in first ch-2 sp. [(Sc, ch 1) in each ch-1 sp until next ch-2 sp, (sc, ch 2, sc, ch 1) in ch-2 sp] 3 times. (Sc, ch 1) in each ch-1 sp until first ch-2 sp. (Sc, ch 2) in first ch-2 sp. Join with a sl st. Turn.
- Stitch Count: 16 sc, 4 ch-2 sp, 12 ch-1 sp
Rnds 5 – 52:
Repeat Rnd 4.
- After Rnd 8, the blanket alternates between Colour A and B every 2 rnds (rows) See tutorial for colour changing above.
- Every rnd increases by 4 sc and 4 ch-1 sp.
- Rnd 52 should have a stitch count of 208 sc, 4 ch-2 sp, 204 ch-1 sp, and be worked in Colour A.
- The width of the blanket – measured from one corner of the diamond to the other – is now complete. We will add to the length of the blanket, before squaring off the corners, then adding the border.
Adding Length to the Top of the Blanket
Without fastening off, follow Rows 1 – 12 to add length to the top of the blanket.
Row 1:
With Colour B, ch 2, sk first ch-2 sp, [sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1] until center ch-2 sp. (Sc, ch 2, sc) in center ch-2 sp. [Ch 1, sc in next ch-1 sp] until next ch-2 sp, sc in ch-2 sp. Do not ch 1 between the last two sc of the row – this is a decrease. Turn.
- Stitch Count: 105 sc, 2 ch-2 sp, 102 ch-1 sp
Row 2:
Ch 2, sc in first ch-1 sp, ch 1, [sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1] until center ch-2 sp. (Sc, ch 2, sc) in center ch-2 sp. [Ch 1, sc in next ch-1 sp] until last ch-2 sp, sc in last ch-2 sp. Do not ch 1 between the last two sc of the row – this is a decrease. Turn.
- Stitch Count: 105 sc, 2 ch-2 sp, 102 ch-1 sp
Rows 3 – 12:
Repeat Row 2, while alternating between Colours A and B every 2 rows. Row 12 should be worked in Colour A.
Corner #1 (Decrease/Square Off)
Without fastening off, follow Rows 1 – 52 to square off Corner #1.
Row 1:
With Colour B, ch 2, sc in first ch-1 sp, [ch 1, sc in next ch-1 sp] until center ch-2 sp, sc in center ch-2 sp. Do not ch 1 between the last two sc of the row – this is a decrease. Turn.
- Mark this side of the blanket with a stitch marker before turning to start Row 2 – this will come in handy when we start Corner #2 and add length to the bottom of the blanket.
- Stitch Count: 52 sc, 1 ch-2 sp, 50 ch-1 sp
Row 2:
Ch 2, sc in first ch-1 sp, [ch 1, sc in next ch-1 sp] until last ch-2 sp, sc in last ch-2 sp. Do not ch 1 between the last two sc of the row – this is a decrease. Turn.
- Stitch Count: 51 sc, 1 ch-2 sp, 49 ch-1 sp
Rows 3 – 42:
Repeat Row 2, while alternating between Colour A and B every two rows.
- Each row decreases by 1 sc and 1 ch-1 sp.
- Row 42 should be worked in Colour B.
- Row 42 Stitch Count: 11 sc, 1 ch-2 sp, 9 ch-1 sp
Rows 43 – 49:
With Colour A, repeat Row 2.
- Row 49 Stitch Count: 4 sc, 1 ch-2 sp, 2 ch-1 sp
Row 50:
With Colour A, ch 2, (sc, ch 1) in first ch-1 sp, sc in next ch-1 sp, sc in last ch-2 sp. Turn.
- Stitch Count: 3 sc, 1 ch-2 sp, 1 ch-1 sp
Row 51:
With Colour A, ch 2, sc in first ch-1 sp; sc in last ch-2 sp. Turn.
- Stitch Count: 2 sc, 1 ch-2 sp
Row 52:
With Colour A, sl st in ch-2 sp. Fasten off. Corner #1 is complete!
Corner #2 (Decrease/Square Off)
Find the side of the blanket with the stitch marker. This is the side that we start on – the same side we crocheted Row 1 of Corner #1.
Fasten on: Insert hook into the center ch-2 sp at the top of the blanket. Pick up Colour B with your hook and pull through the ch-2 sp to fasten on.
Row 1:
With Colour B, ch 2, sc in first ch-1 sp, [ch 1, sc in next ch-1 sp] until last ch-2 sp, sc in last ch-2 sp. Do not ch 1 between the last two sc of the row – this is a decrease. Turn.
- Stitch Count: 52 sc, 1 ch-2 sp, 50 ch-1 sp
Rows 2 – 42:
Repeat Row 1, while alternating between Colour A and B every two rows.
- Each row decreases by 1 sc and 1 ch-1 sp.
- Row 42 should be worked in Colour B.
- Row 42 Stitch Count: 11 sc, 1 ch-2 sp, 9 ch-1 sp
Rows 43 – 49:
With Colour A, repeat Row 1.
- Row 49 Stitch Count: 4 sc, 1 ch-2 sp, 2 ch-1 sp
Row 50:
With Colour A, ch 2, (sc, ch 1) in first ch-1 sp, sc in next ch-1 sp, sc in last ch-2 sp. Turn.
- Stitch Count: 3 sc, 1 ch-2 sp, 1 ch-1 sp
Row 51:
With Colour A, ch 2, sc in first ch-1 sp; sc in last ch-2 sp. Turn.
- Stitch Count: 2 sc, 1 ch-2 sp
Row 52:
With Colour A, sl st in ch-2 sp. Fasten off. Corner #1 is complete!
Adding Length to the Bottom of the Blanket
- Find the side of the blanket with the stitch marker – this is the side we will start on.
- Rotate the blanket, so you are working along the bottom of the blanket.
- Fasten on with Colour B, in the right corner ch-2 sp of the diamond.
- Follow the instructions for “Adding Length to the Top of the Blanket” above. There should be a total of 12 rows added to the bottom of the blanket.
- Do not fasten off.
Corner #1 (Bottom)
- To square off Corner #1 on the bottom of the blanket, follow the instructions for “Corner #1 (Decrease/Square Off)” above. There should be a total of 52 rows added to square off Corner #1.
- Fasten off.
Corner #2 (Bottom)
- Follow the instructions for “Corner #2 (Decrease/Square Off)” above. The only difference is that you’ll fasten on in the bottom center ch-2 sp of the diamond.
- Fasten off and weave in your ends with a yarn needle before proceeding to the border!
Border:
- Turn your work at the end of each rnd. Odd numbered rnds are considered the RS, and even numbered rnds are considered the WS.
- In Rnd 1, crochet over top of colour changes on each side of the blanket to lock them in place/hide them from view.
Rnd 1 (RS):
- Fasten on: Make sure that the RS of the blanket is facing you – you can’t see the colour changes on this side. Insert the hook in the top-left corner of the blanket, YO with Colour B, and pull through the corner.
- Left Side: With Colour B, ch 1, sc into the top-left corner of the blanket. Sc into the side of each row across the left side. (Sc, ch 2, sc) in corner.
- Bottom: Sc into the side of each row across the bottom of the blanket. (Sc, ch 2, sc) in corner.
- Right Side: Sc into the side of each row across the right side. (Sc, ch 2, sc) in corner.
- Top: Sc into the side of each row across the top of the blanket. (Sc, ch 2) to complete the first corner. Sl st into the first sc of the rnd to join. Turn.
Rnds 2 – 4:
Ch 1, sc in first corner ch-2 sp, [Sc in each st across until next ch-2 sp, (Sc, ch 2, sc) in corner ch-2 sp] 3 times, sc in each st across until first ch-2 sp. (Sc, ch 2) in first corner ch-2 sp to complete the corner. Sl st into the first sc of the rnd to join. Turn.
Rnd 5 (RS):
Ch 1, and insert hook into first st to the right of the ch-1 and make a sc. [Sc in next st or ch-sp to the right] around. Join with a sl st.
Blocking the Blanket:
Blocking is the process of wetting a piece of crochet to make the ends and rows straight. To block this moss stitch diamond baby blanket, you will need a steamer or spray bottle, straight pins or blocking pins, and a blocking mat or foam.
Block your work by stretching out the blanket (vertically and horizontally) and placing pins along each side to hold it in place. Spray the blanket with water, or use a steamer, making sure to stay at least 2 inches away from the blanket. Gently press the water or steam into the blanket with your hands. Let the blanket dry completely before unpinning it.
Questions?
If you have any questions about the Hidden Gem Moss Stitch Diamond Baby Blanket, please send me an email through my contact page. I am happy to help!
End Notes:
Yay! You just made your first Hidden Gem Moss Stitch Diamond Baby Blanket. I hope you enjoy making and using your blanket! If you’d like to make more crochet blankets, explore some crochet patterns by clicking on the button below.
Disclaimer: You are welcome to sell items that you’ve made from this pattern; however, you are not allowed to use my pictures, make Youtube video tutorials for the pattern, or sell/market my pattern as your own (Copyright @ ThisPixieCreates).
I hope you have a wonderful day!
Love, Dayna