Free Crochet Baby Blanket Pattern – Lily Pads

A free crochet baby blanket pattern that is full of texture – could even be a fidget toy! It uses the forked half double crochet stitch. It's full of 3-D circles that literally pop off the blanket, making it look like lily pads floating on top of a calm pond.

Free Crochet Baby Blanket Pattern - looks like small lily pads! Such a fun and textured blanket.

I wrote this pattern for All Free Crochet, and you can find the complete pattern here. I used the forked half double crochet stitch and the popping circle stitch, both of which I learned from my favorite crochet book, Crochet Stitches Visual Encyclopedia.

Free Crochet Baby Blanket Pattern - Lily Pads

The stitch for this crochet baby blanket pattern is probably more of an intermediate stitch, and you'll need to be able to follow written patterns well. But, once you get the popping circles stitch down, it's just repeated over and over. I was able to do it while watching TV, so it's not too terribly complicated!

Free Crochet Baby Blanket Pattern – the Lily Pad Stitch

A free crochet baby blanket pattern that's perfect for a baby shower gift! It's full of popping circles that look like mini lily pads – texture that the baby will grow to love.

Materials:

Size:

Blanket measures approximately 21 inches by 26 inches

Abbreviations:

  • CH = chain
  • HDC = half double crochet
  • DC = double crochet
  • FK HDC = forked half double crochet
  • SP = space
  • SC = single crochet

Special Stitches:

Forked Half Double Crochet Stitch – Popping Circle

6 HDC (or DC if you want it to be bigger) around the post of the FK HDC directly below the one in which you just finished. Turn work 180 degrees, then 6 HDC around the post of the previous FK HDC. HDC at the top of the circle, right next to the last HDC worked in the circle.

TIP: Work your poping circles very loosely so they don't curl up. If they do curl, you may need to iron them down at the end.

Crochet Baby Blanket Pattern:

Here's how to work the free crochet baby blanket pattern that looks like small lily pads!

CH a multiple of 8, plus 3. In this case, CH 88 plus 3

Row 1: In 3rd and 4th CH from hook, work a FK HDC (the first CH 3 is the turning HDC)
1 FK HDC in each CH all the way down (88 FK HDC total, plus the turning CH 3)
DC in last CH, turn

Row 2: CH 3
1 FK HDC in each SP all the way down (88 FK HDC total, plus the turning CH 3)
DC in last SP, turn (same space as the last FK HDC worked)

Row 3: CH 3
FK HDC in next 7 SPs (6 FK HDC stitches completed) or 4 SPs
Work a circle
*FK HDC in next 8 SPs (7 FK HDC stitches completed) or 9 Sps
Work a circle
Repeat from * all the way down until the last 5 SPs (11 popping circles worked)
FK HDC in last 5 SPs (4 FK HDC stiches completed)
DC in last sp (same spe as the last FK HDC worked)

Rows 4-6: Repeat row 2

Row 7: CH 3
*FK HDC in next 10 SPs (9 FK HDC completed)
Work a circle
*FK HDC in next 9 !SPs (7 FK HDC stitches completed) or 8 Sps
Work a circle
Repeat from * all the way down (10 popping circles worked)
FK HDC in last 8 Sps (7 FK HDC stitches completed)
DC in last space (same space as the last FK HDC worked)

Rows 8-10: Repeat row 2
Repeat rows 3-10 three more times, until you have about 43 rows.

Edging
The edge is simple a shell stitch.

On the top and bottom edges
5 DC in one space, 1 SC in each of the next 3 Sps

On the sides
5 DC in one space, 1 SC in each of the next 2 Sps (the spaces are taller on the sides, so the shells
are worked every 2 spaces instead of every 3)

Bernat Satin in Sage Yarn Review

I was also able to review Bernat Satin yarn in Sage. This is a beautiful color that is really almost gender neutral – I think it's really more a teal than sage. This yarn is so soft and just glides on my fingers while I work. It made the blanket nice and thick and SO soft. Perfect for a baby!

Free Crochet Baby Blanket Pattern - Lily Pad - A Free Crochet Pattern for a Perfect, Textured Baby Blanket!

I really like the forked half double crochet stitch – it's so much more visually interesting than just straight half double or double crochet and makes a thicker weave. I'm crocheting several hats with this stitch as well and they are perfect for cold weather!

Hope you enjoyed making this free crochet baby blanket pattern! Merry Crocheting!

One Comment

  1. I’ve been desiring to create this blanket for years. I FINALLY sat down last night to attempt it but ran into a few problems. First, I can’t seem to manage 11 circles on Row 3. I got 10 … took it out, then got 9. I’m obviously doing something wrong. I’m counting 7 then 8 FK HDC before making the popping circle, but mathematically… that doesn’t work out given there’s only 88 sts in the row below. Next, I’m not exactly sure where to complete the popping circle by crocheting a HDC to the top of the circle. Any input would be helpful as I cannot find any other resources online.

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