This soft and squishy Crochet Cluster Stitch Baby Blanket is a fantastic next step for beginners who already know the basic stitches and are ready for something a bit more exciting. The Crochet Cluster Stitch gives the blanket a gorgeous, plush texture that looks impressive but becomes surprisingly simple once you’ve worked a few rows. It’s thick, cozy, and fully reversible — perfect for the crib, stroller, or as a heartfelt handmade baby shower gift.
Design
The pattern is truly beginner-friendly thanks to its easy two-row repeat. You’ll only need to know variations of half double crochet, double crochet, and basic chains — nothing complicated! To finish it off, a simple yet elegant braided border is created using just slip stitches and chains.
Materials
For the Crochet Cluster Stitch Baby Blanket, I used Red Heart Soft Baby Steps yarn in Baby Blue and White. But for this blanket you can use any #4 worsted weight yarn. I’m making this blanket for a family friend who just had a baby boy, so I wanted to incorporate blue. I used a size I (5.5mm) hook which worked well with the stitch and yarn combination.
You can see a free copy of the Crochet Cluster Stitch Baby Blanket pattern below. If you’d like a ad-free, formatted PDF printable with step by step instructions of the pattern you can get it from my Etsy Shop Here.
Pattern Instructions
CROCHET / SKILL LEVEL
Beginner
MATERIALS
Size: US I/9 (5.5 mm) crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge
Red Heart® Soft Baby Steps®
A – 2 skeins E746.9800 Baby Blue – 5oz / 141g; 256 yds/ 234m
B – 2 skeins E746.9600 White – 5oz / 141g; 256 yds/ 234m
Notions: Yarn Needle
ABBREVIATIONS (US Terms)
Approx = Approximately
Ch = Chain(s)
Ch-sp = Chain Space
Cl-st(s) = Cluster Stitch
Dc = Double Crochet
5dc-cl = Five Double Crochet Cluster Stitch
Hdc = Half Double Crochet
Rep = Repeat
Rnd(s) = Round
Sc = Single Crochet
Sk = Skip
Sl st = Slip Stitch
Sp = Space
St(s) = Stitch(es)
WS = Wrong Side
Yo = Yarn Over
MEASUREMENTS
Approx Dimensions: 37” / 94 cm long and 32” / 81 cm wide
GAUGE
6 Cluster sts and 6 rows = 4” (10cm) in 5dc-cl Stitch
PATTERN NOTES:
- Pattern is written using American terms.
- For the foundation chain, use an even number of stitches.
- Pattern is a 2 row repeat.
- Change color every 2 rows.
- Carry yarn up the side of the blanket.
- Cluster Stitches align on top of each other.
- For Row 3, make the loop on the hook for Half Double Crochet Stitches (Hdc) a little looser/taller to cover the span of the cluster stitch.
- For round 1 of the border, do 2sc in each stitch around the blanket.
SPECIAL STITCHES (US TERMS):
Slip Stitch (Sl st): Insert hook into stitch, YO and draw through both loops on hook.
Single Crochet (Sc): Insert hook into stitch, YO and pull up a loop, YO and pull through 2 loops on hook.
Half Double Crochet (Hdc): YO, insert hook into stitch, YO and pull up a loop, YO and pull through all 3 loops on hook.
Double Crochet (Dc): YO, insert hook into stitch, YO and pull up a loop, YO and pull through 2 loops on hook, YO and pull through 2 remaining loops on hook.
Five Double Crochet Cluster Stitch (5dc-cl): YO, insert hook in stitch, YO, pull up a loop, YO, pull through first 2 loops on hook, * YO, insert hook in same stitch, YO, pull up a loop, YO, pull through 2 loops on hook, repeat from * 2 more times (5 loops on hook), YO and pull through all 5 loops on hook.
PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS
FOUNDATION CHAIN: With Color A, ch 100.
ROW 1: Hdc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next ch, *ch 1, sk ch, hdc in next ch. Rep from * across to last 2ch. Hdc in each ch, turn.
ROW 2: Ch4, sk first 2 sts, 5dc-cl in ch-sp, ch 1 (to close 5dc-cl). * 5dc-cl in next ch-sp, ch 1 (to close 5dc-cl). Rep from * to last 2 sts, sk next st, dc in last st, turn. (48 cl-sts)
ROW 3: Ch2, hdc in first st, *(with longer loop on hook) hdc in between cl-sts across. Rep from * till last cl-st, hdc after last cl-st, hdc in turning ch, turn. (51hdc)
Row 4: Ch4, sk first st, 5dc-cl in hdc, ch 1 (to close 5 dc-cl). * 5dc-cl in next hdc, ch 1 (to close 5dc-cl). Rep from * to last 2sts, sk next st, dc in last st, turn. (48 cl-sts)
Row 5-62: Rep rows 3 and 4 until desired length.
Finish off and weave in ends before border.
BORDER INSTRUCTIONS
RND 1: Starting at the top of the blanket with color B, join with sl st in 2nd st from corner, ch1, sc in same st. Continue doing 2sc in each st around all sides of the blanket. For corners, do 3sc in each corner. Sl st to 1st st to complete rnd.
RND 2: Ch1, sc in each st around blanket. Sl st to 1st st and change to color A to complete rnd.
RND 3: Ch1, *sl st in next st, ch1. Continue from * around blanket until last st. Sl st to first st to complete rnd.
FINISHING
- Weave in any remaining ends.
- Block Blanket.
Permissions and Copyright
Please do not publish or share this pattern as your own. You may make items to sell with this pattern. In exchange, please link back this post. Do NOT use my photos as your own sales photos.
I would love to get your feedback! Reach out with any questions or comments or send me pictures of your work!! I’d love to see them.
Have an amazing day!
Heather
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