Highland cow plush toy seated next to a moss stitch baby blanket with a soft white border and striped pastel rows on a white quilted bed.

Moss Stitch Crochet Baby Blanket Pattern for Beginners (Free!)

ByMelissa

Looking for a cozy and beginner-friendly baby blanket? You’re going to love this moss stitch crochet baby blanket pattern! It’s a simple, textured design that’s perfect for new crocheters and anyone wanting a relaxing project.

Whether you’re making a DIY baby blanket for a friend or a sweet keepsake for your own little one, this one-row repeat crochet stitch makes it easy and fun to follow. With its soft feel and modern look, this is a gender neutral baby blanket that will never go out of style. The free pattern is below.

Moss stitch baby blanket laid on a bed with a plush highland cow toy, featuring pastel stripes and a white textured border. A banner at the top reads “Free Pattern.”

Why you’ll love this moss stitch crochet baby blanket pattern

This easy crochet baby blanket is worked with the moss stitch, one of the most simple crochet stitches out there. It creates a pretty, woven texture that looks way more complicated than it is!

The crochet moss stitch pattern is repetitive and calming, making it a great Netflix project or quiet weekend craft. And because it uses just a single stitch repeat, it’s an ideal crochet blanket for beginners. The finished result? A cozy baby blanket pattern that’s soft, stylish, and totally handmade with love.

This beginner crochet baby blanket makes the perfect gift

Need a go-to baby shower gift or something special for a new arrival? This beginner crochet baby blanket is a hit every time! The textured fabric and timeless design make it feel both classic and fresh.

You can keep it neutral or customize it with your favorite colors. It’s a handmade baby blanket that parents will actually use—and treasure! Since it’s a modern crochet baby blanket, it works beautifully for both boys and girls.

The best yarn for a soft and modern moss stitch baby blanket

Choosing the right yarn is key to making a snuggly, soft baby blanket. I recommend using a medium weight (#4) cotton blend or acrylic yarn that’s gentle on baby’s skin and holds up well to washing.

Neutral shades give this moss stitch baby blanket a clean, minimal vibe, while bright or pastel colors can make it pop. Want a nice finish? Add a crochet blanket with border to give it a polished look.

Square image showing a moss stitch baby blanket on a white bed with a plush highland cow beside it; soft rainbow pastel stripes with a white crochet border.

Skill level for this moss stitch crochet baby blanket

This moss stitch crochet baby blanket pattern is perfect for beginners! If you know how to chain and single crochet, you’re ready to start. The moss stitch uses just one simple stitch repeat, making it a relaxing and rewarding project for crocheters of all levels.

Crochet terms and stitch abbreviations

This pattern uses standard U.S. crochet terms. Here’s what you’ll need to know:

  • chain (ch) – used to begin rows and create spaces
  • single crochet (sc) – the main stitch used in the moss stitch
  • half double crochet (hdc) – used for the optional border

These basic stitches are perfect for beginners and easy to learn!

Materials for your moss stitch baby blanket

You’ll only need a few basic supplies to make this cozy and textured crochet baby blanket:

  • J/6.0 mm crochet hook – helps create a soft and flexible fabric
  • Worsted weight yarn (#4) – choose a soft, washable yarn that’s gentle on baby’s skin
    • I used five colors: white, mint, blue, purple, and gray
  • Stitch markers – helpful for keeping your row ends straight and even
  • Scissors – for trimming your yarn ends
  • Yarn needle – to weave in the ends when your blanket is finished

Choose yarn in any colors you love—this pattern works beautifully in neutrals, pastels, or bold shades!

Tips for managing color changes in your baby blanket

If you’re following my color sequence, you’ll be making frequent color changes—which means you’ll end up with a lot of yarn tails to weave in. But don’t worry! There are a few easy ways to manage all those ends without getting overwhelmed.

Here are some helpful options:

  • Weave in as you go – After changing colors, use your yarn needle to weave in the old tail before continuing. Doing this throughout saves time at the end.
  • Crochet over the yarn tails – When starting a new color, hold the tail of the previous color along the top of your row and crochet over it to hide it. This works best with thicker yarns and even tension.
  • Save them for the end – If you prefer to focus on the stitches first, wait until your blanket is finished and weave in all your ends in one sitting. Just make sure they’re secure so they don’t work loose over time.

Choose the method that works best for you—or mix and match! No matter how you handle the tails, the end result will still be a beautiful and colorful handmade baby blanket.

Finished size of the baby blanket

Your finished blanket will measure approximately:
24.5 inches wide by 28.5 inches long / 62 cm by 72.5 cm

You can easily adjust the width or length by changing your starting chain or repeating rows.

How to check your gauge in moss stitch

Before starting your blanket, it’s a good idea to make a gauge swatch to help your finished size turn out as expected. Moss stitch creates a woven look using single crochets and chain spaces, so the stitch count includes both.

Gauge:
10 stitches (single crochet + chain-one spaces) x 20 rows = 4″ x 4″ in moss stitch pattern
(Gauge was measured after light blocking.)

How to make a gauge swatch:

  1. Chain an even number of stitches—enough to create a swatch at least 4″ wide (try chaining 20–22 to start).
  2. Work in moss stitch for about 4″ in height:
    • Row 1: Single crochet in the second chain from the hook. Chain one, skip the next chain, single crochet in the next chain; repeat across. Turn.
    • Row 2: Chain one, single crochet in the first chain-one space. Chain one, single crochet in the next chain-one space; repeat across. Turn.
    • Repeat Row 2 until your swatch measures at least 4″ tall.
  3. Block your swatch if you plan to block your finished blanket.
  4. Count the number of stitches (single crochets + chain-one spaces) across and the number of rows within a 4″ x 4″ square.

Do I need to match gauge?
Since this is a crochet baby blanket pattern, gauge isn’t super important—unless you want the finished size to be exact. If your gauge is off, your blanket might turn out slightly bigger or smaller, but it will still look beautiful and work up just fine.

Pattern notes and customization tips

  • Each stitch in the moss stitch pattern is a combo of 1 single crochet + 1 chain
  • This blanket is worked flat in rows using the moss stitch (also called the linen or granite stitch).
  • You can make your blanket larger or smaller by adjusting your starting chain (just make sure it’s an even number).
  • The border is optional, but it gives the blanket a clean and finished look.
  • Be consistent with tension for an even texture.

How to crochet the moss stitch (step-by-step guide)

The moss stitch is an easy and beginner-friendly crochet stitch that uses just two basic techniques: single crochet and chain stitches. It creates a beautiful, woven texture that’s perfect for blankets, scarves, and more.

Close-up of moss stitch rows using pastel colors and white yarn, with a crochet hook inserted—showing stitch texture and color changes.

Step-by-step moss stitch instructions:

  • Start with an even number of chains.
  • Row 1: Single crochet in the second chain from the hook. Chain one, skip the next chain, single crochet in the next chain; repeat across. Turn.
  • Row 2: Chain one, single crochet in the first chain-one space. Chain one, single crochet in the next chain-one space; repeat across. Turn.
  • Repeat Row 2 for as long as you’d like.

That’s it! The moss stitch (1 single crochet + 1 chain) is a simple one-row repeat that’s great for relaxing crochet sessions and creates a lovely, textured fabric.

Pattern instructions for your moss stitch crochet baby blanket

Starting chain
Chain 110 (use any even number).

Row instructions

  • Row 1: Single crochet in the second chain from the hook. Chain one, skip the next chain, single crochet in the next chain; repeat across. Turn.
  • Row 2: Chain one, single crochet in the first chain-one space. Chain one, single crochet in the next chain-one space; repeat across. Turn.
  • Repeat Row 2 for the full length of the blanket.

This easy one-row repeat crochet stitch creates a beautiful woven texture that looks polished and cozy.

Color pattern

I used the following color sequence in my blanket and repeated it 15 times:

  • White
  • Mint
  • White
  • Blue
  • White
  • Purple
  • White
  • Gray
  • White

Feel free to mix it up with your own color choices! Try neutrals for a gender neutral baby blanket, soft pastels for a timeless look, or bold brights for something playful and fun. This pattern looks great in just about any color combination.

Adding a simple border to your crochet baby blanket

To give your moss stitch crochet baby blanket a clean and finished look, I added a border made of half double crochet (hdc) stitches. I worked five rounds of hdc around the entire blanket.

Corner detail of a moss stitch baby blanket with white border and pastel striping; crochet hook and stitch marker visible on wooden table.

For the first round, I made:

  • One half double crochet in the side of every other row along the edges (this prevents crowding and keeps the border flat).
  • One half double crochet in each chain space across the top and bottom edges.
  • Three half double crochet stitches in each corner to help the border turn smoothly.

Tip: Use a stitch marker to mark the middle stitch of each corner (the 2nd of the 3 hdc stitches). This helps you know where to place the 3 hdc stitches in the next round.

Keep your stitches even and take your time—this simple border adds a polished edge to your textured crochet baby blanket.

Finishing your moss stitch crochet baby blanket

Once you’ve finished crocheting the last row and border, it’s time to add a final touch to your handmade baby blanket—blocking!

Blocking helps smooth out the edges, even out your stitches, and give your blanket a neat, professional look. I gently blocked my finished blanket to help the moss stitch texture and border lay flat.

How to block your blanket:

  • Lay your blanket flat on a clean surface (like foam mats or a bed).
  • Pin it into shape, making sure the edges are straight.
  • Lightly mist it with water using a spray bottle, or use steam if your yarn allows.
  • Let it dry completely before unpinning.

Blocking is optional, but it really makes a difference—especially when giving this as a baby shower gift or keeping it as a treasured keepsake. This final step gives your moss stitch crochet baby blanket pattern a clean, finished look that shows off all your hard work.

A fluffy highland cow stuffed animal sits next to a finished moss stitch crochet baby blanket with pastel stripes and white edging on a cozy bed.

FAQ

Can I use different yarn for this pattern?
Yes! Any soft worsted weight (#4) yarn will work. Just make sure it’s baby-friendly and machine washable.

How do I make the blanket larger or smaller?
Adjust the starting chain (use any even number) to change the width, and simply repeat rows to increase the length.

Do I have to block the finished blanket?
Blocking is optional, but it helps your stitches and border lay flat. It’s especially useful if you plan to give the blanket as a gift.

Can beginners really do this?
Absolutely! This is a great first project if you know how to chain and single crochet. The moss stitch is repetitive, relaxing, and very beginner-friendly.

Get the printable PDF pattern on Etsy

Want a printable version of this pattern you can download and keep forever? You can grab the ad-free, easy-to-follow PDF in my Etsy shop here:
👉 Get the PDF on Etsy (coming soon)

It’s perfect for printing, highlighting rows, or crocheting on the go!

More free baby blanket patterns

If you love making cozy crochet baby blankets, check out these other free patterns on my blog:

You can find even more baby-friendly projects in my full Pattern Library.

Want to stay connected?

I’d love to see what you’re making! Come hang out with me on social media:

Share your projects, ask questions, or just say hi! I love seeing all the amazing things you create. Happy crocheting! 🫶Melissa

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