Maggie Blanket

Maggie Blanket by Little Doolally

What is Being Made

The Maggie Blanket is a crochet blanket designed by Little Doolally, suitable as a baby blanket for newborns. The finished size measures 56cm x 66cm (22" x 26"), making it an ideal size for a bassinet, car seat, or pushchair. This downloadable PDF pattern is classified as an intermediate difficulty crochet project, making it accessible to crafters with some experience but not beginners.

Crochet Techniques and Construction

The blanket is constructed using fundamental crochet techniques that build upon basic stitches. The pattern employs a combination of foundational crochet methods to create texture and structure. Crafters will work in rows rather than rounds, building the blanket from a chain foundation upward. The pattern allows for customization of size by adjusting the number of chains at the beginning, with multiples divisible by 3 plus 2 additional chains, giving makers flexibility to create smaller or larger versions depending on their needs.

Stitches Used

The Maggie Blanket pattern utilizes several essential crochet stitches to create its finished fabric:

• Chain stitch (ch) — used to create the foundation and throughout the pattern
• Single crochet (sc) — a fundamental short stitch that creates a tight, dense fabric
• Half double crochet (hdc) — a medium-height stitch that adds structure
• Double crochet (dc) — a taller stitch that creates more drape and openness
• Slip stitch (slst) — used for joining and finishing

Materials and Yarn

The Maggie Blanket pattern calls for approximately 360 grams of aran weight yarn (also known as worsted weight), which is a medium-weight yarn suitable for creating blankets with good drape and structure. The pattern specifies Rico Creative Cotton Aran yarn in a beautiful palette of seven coordinating colors totaling 8 balls of 50g each:

• 4 x 50g balls of Natural (60)
• 1 x 50g ball of Mustard (70)
• 1 x 50g ball of Fox (77)
• 1 x 50g ball of Clay (51)
• 1 x 50g ball of Olive (50)
• 1 x 50g ball of Patina (43)
• 1 x 50g ball of Smokey Berry (12)

A 4mm crochet hook is required to work with this yarn weight and achieve the correct gauge.

Gauge and Sizing

The recommended gauge for the Maggie Blanket is 15 stitches by 20 rows over 10cm x 10cm (approximately 4" x 4") when worked in single crochet. However, the pattern notes that gauge is not essential for this blanket, making it forgiving for crafters who may not achieve exact gauge measurements. This flexibility is particularly helpful for a project of this size, as minor gauge variations will not significantly impact the finished blanket.