Soft Squares Baby Blanket in Caron Simply Soft & Simply Soft Ombre - Downloadable PDF

Soft Squares Baby Blanket in Caron Simply Soft & Simply Soft Ombre – Crochet Pattern Summary

About This Pattern

The Soft Squares Baby Blanket is a beautifully structured crochet baby blanket designed by Darla J. Fanton and published by Caron. Available as a free downloadable PDF, this intermediate-level pattern produces a finished afghan measuring approximately 37 inches wide by 38 inches long (94 cm x 96.5 cm) — a generous size that works wonderfully as a crib blanket, stroller wrap, or cherished baby gift. The design is built around a grid of distinct square blocks, each measuring approximately 11¾ inches wide by 12 inches tall, giving the blanket its signature soft, geometric look.

Techniques Used

What makes this pattern particularly interesting — and what places it at the intermediate difficulty level — is its use of Tunisian crochet, a specialty technique that combines elements of both traditional crochet and knitting. Unlike standard crochet, Tunisian crochet is worked on a longer hook and involves two distinct passes per row:

• The Forward Pass: Worked from right to left, loops are picked up and kept on the hook simultaneously, building up multiple live stitches at once — similar in concept to casting on in knitting.
• The Return Pass: Worked from left to right, loops are worked off the hook two at a time (creating a 2-stitch cluster), then one at a time across, until a single loop remains. A row is considered complete only when this single loop remains on the hook.

An important construction note is that the right side of the work always faces the crocheter throughout the Tunisian sections, and the first vertical bar of every forward pass is skipped since it is already on the hook. The final stitch of each row is also worked in a specific manner as directed in the pattern. These small but important details are what give Tunisian crochet its characteristic dense, fabric-like texture and smooth, even appearance — ideal for a soft baby blanket.

Stitches Used

This pattern draws on both standard crochet stitches and Tunisian specialty stitches. Crafters working this pattern will use:

• Tunisian Purl Stitch (Tps): The primary stitch used for the square blocks, worked on the forward pass by holding the yarn in front of the work before inserting the hook into the next vertical bar. The gauge for the blanket is set in Tunisian purl stitch — 14 stitches and 11 rows = 4 inches with the larger hook.
• Tunisian Simple Stitch (Tss): Also used on the forward pass, worked by holding the yarn behind the work before inserting the hook into the next vertical bar.
• Chain (ch): Used for foundation chains and construction throughout.
• Half Double Crochet (hdc): A standard crochet stitch incorporated into the pattern's construction or edging sections.
• Single Crochet (sc): Used for joining, edging, or border work.
• Slip Stitch (sl st): Used for joining and finishing.

Materials – Yarn and Hook

This pattern is designed specifically for Caron Simply Soft and Caron Simply Soft Ombre yarns, which are known for their smooth, soft feel and vibrant color range — making them particularly well-suited to baby projects. The pattern calls for three color contrasts:

• Contrast A – Caron Simply Soft in Orchid (9717): 1 skein (170 g / 6 oz; 288 m / 315 yds per skein) — an aran weight yarn.
• Contrast B – Caron Simply Soft in Light Country Peach (9737): 1 skein (170 g / 6 oz; 288 m / 315 yds per skein) — also aran weight.
• Contrast C – C