The Midnight Moonlight Block Stitch Gradient Crochet Blanket flows from deep, cozy charcoal into soft moonlit cream, creating a calm, modern look that still feels right at home in a cozy living room or farmhouse-style bedroom. There’s just something special about watching a blanket slowly change colors as you stitch, and this one quickly became a favorite on my hook.
This free pattern is worked in an easy, repeating block stitch that creates beautiful texture without being complicated, making it a relaxing project for evenings on the couch or slow weekends at home. Whether you’re using gradient yarn or creating your own color fade, this blanket grows quickly and has that satisfying rhythm that keeps you saying, “just one more row.”
If you love crochet projects that are simple, cozy, and full of texture, this throw blanket is a wonderful choice for gifts, home décor, or curling up with on chilly nights.
💜 A Sweet Hidden Detail
One of my favorite little surprises in this blanket is that the rows of chain stitches and single crochet naturally form tiny heart shapes throughout the fabric. It’s a subtle detail you may not notice right away, but once you see it, you can’t unsee it. And it adds such a sweet, meaningful touch to the finished blanket.
These little hearts make the Midnight Moonlight Blanket especially lovely for baby gifts, wedding presents, or any time you want your handmade project to carry a little extra love in every stitch.
✨ Why You’ll Love the Midnight Moonlight Blanket
- Beautiful Gradient Effect. The smooth fade from dark to light adds visual interest without requiring complicated color changes. Gradient yarn does all the work for you, or you can easily create your own fade with solid colors. Shades of black, charcoal, gray, and silver ombre yarn compliment this crochet throw.
- Easy confident beginner crochet blanket pattern. If you can make chain stitches, and work the double crochet and single crochet, you can crochet this cozy textured throw.
- Easy, Relaxing Stitch Pattern. The block stitch uses simple stitches and a repeat that’s easy to memorize, making this a great project for stress-free crocheting.
- Modern Yet Cozy Style. Neutral tones and rich texture make this blanket a perfect fit for modern, farmhouse, or classic home décor.
- Great for Gifts. The timeless color palette and soft texture make this blanket a lovely handmade gift for weddings and housewarmings. This even works for the new mother at baby showers or holiday gift giving.
- Works Up Faster Than It Looks. The stitch pattern creates thickness and texture, helping the blanket grow more quickly than many dense stitch patterns.
Blanket Sizes Included
This pattern includes instructions for five different blanket sizes, so you can make anything from a small lovey to a large cozy throw:
• Lovey Blanket: 20 x 20 inches — approx. 300 yards
• Baby Blanket (Square): 31 x 31 inches — approx. 900 yards
• Toddler Blanket / Lapghan: 43 x 48 inches — approx. 1,600 yards
• Small Throw Blanket: 50 x 61 inches — approx. 2,200 yards (shown)
• Large Throw Blanket: 60 x 70 inches — approx. 3,500 yards
Customizable. Easily adjust the width and length to make anything from a baby blanket to a full-sized throw or bed blanket.
🧶 Block Stitch Tutorial & Helpful Tips
The block stitch is a simple, textured crochet stitch made by working groups of double crochet stitches separated by chain spaces. As the rows build, the stitches stack neatly on top of one another, creating a soft, woven look that’s perfect for blankets and throws.
This stitch pattern is easy to memorize and works beautifully with both solid colors and gradient yarns, allowing the color changes to really shine while the texture adds depth and warmth.
🎥 Watch the Block Stitch Video Tutorial
If you prefer to learn by watching, I’ve put together a full step-by-step video tutorial showing exactly how to work the block stitch that Casey used in this blanket, including where to place your stitches and how the repeat works from row to row.
👉 Click here to watch the Block Stitch Video Tutorial
Right hand tutorial for the boxed block stitch
Left hand tutorial for the boxed block stitch
Watching the stitch in action can be especially helpful if you’re new to block stitch or want to double-check your stitch placement before starting the full blanket.
✨ Tips for Keeping Straight Edges with Block Stitch
Because block stitch is worked into chain spaces, keeping your edges neat and straight will make a big difference in the finished look of your blanket. Here are a few helpful tips:
- Use stitch markers on the edges. Placing a stitch marker in the first and last stitch of each row can help you quickly spot where your edge stitches should go.
- Maintain even tension. Try not to pull your yarn too tightly when working into chain spaces, as this can cause the edges to draw in over time.
These small habits will help keep your blanket square and make adding a border later much easier, if you choose to include one.
Choosing Yarn for the Midnight Moonlight Blanket
This blanket is designed to work beautifully with gradient or ombré yarn, allowing the colors to slowly shift from dark to light without needing to change yarns. Gradient cakes make it easy to achieve a smooth color fade while keeping the project simple and relaxing.
You can also create your own gradient by changing colors every few rows using coordinating solid shades. The block stitch highlights both subtle and bold color transitions, making this pattern very versatile for different color palettes and home décor styles.
For the best results, choose a soft, medium-weight (worsted or aran) yarn that has good stitch definition. Smooth yarns will show off the texture of the block stitch more clearly, while slightly thicker yarns will give you a cozier, more plush blanket.
If you substitute yarn, aim for a similar weight and fiber content to maintain the same drape and finished size. Always check your gauge and adjust hook size as needed to match the look and feel you prefer.
Directions: Midnight Moonlight Block Stitch Gradient Crochet Blanket Pattern
Skill Level
Confident Beginner Crocheter.
You should be able to read a crochet pattern and work double crochet stitches and chain stitches.
Gauge
13 stitches for every 4 inches and 9 rows for every 4 inches.
Size
Finished Sizes with Border
- Lovey blanket 20 x 20 inches.
- Square Baby Blanket 31 X 31 inches.
- Toddler Blanket or Lapghan 43 X 48 inches.
- Throw Blanket (small) 50 X 61 inches. (shown)
- Throw Blanket (large) 60 X 70 inches.
Make your starting chain in multiples of 5 plus 3.
To adjust the width, use multiples of 5. Therefore, the sample is 3 X 5 + 3 = 18 stitches. Adjust the length by adding or decreasing rows.
Abbreviations
- CH = Chain
- DC = Double Crochet
- HDC = Half Double Crochet
- SC = Single Crochet
- SK = Skip
- SL ST = Slip Stitch
- SP = Space
- ST = Stitch
- STs = Stitches
- [ ] = Repeat Between
Materials
Lion Brand Re-Spun in Raven 658 yards each skein. 4 Medium / Worsted. 100% Recycled Polyester
Lion Brand Mandala Gradient in Black 295 yards each yarn cake. 4 Medium / Worsted. 90% Acrylic, 10% Nylon
- Lovey blanket 20 x 20 inches. Approximately 300 yards of yarn.
- Square Baby Blanket 31 X 31 inches. Approximately 900 yards of yarn.
- Toddler Blanket or Lapghan 43 X 48 inches. Approximately 1,600 yards of yarn.
- Throw Blanket (small) 50 X 61 inches. Approximately 2,200 yards of yarn. (shown) Yarn details of the throw shown: Lion Brand Re-Spun in Raven 658 yards, 1 skein (used 90% of it). Lion Brand Mandala Gradient in Black 1,475 yards, or 5 cakes. Total yards approximately 2,125
- Throw Blanket (large) 60 X 70 inches. Approximately 3,500 yards of yarn.
If you are not able to find this yarn locally, you can purchase it online. Savings Center – Pattern Princess
Crochet Hook Size I, 5.5 MM
Yarn Needle
Scissors
Crochet Pattern Notes
Turn at the end of the row.
The chain three at the beginning of each row counts as a double crochet.
You will be working a series of double crochet stitches around the chain stitches in the row below that were created by the CH 3.
An easy repeat alternating rows two and three throughout the pattern.
Carry the yarn up the side. You can find crochet video links below the written pattern. I carried the yarn up the side of a different blanket that uses the same stitch. This makes it easy to change colors on each row. The crochet border covers it up nicely.
This pattern is written in U S Crochet Terms.
Basic Crochet Stitches Used
Single Crochet. Insert the hook, pull up a loop. Yarn over and pull through the two loops on the hook.
HOW TO CROCHET THE SINGLE CROCHET STITCH video tutorial
Double Crochet (DC). Yarn over, insert the hook through both loops and pull up a loop. Next, yarn over and pull through two loops on the hook. Lastly, yarn over again and pull through the last two loops on the hook.
HOW TO CROCHET THE DOUBLE CROCHET STITCH video tutorial
Begin Crochet Pattern
Begin with the Lion Brand Re-Spun in Raven.
Chain a foundation chain.
- Lovey blanket 20 x 20 inches. 68 chain stitches.
- Square Baby Blanket 31 X 31 inches. 108 chain stitches.
- Toddler Blanket or Lapghan 43 X 48 inches. 143 chain stitches.
- Throw Blanket (small) 50 X 61 inches. 178 chain stitches. (shown)
- Throw Blanket (large) 60 X 70 inches. 198 chain stitches.
Row 1
Continue with Lion Brand Re-Spun in Raven.
Insert hook into the second chain and work a SC and in each stitch across. Turn.
Row 2
Continue with Lion Brand Re-Spun in Raven.
CH 1 (Does not count as a ST). SC in the first two stitches. [CH 3, SK three STs, SC in the next two STs]. Repeat between [ ] to the end. The last two STs will be a SC in each ST. Turn
Row 3
Change to the Lion Brand Mandala Gradient in Black
CH 3 (Counts as a DC). Skip to the CH 3 SP work 5 DC into each space all the way across. End with one DC in the last SC of the row below. Turn
Rows 4 and beyond
Continue the pattern repeat of alternating rows 2 and 3. End on a row with the double crochet stitches.
- Lovey blanket 20 x 20 inches. Approximately 44 rows.
- Square Baby Blanket 31 X 31 inches. Approximately 68 rows.
- Toddler Blanket or Lapghan 43 X 48 inches. Approximately 105 rows.
- Throw Blanket (small) 50 X 61 inches. Approximately 133 rows. (shown)
- Throw Blanket (large) 60 X 70 inches. Approximately 154 rows.
Weave in Yarn Ends
When you have reached your desired length, cut the yarn leaving about a 12-inch yarn tail. Pull the yarn tail through the last stitch.
Use the yarn needle to weave the yarn through the crochet stitches to secure.
Crochet Border
Switch to the Lion Brand Re-Spun in Raven.
Round 1
After the last row of double crochet stitches. Turn and work a CH 1 (Doesn’t count as a ST). SC in the first ST and each ST across. Work 3 SC in the corner ST. On the side, ease SC stitches working about for every 3 rows. In the next corner work 3 SC and a SC in each ST along the bottom row. 3 SC in the corner and ease 3 SC along the last side ending with 3 SC in the last corner and a SL ST into the first SC ST.
Here are the details of my stitches: Starting side 1 SC in each SC space of first true row. Sides fit 3 in each of the larger spaces where the DC rows are and 1 in the SC CH rows. 263 SC on the sides, not counting the 3 in corners. Ending side put an SC in each of the DC stitches
Finishing
Cut the yarn leaving about a 12-inch yarn tail. Pull the yarn tail through the last stitch. Use the yarn needle to weave the yarn through the crochet stitches to secure.
You can find the video tutorials on our YouTube Channel
Carrying yarn up the sides and crocheting the border on a different blanket that uses the same stitch pattern.
Midnight Moonlight a short video showing Casey crocheting rows 2 and 3 and carrying the yarn up the side.
Here is another ombre blanket using this same stitch with different yarn.
Winter Lake Crochet Boxed Block Stitch Blanket
Winter Lake Crochet Boxed Block Stitch Blanket – Pattern Princess
👉 Click here to watch the Full Block Stitch Video Tutorial
Right hand tutorial for the boxed block stitch
Left hand tutorial for the boxed block stitch
Watching the stitch in action can be especially helpful if you’re new to block stitch or want to double-check your stitch placement before starting the full blanket.
Is block stitch good for beginners?
Yes! Block stitch uses basic stitches and a simple repeat, making it very beginner-friendly once you’re comfortable with double crochet and chaining. After a few rows, most crocheters find the rhythm easy to remember.
Can I use solid colors instead of gradient yarn?
Absolutely. This pattern looks beautiful in solid colors, stripes, or custom color fades. If you’d like to create your own gradient, try switching to a slightly lighter or darker shade every few rows for a soft transition.
What yarn weight works best for this blanket?
This pattern is written for medium-weight (worsted or aran) yarn, which provides great stitch definition and a cozy, warm fabric. You can use other weights, but your finished size and drape will change, so be sure to check your gauge.
How do I keep my edges from getting wavy or crooked?
Using stitch markers on the first and last stitch of each row can really help. Also, be sure not to skip the last chain space when placing your final stitches, and try to keep your tension consistent throughout the project.
Can I add a border to this blanket?
Definitely. A simple single crochet or half double crochet border works well with block stitch, and you can also add a more decorative border if you’d like a finished, framed look.
Is this blanket good for gifts?
Very much so. The neutral gradient and textured stitch make it a great choice for housewarmings, weddings, baby showers, and holiday gifts.
Whether you’re crocheting this blanket for your own home or as a heartfelt gift, We hope the Midnight Moonlight Block Stitch Gradient Crochet Blanket becomes one of those projects you truly enjoy from the very first row to the last stitch. It’s the kind of pattern that’s perfect for quiet evenings, weekend stitching, and making something beautiful with your hands.
You can find Victoria crocheting, quilting, and creating recipes. She has cooked in restaurants for over 20 years, including many larger parties. She learned to crochet when she was just 11 years old and has been crocheting ever since; over 50 years now. Over 40 years ago, she loved her first class in sewing and continues to hone her skills in quilting. Many have enjoyed the handmade gifts over the years. In her professional career, she has worked in management in a wide variety of businesses including higher education as a dean of a division. All the while attending college part-time to achieve her doctorate in higher education with an emphasis in e-learning.