Modern Heirloom Baby Afghan

This modern heirloom baby afghan is a great crochet pattern for a beginner. This is one of my favorite stitch patterns to use and it makes such a beautiful gift for an expecting mother.

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Crocheting is not just for grannies anymore. You can find crocheted baby afghans that are made with the same attention to detail and quality as handcrafted quilts, but have a modern twist. This post features a modern heirloom baby Afghan that will be treasured by your child for years to come.

Beginner Crochet Baby Blanket

This crochet pattern is perfect for a beginner as it uses the single crochet and a chain stitch. If you are new to crochet, this will help you build your skills. However, if you have been crocheting for a while, you will just enjoy how beautiful an easy crochet pattern can look.

Crochet Linen Stitch

Recently, I learned how to make the linen stitch, which is also called the moss stitch, granite stitch, and the woven stitch. Once you learn the techniques, the crochet projects are endless. Today, though, we will be making the modern heirloom baby afghan and it is super easy.

Crochet Pattern Video Tutorial Near Bottom of Post

Impact of a Handmade Gift

This baby afghan has a modern look to it, but at the same time, is a beautiful blanket to pass on as an heirloom-if it lasts that long.

Quick story:

When I was first married, we had very little money. I remember only having enough money to purchase some yarn. Family had a little boy and little girl. I made each of them a baby afghan in a chevron pattern. (Looking back, they were a bit dismal looking, as the edges were not even, and the stitches were not uniform in size).

However, that was my skill level at the time and I was proud to be able to give a gift at all. Our friends were very appreciative and that meant so much to me. After they were given as gifts, I did not think about them again.

Treasured Heirloom Crochet Blankets

Many years later at their eldest’ s graduation party, I was asked to come into his bedroom, so his mother could show me “So Soft,” which was now a scrap of an afghan square about 6 inches X 6 inches with very ragged edges. She had taken it out of his pillowcase! 

Apparently, both children liked their baby blankets so much that they slept with them each night. They loved the softness of the afghan on top of them before their sheet went on. You just never know the impact of your handmade gift.

Directions: Linen Stitch Modern Heirloom Baby Afghan

Crochet Pattern Hints

When completing the stitches used in this pattern, make sure to keep the chain one stitch the same size as the single crochet. This will ensure an even look throughout your beautiful project.

The blanket is worked in rows.

The last single crochet of the row is placed in the turning chain 2 area.

This baby girl’s afghan features a woven look and the color scheme uses baby pink as a base with simple modern stripes in dusty grey.

Size:

Approximately 26 inches X 26 inches

Hints to changing the size:

To make the blanket wider or narrower, increase or decrease by 2 stitches. This afghan uses even stitches. To make this longer or shorter, simply increase or decrease the number of rows. However, to keep the symmetrical look of the afghan, be sure to count out the rows and whatever you do on one end, you should repeat on the other end.

Starting a New Skein:

When starting a new skein, begin using the skein at the start of the row for best results.

Changing color:

In the photos below, you will see that the new color is added by adding the yarn with the hook in the last two loops on the hook. Yarn over with the new color and pull through both loops on your hook. Then continue with the linen stitch.

Securing the Yarn Tails

This method of securing the yarn tails I think gives this baby blanket such a professional look. By completing this two-step process, you cover up the yarn tails while crocheting your rows.

I would recommend securing the yarn tails by crocheting over them. This is a two-step process.

1. Hold the yarn in front of the stitches of the previous row and when you insert your hook into the CH 1 SP, make sure to include the two strands of yarn. This secures the yarn under the SC. I do this for about 6 inches of the yarn tail, then I stop incorporating them and continue on with the linen stitch. See the photo tutorials below.

Adding new color and crocheting over the tails

Notice below how the yarn tails in the pictures on the left are quite visible?

After you have completed the row after the color change and are on the return row. It is time to pick up the yarn into the stitches of this row. If this was not done, the yarn would be very visible as it is on the left.

Therefore, when making your SC, pick up the two strands of yarn again as you work along the row. It looks neat on the right with the yarn tails tucked up nicely into the stitches.

I have put brackets around the areas to help you see the areas.

Here is another photo to help you see the difference in crocheting over the yarn tails.

Stitches:

CH = Chain

SC = Single Crochet

SK = Skip Stitch

ST = Stitch

The * means that you should repeat all instructions between the *

Supplies:

2 Skeins Baby Pink Red Heart yarn approximately 728 yards

1 Skein Dusty Grey Red Heart yarn approximately 300 yards

Size H Crochet Hook

Yarn Needle to weave in the ends

Scissors

Crochet Pattern Directions:

CH 126

Starting with the Baby Pink

Row 1:

SC in 4^th CH from hook, *ch 1, SK ST, SC in next ST. Repeat from * across, ending with a SC in last ST.

Rows 2-10:

CH 2, SC in first CH-1 SP in previous row (Note: not in the stitch itself, but in the space that was created by the CH. To do this, insert your hook in the space, yarn over and pull through the yarn and complete your SC), [CH 1, Skip 1 ST, SC in next SP]. Repeat between to last CH where you end with a SC, turn.

Change to Dusty Grey

Crochet Baby Blanket Pattern Color Changes by Row

Rows 11-14: Repeat row 2

Change to Baby Pink

Rows 15-18: Repeat row 2

Change to Dusty Grey

Rows 19-20: Repeat row 2

Change to Baby Pink

Rows 21-22: Repeat row 2

Change to Dusty Grey

Rows 23-25: Repeat row 2

Change to Baby Pink

Rows 26-50: Repeat row 2

Change to Dusty Grey

Rows 51-53: Repeat row 2

Change to Baby Pink

Rows 54-58: Repeat row 2

Change to Dusty Grey

Rows 59-60: Repeat row 2

Change to Baby Pink

Rows 61-65: Repeat row 2

Change to Dusty Grey

Rows 66-67: Repeat row 2

Change to Baby Pink

Rows 68-72: Repeat row 2

Change to Dusty Grey

Rows 73-75: Repeat row 2

Change to Baby Pink

Rows 76-101: Repeat row 2

Change to Dusty Grey

Rows 102-104: Repeat row 2

Change to Baby Pink

Rows 105-106: Repeat row 2

Change to Dusty Grey

Rows 107-108: Repeat row 2

Change to Baby Pink

Rows 109-112: Repeat row 2

Change to Dusty Grey

Rows 113-116: Repeat row 2

Change to Baby Pink

Rows 117-126: Repeat row 2

Finishing

Weave in ends and remove any excess yarn.

Video Tutorial on How to Crochet the Linen Stitch

I hope that you have found this tutorial useful.

If you loved this post, please share on your fave social media links. It helps to show me that these types of posts are helpful – thank you!

Here are a few other patterns you may enjoy.

• Beginner Linen Stitch Coaster
• How to Crochet the Linen Stitch
• Treasured Crochet Moss Stitch Baby Afghan

• Pink and Grey Baby Blanket
• Cozy Comfy Baby Blanket
• 7-Hour Crochet Soft Bassinet Blanket
• Textured Ombre Blanket
• Crochet Modern Baroque Throw