This One Skein Simple Mandala Yarn Baby Blanket Crochet Pattern is made with basic stitches. Just easy double crochet stitches arranged in a simple V-stitch pattern. Making it ideal for both beginners and experienced crocheters alike.

The gentle repeats and flowing color changes in the Mandala Ombre yarn do all the work for you, resulting in a soft, vibrant baby blanket with zero fuss over changing colors or weaving in too many ends. It’s a great idea for baby showers, last-minute gifts, or even just a peaceful evening project to work on while catching up on your favorite show.

One Skein Mandala Yarn Crochet Patterns

If you’ve ever stood in the yarn aisle admiring the vibrant hues of Lion Brand Mandala Yarn, you’re not alone. These gorgeous self-striping cakes are irresistible to yarn lovers, and they pack a lot of beauty into just one skein. And it works well with so many different stitches.

Perfect whether you’re just getting started with crochet or you’ve been crafting cozy blankets for years. Today’s project is a quick, satisfying, and colorful way to use up that single skein of worsted weight yarn you’ve been saving for just the right project.

Designed with both ease and beauty in mind, this easy pattern requires only a single skein of Mandala yarn, a trusty crochet hook, and just a little time.

It’s part of a growing collection of free crochet patterns we’ve been building. Projects that focus on simple stitches, practical design, and maximum joy.

If you’re looking to use up a ball of yarn from your yarn stash, this is one of those perfect one-skein projects you’ll want to make again and again, especially in a different color each time.

Popular Alternatives to Lion Brand Mandala

If you love Lion Brand Mandala Yarn—with its self-striping, gradient colorways and soft worsted-weight texture—there are several other yarn brands that offer similar yarns that are perfect for crochet and knitting projects like blankets, scarves, and shawls.

Make sure to check out the yarn deals on our Savings Center Page.

Here are some popular alternatives to Lion Brand Mandala:

Premier Yarns – Sweet Roll

Weight: Worsted (medium/4)
Style: Self-striping with uniform color changes
Why it’s similar: Like Mandala, Sweet Roll offers coordinated color palettes in one skein, with no abrupt color transitions. Great for skein projects, baby blankets, and simple stitches.

Caron Cakes (by Yarnspirations)

Weight: Worsted to light worsted (varies by type—Caron Cakes, Big Cakes, Baby Cakes)
Style: Long color changes, sometimes with wool blends
Why it’s similar: This classic cake yarn comes in large skeins with fun color combinations. Caron Big Cake is especially great for cozy blankets and triangle shawls.

Hobium – YarnArt Flowers

Weight: Light (fingering or sport)
Style: Gradient/fade yarn cakes with long color transitions
Why it’s similar: If you’re after a more subtle color shift, this yarn offers stunning gradients—perfect for lacy scarf patterns, triangle scarves, or shawls.

Scheepjes – Whirl

Weight: Fingering
Style: Long gradient, 1000m cakes
Why it’s similar: It’s more lightweight than Mandala but offers beautiful ombré effects ideal for crochet chroma scarves, diamond lace stitch shawls, and Tunisian crochet shawls.

Red Heart – Roll With It Melange

Weight: Worsted
Style: Self-striping
Why it’s similar: Offers vibrant, artistic color combinations with a soft hand. Ideal for fun projects like hats, scarves, and wraps.

Hobby Lobby – Yarn Bee Sugarwheel

Weight: Worsted
Style: Cake yarn with color striping
Why it’s similar: Affordable and accessible with lovely shades—great for easy patterns and baby blankets.

Video Tutorial

For those who love learning by watching, I’ve included a helpful video tutorial to walk you through each step. Whether you’re more of a visual learner or just need a refresher on where to place your stitches at the end of the row, we have photos too.

This tutorial includes all the necessary components to help you confidently complete your blanket. And if you’re looking for other self-striping yarn patterns like the Quick and Easy Wavy Ribbed Ripple Blanket, or Continuous Granny Square Crochet Blanket with Dot Border might be your next step! Best part, you don’t have to be an experienced crocheter.

Customize the Size of the Crochet Blanket

This blanket pattern includes yarn requirements for three different sizes.

Small. 26 x 26 inches. (Shown). Perfect for a baby blanket.
Medium. 50 x 50 inches. A nice throw blanket.
Large. 60 x 60 inches. This one is a nicer size for snuggling under.

Using Those One-of-a Kind Skeins of Yarn

There’s something special about a simple project like this that use up that yarn you have on hand. One skein crochet patterns like this: they’re practical, portable, and oh-so-rewarding.

Today’s pattern has lovely beachy colors throughout. However, you can make this in bright vibrant colors using any type of variegated yarn cake.

The soft texture make this a great project for relaxing after a busy day or adding a pop of handmade charm to a nursery. Whether you gravitate toward solid color designs or love the unpredictable magic of colorful patterns, this little blanket is sure to delight.

It’s also a great gift idea and can easily be adjusted to different sizes if you have more than one skein on hand.

So grab your favorite skein of Mandala yarn, your hook, and let’s get stitching! Below you’ll find the written pattern in full, along with a free printable version for your convenience.

I hope you enjoy this pattern as much as I did creating it. It’s a fun project that’s perfect for quiet evenings, gift-giving, or simply celebrating the colorful joy of crochet.

Quick and Easy Striped Crochet Blanket on Chair

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Directions: One Skein Simple Mandala Yarn Baby Blanket Crochet Pattern

Skill Level

Beginner Friendly

Gauge

14 double crochet stitches and 7 rows every 4 inches.

Size

26 X 26 inches square. Shown

You can change the width of your blanket by using multiples of 3. Increase or decrease the length by adding or decreasing rows.

Small Baby Blanket. 26 x 26 inches with border. (Shown).
Medium Throw Blanket. 50 x 50 inches with border.
Large Blanket. 60 x 60 inches with border.

Materials

Yarn. Yarnspirations. Caron Cotton Cakes in Beachglass color. 1 Yarn Cake, 530 yards, medium yarn weight.

Make this in three sizes.

26 x 26 inches. 530 yards (shown). Great size for newborn baby blankets or a lovey for a child.
50 x 50 inches. Approximately 3,175 yards.
60 x 60 inches. Approximately 4,572 yards.

Crochet Hook Size I, 5.5 mm hook

Scissors

Tapestry Needle

Tape Measure

Abbreviations

CH = Chain
DC = Double Crochet
DC2Tog = Double Crochet Two Together – Cluster Stitch, see special stitches for details
SK = Skip
SL ST = Slip Stitch
SP = Space
ST = Stitch
STs = Stitches
YO = Yarn Over
V-ST = V-Stitch, see special stitches for details.
[ ] = Repeat Between and the information for the three different sizes

Crochet Stitches

Chain Stitches for Project

Begin the chain stitch by making a slip knot on the crochet hook. Leave about a 5-inch tail on the yarn. This will be weaved in later.

Next snug up the yarn loop that is on the crochet hook; while it should be firm, it should also be loose enough to slide on the hook with ease.

Keeping the loop on the hook, insert the hook in the stitch, wrap the yarn over the crochet hook from back to front. Draw the yarn through the loop. Yarn over again and draw the yarn through both loops that are currently on the hook. (The first chain stitch is complete).

HOW TO CROCHET THE CHAIN 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

You can find video tutorials of this pattern below the written pattern.

Special Stitches

Double Crochet Two Together – Cluster Stitch (DC2Tog).

DC2Tog

Step 1. Yarn over, insert hook into next stitch and pull up a loop. There will be three loops on the crochet hook. Yarn over, pull through two loops on the hook. There should now be just two loops left on the hook.

Step 2. Yarn over and insert the hook into the same stitch and pull up a loop. There will be four loops on the hook. Yarn over, pull through two loops. There should now be just three loops on the hook.
Final Step. Lastly yarn over and pull through the remaining three loops.

Double Crochet V-Stitch. Work a double crochet, chain 1, and double crochet all in the same stitch.

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Pattern Notes

Written in US Crochet Terminology.

This pattern is a one row repeat throughout after row 2.

Baby Blanket Rows 1 and 2 and Crochet Border Photos

Begin Crochet Pattern

Begin the chain stitch by making a slip knot on the crochet hook. Leave about a 5-inch tail on the yarn.

Chain [99, 174, 210]

Row 1

Work a V-ST in the fourth CH from the hook. [SK 2 CH, work a V-ST in the next CH]. Repeat between [ ] across. When there are two STs left, SK 1 ST and work a DC in the last ST. Turn

Row 2

CH 2. Work a V-ST in each V-ST across. DC in the top of your second SK CH. Turn

Row 3

CH 2. Work a V-ST in each V-ST across. DC in the top of your CH 2. Turn

Rows 3 and Beyond

Work [41, 89, 105] rows depending on the size you are making.

Border

Round 1

Turn after the last row, CH 1. Work DC2Tog in the first ST. [in the CH 1 SP work DC2Tog, in the SP between the DC STs work another DC2Tog]. Repeat across the end to the corner. Then work 3, DC2Tog in the corner ST. Continue up the first side. Easing the DC2Tog STs along the side to the next corner. Work 3, DC2Tog in the corner ST.

Continue working on the bottom edge working a DC2Tog in each skipped CH 3 SP and between the 2 DC STs. It’s a nice way to ease the stitches along the bottom. In the corner work 3, DC2Tog. Finally continue up the side. Easing the DC2Tog STs along the side to the next corner. Work 2, DC2Tog in the corner ST. Join with a SL ST to the top of the first DC2Tog.

Finishing

Use the tapestry needle to weave in the yarn tails on the back side of the work. I like to weave back and forth 3 to 5 times. Cut off the excess yarn.

YouTube Video Tutorials

Right hand crochet

Left hand crochet

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One Skein Simple Mandala Yarn Baby Blanket Crochet Pattern

Equipment

Crochet Hook Size I, 5.5 mm hook
Scissors:
Tapestry Needle
Tape Measure