Spill The Beans Crochet Baby Blanket Pattern

This crochet baby blanket pattern is delicate, cozy and absolutely stunning when using a variegated yarn with a complementary solid. It is a modern twist on the granny square blanket; a more “grown up” feeling baby blanket.

You might like it so much that you just keep going until it’s big enough to toss it on your own bed or couch (which is exactly what I ended up doing! ha!)

The Origin Of This Pattern

I really enjoy the texture of a bean stitch and wanted to see how it would work up in a square. It made a beautiful texture, but also created a pretty thick fabric, so to break it up a bit I threw in some repeat rows of half double crochet as well.

The texture and contrast come together to make a very striking visual, especially when using a multi-colored yarn with a nicely complemented solid.

The Yarn For This Pattern

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I started this crochet baby blanket pattern specifically with one yarn in mind: Loops & Threads Cozy Baby in “Sedona.” I fell in love with the colorway and thought that it’s quick, short color changes would work up nicely. It worked up just as I had hoped it would!

However, the first contrasting yarn that I chose was not a good fit. I picked up Lion Brand Feels Like Butta in a pretty light blue that matched the Loops & Threads yarn because it was deliciously soft! However, the light blue did not stand out enough against the multi-colored yarn. I wanted to keep the Feels Like Butta yarn for it’s sleek soft feel, but needed another color. I decided to go darker and picked Charcoal. It turned out perfect!

I would say when you are picking a contrasting yarn, if your multi-colored yarn is mostly light color, go dark with your contrast color and vice versa.

The yarn I chose, with the stitch and gauge of this pattern, came out so soft and comfy! I am very pleased with how it came out. So pleased that I bought enough yarn to keep going and turn it into a “grown up” size blanket so I can keep it for myself!

The Pattern

If  you would like to purchase an inexpensive, ad-free pdf version of this crochet baby blanket pattern, you can find it here at my Etsy shop. (scroll down for the full free pattern)

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Materials:
~ Size 3 Yarn, 1276 yards (I used Loops & Threads Cozy Baby in Sedona)
~ Size 3 (or 4 yarn, see pattern notes), 450 yards (I used Lion Brand Feels Like Butta in Charcoal)
~ US I9/ 5.5 mm Crochet Hook
~ Yarn Needle
~ Scissors

Gauge:
Gauge is not terribly important in this project, since it is not a wearable. However, if you would like to check your gauge, the best place to check is after Round 7. After Round 7 my project was approximately 5 ½” by 5 ½”.

Sizing:
Pattern is written for a baby blanket, approximately 39 inches wide (38-40” depending on how much you stretch when laying it out)

Stitches Used:
(ch) chain
(sl st) slip stitch
(hdc) half double crochet
Special stitch: Bean Stitch

Abbreviations:
(st) stitch
(yo) yarn over
(ch sp) chain space

How to Crochet the Bean Stitch:
Insert hook. Yo and pull through the stitch. Yo. Insert hook in the same stitch. Yo and pull up a loop. You will have 4 loops on your hook. Yo. Insert hook in the same stitch. Yo and pull up a loop. You will have 6 loops on your hook. Yo and pull through all 6 loops on your hook. Chain 1 to finish off the stitch.

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Pattern Notes:

Beginning chain of hdc rows does count as a stitch.

I tend to crochet tightly. After checking your gauge, if you are crocheting more loosely you can move to a smaller hook (or larger if you crochet even more tightly). Some people find they even need to go down two hook sizes to meet my gauge.

Regarding yarn weights. The particular yarns that I used worked well together, despite being different weights (3 & 4) because the 4 was a rather light 4 and the 3 was a rather hefty 3. So, if you choose true 3 and 4 weights, you might notice more of a difference between the rows than I did. You’ll want the yarn to be at least close in weight.

When the pattern calls for a bean stitch, that includes the final chain 1 to finish off. Any chains after the bean stitch are in addition to that chain.
It may be helpful to use a stitch marker at the beginning of each row so you know where to join each round.

Pattern:

Round 1: With your dominant color, Ch 2. In the 2nd chain from the hook, place a bean stitch. Ch 2. *In the same chain place a bean stitch. Ch 2.* Repeat from * to * 2 more times. Join with a sl st to the eye of the first bean. (4 bean stitches with 2 chains between each) (4 bean stitches, each separated by 2 chains)

Round 2: Turn. Pull the yarn loop up slightly, just to create enough flexibility to create the bean stitch. *In the chain space, place a [bean stitch, ch 2, bean stitch]. Ch 1.* Repeat from * to * 3 more times. Join with a sl st to the eye of the first bean stitch of the round. (8 bean stitches. Each pair is separated by 2 chains, these will be the corners. Each pair is separated by 1 chain).

Note: You can start the round with a chain 1 if you find that easier. I just preferred to jump right into the bean stitch.

Round 3: Turn. Pull the yarn loop up slightly. *1 bean stitch in the chain sp. Ch 1. In the next ch sp place a [bean stitch, ch 2, bean stitch]. Ch 1.* Repeat from * to * 2 more times. Join with a sl st to the eye of the first bean stitch. (12 bean stitches.)

Rounds 4 – 7: You can see a pattern forming. For each round you will start with a turn. In the next chain space you will place a bean stitch. In each chain space around you will place a bean stitch, with one chain between each. The exception is on the corners. On the corner chain space, you will place two bean stitches, separated by 2 chains.

After round 7 you will have 28 bean stitches.

Finish off and weave in ends.

Round 8: Attach second color at any corner. Ch 1 (counts as a stitch). Hdc in the same ch sp. Ch 1. 2 hdc in each chain space, with 1 ch between, until you reach the corner. In the corner, place [2 hdc, ch 2, 2 hdc]. Repeat pattern around. When you reach the initial corner, place 2 hdc, ch 2 and join to the first ch 1 with a sl st. (100).

Round 9: Ch 1. Turn. Hdc in the same chain space. Ch 1. 2 hdc in each chain 1 space, with 1 ch between each pair of hdc, until you reach the corner. In the corner, place [2 hdc, ch 2, 2 hdc]. Repeat pattern around. When you reach the initial corner, place 2 hdc in the corner chain space (this will feel a little awkward as you will reach past the first 2 hdc), ch 2 and join to the first ch 1 with a sl st. (112) Finish off and weave in ends.

Round 10 : Attach first color at any corner. In the same chain space you will place a bean stitch. Ch 1. In each chain space around you will place a bean stitch, with one chain between each. The exception is on the corners. On the corner chain space, you will place [bean stitch, ch 2, bean stitch]. When you get back around to the first corner place a final bean stitch in the same corner that you started in. Ch 2 and join to the eye of the first bean stitch with a sl st. (40 bean stitches)

Rounds 11 – 12: Turn. In the same chain space you will place a bean stitch. Ch 1. In each chain space around you will place a bean stitch, with one chain between each. The exception is on the corners. On the corner chain space, you will place[bean stitch, ch 2, bean stitch]. When you get back around to the first corner place a final bean stitch in the same corner that you started in. Ch 2 and join to the eye of the first bean stitch with a sl st. (48 bean stitches after round 12) After round 12, finish off weave in ends.

Rounds 13 – 14: Repeat Rounds 8 – 9.

Rounds 15 – 21: Repeat Rounds 10 – 12. Instead of finishing off after 3 rounds, finish off after 7 (when round 21 is complete).

Rounds 22 – 23: Repeat Rounds 8 – 9.

From here on out, you will repeat the following pattern:

3 rounds of bean stitch repeat (repeat of rounds 10 – 12)

2 rounds of hdc stitch repeat (repeat of rounds 8 – 9)

7 rounds of bean stitch repeat (repeat of rounds 10 – 12)

2 rounds of hdc stitch repeat (repeat of rounds 8 – 9)

Continue this repeat until you reach the desired size. For a baby blanket of approximately 39”, I stopped after round 56.

End after a repeat of the hdc rounds. Add tassels or fringe if desired.

Here is a tutorial on adding fringe to a crochet project.

Here is a tutorial on creating tassels.

Note: Feel free to sell finished products made with this pattern. If finished products are posted online, please include a reference/credit to this pattern, including a link. Do not distribute or claim the pattern as your own, or alter and use my photos to market your finished products.

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