Beginner Friendly Half Double Crochet Blanket Pattern | Haylee Afghan Free Crochet Pattern

Learn how to crochet an easy half double crochet blanket in 12 sizes with this free crochet pattern and video tutorial. This blanket is a great project to work in a solid color, or bust out your yarn scraps and work in fun stripes or a color block pattern.

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Find the free crochet pattern instructions below, or purchase a printer-friendly, ad-free PDF on Ravelry by clicking here.

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Lion Brand Pound of Love has been taking over my yarn stash, and with 1020 yards per skein, it seems no matter how many projects I use this gray yarn on, it still keeps going! I’ve made the Haylee Wreath, a Buffalo Plaid version of this plastic canvas coaster, this newborn sized blanket, and I still have a small cake left perfect for a smaller project. I actually was quite surprised because I thought I would be playing a bit of yarn chicken with this blanket so I crocheted about 5 extra rows assuming I’d be going to the end of the ball before I realized it was passed where I wanted it to be.

If you’re familiar with my Haylee series, you know that I like to crochet my home projects in a medium gray with a white border and then add crocheted star appliques to make them patriotic decor – it goes from Haylee to the Seeing Stars collection – so this adorable little blanket will continue it’s journey next year when I’m ready to sew all the stars on.

Easy Half Double Crochet Patterns:

Haylee is an easy crochet line that features simple half double crochet stitches. I love the texture of half double crochet when the fabric is turned at the end of each row! This is a beginner friendly series, and this blanket is great project to pair with watching your favorite TV show or movie because it’s just one stitch for the entire project, and you don’t have to even count rows if you don’t want you – you can use a soft tape measure to measure as you go, and stop at the length desired.

You’ll love these matching half double crochet pieces!

Haylee Beanie, Newborn through Adult Large

Haylee Earwarmer, Toddler through Adult

Haylee Throw Pillow

Haylee Hand Towel

Worsted Weight Haylee Washcloths | Sport Weight Haylee Washcloths

Find more Haylee accessory and home decor crochet patterns here on EyeLoveKnots, and Haylee accessory and wearables crochet patterns on Cre8tion Crochet.

If you like making blankets as much as I do, you’ll love these:

Through the Window Afghan

Gia Afghan

What is the Difference Between a Blanket and an Afghan?

While Blankets and Afghans are both used to cover ourselves to keep warm, Blankets are typically made of sewn fabric, while Afghans are typically knit or crocheted.

How do you make an easy half double crochet blanket?

Half double crochet blankets are really easy, not just because of the stitch pattern, but also because there is no stitch multiple for working in half double crochet so if you want to adjust the width, simply take stitches away or add them in any number. The front and back also look the same because we turn at the end of each row so you can finish on either side, and then begin your border.

Crochet a chain, then half double crochet into the 3rd chain from the hook. The total number of stitches will be 1 less than the number of chains that you have. For the remaining rows, chain 1, turn and then half double crochet into each stitch across working as many rows as you want. You do not have to add a border, but it does give it a more finished appearance. I went with a single crochet border working a single crochet, chain 2, single crochet in each corner.

Do I need to add a border to my blanket?

I like adding a border to give the blanket a more finished look, but it’s completely optional! If you decide not to add one, you may want to add 1-2 stitches to the width and 1-2 rows to the height to reach the same finished size.

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What Materials Do I Need to Crochet a Blanket?

• 90 (115, 280, 600, 920, 1295, 1920, 3710, 5075, 5860, 6640, 6880) Yards of Worsted Weight Yarn – I used Lion Brand Pound of Love Yarn in Oxford Grey and White
• H8/5mm Crochet Hook – I love my Koi Fish Ergonomic Clay one from SiennasBowtique on Etsy
• Tapestry Needle

Material Notes:

My sample is the newborn size. The rest of the size yardages are estimated based on my sample.

Feel free to substitute the Pound of Love for your favorite worsted weight yarn. If the finished size is essential to you, then check your gauge, but if not, then just start crocheting.

I worked my border in a different color. If you would like to do your blanket like this to, here is the yardage for the body of the blanket, and then the border:

• Newborn Photography Layering Blanket: 65; 25
• Lovey: 90; 25
• Preemie: 240; 40
• Newborn Blanket: 545; 55
• Lapghan: 850; 70
• Toddler/Child: 1215; 80
• Throw: 1820; 100
• Twin: 3570; 140
• Full: 4915; 160
• Queen: 5690; 170
• King: 6460; 180
• California King: 6700; 180

I love my ergonomic clay hooks from SiennasBowtique and BronzeShepherdStudio! They both have so many fun designs. I have several from each shop because they’re so darn cute and nice to hold onto! We also have lots of beautiful, handcrafted crochet hooks in our Yarn Crafts and Coffee Yarn Shop as well!

If you don’t mind if the finished size of your crocheted blanket is a little smaller or a little larger, gauge is not essential for this project, so if you are more comfortable working with an I9/5.5mm crochet hook with your worsted weight yarn, feel free to size up. Please note, this will require more yardage than that listed.

If you experience ruffling when working the border, this is caused from a change, especially seen on the sides. My quick fix is to simply go down a hook size to a G6/4.25mm. You can also continue with the same hook you’ve been working with, and just block the finished blanket. Usually, I run into this issue, but I did not in this blanket, so I kept the same hook throughout.

How Long Does it Take to Crochet a Half Double Crochet Blanket?

I worked in multiple seatings, and I was able to work up the newborn size in just over 15 hours.

Measurements with Border:

• Newborn Photography Layering Blanket: 10 1/8″ Wide by 10 1/4″ Tall
• Lovey: 12″ Square
• Preemie: 20 1/8″ Square
• Newborn Blanket: 30″ by 30 1/8″
• Lapghan: 35 1/8″ by 40 1/8″
• Toddler/Child: 40 1/8″ by 50″
• Throw: 50 1/8″ by 60″
• Twin: 65 1/8″ by 90 1/8″
• Full: 85″ by 95″
• Queen: 95 1/8″ by 98 1/8″
• King: 108″ by 98 1/8″
• CAL King: 112″ by 98 1/8″

In addition to working as a Lovey and Preemie sized blanket, these two can be used with the Photo Prop size during Newborn photography sessions. Typically, the base is the blanket, and then the smaller blankets are laid in a different direction on top, and then baby. Sometimes the newborn size is also used in photography.

Gauge (Not Essential):

Measured in Pattern: 15 HDC by 12 Rows = 4″ Wide by 4 1/8″ Tall

Note: If you are measuring a swatch that is only 15 HDC wide by 12 rows tall, it will measure slightly larger. If working a swatch, I recommend working at least 20 stitches by 18-20 rows, but a swatch is not necessary for this project unless the finished size is essential to you.

When working the pattern, the border will add about 1/2″ to the width and 5/8″ to the height. After working about 20 rows, you can measure the width, add in the border, and you will know if the finished size will be where you want it to be. The height is even easier to see as you can measure as you go, and stop when you get close to your desired height making sure to figure in the border.

Abbreviations (US Terms):

• HDC – Half Double Crochet (Photo Tutorial)
• SC – Single Crochet (Photo Tutorial)

Pattern Notes:

If you wanted to alter the width of the blanket, you can do so in any multiple desired. If you want to alter the height of the blanket, simply add or subtract rows in any number. If you make adjustments, just make sure to continue to work evenly in the border working approximately 3 single crochets per 2 rows of half double crochet.

I worked my blanket in a solid color, but stripes or a colorblock pattern would be really fun too. If you would like to change yarn colors, do so in the last yarn over of the previous row. If needed, see my How to Change Yarn Colors in Crochet tutorial.

Beginning chain 1 does not count as a stitch, but skipped chains from the foundation chain do count as a half double crochet.

Beginner Friendly Half Double Crochet Blanket Video Tutorial:

Easy Half Double Crochet Blanket Pattern:

10″ Photo Blanket Size:

Chain 37. Work 1 HDC into the 3rd chain from the hook, and into each chain all the way across the chain. (36 HDC)

R2 – 28: Chain 1, and turn. Work 1 HDC into the first HDC, and into each HDC across the row. (36 HDC)

Proceed to Border.

12″ Lovey Size:

Chain 44. Work 1 HDC into the 3rd chain from the hook, and into each chain all the way across the chain. (43 HDC)

R2 – 33: Chain 1, and turn. Work 1 HDC into the first HDC, and into each HDC across the row. (43 HDC)

Proceed to Border.

20″ Preemie Size:

Chain 74. Work 1 HDC into the 3rd chain from the hook, and into each chain all the way across the chain. (73 HDC)

R2 – 57: Chain 1, and turn. Work 1 HDC into the first HDC, and into each HDC across the row. (73 HDC)

Proceed to Border.

Newborn Blanket Size:

Chain 111. Work 1 HDC into the 3rd chain from the hook, and into each chain all the way across the chain. (110 HDC)

R2 – 86: Chain 1, and turn. Work 1 HDC into the first HDC, and into each HDC across the row. (110 HDC)

Proceed to Border.

Lapghan Blanket Size:

Chain 130. Work 1 HDC into the 3rd chain from the hook, and into each chain all the way across the chain. (129 HDC)

R2 – 115: Chain 1, and turn. Work 1 HDC into the first HDC, and into each HDC across the row. (129 HDC)

Proceed to Border.

Toddler/Child Blanket Size:

Chain 149. Work 1 HDC into the 3rd chain from the hook, and into each chain all the way across the chain. (148 HDC)

R2 – 144: Chain 1, and turn. Work 1 HDC into the first HDC, and into each HDC across the row. (148 HDC)

Proceed to Border.

Throw Blanket Size:

Chain 174. Work 1 HDC into the 3rd chain from the hook, and into each chain all the way across the chain. (173 HDC)

R2 – 185: Chain 1, and turn. Work 1 HDC into the first HDC, and into each HDC across the row. (173 HDC)

Proceed to Border.

Twin Size Blanket:

Chain 242. Work 1 HDC into the 3rd chain from the hook, and into each chain all the way across the chain. (241 HDC)

R2 – 261: Chain 1, and turn. Work 1 HDC into the first HDC, and into each HDC across the row. (241 HDC)

Proceed to Border.

Full Size Blanket:

Chain 316. Work 1 HDC into the 3rd chain from the hook, and into each chain all the way across the chain. (315 HDC)

R2 – 275: Chain 1, and turn. Work 1 HDC into the first HDC, and into each HDC across the row. (315 HDC)

Proceed to Border.

Queen Size Blanket:

Chain 354. Work 1 HDC into the 3rd chain from the hook, and into each chain all the way across the chain. (353 HDC)

R2 – 284: Chain 1, and turn. Work 1 HDC into the first HDC, and into each HDC across the row. (353 HDC)

Proceed to Border.

King Size Blanket:

Chain 402. Work 1 HDC into the 3rd chain from the hook, and into each chain all the way across the chain. (401 HDC)

R2 – 284: Chain 1, and turn. Work 1 HDC into the first HDC, and into each HDC across the row. (401 HDC)

Proceed to Border.

California King Size Blanket:

Chain 417. Work 1 HDC into the 3rd chain from the hook, and into each chain all the way across the chain. (416 HDC)

R2 – 284: Chain 1, and turn. Work 1 HDC into the first HDC, and into each HDC across the row. (416 HDC)

Proceed to Border.

Border Notes:

The border is optional, but I like to work one to give the blanket a more finished look.

I am working a simple single crochet round, but you can change that stitch up to any that you like, or add additional rounds to the border.

I am working my corners as (SC, chain 2, SC), which will give me a more square corner. Another way you can do this is (SC, HDC, SC) into the same stitch. If you like a more round corner, you can work a (SC, chain 1, SC) or 3 SC into the same stitch.

If you experience ruffling when working the border, this is caused from a change, especially seen on the sides. My quick fix is to simply go down a hook size to a G6/4.25mm. You can also continue with the same hook you’ve been working with, and just block the finished blanket. Usually, I run into this issue, but I did not this time so I kept the same hook throughout.

I finished my blanket with a slip stitch join, but you could also finish your blanket with an invisible join, which creates a clean, consistent look. Either way, this stitch will count as the final stitch for the border.

Border:

Chain 1, turn. SC into the 1st stitch and into each remaining stitch across over to the last stitch, (SC, chain 2, SC) into the last stitch to form a corner, evenly SC (that’s 3 stitches per 2 rows of HDC) down the side of the blanket to the last stitch, (SC, chain 2, SC) into the last stitch to form a corner, SC across the opposite side of the foundation chain over to the last stitch, (SC, chain 2, SC) into the last stitch to form a corner, evenly SC (that’s 3 stitches per 2 rows of HDC) up the side of the blanket to the first stitch, SC into the same stitch as the first, chain 1, then slip stitch join to the 1st SC (which takes the place of the last chain).

Fasten off, and weave in ends.

Please feel free to make and sell your own items made using this pattern, but keep in mind, this written pattern and my photos are protected by copyright. Please DO NOT claim this pattern as your own nor should you sell my pattern. DO NOT re-publish my photos as your own. DO NOT copy and paste my pattern anywhere, link to it instead so other’s can visit. Making videos providing instructions how to make my projects on any social media platform is also not permitted.

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