If you’re looking for a blanket with a timeless design that also works perfectly for Valentine’s Day, then the Braided Puff Crochet Blanket is a wonderful choice! Its unique stitch pattern forms subtle heart-like shapes, making it an ideal gift for babies and loved ones.
While the pink shades in my sample highlight the Valentine vibe, when worked in neutrals, pastels, or deep shades, the heart shapes become a subtle braided detail that fits beautifully into any season. It’s especially sweet as a baby blanket, but the throw size makes a wonderful decor piece year-round.
Featuring the braided puff stitch, you’ll find the blanket works up quickly using super bulky blanket yarn and a series of repeats.
Grab your yarn and hook and let’s get started!
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Yarn Suggestions For The Braided Puff Crochet Blanket Pattern
The Braided Puff Crochet Blanket Pattern is written using size 6 super bulky blanket yarn. I prefer Bernat Blanket & Bernat Baby Blanket Yarn. Below are the colors and total yardage I used for each blanket:
Baby Blanket
Main Color in Whipped Cream – 690 yards or 3 skeins
Contrasting Color in Mellow Mauve – 115 yards or 1 skein
Contrasting Color in Bubble Gum – 115 yards or 1 skein
Contrasting Color in Tan Pink – 115 yards or 1 skein
Throw
Main Color in Whipped Cream – 1385 yards, just under 5 skeins
Contrasting Color in Terracotta Rose – 290 yards or 1 skein
Contrasting Color in Pink Dust – 290 yards or 1 skein
Contrasting Color in Sunday Times – 195 yards or 1 skein (I had one less row for the 3rd color)
Below are the suppliers I recommend:
Amazon or Like To Know It (LTK)
Alternative Yarn Suggestions
I also tested this pattern using a new-to-me yarn, Bernat Super Fluffee.
It’s a super bulky (size 6) yarn made of 76% polyester, 12% nylon, and 12% acrylic. The stitches worked up beautifully, but the finished piece was noticeably heavier.
I used the recommended hook size listed on the yarn label (N/15-10mm), which produced a slightly different gauge.
I used six skeins of the color Fawn Fleck, two skeins of the color Cherry, and two skeins of the color Coral.
The finished size was 52 x 58.5 inches.
You’re welcome to experiment with different yarns, just keep in mind that your gauge may vary depending on the fiber content and thickness. Personally, I prefer blanket yarn for this project, although it’s a super bulky yarn it creates a much less heavy finished blanket.
Sizing For The Braided Puff Crochet Blanket
The Braided Puff Crochet Blanket Pattern is offered in two sizes.
Baby Blanket – Approximate Finished Size 32 x 46 inches
Throw – Approximate Finished Size 50 x 59.5 inches
To adjust the size of your blanket, simply increase or decrease the number of beginning chains.
Your first row should have a stitch count that is divisible by 6. Chain one extra at the end for the turning chain.
Example: If you want 60 stitches in Row 1, chain 61 to start.
Skill Level
Intermediate
Stitch Key | US Terms
ch(s) – chain/chains
ch-sp – chain space
hdc – half double crochet
ps – 7 loop puff stitch
sk – skip
st(s) – stitch/stitches
y – yards
Materials
You can find a full list of supplies on my Amazon Associates Account here.
Size 6 Super Bulky Blanket Yarn
I prefer Bernat Blanket Yarn (results will vary depending on yarn used)
Approximate yardage needed:
Baby Blanket – 1035 Yards
Throw – 2160 Yards
L11/8mm Crochet Hook (or size to meet gauge)
Tapestry Needle
Scissors
Flexible Measuring Tape
Optional Screw on Leather Tags
Gauge Working In Rows
6 rows & 8.5 hdc = 4 Inches with L Hook
Please be sure to check your gauge before starting, as tension can vary greatly from person to person and depending on the yarn used.
Special Stitches
Chain Space (ch-sp)
A chain space is the space/gap in your work that is created by making a chain. The space is located below the chain. Normally you’d insert your hook into the front and back loops of the stitch, but when you work into a chain space you insert your hook into the space underneath the chain.
The photo below shows an example of what the chain space looks like in this pattern. You’ll insert your hook in the area underneath the chain between the two puff stitches.
7-Loop Puff Stitch (ps)
Crochet puff stitches are a series of unfinished half double crochet stitches that are worked together. For this tutorial, we’re going to use 3 half double crochets, to create our puff stitch.
Tip: Work with loose tension and pull loops up to the height of the working row.
Step 1: Yarn over, insert hook in indicated stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook)
Step 2: [Yarn over, insert hook in same stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop]2x (7 loops on hook)
Step 3: Yarn over and pull through all seven loops on hook.
Back Hump or Bump of a Chain
The back hump (also known as the back bump) is located on the backside of a crochet chain. While the front of the chain looks like a row of “V” shapes, with a front and back loop, the back features a small bump or bar behind each “V”. To locate the back hump or bump slightly rotate the chain or chains toward you.
Video Instructions For The Braided Puff Crochet Blanket Pattern
Written Instructions For The Braided Puff Crochet Blanket Pattern
Notes
– Change colors by pulling the new color through on the last yarn over of the final stitch of the previous color.
– You can use one contrasting color or alternate between multiple colors as desired. In this sample, three contrasting colors were used and repeated in rotation.
– Numbers separated by a comma indicate stitch counts or directions for the baby blanket (first number) and the throw (second number).
Example: (66, 108 hdc) = 66 hdc for baby blanket, 108 hdc for throw.
Blanket Instructions – All Sizes
With Main Color
– Beg ch1 on rows 2-8 does not count as st, work 1st hdc in same st as ch1.
Row 1. Ch 67 (109), working in back humps, hdc in 2nd ch from hook and remaining chs across, turn. (66, 108 hdc)
Row 2-7. Ch1, hdc in each st across, turn. (66, 108 hdc)
Row 8. Ch1, working in blo, ch1, hdc in each st across, turn. (66, 108 hdc)
Join Contrasting Color
Row 9. Ch2, sk same st as ch2, *sk next st, hdc in next st, ps in skipped st, ch1, repeat from * across (one st remains), hdc in last st, turn. (32, 53 ps)
Row 10. Ch2, sk 1st ch-sp, hdc in next ch-sp, ps in skipped ch-sp, ch1, *sk next ps, hdc in next ch-sp, ps in previous ch-sp, ch1, repeat from * across, ending with a hdc in top of ch2 from previous row, turn. (32, 53 ps)
Photo examples: Reference the 3 photos below on how to work the 1st ps of row 10.
Photo examples: Reference the 3 photos below on how to work the 2nd ps of Row 10.
Photo examples: Reference the 3 photos below on how to work the last ps of Row 10.
Join Main Color
Row 11. Ch1, work 2 hdc in each ch-sp across, turn. (66, 108 hdc)
Row 12. Repeat Row 8. (66, 108 hdc)
Rows 13-17. Repeat Row 2. (66, 108 hdc)
Row 18. Repeat Row 8. (66, 108 hdc)
Repeat Section
Rows 19-68 (baby) or 19-88 (throw).Repeat Rows 9-18 a total of 5x for baby (7x for throw).
Work under both loops on the final row. (66, 108 hdc)
Finishing Your Braided Puff Crochet Blanket
Fasten off and weave in loose ends. Your Braided Puff Crochet Blanket is complete! It should not require blocking, though a light steam block may be desired. Enjoy!!
If you try the Braided Puff Crochet Blanket pattern, I’d love to see pics. Be sure to tag me @simplymadebyerin
You may also enjoy The Puffy Heart Crochet Basket Pattern as well as these Free Crochet Valentine’s Day Patterns.
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Feel free to do what you like with the finished product, but please credit me as the designer.
You may copy and paste the following information to your product:
Pattern Designed By Simply Made By Erin www.SimplyMadeByErin.com
This post may contain affiliate links to support the cost of this blog. Simply Made by Erin may receive a small commission from purchases made, at no extra cost to you. Read our Privacy Policy and Disclosures here.