Free Mini Dash Baby Blanket with Pom Pom Border Pattern

Pattern Description:

This Crochet Mini Dash Baby Blanket features a modern dash design with a charming pom pom border. It is crafted using Caron Simply Soft yarn for vivid colors and texture. 

The pattern incorporates techniques for carrying yarn to ensure a clean finish and minimize weaving in ends.

Materials Needed & Measurements:

• Yarn: Caron Simply Soft yarn, 100% acrylic
  • Colors/Skeins: 1 skein each of Soft Pink, Light Country Peach, Victorian Rose; 3 skeins White
• Yarn Weight: 4 weight
• Hook: Size H 5mm crochet hook. A Susan Bates hook is recommended to prevent yarn splitting.
• Notions: Scissors, tapestry needle
• Measurements: 32 x 32 inch baby blanket

Stitches & Abbreviations Used:

• wHDC (Wide HDC): Wide Half Double Crochet
• HDC: Half Double Crochet
• SL ST: Slip Stitch
• YO: Yarn Over

Instructions for Making the Mini Dash Baby Blanket with Pom Pom Border Pattern:

Constructing the Main Blanket Body

The primary section of the blanket is constructed using a repetition of Wide Half Double Crochet (WHDC) stitches and precise colorwork to form the distinct “dash” pattern. The blanket is designed to be 32 x 32 inches when completed.

Initial Chain and First Row

To begin the blanket, you will start by creating the foundation chain.

• Chain 111 in White. If you wish to adjust the blanket’s size, you can chain any multiple of 8, then add 7.
• ROW 1: Starting in the 3rd chain from the hook, work 1 HDC (Half Double Crochet) in each chain across the row. When you reach the very last stitch, on the final step of that stitch (when you have 3 loops on your hook), pull through with Color yarn. It is important not to cut the White yarn at this point. Then, chain 2 and turn your work to prepare for the next row.

Establishing the Dash Pattern (Rows 2-5)

These rows introduce the key color-work that forms the dash design and require careful attention to yarn carrying.

• ROW 2: Begin this row by pulling the White yarn behind your work and crocheting over it as you proceed. You will work 1 WHDC (Wide Half Double Crochet) in each of the first 5 spaces. On the 5th WHDC stitch, pull through with White yarn for your next color change. Next, carry the Color yarn along your work (crocheting over it) and work 1 WHDC in each of the next 3 spaces. On the 3rd WHDC stitch in this sequence, pull through with Color yarn. Following this, you will work 5 WHDCs with Color, making sure to continue carrying the White yarn along your work.
• You will continue this repeating pattern of 5 WHDCs of Color, followed by 3 WHDCs of White until you reach the end of the row. It is crucial to always carry the yarn you are not using along the top of your work so it is readily available for the next dash segment. You should conclude this row with 5 WHDCs of Color.
• When you reach the end of Row 2, pull through with White yarn on the last stitch. At this point, you can cut the Color yarn, ensuring you leave a tail that is long enough to weave in later.
• ROWS 3 – 5: These three rows are worked entirely in White. You will work 3 rows of WHDC with White, chaining 2 and turning at the end of each row. On the last stitch of Row 5, you will pull through with a new Color yarn to prepare for the next set of dash rows.

Repeating and Color Rotation

To achieve the desired length for the blanket, you will repeat ROWS 2 – 5 for the remainder of the project. 

After using the initial Color for a set of dashes, you would then switch to Light Country Peach, followed by Soft Pink, and then Victorian Rose. 

Once you have reached your desired blanket length, you should work one final row of White after the last Color row. 

This final White row helps to create symmetry, matching the single row of White that began the blanket.

Crafting the Pom Pom Border

The border adds a distinctive finish to the blanket, featuring a unique “pom pom” effect created with Double Crochet Bobbles. The border uses Pink yarn for its final round.

Round 1: Foundation Border

• To begin the border, chain 2 and turn your work.
• You will work wide HDC across the top and bottom of the blanket.
• For the corners, make sure to work 3 HDC into each corner space to create a rounded turn.
• Along the sides of the blanket (the raw edges of the rows), you will work 1 HDC at the end of each row.
• On the last stitch of this round, you will change color to Pink.
• Join the round with a slip stitch (SL ST) to the space between the turning chain and the first stitch, then chain 2 and turn.

Round 2: Corner Shaping

• ROUND 2: Continue working wide HDC around the entire blanket.
• The key to correctly shaping the corners in this round is to work 2 HDC between each post that makes up the corners. As the pattern explains, where you worked 3 HDC into one space in Round 1 to round the corner, in Round 2, you will insert your hook between the posts of these stitches. Specifically, you will work 2 HDC in between the first and second HDC, and another 2 HDC in between the second and third HDC from the previous round’s corner, resulting in a total of 4 HDC in each corner.
• Join this round with a SL ST to the starting chain 2, then turn.

Round 3: The Bobble Pom Poms

The final round creates the charming “pom pom” border using a specific sequence of chains, bobbles, and slip stitches.

• ROUND 3: You will follow this repeating sequence around the entire blanket:
  • *Chain 3.
  • Work a Double Crochet Bobble into the first chain of the three you just made.
  • SL ST to the stitch just underneath the chain.
  • SL ST into each of the next 6 stitches along the blanket edge.
  • Repeat from * (the asterisk) around the entire blanket.
• To finish, join with a SL ST to the first stitch, then tie off and weave in any remaining ends.

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