This retro crochet baby blanket combines simple stitches with a nostalgic color palette for a charming cozy make. The gentle flowing waves create visual interest while being relaxing to crochet – perfect for both beginners and experienced crocheters looking for a meditative project.
I designed this blanket with both visual appeal and practicality in mind. The wave stitch pattern creates a soothing rhythm as you work through each row, making it an enjoyable project that’s hard to put down!
Construction of the Retro Wave Blanket
This crochet blanket is worked in rows with an easy-to-memorize stitch repeat. You’ll be using all the basic stitches – single, half double, double and treble crochet to create the wave effect. Don’t worry if you’re still mastering some of these stitches – the pattern includes helpful picture tutorials to guide you through any tricky spots.
Once you’ve completed the main section, a simple border worked in rounds finishes the edges beautifully. I recommend using a slightly smaller hook for the border (I used a 4mm) to prevent waviness around the edges. As always, feel free to experiment with what works best for you – every crocheter’s tension can work a little differently!
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Yarn and Colors for the Retro Crochet Blanket
I chose a retro-inspired color palette that feels both nostalgic and fresh – peach, light pink, and mustard yellow, balanced with neutral dark brown and cream tones. This combination reminds me of the beautiful handmade blankets my mother and aunts used to make in the 1970s. The colors create a blanket that works beautifully in modern nurseries while evoking that charming vintage feel we all love.
I used Stylecraft Special DK yarn (just one ball of each color for the baby size), but you could substitute any DK weight (light worsted) yarn. This makes it perfect for using up leftover yarn from your stash! You know I love a good stash-busting project.
Size Options for Your Blanket
The pattern is easily customizable to your preferred size:
- Baby Blanket (sample shown): 38in (96.5cm) × 30in (76cm)
- Small Baby Blanket: Start with 84 chains (+2)
- Cot Blanket: Start with 112 chains (+2)
- Large Throw/Twin Size: 72in (183cm) × 48in (122cm) – requires two balls of each color, start with 168 chains (+2)
How to Get the Retro Wave Blanket Pattern
- Free Crochet Pattern: Scroll down this blog post for the complete instructions
- Printable PDF: Ad-free, detailed PDF pattern available on Ravelry and Etsy – your purchase helps support me to create more free patterns!
More Retro-Inspired Patterns You Might Enjoy
If you love the nostalgic feel of this blanket, you might also enjoy these patterns:
- Granny Ripple Blanket – uses the timeless charm of the granny stitch!
- Rainbow Harmony Afghan – another granny square make perfect for your yarn stash
- Chevron Retro Blanket – Indulge your inner Flower Child with this modern take on 70’s Retro Crochet!
- Retro Crochet Blanket Collection – to bring vintage charm to your home
Retro Wave Crochet Blanket Pattern
Materials
Stylecraft Special DK/DK /100% acrylic/295m/100grams
1 ball each of the following 5 colors:
- Shrimp (A)
- Saffron (B)
- Apricot (C)
- Gingerbread (D)
- Cream (E)
- 4mm & 4.5mm crochet hook
- Yarn needle.
Gauge
16 stitches x 12 rows in pattern = 4in [10cm]
Measurements
Baby Blanket (sample in picture): 38in (96.5cm) length x 30in (76cm) depth
Large throw (standard twin size – will use two balls of each color): 72in (183cm) length x 48in (122cm) width
Size examples
- Small baby blanket 24” wide – chain 84sts (+2)
- Cot blanket 30” wide – chain 112sts (+2)
- Large throw/twin blanket 48” wide – chain 168sts (+ 2)
Notes
- Blanket is crocheted in rows, and a border worked in rounds is added later.
- The stitch counts given in the pattern are for the baby blanket shown in the photos.
- Pattern repeat is a multiple of 14sts + (2). You can use this multiple to create your own custom size or see sample sizes above.
- I suggest you may need to go down a hook size for the border if it seems to get wavy – I used a 4mm hook for the border. Experiment to see what works best for your tension.
- Weaving in all ends as you go saves a lot of work later!
- Changing colors – work last st until there are 2 loops on hook, yarn over with new color and draw through all loops to complete stitch.
- Where a row starts with ch 4, you may wish to use a standing tr instead, see special stitches for instructions.
Abbreviations
- Sc – single crochet
- Hdc – half double crochet
- Dc – double crochet
- Tr – treble crochet
- Ch(s) – chain(s)
- Beg – beginning
- T-ch – turning chain
- YO – yarn over
- Rep – repeat
- Sp – space
Special Stitches
Standing tr – With a slip knot on your hook, YO twice and insert hook into indicated stitch, YO and pull up a loop, (YO and pull through 2 loops) 3 times.
Color Pattern Sequence
Repeat yarns A to E, crocheting 2 rows of each color throughout, for color pattern sequence.
Crochet Blanket Instructions
Ch 114
Row 1: Using Yarn A and 4.5 mm hook, work 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook * 1 sc in next ch, 1 hdc in each of next 2 ch, 1 dc in each of next 2 ch, 1 tr in each of next 3 ch, 1 dc in each of next 2 ch, 1 hdc in each of next 2 ch, 1 sc in each of the next 2 ch; rep from * to end, turn. (8 waves)
Row 2: Ch 1, 1 sc in each st to end of row. (See picture below for where to place hook for 1st st.) Change to Yarn B (see notes on changing colours) and fasten off Yarn A, turn. (113 sc)
Row 3: Using Yarn B, ch 4 (counts as 1 tr), skip 1st st, * 1 tr in next st, 1 dc in each of next 2 sts, 1 hdc in each of next 2 sts, 1 sc in each of next 3 sts, 1 hdc in each of next 2 sts, 1 dc in each of next 2 sts, 1 tr in each of next 2 sts; rep from * to end, turn. (6 waves, 2 half waves)
Row 4: Ch 1, 1 sc in each st to end of row, working last st in t-ch. Change to Yarn C and fasten off Yarn B, turn. (113 sc)
Row 5: Using Yarn C, ch 1, 1 sc in first st * 1 sc in next st, 1 hdc in each of next 2 sts, 1 dc in each of next 2 sts, 1 tr in each of next 3 sts, 1 dc in each of next 2 sts, 1 hdc in each of next 2 sts, 1 sc in each of the next 2 sts; rep from * to end, turn. (7 waves)
Rep Rows 2 to 5 for pattern, following instructions for color pattern above, until blanket is desired length. End on row 2 or row 4. Weave in all ends.
Border
Round 1: Using 4 mm hook and yarn E, join in top right corner of blanket. Ch 2 (counts as 1 sc, ch 1) 1 sc in same st, ch 1, skip next st, *1 sc in next st, ch 1, skip next st; rep from * to next corner, (1 sc, ch 1, 1 sc, ch 1) in corner, then working evenly down the side (1 sc, ch 1, 1 sc, ch 1) around treble row ends and (1 sc, ch 1) around sc ends, (1 sc, ch 1, 1 sc, ch 1) in corner, skip next st, *1 sc in next st, ch 1, skip next st; rep from * across the bottom edge to next corner, (1 sc, ch 1, 1 sc, ch 1) in corner, then working evenly up the last side (1 sc, ch 1, 1 sc, ch 1) around treble row ends and (1 sc, ch 1) around sc ends. Join with a sl st to beg ch 2.
Round 2: Ch 2 (counts as 1 sc, ch 1), 1 sc in same space, * 2 sc in each ch-1 space to next corner, (1 sc, ch 1, 1 sc) in corner; rep from * for remaining 3 sides, omitting final corner. Join with a sl st to beg ch 2. Fasten off yarn.
Round 3: Using yarn C, join in any corner ch-1 sp, ch 2 (counts as 1 sc, ch 1), 1 sc in same st, ch 1, skip next st, *1 sc in next st, ch 1, skip next st; rep from * to next corner, (1 sc, ch 1, 1 sc, ch 1) in corner, skip next st**; rep from * to ** for remaining 3 sides, omitting final corner. Join with a sl st to beg ch 2. Fasten off yarn.
Note: If your stitch counts for Round 3 don’t quite work out when you get to corners, it is ok to just skip 2 stitches rather than 1 if you need to.
Round 4: Using yarn D, rep Round 2.
Fasten off yarn and weave in ends.
Blocking
Your blanket will benefit from blocking to even out stitches and shape. Pin out evenly on blocking mats, spray lightly with warm water and leave to dry.
Tips for Working the Wave Pattern
The wave pattern might look complicated, but it’s actually quite straightforward once you get into the rhythm! Here are some helpful tips to ensure your project turns out beautifully:
- Count your stitches at the end of each row for the first few repeats until you’re comfortable with the pattern
- Use stitch markers at the beginning and end of each wave to keep track of your pattern repeat
- Block your finished blanket to open up the wave pattern and give it a professional finish
PIN FOR LATER
I hope you enjoy creating this retro wave baby blanket as much as I enjoyed designing it! There’s nothing quite like watching those beautiful waves take shape with each row. If you make one, I’d love to see it – tag @anniedesigncrochet on Instagram.
The photographs and pattern contained on this page are the property of Annie Design Crochet.com.
You are welcome to use this pattern to make items to sell, and I would appreciate that you include a link to the free pattern with credit for the designer, thank you!
No unauthorized reproduction, in whole or in part, or distribution of this pattern or content is permitted.
