by Tunisian crochet combines the best of knitting and crochet, producing a thick, warm, and beautifully textured fabric — perfect for baby blankets. This “filled” Tunisian baby blanket adds cozy comfort with a stitch pattern that eliminates holes and creates a soft, dense surface ideal for little ones.
Whether you’re new to Tunisian crochet or looking for a relaxing project, this step-by-step guide will walk you through making a super easy filled Tunisian crochet baby blanket.
🧵 Materials Needed:
| Item | Details/Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Yarn | Worsted weight (Category 4) yarn. Use soft acrylic or cotton blends safe for babies (e.g., Bernat Baby Blanket, Red Heart Soft Baby Steps, or Paintbox Cotton Aran). |
| Hook | Tunisian/Afghan hook (size 6.5 mm or 7 mm) — long or with a cable. |
| Scissors | Any sharp pair |
| Yarn needle | For weaving in ends |
| Stitch markers (optional) | Useful for marking the first/last stitch of each row. |
📏 Size Guide:
Typical baby blanket sizes:
- Stroller/Car Seat Blanket: 30” x 35” (76 x 89 cm)
- Receiving Blanket: 34” x 34” (86 x 86 cm)
- Crib Blanket: 36” x 52” (91 x 132 cm)
This pattern is easily adjustable. You just need to chain a multiple of stitches wide enough for your desired width.
✨ Stitch Used: Tunisian Simple Stitch (TSS) with a filled texture
We’ll use the Tunisian Simple Stitch with an extra return pass twist for a denser fabric. This method keeps the blanket warm and closes the natural gaps in Tunisian crochet.
🧮 Abbreviations:
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| TSS | Tunisian Simple Stitch |
| FP | Forward Pass |
| RP | Return Pass |
| Ch | Chain |
| St(s) | Stitch(es) |
🧵 Instructions:
STEP 1: Make a Foundation Chain
- Ch 90 (or your desired width, depending on the blanket size — e.g., 90 chains ≈ 30 inches wide).
You can add more chains to increase the width or subtract for a smaller blanket.
STEP 2: First Row (Foundation Row)
Forward Pass (FP):
- Insert your hook into the second chain from the hook, yarn over, and pull up a loop. Keep the loop on your hook.
- Repeat across the entire chain. You should now have 90 loops on your hook.
Return Pass (RP):
- Yarn over and pull through 1 loop (this creates the edge).
- Yarn over, pull through 2 loops — repeat until only 1 loop remains on your hook.
STEP 3: Main Body — Filled Tunisian Simple Stitch
Repeat the following for every row:
Forward Pass:
- Skip the first vertical bar (this is your edge).
- Insert your hook under the next vertical bar, yarn over, pull up a loop (TSS).
- Repeat across the row.
Return Pass (for filled texture):
- Yarn over and pull through 1 loop.
- Yarn over, pull through 2 loops, BUT — tighten the yarn slightly after every pull-through to close gaps and create the “filled” texture.
- Repeat until 1 loop remains.
STEP 4: Last Row — Bind Off
When you reach your desired length (about 35–40 inches for a baby blanket), it’s time to bind off:
- Insert your hook under the next vertical bar like a TSS.
- Yarn over, pull through the stitch AND the loop on the hook (like a slip stitch).
- Repeat to the end of the row.
This gives you a clean, knitted-like edge.
STEP 5: Optional Border
To give your blanket a more polished look:
- Use a regular crochet hook and single crochet (sc) around the edges.
- You can do 2 sc per row on the sides and 1 sc per stitch on top and bottom.
- Add 3 sc into each corner to keep the shape from curling.
Optional border variation: Try a reverse single crochet (crab stitch) for a textured, rope-like finish.
🌟 Tips for Success:
- Prevent Curling: Tunisian crochet tends to curl. Blocking your blanket or adding a border helps. You can also go up half a hook size to reduce curl.
- Soft Yarn = Happy Baby: Choose yarn that’s gentle and machine-washable.
- Avoid tension issues: Keep your loops relaxed, especially on the forward pass.
🧼 Washing Instructions:
- Machine wash cold on gentle cycle.
- Tumble dry low or lay flat to dry.
- Avoid fabric softeners if using cotton blends.
🧸 Perfect For:
- Baby shower gifts
- Newborn photo props
- Everyday snuggle blankets
- First-time Tunisian crochet project
Video tutorial:
🎉 Final Thoughts:
This filled Tunisian crochet baby blanket is a fantastic beginner-friendly project that produces a thick, warm, and professional-looking result. Once you master the Tunisian Simple Stitch with the tight return pass, you’ll love how quickly the blanket grows — and how perfect it feels for a little one’s comfort.
