Coastal Waves Blanket

Wrap your little one in the plush, sea-inspired textures of this gorgeous chunky crochet baby blanket.

There is something deeply soothing about watching a baby blanket take shape in your lap, especially when the yarn is as soft as a cloud. I still remember the first time I tried working with super chunky chenille yarn.

It was a slippery, tangled disaster.

I chose a stitch that was far too complicated, and my tension was completely all over the place. I ended up frogging the entire project in tears.

That frustrating experience taught me a valuable lesson about matching the right yarn with the right stitch. When you are working with thick, velvety yarn, you need a pattern that lets the texture shine without making your hands cramp.

That is exactly why I designed this coastal-themed blanket. By combining simple stitches with strategically placed front post stitches, you get a wonderfully dense, squishy fabric that looks incredibly intricate but is actually a breeze to stitch. It is the ultimate stress-free project for cozy evenings.

If you love quick, satisfying makes, you might also want to check out my list of 13 Free Crochet Baby Blankets That Take 6 Hours or Less. But first, let's dive into this beautiful seaside design!

Why You'll Love This Pattern

• Incredible Texture: The clever use of post stitches creates a thick, raised wave effect that is wonderfully tactile for little hands.
• No Constant Fastening Off: You will carry your yarn up the sides, meaning far fewer pesky ends to weave in when you finish.
• Super Fast Progress: Using a 10mm hook and category 6 yarn means this blanket grows right before your eyes.

Materials You'll Need

• Yarn: Bernat Baby Blanket (Category 6, Super Bulky chenille yarn; 100% Polyester). You will need 1 skein (approx. 190 yards) of White and 2 skeins (approx. 350 yards) of Baby Blue.
• Hook: Size N/P (10mm) crochet hook, or size needed to obtain gauge.
• Notions: A large-eye tapestry needle for weaving in those few remaining ends, and scissors.
• Yardage: Approximately 540 yards total.

Gauge & Sizing

• Gauge: 9 stitches = 5 inches in the main pattern stitch (swatch by chaining 16 and working Rows 1 to 4).
• Sizes included: One size (Baby Blanket / Small Crib Throw).
• Finished measurements: Approximately 28-1/2 inches wide by 33-1/2 inches long (including the border).

Abbreviations & Stitch Instructions

• ch: Chain - Yarn over, pull through loop on hook.
• sc: Single Crochet - Insert hook, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
• dc: Double Crochet - Yarn over, insert hook, yarn over, pull up a loop, (yarn over, pull through 2 loops) twice.
• fpdc: Front Post Double Crochet - Yarn over, insert your hook from the front to the back and to the front again around the vertical post of the indicated stitch from the row below. Complete the stitch like a regular double crochet.
• sk: Skip - Do not work into the next stitch.
• sl st: Slip Stitch - Insert hook, yarn over, pull through stitch and loop on hook.

Pattern Notes

• Skill Level: Advanced Beginner.
• This pattern is written in US crochet terms.
• The item is worked flat in rows, turning at the end of each row.
• Tension Tip: Keep your post stitches loose. If you pull them too tight, the blanket will bunch up and lose its lovely drape.
• Customization Tip: You can easily adjust the width of this blanket by starting with any multiple of 2 chains. If you want to make sure your starting chain isn't too tight, read my guide on How to Adjust Your Foundation Chain Without Unraveling your First Row in Crochet.

Step-by-Step Instructions

The Foundation and First Row

With Baby Blue yarn, chain 48 (or your preferred even number).

Row 1: Work 1 dc in the 4th chain from your hook. (Note: the 3 skipped chains count as your first dc). Work 1 dc in each remaining chain across to the end of the row. Turn your work. (46 dc)

Setting Up the Waves

Row 2: Chain 3 (counts as a dc here and throughout). Skip the next dc. Work 1 fpdc around the next dc. Now, working along the back of that fpdc, work 1 dc into the skipped stitch of the current row. *Skip the next dc, work 1 fpdc around the next dc, then working along the back of the fpdc, skip 1 stitch after the previous dc of the current row and work 1 dc in the next stitch. Repeat from * across until only the turning chain remains. Work 1 dc into the top of the beginning chain-3. Turn. (46 stitches)

Row 3: Chain 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 sc in the very first stitch and in each stitch across the row, ending with 1 sc in the top of the turning chain. Turn. (46 sc)

Shifting the Pattern and Color Changes

Row 4: Chain 3 (counts as a dc). Work 1 fpdc around the dc that sits between the next two fpdc stitches from one row below. (Tip: This stitch can hide behind the fpdc to its right; just push it forward with your fingers to find it). Working behind the fpdc you just made, work 1 dc in the second stitch of the current row. *Work 1 fpdc around the dc between the next two fpdc stitches from one row below. Working behind this post stitch, skip 1 stitch after the previous dc of the current row and work 1 dc in the next stitch. Repeat from * until 2 stitches remain. Work 1 dc in the last sc, joining the White yarn during the final pull-through of this stitch. Drop the Baby Blue yarn (do not cut it!) and turn. (46 stitches)

Continuing the Stripes

Rows 5 and 6: Repeat Rows 3 and 4 using the White yarn. On the final pull-through of the last stitch of Row 6, pick up the Baby Blue yarn to switch back. Turn.

Rows 7 to 10: Repeat Rows 3 and 4 twice using the Baby Blue yarn. On the final pull-through of Row 10, switch back to the White yarn. Turn.

Subsequent Rows: Keep repeating Rows 5 to 10 to build your stripes. Once you have completed a total of 9 Baby Blue stripes, join the White yarn on the very last stitch of the final blue row. Fasten off the Baby Blue yarn. Do not fasten off the White yarn; you will use it to work the border.

Adding the Clean Border

With the White yarn still joined, chain 1 at the corner.

Work sc stitches evenly down the left edge of the blanket. (Tip: Work 4 sc across the side of each blue stripe and 1 sc across the side of each white stripe).

When you reach the corner, work 3 sc into the corner stitch to turn smoothly.

Work 1 sc under each foundation chain stitch along the bottom edge.

Work 3 sc in the next corner.

Work sc stitches evenly up the right edge, matching the spacing of the left side (4 sc per blue stripe, 1 sc per white stripe).

Work 3 sc in the next corner.

Work 1 sc in each stitch across the top edge.

Work 3 sc in the final corner, then slip stitch to the first sc of the border to join. Fasten off and weave in your ends.

Easy Variations & Custom Ideas

• Make it a Throw: You can easily scale this up into a full-sized living room throw. Simply increase your starting chain to any even number and buy extra yarn! If you love cozy throws, you might also enjoy my Just Peachy Baby Blanket or the classic Cookies and Cream Blanket.
• Solid Color Elegance: Skip the stripes entirely and work the blanket in a single solid color. The post stitch texture is so rich that it looks stunning even without color changes.
• High-Contrast Stripes: Instead of soft baby pastel tones, try a bold charcoal gray and cream combination for a modern, Scandinavian look.
• Add Tassels or Pom-Poms: Give your blanket a playful, bohemian vibe by adding chunky yarn tassels or large pom-poms to the four corners.
• Yarn Substitutions: If you cannot find Bernat Baby Blanket yarn, any category 6 super bulky yarn will work. Just make sure to check your gauge so your blanket doesn't turn out too stiff or too loose.

Common Troubleshooting & Fixes

• Problem: The edges of my blanket are curling inward.
  Fix: This usually happens if your starting chain or your post stitches are too tight. Try using a hook one size larger for your foundation chain, or focus on pulling your fpdc loops up to the height of the current row before completing them.
• Problem: I can see the carried yarn peeking out along the sides.
  Fix: Don't worry! The single crochet border is designed to completely encase and hide those carried strands. Just make sure you crochet over them as you work your border stitches.
• Problem: My stitch count is changing from row to row.
  Fix: It is very easy to accidentally skip the final stitch of a row or work two stitches into one. Count your stitches at the end of every row (you should always have 46). Placing a stitch marker in the first and last stitch of each row will help you stay on track.
• Problem: The blanket feels too stiff and dense.
  Fix: Chenille yarn can vary in thickness. If your fabric feels like a rug rather than a soft blanket, go up to an 11mm or 12mm hook to give the stitches more breathing room.

Care Instructions

To keep your chenille blanket looking plush and beautiful, machine wash it separately in cold water on a delicate cycle. Tumble dry on low heat, or lay it flat to dry. Avoid ironing or bleaching, as high heat can melt the synthetic fibers and ruin the velvety texture.

Final Thoughts

There is nothing quite like the satisfaction of finishing a project that is both fast to make and incredibly luxurious to touch. This blanket is always my go-to gift for baby showers because it looks like it took weeks of painstaking effort, but it actually comes together over just a weekend. Take your time getting used to the post stitch placement, keep your tension relaxed, and enjoy watching those beautiful coastal waves appear under your hook. Happy crocheting!