• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Make It Crochet
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Make It Crochet
  • Free Scarf Patterns
  • Free Shawl Patterns
  • Newsletter Signup
  • About Me
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Baby Afghan Patterns

    Dragon Scales Baby Blanket Free Crochet

    Date: March 3, 2023 by Kim Guzman • This post may contain affiliate links. See Privacy Policy below.

    This Dragon Scales Baby Blanket is an incredibly textured, award-winning afghan made in a combination of regular crochet and Tunisian crochet. Similar to Crochet Entrelac, this baby afghan is made in a unique, continuous mitered square repeat.

    Unlike Tunisian crochet you typically find, you will NOT need to use a long hook. Since each mitered square is a maximum of only 9 stitches, a standard hook can be used.

    Dragon Scales Baby Blanket Free Crochet by Kim Guzman

    “Dragon Scales Baby Blanket” free crochet pattern by Kim Guzman © Mar. 2023. All rights reserved.
    Technique: Regular crochet with Tunisian crochet elements.
    Skill Level: Intermediate.

    If you already know some basic Tunisian crochet, this baby afghan is on an intermediate level. If you know nothing of Tunisian crochet, please review the basic videos provided and the pattern will be a little more challenging until you become familiar with those techniques.

    Crochet Pattern At A Glance

    Pin For Later

    Dragon Scales Baby Blanket Pattern

    Designer: Kim Guzman © 2022-23. All rights reserved.
    This Dragon Scales Baby Blanket is an incredibly textured, award-winning Afghan made in a combination of regular crochet and Tunisian crochet.
    Est. Crochet Time: 23 hours

    When est. crochet time is over 24 hours, each 24 hours will automatically adjust to a day.

    Est. Cost: $18

    Rate the Pattern

    4.87 from 15 votes

    Yarn

    • Lion Brand “Mandala”, 100% acrylic, 590 yds/540m per 5.3 oz/150g per skein: approximately 1600 yards of colorway: Pixie.

    Other Materials

    • Suggested Crochet Hook Size J-10 (6mm) or hook needed to meet gauge
    • Yarn Needle for weaving ends

    Instructions

    • Begin with an initial chain and a row of single crochet with ripple/wave stitch elements.
    • In between the rises of the ripple, create continuous mitered squares (Diamonds) across.
    • Make another row of single crochet ripple/wave stitch.
    • In between the rises of the ripples, create continous mitered squares in alternating positions of the ones prior.
    • Follow the 4-row repeat until a total of 75 rows have been completed.

    Free Crochet Pattern

    Complete pattern is available for free below. Scroll down a bit. A PDF download is also available for purchase. All funds from pattern purchases help keep this website going. Purchase at:
    Ravelry | Etsy (not available on Etsy)

    This is a free crochet pattern and the written instructions are below. If you prefer a printable download, a PDF is also available for purchase.

    Although this pattern indicates 23 hours of crochet time, this doesn’t mean it will take you one day. This is an estimate of actual crochet time. No breaks, eating, starting over for a mistake, checking Facebook, etc. If I were to estimate, it would take me about 4 days of fairly intense crocheting.

    My Crochet Pattern Notes

    This design is worked in regular crochet with Tunisian crochet elements. Each mitered square is worked individually in a continuous row without cutting or changing the yarn. The color changes are made by the use of a self-striping yarn. The changes were not planned and are exactly as the yarn comes out of the cake.

    This is a new method I created myself. It’s similar to Crochet Entrelac patterns but avoids the one thing I disliked the most about those designs: cutting off after each row to start back at the beginning. I’ve created something continuous throughout.

    Be patient, especially when you’re just starting out. Count your stitches. Trust me when I say that, if you make a mistake in a Diamonds row, you will feel like your life is over.

    Pin It For Later

    pinterest pin for Dragon Scales Baby Blanket

    Does Tunisian Crochet Make Nice Baby Blankets?

    Yes! I think the most popular feature of Tunisian crochet is that most of the stitch patterns have NO HOLES! What do most parents want right now with crochet? “Please, Nana, make the afghan more modern and without holes!”

    50 years ago, Tunisian crochet was very thick and heavy. These days, you can easily make a Tunisian crochet baby blanket without all that bulk. Because the blankets aren’t as heavy, you can make a baby blanket without worry about the baby getting too hot.

    cover of Tunisian Baby Blankets by Kim Guzman

    In my book Tunisian Baby Blankets, published by Annie’s Attic, I used a finer weight yarn and the blankets were perfect! I especially loved doing the fun regular crochet borders on each of them.

    Can You Mix Tunisian and Regular Crochet?

    You are probably already doing some form of Tunisian crochet. If you’ve been using Foundation Stitches instead of an initial chain, that’s Tunisian crochet. If you’ve used Linked Stitches, that’s Tunisian crochet as well.

    So, you’re already mixing Tunisian and Regular Crochet without even knowing it.

    For this beautiful baby blanket, I’ve made Tunisian mitered squares on one side (the even numbered rows), with regular ripple style single crochet on the other side (the odd numbered rows).

    Tunisian crochet already has a huge variety. Imagine what happens when you add your regular crochet stitches and the sky will be the limit.

    Right Side and Wrong Side

    The side with the even numbered rows creates a smoother fabric, looking a little like leaves.

    closeup of even row side of Dragon Scales Baby Afghan

    Although this is technically what would be called the “right side”, I much prefer the other side.

    The odd numbered rows produce the more textured look of the waves and is the reason for the name I’ve given the blanket of “Dragon Scales”. It may be the “wrong side” but I think it’s gorgeous!

    closeup of odd row side of Dragon Scales Baby Blanket

    It’s a difficult choice, I know! Fortunately, you can love both sides equally and you don’t need to make the choice.

    Finished Size

    32″ x 39″.

    Yarn

    Lion Brand “Mandala”, 100% acrylic, 590 yds/540m per 5.3 oz/150g per skein: approximately 1600 yards of colorway: Pixie.

    CYCA image for size 3 light yarn weight

    “Mandala” is classified as a DK weight (size 3) yarn and is currently available in 27 colorways.

    Mandala is a readily-available yarn and is available in different yarn weights. There is more than one variety so be sure to get one marked as size 3.

    Popular Free Crochet Patterns

    • Easy Crochet Triangle Shawl in Cake Yarn
    • Crochet Cable Stitch Shawl Pattern
    • Spring Crochet Hat Pattern
    • Tunisian Baby Blanket | Striped Hearts

    Other Materials

    Suggested Crochet Hook Size J-10 (6mm) or hook needed to meet gauge.
    Yarn Needle for weaving ends.

    Gauge

    It’s difficult to measure gauge for this project. Each full Diamond measures about 1 1/2″ across. Each 2-row repeat measures a little under 2″ high.

    Use the Stitch Multiple to create the baby afghan in any size or yarn weight by adjusting the initial chain count and/or yarn weight. You can use it to make a full size afghan or throw.

    Or, if you want to try out the stitch pattern without the large commitment, try making a scarf instead. I’m currently making a scarf and I started with an initial chain of 42.

    Stitch Multiple

    If you would like to change the width of this blanket, you’ll need any multiple of 8, then add 10.

    Special Instructions

    When making the initial chain, ensure that you chain loosely. If you tend to make this chain too tightly, it’s okay to go up a hook size while making the chain. After the chain, switch to the hook you’ll be using.

    When working on the Diamond rows, there is no chain 1 at the beginning. It goes straight into pulling up loops.

    When working slip stitches down the side of the Diamond, ensure that you insert your hook under the 2 outer vertical bars of the last stitch of each row to keep the edges stable. Slip stitch loosely. You’ll be making single crochet into them on the next row.

    step out photo to show where to place slip stitch down side of mitered squares

    After slip stitching down the side of the Diamond, when slip stitching into the next single crochet of the current row, ensure that you’re working into the next single crochet and not into the stretched out single crochet right before it.

    Abbreviations

    This baby blanket pattern is written in US crochet terminology.

    ch=chain; lp(s)=loop(s); rep=repeat; sc=single crochet; sk=skip; sl=slip; st(s)=stitch(es); yo=yarn over.

    All numbers after the colon at the end of an instruction are stitch counts. Use the stitch count to check your work.

    closeup of Dragon Scales Tunisian crochet baby blanket stitches

    Special Stitches

    When making the chain 1 to close the first loop of a row when working on a Diamond, keep it loose. After working on this stitch repeat for awhile, you will find that working a tight tension is going to make everything more difficult.

    The Diamonds follow Tunisian crochet principles, even though there are only 9 stitches maximum and you can use a standard crochet hook. There is no need for a special hook. You will be using the following techniques for the Diamonds only, the rest is in regular crochet:

    Tunisian Simple Stitch: Right-Handed Video | Left-Handed Video

    Last Stitch of a Row: The last stitch of each row is worked into the outer 2 vertical bars. It’s basically a knit stitch with an extra loop. You don’t want to work under only one vertical bar since it will cause the loop to stretch too much and cause gaps. Working under both loops makes a nice, clean, sturdy edge. Right-Handed Video | Left-Handed Video

    It’s unnecessary to be a pro at Tunisian crochet but it does help to brush up on some of the basics.

    The following are the instructions for each mitered square which I’ve called Diamonds. The overall pattern for the row repeats is below the instructions for the Diamonds.

    Diamond

    step out of 9 loops on hook for tunisian mitered square

    Row 1: Start with 9 lps on hook in indicated sts, ch 1, [yo, pull through 2 lps on hook] twice, yo, pull through 4 lps on hook (3 lps closed here and throughout), [yo, pull through 2 lps on hook] 3 times: 1 lp remains on hook.

    Row 2: Sk first vertical bar, [insert hook under next vertical bar, yo, pull lp through] twice, insert hook under 3 vertical bars, yo, pull lp through, [insert hook under next vertical bar, yo, pull lp through] 3 times (7 lps on hook), ch 1, yo, pull through 2 lps on hook, yo, pull through 4 lps on hook, [yo, pull through 2 lps on hook] 2 times: 1 lp remains on hook.

    Row 3: Sk first vertical bar, insert hook under next vertical bar, yo, pull lp through, insert hook under 3 vertical bars, yo, pull loop through, [insert hook under next vertical bar, yo, pull lp through] twice (5 lps on hook), ch 1, yo, pull through 4 lps on hook, yo, pull through 2 lps on hook: 1 lp remains on hook.

    Row 4: Sk first vertical bar, insert hook under 3 vertical bars, yo, pull lp through, insert hook under last vertical bar, yo, pull lp through (3 lps on hook), yo, pull through 3 lps on hook: 1 lp remains on hook.

    First Side Diamond

    step out showing first side diamond of Dragon Scales Baby Blanket

    Row 1: Start with 5 lps on hook in indicated sts, ch 1, [yo, pull through 2 lps on hook] twice, yo, pull through 3 lps on hook (2 lps closed here and throughout): 1 lp remains on hook.

    Row 2: Sk 2 vertical bars, [insert hook under next vertical bar, yo, pull lp through] 3 times (4 lps on hook], ch 1, yo, pull through 2 lps on hook, yo, pull through 3 lps on hook: 1 lp remains on hook.

    Row 3: Sk 2 vertical bars, [insert hook under next vertical bar, yo, pull lp through] twice (3 lps on hook), ch 1, yo, pull through 3 lps on hook: 1 lp remains on hook.

    Row 4: Sk 2 vertical bars, insert hook in last vertical bar, yo, pull lp through, yo, pull through 2 lps on hook: 1 lp remains on hook.

    Last Side Diamond

    step out showing last side diamond of Dragon Scales Baby Blanket

    Row 1: Start with 6 lps on hook in indicated sts, yo, pull through 3 lps on hook, [yo, pull through 2 lps on hook] 3 times: 1 lp remains on hook.

    Row 2: Sk first vertical bar, [insert hook under next vertical bar, yo, pull lp through] 2 times, insert hook under 3 vertical bars, yo, pull lp through (4 lps on hook), [yo, pull through 2 lps on hook] 3 times: 1 lp remains on hook.

    Row 3: Sk first vertical bar, insert hook under next vertical bar, yo, pull lp through, insert hook under 2 vertical bars, yo, pull lp through (3 lps on hook), [yo, pull through 2 lps on hook] twice: 1 lp remains on hook.

    Row 4: Sk first vertical bar, insert hook under 2 vertical bars, yo, pull through, yo, pull through 2 lps on hook: 1 lp remains on hook.

    Free Crochet Pattern Instructions

    Note: Read all Special Instructions and Special Stitches before beginning.

    Row 1: Ch 162 loosely, sk ch, 2 sc in next ch, sc in next 3 ch, *sk ch, sc in next 3 ch, 3 sc in next ch, sc in next 3 ch, rep from * to last 5 ch, sk ch, sc in next 4 ch, turn: 1 lp remains on hook (counts as first lp of next row here and throughout).

    Row 2: Sk first sc, pull up lps in next 8 sc (9 lps now on hook here and throughout), work Diamond (see Special Stitches above), sl st at side of each of 4 rows of Diamond, sl st in next sc of current row (1 lp on hook), *pull up lps in next 8 sc, work Diamond, sl st at side of each of 4 rows of Diamond, sl st in next sc of current row (1 lp on hook), rep from * to last 8 sc, pull up lps in next 8 sc, work Diamond, sl st at side of each of 4 rows of Diamond, sl st in sc at base of Diamond, turn: 20 Diamonds.

    closeup of completed Diamond Tunisian mitered square

    Row 3: Ch 1, working in BOTH lps of sl st (here and throughout), sc in first sl st, *sc in next 3 sl st, 3 sc in one lp only at top of Diamond, sc in sides of 3 rows of Diamond, sk last row of Diamond and first sl st of next Diamond, rep from * to last Diamond, sc in next 3 sl st, 3 sc in one lp only at top of Diamond, sc in sides of 4 rows of Diamond, turn: 1 lp remains on hook: 182 sc.

    Note: The Diamond rows shift by one stitch on each alternating Diamond row to control the bias. Follow the instructions to maintain this shift.

    closeup of sole slip stitch before making last side Diamond

    Row 4: Sk first sc, pull up lps in next 4 sc (5 lps now on hook), work First Side Diamond (see Special Stitches above), sl st at side of each of 4 rows of Diamond, sl st in next sc of current row (1 lp on hook), *pull up lps in next 8 sc, work Diamond, sl st at side of each 4 rows of Diamond, sl st in next sc of current row (1 lp on hook), rep from * to last 5 sc, pull up lps in next 5 sc (6 lps now on hook), work Last Side Diamond, (see Special Stitches above) turn: 19 full Diamonds and 2 half Diamonds.

    Row 5: Ch 1, 2 sc in sides of next 2 rows of Diamond, sc in side of next row of Diamond, *sk last row of Diamond and first sl st of next Diamond, sc in next 3 sl st, 3 sc in one lp only at top of Diamond, sc in sides of next 3 rows of Diamond, rep from * to before last Diamond, sk last row of previous Diamond and first sl st of last Diamond, sc in next 3 sl st of last Diamond, sc in top of last Diamond, turn: 180 sc.

    Rows 6-73: Rep rows 2-5.

    Rows 74-75: Rep row 2-3. Fasten off after final row.

    Finishing

    Weave in all ends securely.

    Depending on your tension, especially on the first loop of each row of the Diamonds, your project could bias. If this happens, spray the entire blanket generously with cool water or dip in cool water until saturated then gently roll in clean, dry towels to remove excess water. Shape on a flat surface then allow to dry completely.

    Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest

    TERMS: To my fellow crafters, you have my permission to use my patterns to make and sell your projects* anywhere you like. You cannot use my images to sell your projects, though. You must take photos of your own work. All patterns have been tested but mistakes can happen. If you find a mistake, please let me know.

    *Not intended to be blanket permission for mass production.

    See More

    • Modern Crochet Baby Blanket Pattern

    Baby Afghan Patterns, Free Afghan Patterns

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Let Me Know What You Think! Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Rating




    1. Stephanie says

      March 03, 2023 at 11:22 pm

      5 stars
      This is beautiful!

      Reply
      • Kim Guzman says

        March 04, 2023 at 12:02 pm

        Thanks so much!

        Reply
    2. Donna S says

      March 04, 2023 at 10:21 am

      4 stars
      Looks absolutely beautiful and the directions seem to be doable for me. I can hardly wait to start. Thank you.

      Reply
      • Kim Guzman says

        March 04, 2023 at 12:02 pm

        Great! I hope you enjoy it. 🙂

        Reply
    3. Monica says

      March 04, 2023 at 5:31 pm

      5 stars
      Thanks for sharing this beautiful pattern even though I would prefer to see a tutorial of it

      Reply
      • Kim Guzman says

        March 04, 2023 at 5:57 pm

        Thanks so much! I’m unable to get the equipment to make them available right now. Maybe later in the year.

        Reply
        • Annabelle L Ware says

          March 15, 2023 at 10:25 am

          Being a visual learner, I would love that!

          Reply
    4. RTovar says

      March 07, 2023 at 6:28 am

      5 stars
      Oh, that’s a lovely pattern! When I find time, I’d love to make it, especially since it uses Mandala Yarn, one of my favorites. Thank you so much for designing this lovely blanket! I’ll take your advice and start with a scarf.

      Reply
      • Kim Guzman says

        March 07, 2023 at 10:40 am

        That’s great! I hope you enjoy it. 🙂

        Reply
    5. Marie says

      March 13, 2023 at 8:44 pm

      5 stars
      Love it except no video many like me can’t read patterns and need verbal and visual help

      Reply
      • Kim Guzman says

        March 14, 2023 at 1:05 pm

        I understand. I would love to be able to provide videos but I’m not able at the moment. Perhaps later this year, if all goes well.

        Reply
    6. Laurel says

      March 16, 2023 at 8:13 pm

      5 stars
      Hi Kim,

      This pattern is just what I have been looking for as another great grand son will join our family in June.
      Is there a video that goes with it?
      At age 75 I need that help as well as the photos.
      I love all your Tunisian blanket patterns.

      Kind Regards Laurel NZ

      Reply
      • Kim Guzman says

        March 17, 2023 at 2:34 am

        I’m not able to provide video hosting at this time. Perhaps later this year.

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome

    Welcome to Make It Crochet with Kim Guzman! I hope you will enjoy the site as I share my latest crochet pattern designs with you. About Kim Guzman.

    Follow

    Newsletter Archives

    As Seen In

    List of publishers who have published patterns with Kim Guzman
    Amazon Author Logo

    See my books on Amazon.
    Kim Guzman Author Page

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
    • About Me
    • Newsletter Sign Up

    Social Media

    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022-2023 by Kim Guzman. All rights reserved.

    Roundups: You have permission from Make It Crochet to use one image and backlink for your roundups.