Almond Crochet Stitch Preemie or Baby Blanket

Learn how to crochet the almond stitch and work up the Almond Stitch Baby Blanket! This pattern comes in two sizes, preemie and baby, and each size only requires ONE skein of yarn!

I loved working with the Mandala® Bonus Bundle® from Lion Brand. SUCH a pleasant experience! You sit the large cake of yarn next to you, pull from the outside, and go. The color changes just happen, and you should only have a couple ends to weave in when your project is finished!

The pattern is finished with my favorite camel stitch border. I thought the straight ribbing in the border complemented the almond ridges perfectly.

The almond stitch is a pinch trickier to read than some of my other favorite, easy-to-memorize stitches, so check the notes for tips on reading your work!

If you decide to donate a preemie size blanket to charity, I loved and appreciated how explicit Knots of Love is with their requirements. Check them out!

I hope you enjoy this pattern!

You can save this pattern to your Pinterest board here.

Abbreviations (US)

• blo: back loop only
• ch(s): chain(s)
• hdc(s): half double crochet(s)
• rep: repeat
• rnd(s): round(s)
• rs: right side
• sl st(s): slip stitch(es)
• sp(s): space(s)
• st(s): stitch(es)
• ws: wrong side

Materials

• Lion Brand Mandala® Bonus Bundle® Yarn Weight 3 Light (100% Acrylic, 1,181 yds/1,080 m, 10.5 oz/300 g) Cyclops 1 skein
• H/8 5mm crochet hook
• Scissors
• Tapestry needle
• Optional: 8 Stitch Markers (see Border Notes)

Finished Size

This pattern is written for size Preemie with size Baby in parentheses, as Preemie (Baby).

30 x 24 (32 x 34)” with border

26 x 20 (26 x 28)” before border

Shown in Baby

Gauge

17 sts x 16 rows = 4″ x 4″

Notes

You can get an ads-free, easy-to-print PDF of this pattern over at Etsy or Ravelry!

This pattern is written in sizes Preemie and Baby as indicated above in the Finished Size section. When only one number is given, it applies to all sizes. For example, both the Preemie and Baby blanket sizes begin with a starting ch of 109 since both sizes are the same width before border.

To follow pattern more easily, circle all numbers pertaining to your chosen size before beginning.

I learned to crochet this stitch over at Nordic Hook! Check out her step-by-step tutorial here: The almond stitch

Each “almond” in the almond stitch is made from stacking hdcs on top of each other. If you aren’t sure which row you’re on, check to see if you have “completed” almonds: is the top of the blanket bumpy or smooth? If it’s bumpy, you’re ready to work sl sts into hdcs and vice versa. If it’s flat, work hdcs into hdcs and sl sts into sl sts for one more row. I hope this tip helps you read your work!

Also, if you’ve lost count of your stitches, I find it much easier to count the hdcs than the sl sts because the hdcs have posts; they’re much taller than the sl sts. So, find a series of 4 hdcs to count, then work your way down the row from there.

Savvy crocheters may notice that the Baby size in the pattern calls for 10 rounds of the border, but the sample shows 11 rounds. I won yarn chicken when attempting Round 11. You can play yarn chicken as well if you wish. ;)

Turning ch never counts as a st.

To adjust the width of this pattern, ch a multiple of 8+5.

For another baby blanket pattern featuring slip stitches, check out the Slip Stitch Temperature Blanket.

Almond Crochet Stitch Preemie or Baby Blanket Pattern

Ch 109.

Row 1: (rs) Sl st in the 2nd ch from hook and in each of the next 3 chs, *hdc in the next 4 chs, sl st in the next 4 chs; rep from * across, ch 1, turn. <56 sl sts, 52 hdcs>

Row 2: (ws) Sl st in the blo of the first 4 sl sts, *hdc in the blo of the next 4 hdcs, sl st in the blo of the next 4 sl sts; rep from * across, ch 1, turn. <56 sl sts, 52 hdcs>

Row 3: (rs) Hdc in the blo of the first 4 sl sts, *sl st in the blo of the next 4 hdcs, hdc in the blo of the next 4 sl sts; rep from * across, ch 1, turn. <52 sl sts, 56 hdcs>

Row 4: (ws) Hdc in the blo of the first 4 hdcs, *sl st in the blo of the next 4 sl sts, hdc in the blo of the next 4 hdcs; rep from * across, ch 1, turn. <52 sl sts, 56 hdcs>

Row 5: (rs) Sl st in the blo of the first 4 hdcs, *hdc in the blo of the next 4 sl sts, sl st in the blo of the next 4 hdcs; rep from * across, ch 1, turn. <56 sl sts, 52 hdcs>

Rep Rows 2-5 until you have 82 (114) rows total. You will end on Row 2 (a ws row) of the rep.

Do not cut yarn. Continue in border instructions.

Camel Stitch Border

Border Notes: Border is worked in joined rnds rs-side facing. In Rnd 1, as you work along the side, aim to place 1 st per row-end for a border that lies flat. I like to use 8 stitch markers: one in the back third loop of each hdc worked into the corners. This helps prevent from increasing in the corners by accidentally working into chains. I hope that tip helps!

Rnd 1: [Hdc across, in the corner work (hdc, ch 2**, hdc)] four times ending the final rep at **, sl st join. <Excluding ch-2 corners, the top and bottom of the blanket should have 108 sts, and the sides should have 82 (114) sts.>

Rnd 2: Ch 1, hdc back into the ch-2 corner, [hdc in the back third loop of each st across, in the ch-2 corner sp work (hdc, ch 2**, hdc)] four times ending the final rep at **, sl st join. <2 sts increased on each side of the blanket.>

Rep Rnd 2 until you have 7 (10) rnds total. <At the end of Rnd 7 (10), excluding ch-2 corners, the top and bottom of the blanket should have 120 (126) sts, and the sides should have 94 (132) sts.>

Cut yarn, fasten off, and weave in ends.

Pin for later!