Valle Preemie Blanket – Free Crochet Pattern

The Valle preemie blanket pattern was designed to bring comfort and security to premature babies. It is small enough for their tiny hands to grasp while offering a soft, soothing texture. This sweet crochet pattern makes a heartfelt gift for NICU donations or for families welcoming their little one home.

Note: Please make sure you check with your local NICU department to see if they are accepting preemie blankets and/or other preemie items, and what their specific regulations might be.

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MATERIALS

Finished Sizes:

Lovey – 11.5” square
Preemie – 24” x 28”
Baby – 34” x 38”

Please Note: The free pattern is for the preemie blanket. If you purchase the premium pattern you will receive all 3 sizes.

Yarn: #5 chunky weight – 5 oz/211 yd skeins
Sample used: Yarn Bee Soft & Sleek Chunky in Crisp Air – 5 oz/211 yds

Lovey – 5 oz/211 yds
Preemie – 23 oz/985 yds
Baby – 45 oz/1894 yds

Crochet Hook: Size K/10.5 (6.5 mm)

Notions: Yarn Needle

Gauge: 2 repeats x 12 rows = 3½” in patt

Difficulty: Adv Beginner – Uses basic stitches, as well as post stitches to create texture without shaping.

Abbreviations:

ch – chain
dc – double crochet
sl st – slip stitch
sc – single crochet
yo – yarn over

For a full list of abbreviations, please see my List of Abbreviations.

Notes:

Blanket can be adjusted in multiples of 6+6.
When adjusting the size be sure to consider yarn requirements.
Border is optional and will add a bit more to the yarn requirements.
Pattern is written in lovey size with preemie and baby size in parentheses as follows – lovey (preemie, baby)

Special Stitches:

FPdc (Front Post double crochet) – yo, insert hook from front to back to front around post of st indicated, yo, pull up loop, [yo, pull through 2 loops] 2 times. Video tutorial here

PREEMIE BLANKET CROCHET PATTERN

Ch 72.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd from hook and in each ch across, turn. (71 sc)

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (71 sc)

Row 3: Ch 1, sc in 1st st, *sk next st, FPdc in next st 2 rows below, sc in next st, FPdc around same st as previous post st, sc in each of next 3 sts, repeat from * across to last st, sc in last st, turn. (47 sc; 24 FPdc)

Row 4: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (71 sc)

Row 5: Ch 1, sc in 1st st, sc in each of next 3 sts, *sk next st, FPdc in next st 2 rows below, sc in next st, FPdc around same st as previous post st, sc in each of next 3 sts, repeat from * across to last 4 sts, sc in each of last 4 sts, turn. (49 sc; 22 FPdc)

Row 6: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (71 sc)

Rows 7–98: Repeat Rows 3 – 6.

Border (optional)

Round 1: Ch 1, work sc in each st around, work 3 sc in each corner st.

Fasten off.

The Valle Lovey was created for the Annual Preemie Challenge 2025 that is hosted by Sunflower Cottage Crochet. It will be available for free download until the end of the event.