Hello, fiber artists and cozy crafters! Are you searching for that perfect crochet stitch—one that’s beautiful, incredibly textured, and works up into a dense, luxurious fabric? I’m excited to share the pattern for the Woven Willow Stitch—a unique and striking repeat that looks complicated but is surprisingly simple, making it ideal for a gorgeous, squishy baby blanket or throw.
Inspired by some of the most beautiful and dense crochet patterns, the Woven Willow Stitch uses a clever combination of Front Post Double Crochet (FPDC) and Puff Stitches to create a woven, almost braided texture. The best part? It’s fully reversible, meaning no “wrong side”!
Grab your softest yarn and let’s start creating a blanket you—or a lucky baby—will fall in love with!
Why You’ll Love Crocheting This Pattern:
- Deep Texture: The stitch creates incredible tactile dimension, making it a joy to touch and feel.
- Fully Reversible: Looks beautiful on both sides, perfect for blankets, scarves, and dishcloths.
- Dense and Warm: The puff stitches and post work ensure a tight fabric with excellent drape and warmth.
- Repetitive and Relaxing: After the setup rows, the pattern is a simple two-row repeat, perfect for mindful crocheting.
Materials & Notions
- Yarn: Approximately 1,200 yards of Worsted Weight (#4) yarn. A soft acrylic or a durable cotton blend is recommended for a soft baby blanket.
- Hook: Size I/9 (5.5 mm) crochet hook, or size needed to obtain gauge.
- Notions: Tapestry Needle (for weaving ends), Scissors, Stitch Markers (optional).
- Sizing: Pattern is written for a standard Baby Blanket (approx. 36 x 40 inches).
Essential Crochet Abbreviations & Terminology
| Abbreviation | Description |
| ch | chain |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
| sl st | slip stitch |
| sc | single crochet |
| dc | double crochet |
| FPDC | Front Post Double Crochet |
| PS | Puff Stitch (See Special Stitches) |
| sk | skip |
| rep | repeat |
Special Stitch: Puff Stitch (PS)
Yarn over, insert hook into the indicated stitch or space, yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook). (Yarn over, insert hook into the same st/sp, yarn over and pull up a loop) 3 more times (9 loops on hook). Yarn over and pull through all 9 loops on the hook. Chain 1 to secure the puff. The securing ch-1 is included in the stitch count.
Gauge
- 4 PS + 4 FPDC repeats (measured across the width) should measure approximately 4 inches (10 cm).
- 4 rows of the pattern should measure approximately 2 inches (5 cm) in height.
The Woven Willow Stitch Pattern
The Woven Willow Stitch is worked in rows and uses a stitch multiple of 4 + 3.
Part 1: Baby Blanket Foundation
- Chain: Ch 143 (for the approximate 36-inch width).
- Row 1 (Foundation DC): Dc in the 4th ch from hook (counts as first dc). Dc in each ch across. (141 dc)
- Row 2 (Setup SC): Ch 1 (does not count as st), turn. Sc in the first st and in each st across. (141 sc)
Part 2: The Woven Willow Repeat
Row 3 (Puff & Weave):
- Ch 2 (counts as first st), turn.
- Dc in the first st.
- *Sk 1 st. PS in the next st (the ch-1 secures the puff).
- Sk 1 st. FPDC around the next st (the SC anchor below).
- Rep from * across until 3 stitches remain.
- Sk 1 st. PS in the next st (the ch-1 secures the puff).
- Sk 1 st. Dc in the last st. (35 PS, 35 FPDC, 2 DC)
Row 4 (Reverse Weave):
This row establishes the offset needed for the woven look.
- Ch 2 (counts as first st), turn.
- Dc in the first st.
- Dc in the next st (this DC is the securing ch-1 of the PS below).
- *Sk 1 st. PS in the top of the next FPDC (the sc below the post).
- Sk 1 st. FPDC around the next PS (the ch-1 post of the PS below).
- Rep from * across until 2 stitches remain.
- Dc in the last 2 sts (the securing ch-1 of the last PS, and the turning ch-2 of the previous row).
Row 5 (Offset Puff & Weave):
- Ch 2 (counts as first st), turn.
- Dc in the first st.
- FPDC around the next st (the DC below).
- *Sk 1 st. PS in the top of the next FPDC.
- Sk 1 st. FPDC around the next PS.
- Rep from * across until 3 stitches remain.
- Sk 1 st. PS in the next st (the DC below).
- Dc in the last st (the top of the turning chain).
Row 6 (Reverse Offset Weave):
- Ch 2 (counts as first st), turn.
- Dc in the first st.
- PS in the top of the next FPDC.
- *Sk 1 st. FPDC around the next PS.
- Sk 1 st. PS in the top of the next FPDC.
- Rep from * across until 2 stitches remain.
- Dc in the last 2 sts.
Part 3: Continuing the Blanket
- Repeat Rows 3–6 until the blanket measures approximately 38 inches long, or desired length.
- Final Row: End after completing a Row 4 or Row 6 repeat. Do not fasten off.
Finishing the Baby Blanket
The Final Edge
- Border Foundation: Ch 1, turn. Work 1 row of SC evenly across the top edge. Aim for approximately 2 SC per row on the side edges for a flat finish. Work 3 SC into each corner space. Sl st to the first SC to join.
- Round 1 (Moss Stitch Base): Ch 2 (counts as ch 1 and sc), sc in the same st. *Ch 1, sk 1 st, sc in the next st.* Rep from * around, working
(sc 1, ch 1, sc 1)in each corner ch-1 space. Sl st to the starting ch-1 to join. - Round 2 (Moss Stitch): Sl st into the first ch-1 space. Ch 2. *Sc in the next ch-1 space, ch 1.* Rep from * around. Sl st to the starting ch-1 to join.
- Round 3 (Picot Finish): Ch 1, sc in the same st. *Sc in the next ch-1 space, (sc 1, Picot) in the next ch-1 space.* Rep from * around. Sl st to the first sc to join.
Picot: Ch 3, sl st into the first ch.
Final Steps
- Fasten off and weave in all yarn tails securely using a tapestry needle.
- Blocking: Gently wet or steam block your blanket. Blocking is essential for this stitch to open up the woven texture and ensure the blanket lies flat and square.
Your beautiful Woven Willow Blanket is now complete—a dense, textured heirloom ready to provide warmth and comfort!
Video tutorial:
