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Baby Cradle Crochet Pattern

Baby Cradle Crochet Pattern
4.9★ Rating
5-7 Hours Time Needed
3.6K Made This
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Intermediate Level

Ideal for those with basic crochet experience, featuring slightly more advanced stitches and techniques to expand your skills.

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Weekend Treat

Takes 5-7 hours, making it an enjoyable project to finish over a couple of days.

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Cozy Accent

A warm touch for your space that transforms ordinary corners into inviting nooks filled with handmade charm.

About This Baby Cradle Crochet Pattern

This pattern creates a small oval baby cradle with a coordinating mattress, a rainbow pillow and a blanket star. It includes full round-by-round instructions for shaping the oval base, building the walls, adding a sunshade and crocheting the mattress and pillow. The pattern uses HIMALAYA Dolphin Baby yarn with clear color change guidance to achieve the pictured two-tone look.

Baby Cradle Crochet Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

Youll work in continuous spiral and flat rows to shape the cradle, then add finishing slip-stitch edges and crochet handles. Clear stitch counts and step-by-step rounds make it easy to follow and reproduce the exact dimensions.

Why You'll Love This Baby Cradle Crochet Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because it combines simple shaping with playful colorwork to create a functional and decorative piece. I designed it to be compact yet detailed, so you get a professional looking cradle without complex assembly. I enjoy the way the sunshade and handles change the silhouette and add personality to the piece. I also like that the mattress and rainbow pillow are included so you can make a whole coordinated set for display or play.

Baby Cradle Crochet Pattern step 1 - construction progress Baby Cradle Crochet Pattern step 2 - assembly progress Baby Cradle Crochet Pattern step 3 - details and accessories Baby Cradle Crochet Pattern step 4 - final assembly and finishing

Switch Things Up

I love customizing the colors of this cradle to match a nursery theme; try neutral tones for a modern look or pastels for a classic baby style.

I often change yarn weight and hook size to make a mini keychain version or a larger decorative cradle; experiment with bulky yarn and a larger hook for a chunkier finish.

I sometimes add embroidered details on the outer wall of the cradle to personalize it with a name or simple motifs like stars or hearts.

To make the sunshade more dramatic, increase the number of rows or use a decorative stitch in the flat rows for extra texture.

I enjoy making matching outfits and tiny accessories for the cradle set, such as a mini blanket or tiny booties in coordinating colors.

Consider adding a thin ribbon or crochet edging to the upper rim for an elegant finishing touch that hides joins and adds contrast.

I like converting the handles into braided cords or crocheted chains for a different look; the ch18 sections can be swapped for any length you prefer.

Want a washable version? Use a cotton blend yarn and slightly larger hook to make a more durable, easy-care cradle and mattress.

I sometimes sew a thin piece of felt under the mattress for extra stability and to help it stay in place inside the cradle.

For seasonal versions, swap the color palette and make a themed blanket star (autumn, winter, spring) using coordinating yarns and small embellishments.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Skipping the second stitch at the start of the foundation chain can change the overall shape; always start from the 2nd stitch from the hook as instructed to maintain oval proportions.; Start each round in the correct stitch and use a marker to mark the beginning of rounds so you dont shift placement. ✗ Not changing colors cleanly causes visible joins and uneven edges; carry yarn neatly or hide tails and join new colors at the recommended points, then draw remained yarn tails through gaps to hide them. ✗ Working without stitch markers during increases may cause missed increases and an off‑center oval; place markers at key points (corners and section starts) to ensure increases are evenly spaced. ✗ Forgetting to stuff the pillow as you go results in an uneven shape and difficulty closing; stuff the pillow gradually while crocheting the closing rounds to keep shape even and snug. ✗ Not crocheting into the back loops only for the wall row will alter the wall texture; follow the instruction to work 112sc into back loops only for a neat base-to-wall transition.

Baby Cradle Crochet Pattern

Make a sweet handmade baby cradle complete with a matching mattress, rainbow pillow and a blanket star. This pattern guides you through color changes, oval shaping and a simple sunshade so you can create a charming nursery accessory. Youll enjoy clear step-by-step rounds and photos to help you along the way. Perfect as a thoughtful gift or a decorative keepsake for a nursery.

Intermediate 5-7 Hours

Materials Needed for Baby Cradle Crochet Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    HIMALAYA Dolphin Baby yarn, gauge 120m/100gr
  • 02
    Pink yarn - color code 346 - 1 yarn ball (for upper part)
  • 03
    Light blue yarn - color code 347 - 1 yarn ball (for lower part and sunshade)
  • 04
    Yellow yarn - color code 313 - small amount for blanket star
  • 05
    Assorted yarn colors - small amounts for rainbow pillow (several colors, change every two rounds)

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Crochet hook size 2.75mm or 3.0mm
  • 02
    Scissors
  • 03
    Stitch markers
  • 04
    Polyester stuffing for the pillow
  • 05
    Yarn/tapestry needle for weaving in ends and hiding tails

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— Materials and Tools :

Info :

Yarn HIMALAYA Dolphin Baby, gauge: 120m/100gr. For the baby cradle I choose pink yarn color code 346, light blue yarn color code 347 - 1 yarn ball for each color. Some yellow yarn color for the blanket star - color code 313 and some different yarn colors for the rainbow pillow. Size 2.75 or 3mm crochet hook. Final size of the cradle 22x13cm, 8cm height. Scissors. Stitch markers.

— Abbreviations :

Infos :

ch1 - a chain stitch. ch2, ch3 - 2 or 3 chain stitches. sc - single crochet. hdc - half double crochet. dc - double crochet. increase - work 2 sc into one stitch. increase dc - work 2 dc into one stitch. decrease - close 2 stitches together grabbing front loops only. decrease dc - close 2 stitches together grabbing front loops only. sl st - slip stitch.

— A baby cradle :

Info :

Work in a continuous spiral along the chain.

Info :

Lower part is light blue, upper part is pink, and the sunshade is light blue again.

Round 1 :

Make ch19, start working from the 2nd stitch from hook: increase, 16sc, 4sc into one stitch, 16sc, increase=40sc.

Round 2 :

2 increases, 16sc, 4 increases, 16sc, 2 increases=48sc.

Round 3 :

(1sc, increase)-2 times, 16sc, (1sc, increase)-4 times, 16sc, (1sc, increase)-2 times=56sc.

Round 4 :

(2sc, increase)-2 times, 16sc, (2sc, increase)-4 times, 16sc, (2sc, increase)-2 times=64sc.

Round 5 :

(3sc, increase)-2 times, 16sc, (3sc, increase)-4 times, 16sc, (3sc, increase)-2 times=72sc.

Round 6 :

(4sc, increase)-2 times, 16sc, (4sc, increase)-4 times, 16sc, (4sc, increase)-2 times=80sc.

Round 7 :

(5sc, increase)-2 times, 16sc, (5sc, increase)-4 times, 16sc, (5sc, increase)-2 times=88sc.

Round 8 :

(6sc, increase)-2 times, 16sc, (6sc, increase)-4 times, 16sc, (6sc, increase)-2 times=96sc.

Round 9 :

(7sc, increase)-2 times, 16sc, (7sc, increase)-4 times, 16sc, (7sc, increase)-2 times=104sc.

Round 10 :

(8sc, increase)-2 times, 16sc, (8sc, increase)-4 times, 16sc, (8sc, increase)-2 times=112sc.

Info :

Change yarn color.

Round 11 :

112sc into back loops only=112sc.

Round 12-22 :

112sc (11 rounds)=112sc.

Info :

Cut and fasten off the yarn.

— Sunshade :

Info :

Change yarn color.

Round 23 :

Step 13 stitches to the right from last stitch, attach the yarn and crochet 34sc=34sc.

Info :

Continue working in flat rows.

Round 24 :

without any chain stitches! Skip 1 stitch, crochet 33sc from next stitch, 2sc grabbing basic part of the cradle=35sc.

Info :

Continue working the same way, without any chain stitches, starting from the 2nd stitch and finishing each round make 2sc grabbing basic part of the cradle.

Round 25 :

skip 1 stitch, 34sc, 2sc grabbing basic part=36sc.

Round 26 :

skip 1 stitch, 35sc, 2sc grabbing basic part =37sc.

Round 27 :

skip 1 stitch, 36sc, 2sc grabbing basic part =38sc.

Round 28 :

skip 1 stitch, 37sc, 2sc grabbing basic part =39sc.

Round 29 :

skip 1 stitch, 38sc, 2sc grabbing basic part =40sc.

Round 30 :

skip 1 stitch, 39sc, 2sc grabbing basic part =41sc.

Round 31 :

skip 1 stitch, 40sc, 2sc grabbing basic part =42sc.

— Crocheting along the basic part :

Round 32 :

Make ch18, skip 10 stitches, 40sc, make ch18 again, skip 10 stitches, 2sc=78sc (I do not count stitches of the sunshade).

Round 33 :

42sl st, along ch18 crochet 22sc (do not grab stitches, work around the chain), 40sl st, around ch18 crochet 22sc, 2sl st=128sc.

Info :

Cut and fasten off the yarn. Draw remained yarn tails through the gaps between stitches from wrong side to hide.

Info :

Crochet slip stitches into front loops of the 10th round.

Info :

Cut and fasten off the yarn. Draw remained yarn tails through the gaps between stitches from wrong side to hide.

— Mattress :

Info :

Work in light blue yarn color.

Info :

Repeat first 10 rounds of the cradle.

Info :

Now crochet slip stitches in the round.

Info :

Cut and fasten off the yarn.

Info :

Draw remained yarn tails through the gaps between stitches from the opposite side to hide.

— Rainbow pillow :

Info :

Work in a continuous spiral.

Info :

Work in different yarn colors, changing yarn after each two rounds.

Round 1 :

Make ch8, start working from the 2nd stitch from hook: increase, 5sc, 4sc into one stitch, 5sc, increase=18sc.

Round 2 :

2 increases, 5sc, 4 increases, 5sc, 2 increases=26sc.

Round 3 :

(1sc, increase)-2 times, 5sc, (1sc, increase)-4 times, 5sc, (1sc, increase)-2 times=34sc.

Round 4 :

(2sc, increase)-2 times, 5sc, (2sc, increase)-4 times, 5sc, (2sc, increase)-2 times=42sc.

Round 5 :

(3sc, increase)-2 times,5sc, (3sc, increase)-4 times,5sc, (3sc, increase)-2 times=50sc.

Round 6 :

(4sc, increase)-2 times,5sc, (4sc, increase)-4 times,5sc, (4sc, increase)-2 times=58sc.

Round 7 :

(5sc, increase)-2 times,5sc, (5sc, increase)-4 times,5sc, (5sc, increase)-2 times=66sc.

Round 8 :

(6sc, increase)-2 times,5sc, (6sc, increase)-4 times,5sc, (6sc, increase)-2 times=74sc.

Round 9 :

(7sc, increase)-2 times,5sc, (7sc, increase)-4 times,5sc, (7sc, increase)-2 times=82sc.

Round 10 :

Crochet 21sc right to the middle of the pillow, fold the work in half and crochet 41sc through the stitches of both sides. Stuff the pillow as you go.

— Blanket star :

Info :

Work in the round, making chain stitches and crochet sl st at the end of each round.

Round 1 :

Make ch6 and connect the ring, ch3, 15dc into ch6, sl st=15dc.

Round 2 :

ch3, 15 increases dc, sl st=30dc.

Round 3 :

ch3, (1dc, increase dc)-15 times, sl st=45dc.

Round 4 :

ch3, (3dc, 1 treble crochet, 5 treble crochet into one stitch, 1 treble crochet, 3dc)-5 times=65dc.

Info :

Crochet slip stitches in the round.

Info :

Cut and fasten off the yarn. Draw remained yarn tails through the gaps between stitches from the opposite side to hide.

Info :

Congrats! You have just finished the pattern!

Assembly Instructions

  • Stuff the rainbow pillow as you crochet the closing row so it forms a neat semi-circle and the stuffing stays even inside.
  • Draw remained yarn tails through the gaps between stitches from the wrong side to hide them after fastening off each piece.
  • Repeat first 10 rounds of the cradle to make the mattress, then crochet slip stitches in the round and fasten off, drawing tails through from the opposite side to hide.
  • When finishing the cradle and sunshade, crochet slip stitches into the front loops of the 10th round for a neat edge before fastening off.
  • Attach handles by making the ch18 loop sections as instructed and working slip stitches and sc around the chain to secure them firmly to the cradle body.

Important Notes

  • 💡Use stitch markers to mark the beginning of rounds and the placement of increases for accurate shaping.
  • 💡Work 112sc into back loops only when instructed to create a clean transition from base to wall.
  • 💡Stuff the pillow gradually while crocheting the closing rounds to keep the shape even and prevent lumps.
  • 💡Hide yarn tails by drawing them through gaps between stitches from the wrong side to keep the exterior neat and tidy.

This delightful baby cradle set includes a cozy oval cradle, a soft mattress, a rainbow pillow and a sunny blanket star for a full miniature nursery display. Handcrafted color changes and simple shaping make it a charming project youll want to make again. Perfect as a keepsake, a gift or a pretty shelf accent that brightens a room. 🧶✨😊

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FAQs

What size will the finished piece be?

The final size of the cradle is approximately 22x13 cm with a height of 8 cm using the recommended yarn and hook size.

Can I use different yarn weights for this pattern?

Yes, you can use different yarn weights, but this will change the final size and texture; adjust your hook size accordingly and make a gauge swatch before starting.

Do I need prior crochet experience for this pattern?

This pattern is rated intermediate, so basic knowledge of single crochet, working in a spiral, increases and simple color changes is recommended for best results.

How long does this project typically take to complete?

Most crocheters complete the full set in about 5-7 hours, depending on experience, yarn choices and whether you make multiple color changes.