Welcome to the Preemie Crochet Challenge! – Day 17
Today’s feature: a colourful patchwork crochet blanket made for soft nursery days, tiny snuggles, and handmade comfort.
We’re so happy to be joining Helen from Sunflower Cottage Crochet for the Preemie Crochet Challenge 2026!
Each free PDF in this challenge is an invitation to make at least one item to donate to a NICU or similar organization for Preemie Awareness Month in November.
And today’s pattern is full of cheerful little squares.
Meet Judy’s Blanket
Judy’s Blanket is a colourful patchwork crochet blanket made for cozy nursery days, tummy time, stroller snuggles, or curling up on the couch with a project in hand.
The blanket is made from three different square designs, each worked in its own colour. Two of the squares were designed especially for Judy’s Blanket in yellow and teal, while the third is a classic four-round granny square worked in pastel pink.
Use the suggested palette for a soft, cheerful look, or make it completely your own. Match the colours to a nursery, use up favourites from your stash, or build a palette around the person you’re making it for.
Judy’s Blanket is made from 48 crocheted squares – 16 of each design – joined together with single crochet. A simple two-round double crochet border finishes everything off neatly.
A soft patchwork blanket with tiny squares, cheerful colours, and a whole lot of heart.
Make one for a little one in your life, or make one as a pledge project to donate during Preemie Awareness Month.
- Preemie-friendly crochet blanket pattern
- 48 squares total: 16 of each design
- Three soft colours plus a contrast join and border
- Direct free PDF download through September 30
Get Today’s Pattern Free
Today’s pattern is free as part of Sunflower Cottage Crochet’s Preemie Crochet Challenge.
You do not need to join the email list to get the free PDF. The button below goes straight to Judy’s Blanket.
Never miss a treat
Want more cozy pattern notes, launches, and cheerful handmade nonsense? Pop your email in here. Totally optional. The free pattern button is right below.
Free through September 30, 2026.
When you download the pattern, consider it a tiny pledge to make at least one item to donate to a NICU or similar organization in November.
Want to use the same yarn?
The Bernat baby yarn used in the original blanket has been discontinued, but Paintbox Yarns Baby DK is an excellent substitute: impossibly soft, cheerful, and available in a lovely colour range.
Paintbox Yarns Baby DK
A soft DK option with a colour selection that works beautifully for nursery palettes, stash-friendly patchwork, and donation blankets.
Affiliate note: Some links on this page are affiliate links, which means Mrs Shank Knits may earn a commission if you purchase through them, at no extra cost to you.
Return to the Preemie Crochet Challenge
Head back to the roundup page for the next free preemie crochet pattern.
