A lovey is a combination of a stuffed toy and a mini blanket. Many babies and children find comfort in having a small item to carry around and snuggle with during sleep times. A lovey is the perfect mix of a squishy stuffed animal and a soft, small blanket.
Crochet Loveys
Many crafters enjoy making loveys because they provide quick gratification, and they’re just so cute! With a lovey, you get the satisfaction of a comforting blanket without spending all the hours it takes to make a full-size crochet blanket.
Since they’re quick to make, they make excellent gifts for baby showers or for going to meet a new baby. They can also be great stash-busters!
This list includes crochet lovey patterns for beginners and intermediates.
Can beginners make crochet loveys?
Loveys are a great project for confident beginners who know basic crochet skills and stitches. For most lovey patterns, you’ll need to know how to work in the round and how to attach pieces (simple seaming). Some easy crochet lovey patterns from this list include:
- Puppy Baby Lovey (#7)
- Dino Baby Lovey (#12)
- Cuddle Bunny Blanket (#22)
25 Free Crochet Lovey Patterns
Take a look at these free crochet lovey patterns for your next project. Happy crocheting!
Sleepy Baby Bear and Bunny Lovey
Encourage sweet dreams with this sleepy lovey that’s ready to snuggle! The blanket portion of this pattern measures approximately 33cm x 33cm. Whether you choose a bunny or a bear, this beginner-level pattern is sure to be well loved.
Designer: Alanna O’Dea
Yarn weight: DK
Suggested yarn: Heirloom Cotton 8 Ply
Lovey Blanket Bear Security Blanket Teddy
This security blanket attached to the bear creates a lovely star shape that measures approximately 23”. This well-written pattern includes illustrations and step-by-step instructions, making it easy to follow along. Be sure to check the pictures for color inspiration - there are lots of ways to customize this cozy bear and blanket!
Designer: Tatie
Yarn weight: Aran
Suggested yarn: Paintbox Yarns Simply Aran
Elephant Lovey
Elephants make the sweetest friends for babies, toddlers, and children alike! The elephant and blanket are worked separately in this pattern and then joined at the end. This pattern uses the slip stitch, magic circle, single crochet, double crochet, and cluster v-stitch, as well as increases and decreases.
Designer: Loops And Love Crochet
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: Knit Picks Brava Worsted
Free Crochet Bunny Lovey Pattern (Square Blanket)
From its big ears to its sleepy eyes to its comforting attached square blanket, this bunny is the perfect companion for peaceful nights. Plus, this repeating pattern is relaxing to make too! This design is best for confident beginners or intermediates.
Designer: Cuddly Stitches Craft
Yarn weight: DK
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Coboo
Yoda Inspired Lovey
Looking for something a little different? This Star Wars-themed lovey combines the sentimentality of this classic film with a cute, granny-square blanket design. Whether you know a Star Wars-loving parent or you are one yourself, this pattern is a must-make for little ones!
Designer: Kristen’s Crochet
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: Red Heart With Love
Baby Lovey Lamb
Made with extra soft chenille and cotton, this lovey is an instant comfort to little ones. It works up quickly and is also a good way to use up scrap yarn. Feel free to adjust the colors of your lamb or its bow to make it your own!
Designer: SWE Craft Corner
Yarn weight: Bulky
Suggested yarn: Paintbox Yarns Chenille
Puppy Baby Lovey
This simple pattern is great for beginners and makes an excellent baby shower gift! It uses basic stitches, like single and double crochets, along with other simple skills like embroidery and basic sewing. The finished blanket measures about 10” x 10”.
Designer: Crochetpedia
Yarn weight: Sport
Suggested yarn: YarnArt Jeans
Baby Penguin Crochet Lovey Security Blanket
This penguin lovey is just right for a winter gift! It works up quickly and is so soft and fluffy. The body parts are worked in the continuous rounds, and the cozy, granny square blanket measures approximately 12” x 12”.
Designer: One Dog Woof
Yarn weight: Bulky
Suggested yarn: Yarn Bee Fleece Lite
Bear Lovey Pattern (8 Point Star Blanket)
This bear is attached to a gorgeous, 8-point star blanket that’s ready for little hands to hold. The blanket measures about 14.5” in diameter, with the bear measuring about 3.5” high. This sweet pattern is best for intermediate crocheters.
Designer: Cuddly Stitches Craft
Yarn weight: DK
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Coboo
Bunny Lovey
This granny square lovey features a bright and tidy bunny that’s just so cute and great for stash-busting, too! It’s made with single crochets, half double crochets, and double crochets. There are lots of pictures included in this pattern to walk you through the steps.
Designer: Katrine Klarer
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: Red Heart Super Saver
Sheep Security Blanket
This little blanket is made with bobble stitches, which creates a fun texture that little hands will love to hold. In this pattern, the head of the sheep is attached to the side of the blanket rather than in the middle. This adorable design is best for intermediate crocheters.
Designer: Elisa’s Crochet
Yarn weight: DK
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Coboo
Dino Baby Lovey
This colorful dino would make a fun lovey for a little boy. The blanket portion of this pattern is made with a self-striping yarn to make the color changes simple. It’s made with the waffle stitch and measures approximately 17” x 17”.
Designer: Okie Girl Bling ‘n Things
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: Yarn Bee Sugarwheel + Hobby Lobby I Love This Yarn
Spider On A Web Crochet Baby Lovey
Here’s a clever design that features a friendly spider making its home. It also includes adorable, curly spider legs that babies and toddlers will love! This squishy and sweet pattern would make an excellent baby shower gift.
Designer: Crochet 365 Knit Too
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: Hobby Lobby I Love This Yarn
Golden Snitch Lovey
This Harry Potter-themed crochet lovey has instructions to make either a larger or a smaller version. It’s made with chains, slip stitches, single crochets, half double crochets, and double crochets. This cozy lovey is perfect for squeezing!
Designer: Crochet From Aland
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: Knit Picks Brava Worsted
Tiger Security Blanket
This security blanket is created with the bobble stitch for an interesting texture that babies will enjoy holding. The blanket is worked in two panels that are sewn together. This pattern is best for intermediate crocheters.
Designer: Elisa’s Crochet
Yarn weight: DK
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Coboo
Free Frog Crochet Lovey Pattern (12 Point Star Blanket)
This pattern creates a sprawling star lovey that looks intricate but really isn’t too hard to make. The blanket measures about 14” in diameter, with the frog measuring about 3” high. It’s made with chains, single crochets, half double crochets, double crochets, and treble crochets.
Designer: Cuddly Stitches Craft
Yarn weight: DK
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Coboo
Free Crochet Giraffe Lovey Pattern (Granny Square Blanket)
This giraffe with its granny square blanket makes such a special lovey pattern that’s sure to bring a smile! This pattern is crocheted in pieces and is best for confident beginners or intermediates. The blanket measures approximately 12.5” x 12.5”.
Designer: Cuddly Stitches Craft
Yarn weight: DK
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Coboo
Knubbelchen
This design has a stuffed head and a flexible body that’s ready for cuddling. It’s worked in the round from the top down. Feel free to experiment with different colors and facial features to make this pattern your own!
Designer: Tanja Osswald
Yarn weight: Sport
Suggested yarn: Patons North America Grace
Hug Me Unicorn Lovey
This magical unicorn lovey is best for the advanced beginner. Its blanket measures about 16” in diameter. This huggable pattern uses just slip stitches and single crochets and is worked mostly in the round.
Designer: The Nicole Chase
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: WeCrochet Brava Worsted + Brava Speckle
Ziggy the Zebra Lovey/Comforter
Did you know that newborns only see in black and white? This zebra lovey is made with granny stitches and is perfect for little ones. This pattern works up quickly and is ideal for the advanced beginner.
Designer: Laura Tegg
Yarn weight: DK
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Coboo
Cute Duck Security Blanket
Ducks don’t have to be rubber! This soft and squishy duck is just right for hugging and includes a soft, flower-shaped security blanket, too. This pattern includes easy-to-follow written instructions and is a good choice for comfortable beginners.
Designer: Handmade by Nimy
Yarn weight: DK
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Coboo
Cuddle Bunny Blanket
This cuddly bunny works up quickly and makes the sweetest last-minute gift! With its floppy ears and knotted hands, this bunny blanket is easy for little fingers to grab and hold. This simple pattern is good for beginners.
Designer: Lion Brand Yarn
Yarn weight: Jumbo
Suggested yarn: Hobbii Honey Big Bunny
Sloth Security Blanket
What’s cuter than a sleepy sloth? This little guy is made with textured bobble stitches and tiny little hands that are just so delightful! If you make this pattern for a baby shower, be prepared to be asked for one by every mom in the room!
Designer: Elisa’s Crochet
Yarn weight: DK
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Coboo
Crochet Cow Lovey Blanket
This classic cow is the perfect gift for a little farm-baby-to-be! It’s made using the corner-to-corner technique, and the pattern comes with a pixel graph. A video tutorial is also included.
Designer: Repeat Crafter Me
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: Red Heart Super Saver
Red Heart Raccoon Crochet Lovey
Although they can cause trouble, there’s something about raccoons that’s just so cute and irresistible, too! This masked little raccoon friend features a colorful blanket that you can customize however you’d like. His squishy little arms are just waiting for a hug!
Designer: Yarnspirations
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: Red Heart Baby Hugs
Necessary Supplies
Each lovey is a little bit different, so read through your pattern to see what tools, supplies, and yarn it suggests. (We’ve also included a suggested yarn for each pattern within this post to make it easy to get started on your lovey!)
Here are some standard supplies you’ll need with your crochet lovey patterns:
- Yarn. Soft, hypoallergenic yarns are a good choice for baby crochet projects. Little faces and hands have delicate skin, so gentle yarns are best! Some of our favorite choices for soft yarns that are still washable and durable include Lion Brand Coboo, Paintbox Yarns Simply Aran, and Red Heart With Love.
- Crochet hook(s). It’s essential to use the right size hook for your yarn in order to create a dense yet soft fabric. Your yarn label will let you know what size hook to use.
- Eyes and other embellishments. For babies and toddlers, it’s best to opt for embroidered eyes over plastic eyes or “safety” eyes, as these can pose a choking hazard for little ones. You can also use embroidery thread to create other facial features on your lovey.
- Filling. Choose a hypoallergenic and washable stuffing to fill your animal. Poly-fil is a good option and can be picked up at most local craft stores or online.
Techniques to Know
Wondering what you need to know in order to make a crochet lovey? Each pattern is unique, but most use similar basic crochet skills. Popular techniques for loveys include:
- Reading a crochet pattern: Understanding written instructions in crochet patterns.
- Basic stitches: Chain (ch), slip stitch (sl st), single crochet (sc), half double crochet (hdc), double crochet (dc), treble crochet (tr)
- Other stitches: Granny stitch, bobble stitch, waffle stitch
- Making a magic loop: Common for crocheting animals and amigurumi.
- Shaping techniques, such as simple increases and decreases.
- Changing colors
- Working in rows and rounds
- Basic embroidery to create facial features.
- Joining techniques, to securely attach the stuffed toy to the blanket portion.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose the best yarn for a baby lovey?
Babies have delicate skin, so make sure you choose something very soft, hypoallergenic, and easy to wash (babies tend to have no problem making messes!).
If you can feel the yarns in person before choosing, try rubbing it against your cheek to make sure it’s soft enough for little ones.
If you’re ordering online, feel free to go with one of these classic baby yarn options: Hobbii Baby Snuggle Solid, Bernat Softee Baby, or Lion Brand Coboo.
What are some safety precautions I should take when making a lovey?
Loveys are safe for babies – as long as they’re made cautiously. When making a lovey, make sure that your parts are attached securely so that babies cannot easily rip off the arms, legs, ears, or other body parts. Consider using embroidery thread instead of safety eyes to avoid choking hazards.
In addition, focus on tight stitches for your animal that will keep your stuffing safely inside.
Can I wash a crochet lovey?
If you use the right yarn, then yes, you can definitely machine wash a crochet lovey! Check your yarn label before getting started to make sure that it’s safe to machine wash and dry.
Although most fiberfill options are washable, it’s also a good idea to check your stuffing label to be sure.
When giving a lovey as a gift, don’t forget to include any necessary washing instructions.
More Crochet Patterns
If you love to crochet, you may be interested in these related pattern collections.
- 30 Free Crochet Doll Patterns
- 25 Easy Crochet Animal Patterns for Beginners
- 17 Adorable (and Free!) Crochet Bunny Patterns
- 27 Free Crochet Dinosaur Patterns To Roar About
- 12 Free Crochet Bee Patterns
- 18 Free Crochet Cat Patterns: Find your Purr-fect Project
What’s Next?
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