13 Crochet Lovey Free Patterns
A crochet lovey is a small security blanket with a soft animal head on top. Babies hold it, chew it and fall asleep with it, and parents love that it is small enough for the diaper bag. It is also a perfect baby shower gift: half amigurumi, half mini blanket, and done in a few evenings.
Below are 13 free crochet lovey patterns from real designers. You will find bunnies, an elephant, a lamb, a dino, a unicorn and more. Each one lists the skill level, yarn and hook we saw on the pattern page, so you can choose the right one for your stash.
Crochet Lovey Free Patterns
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What You’ll Need
- Soft baby yarn in cotton or acrylic
- Two hook sizes (a smaller one for the head, a bigger one for the blanket)
- Polyester fiberfill stuffing
- Embroidery floss or black yarn for faces
- Locking stitch markers
- Blunt yarn needle
- Sewing pins to place the head before sewing
1. Elephant Lovey
Meet Ellie, an elephant with a little trunk, big ears and arms, sitting on a star-shaped blanket with a cluster V-stitch texture. The head parts are worked in rounds, the blanket in joined rounds, then everything is sewn together. It is about 11 inches tall and 17 inches wide. A soft, classic baby gift.
- Designer: Loops and Love Crochet
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: worsted (#4), WeCrochet Brava Worsted
- Hook: 3.5 mm for the head, 5 mm (H) for the blanket
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
2. Bunny Lovey (Square Blanket)
Photo: Petra Salisbury / Cuddly Stitches Craft
A bunny head with long ears and little arms on a 12-inch square blanket. The head is single crochet, and the blanket is simple double crochet, so it grows fast. The designer made it in a cotton and bamboo blend, which feels extra soft. It was her first lovey design, and it is a great pick if you want a simple square shape.
- Designer: Petra Salisbury / Cuddly Stitches Craft
- Skill level: Easy to Intermediate
- Yarn: light worsted / DK (#3), Lion Brand Coboo
- Hook: 3 mm (C/2)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
3. Little Mary Lamb Lovey
Photo: Millie Anderson / SWE Craft Corner
A tiny lamb with a fluffy chenille head and body, a cotton face and ears, and little feet. It is about 25 cm (10 inches) long. The designer says it can be made in less than 2 hours, which makes it perfect for a last-minute baby shower. There is a video tutorial too.
- Designer: Millie Anderson / SWE Craft Corner
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: super bulky chenille (#6), Hobbii Baby Snuggle, plus fine (#2) cotton for the face
- Hook: 3 mm, 4.5 mm and 5.5 mm
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
4. Puppy Baby Lovey
Photo: Kate / Crochetpedia
A squishy puppy with floppy ears and arms on a square blanket about 10 inches wide. The blanket uses double crochet and back loop rows for a little texture. The designer calls it a great project for beginners. It looks lovely in cream, navy and light blue, a nice choice for a baby boy.
- Designer: Kate / Crochetpedia
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: YarnArt Jeans (cotton blend)
- Hook: 3 mm
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
5. Sheep Security Blanket
Photo: Elisa Sartori / Elisa’s Crochet
This one is different: the sheep’s head is part of the blanket. Bobble stitches make a woolly texture across the top panel and shape the sheep’s face, so everything blends together. Two panels are joined at the end. It is about 9.5 by 7.5 inches, a nice small size for tiny hands.
- Designer: Elisa Sartori / Elisa’s Crochet
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Yarn: light (#3)
- Hook: 3.25 mm
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
6. Dino Baby Lovey
Photo: Kylee / Okie Girl Bling ‘n Things
A dinosaur head with safety eyes, little arms and three turquoise spikes on a waffle stitch blanket with a crab stitch edge. It is about 17 by 17 inches, so it is on the bigger side. The waffle stitch gives a thick, squishy feel. A fun one for a dino-themed nursery.
- Designer: Kylee / Okie Girl Bling ‘n Things
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Yarn Bee Sugarwheel and I Love This Yarn
- Hook: 3.5 mm (E) for the dino, 5 mm (H) for the blanket
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
7. Spider on a Web Baby Lovey
Photo: Cheryl Bennett / Crochet 365 Knit Too
A friendly purple spider sits on a ripple-style blanket with surface crochet lines that form a web. It is about 13 inches when folded. The designer notes the spider is a good introduction to amigurumi. A cute Halloween baby gift, or a fun choice for a little one who loves bugs.
- Designer: Cheryl Bennett / Crochet 365 Knit Too
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: I Love This Yarn
- Hook: 5 mm (H8)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
8. Cute Duck Security Blanket
Photo: Nimy / Handmade by Nimy
A yellow duck head with an orange beak, little wings and a flower, on a blue blanket. The designer saw a duck lovey on Pinterest with no pattern, so she wrote her own. It uses basic stitches (single, half double and double crochet) and is written in US terms. You can make the wings as long as you like.
- Designer: Nimy / Handmade by Nimy
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: DK (#3)
- Hook: 4 mm
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
9. Raccoon Crochet Lovey
Photo: Red Heart / Yarnspirations
A sweet raccoon with a masked face on a soft baby blanket, made in Red Heart Baby Hugs. Yarnspirations rates it easy, and the free PDF downloads with no sign-up. Download the PDF to see the finished size and hook. Some original colors are discontinued, so pick any soft baby yarn in grays and white.
- Designer: Red Heart / Yarnspirations
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Red Heart Baby Hugs Medium
- Hook: see pattern
- Price: Free (PDF download)
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
10. Cuddle Bunny Blanket
Photo: Lion Brand Yarn
This is a bigger lovey: a bunny blanket about 24 inches long, not counting the ears. Lion Brand rates it Level 2, Easy. It is a nice in-between for parents who want something larger than a small lovey but smaller than a full baby blanket. Download the free pattern for yarn and hook details.
- Designer: Lion Brand Yarn
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: see pattern
- Hook: see pattern
- Price: Free (PDF download)
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
11. Sleepy Baby Bear and Bunny Lovey
Photo: Alanna O’Dea / Bella Coco Crochet (guest designer)
One pattern, two animals: make a sleepy bear or a bunny head on a 33 cm (13 inch) blanket with an alpine stitch border. The head and arms use a very small hook for a neat, firm look. The pattern uses UK/AU stitch names like treble and half treble, so check the terms before you start.
- Designer: Alanna O’Dea / Bella Coco Crochet (guest designer)
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: Heirloom Cotton 8 ply
- Hook: 2.25 mm (B/1) for the head, 4 mm (G/6) for the blanket
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
12. Bunny Lovey
Photo: Katrine Klarer
A sweet bunny head and arms sewn onto a granny square blanket. If you already know how to make a granny square, this one will feel familiar. The head is worked in single crochet rounds with invisible decreases for a smooth finish. Pick soft pastel colors for a classic Easter or spring baby gift.
- Designer: Katrine Klarer
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: worsted (#4)
- Hook: 3.5 mm for the bunny, 4 mm for the blanket
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
13. Hug Me Unicorn Lovey
Photo: Nicole Chase
A unicorn head with a horn and arms on a star-shaped blanket about 17 inches across. It uses mostly single crochet and chains, and the designer calls it “advanced beginner.” You can play with colors for the mane and blanket to match any nursery. A dreamy gift for a baby girl or boy.
- Designer: Nicole Chase
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: worsted (#4), WeCrochet Brava Worsted
- Hook: 4 mm (G) for the unicorn, 5 mm (H) for the blanket
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
Which One Should You Make?
- First lovey ever? Start with #4 (Puppy) or #11 (Sleepy Bear and Bunny). Both are rated beginner.
- Short on time? #3 (Lamb) can be done in under 2 hours with chunky chenille.
- Want something unique? #5 (Sheep) has the head built right into the blanket.
- Love granny squares? #12 (Bunny Lovey) uses one as the blanket.
- Want a bigger blanket? Try #10 (Cuddle Bunny Blanket) or #6 (Dino).
FAQ
What size should a crochet lovey be?
Most loveys are between 10 and 17 inches across. That is big enough to cuddle but small enough for a baby to hold and for parents to toss in a bag. Square blankets around 12 inches are common. Star-shaped blankets often measure a bit wider from point to point.
What yarn is best for a crochet lovey?
Pick something soft and washable. Cotton, cotton blends and baby acrylic are all good. Chenille feels very plush but can be harder to see stitches in. Use a smaller hook for the head so stuffing stays hidden, and a bigger hook for a softer, drapey blanket.
Is a lovey safe for a newborn to sleep with?
Safe sleep advice in the US says babies under 12 months should sleep with no soft objects in the crib. A lovey is great for cuddles while awake and supervised. Use embroidered eyes instead of safety eyes, and sew all parts on very firmly.
Choose your favorite animal, grab some soft yarn, and make a lovey a little one will carry everywhere.