How to Crochet a Baby Cocoon
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Learn how to make a crochet baby cocoon using this free pattern. The super bulky yarn choice is perfect. First of all, it means that your sleep sack works up really quickly. But more importantly, it keeps baby extra cozy since it is so plus. This cocoon pattern only uses double crochet stitches worked in the back loop, so as long as you can work in the round you can complete this project.
What You’ll Need
Equipment / Tools
- Size K crochet hook
Materials
- 3 balls bulky yarn
Instructions
Yarn
This free crochet pattern is made using four different colors of super bulky (size 7) yarn and a size K crochet hook. You will need approximately a full ball each of three colors; the final color is just an edging. Of course, you can choose to make your own baby cocoon in a single color or with any number of color changes as you see fit.

Sizing Information
This crochet baby cocoon measures about 10″ across and 18″ long, which is a great size for a baby weighing approximately 7 pounds. This crochet pattern can easily be adapted to different sizes, as it provides tutorial-style information for crocheting a baby cocoon.
Size Chart
Relief Share, an organization that donates handmade baby cocoons to hospitals, suggests the following sizes for babies of different weights:
- XXS: 14″ tall x 6″ wide; 1.5 to 3 lbs
- XS: 16″ tall x 8″ wide; 3 to 5 lbs
- S: 18″ tall x 10″ wide; 6 lbs to 8 lbs
- M: 20″ tall x 10″ wide; 9 lbs to 11 lbs
- L: 23″ tall x 12″ wide; 12 to 15 lbs
- XL: 25″ tall x 12″ wide; 15 to 17 lbs
As we begin to make this crochet baby cocoon, the first size that we’re going to concern ourselves with is the width across.
- Start Your Cocoon With Double CrochetWe are going to make this crochet baby cocoon by working double crochet in the round.Using your first color:
- Ch 4
- Sl st to close, creating a ring
- Ch 3 (counts as first dc)
- Work 9 dc into center of ring
- Sl st to top of ch 3 to close roundNote: If you prefer to begin crochet projects in the round, using the magic ring, then make your magic ring and crochet 10 dc st into the center of the ring.
- Increase the CircleNext, you are going to continue enlarging your crochet circle until it is the width (measured across the center) that you want for your baby cocoon. For our cocoon, we are going to make 5 rounds in total to get us to 10″ across.
- Round 2: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in BLO of same stitch, 2 dc in BLO of each stitch around, sl st to top of ch 3 to close the round (Total of 20 stitches).
- Round 3: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), 2 dc in BLO of next st, * 1 dc BLO, 2 dc BLO, repeat from * around, sl st to top of ch 3 to close the round (Total of 30 stitches).
- Round 4: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), 1 dc in BLO of next st, 2 dc in BLO of next st, * 1 dc BLO, 1 dc BLO, 2 dc BLO, repeat from * around, sl st to top of ch 3 to close the round (Total of 40 stitches).
- Round 5: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), 1 dc in BLO of next st, 2 dc in BLO of next st, 2 dc in BLO of next st, * 1 dc BLO, 1 dc BLO, 1 dc BLO, 2 dc BLO, repeat from * around, sl st to top of ch 3 to close the round (Total of 50 stitches).At this point, your circle should measure 10″ across. You can delete or add rounds to reach 10″ as needed, and of course, you can use a different number of rounds if you’re making a differently sized sleep sack.
- Change Yarn ColorsNext, we are going to stop increasing the circle and start growing it vertically to get the shape of the sleep sack. This is a great time to change colors. End off Color A after Round 5. Join Color B. Ch 3 to create the first dc.
- Continue Making RoundsAt this point, we will not need to increase in the rounds; we will have the same number of stitches in the subsequent rounds as we did when ending round 5 (50 stitches).
- Round 6: Ch 3 to create first dc. Dc in each stitch around. Sl st to top of ch 3 to close round (Total 50 stitches).
- Rounds 7 through 8: Repeat round 6.
- Begin Third ColorYou can choose to make your color changes at any stage. Following this free pattern exactly, it is now time to switch to the third color of the baby cocoon. So end off Color B after round 8 and join Color C.
- After switching to the third color, you’ll continue as before. Repeat Round 6. You will repeat this round until you have reached the approximate desired length of your baby cocoon. For our size, we are going to crochet six more rounds to reach about 18″ long.
- Rounds 9 through 14: Repeat round 6 using color C.
- Create the Edging PatternOnce you have reached your desired length, it’s time to top off the crochet baby cocoon with an edging. You can use any edging of your choosing. In this case, we are going to join our fourth color and single crochet in each stitch around for a very simple edging.
- Round 15: Join Color D. Ch 1 (counts as first sc), sc in each st around, sl st to close round. Fasten off and weave in ends.
- Finish Off the CocoonAnd that’s it! You have your crochet cocoon! In summary:
- Determine your size
- Crochet a circle in the round until its diameter is the desired width of your cocoon
- Continue to crochet in the round without increasing until you’ve reached the desired length of your baby cocoon.
- Add an edging