Baby blanket measurements?

[karenarp]

I know this is a very general question.
I started crocheting a baby blanket cuz I have this wonderful Softee Baby Yarn I bought at a super price - so I have like 18 balls of it in Ocean. Anyhow, I looked for a stitch that would enhance the yarns softness and came up with a modified basket weave. [Four stitches wide and 3 rows high before swapping - I like the look better].
Well, my problem is I did not add enough starter stitches to my chain, so the blanket is much smaller than intended. Then to top it off this stitch makes a dense fabric shrinking it even more! So now to compensate I figure I will need to add a border around the whole thing to get it to the right size.

Now back to my question, what is a good, standard size, for a baby blanket? I want this to be usable - not just for a doll, which it looks like it could be for right now!
How much longer should a blanket be than it is wide? is a 3 to 4 ratio a nice standard? This is the first time I am making a baby blanket with no idea of size or no pattern.

Have you tried the basket weave? Isn't it the worlds easiest stitch you have ever done that looks so super freaking fancy?

[LuckyRainbow]

When I make baby blankets, I generally us a 2 to 3 ratio, but a 3 to 4 also makes a good proportion. I also find that overall size is rarely a problem. Little ones can be called loveys or be made just a bit bigger to be used as a car seat blanket. Personally, the majority of baby blankets I make are about 12x12 to be used as preemie blankets.

[Shandeh]

A square baby blanket is about 35 inches wide and high. You could make your blanket 35 inches wide, then make it as long as you want.

[karenarp]

A square baby blanket is about 35 inches wide and high. You could make your blanket 35 inches wide, then make it as long as you want.

Dangnabit!
I was hoping for a different answer! My bad, I didn't expect the stitch to shrink so much. Right now it is only 23 inches wide. So to get it 35 inches I would need to add a 6 inch border. That sounds extreme. I may have to settle for naming it a 'car blanket' or buggy cover, since you don't want those too big, just enough to go over baby and tuck in.

LuckyRainbow,
What is a Lovey? Never heard that term before.

[LuckyRainbow]

A lovey is a small soft blanket for the child to carry around as a comfort item. Think of Linus from Peanuts and his blanket. Making a couple just alike can be a sanity saver for Mom on wash day.