Well....that depends. First of all will you be knitting or crocheting? Crochet takes on an average 1/3 more yardage than knit to make the same size square. Secondly what will your gauge be....that is the number of stitches to the inch? That is determined by the size of the needle you use and the weight of the yarn. Once you figure out those things, you can find a pattern that uses the same gauge you plan on using and see what yardage of yarn they recommend, then use that figure for your baby blanket. If you are just doing a fairly simple blanket without fringe or add on crocheted flowers and the like you should be able to get by for about 500 yards of worsted weight yarn. Do you do Ravelry? There are a bazillion of adorable patterns there....for all sorts of wonderful things! Here is a link that might be useful: ravelry

I would suggest the Nazli Gelin Book 2 Garden Party that has two patterns that could be adapted for wedding dresses. One is shown in beige or ivory and has a lot of open space; the other is a white tunic with a scoop neck, short sleeves, plain bodice with a natural waist, and then a skirt part in a vertical herringbone pattern. The skirt could be made any length desired, and beading around the neckline and sleeve edge would be darling. The book is available from Universal Yarn Company and can be found through "Google" on the internet.

I use this pattern...It is the 5/12 for beginners.. Free Crochet Pattern 5½ hour Throw Lion Brand® Jiffy® Pattern #: 519 SKILL LEVEL: Advanced Beginners.. 5½ hour Throw Lion Brand® Jiffy® GAUGE: In pattern, 3 V-s sts = 6", 4 rows = 6". BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR GAUGE. When you match the gauge in a pattern, your project will be the size specified in the pattern and the materials specified in the pattern will be sufficient. If it takes you less stitches and rows to make a 4 in. [10 cm] square, try using a smaller size hook or needles; if more stitches and rows, try a larger size hook or needles. NOTES: Throw is worked with three strands of yarn held together throughout. THROW: Starting at bottom edge of the throw, with three strands of yarn held together, loosely ch 67. Row 1: Dc in 5th ch from hook, ch 1, dc in same st, * skip 2 ch, (dc, ch 1, dc) in next ch; repeat from * to last 2 ch, sk 1 ch, dc in last ch. Ch 3, turn. Row 2: *(Dc, ch 1, dc) in next ch-1 sp-one V-stitch made; repeat from * across, ending with dc in top of turning-ch. Ch 3, turn. Repeat Row 2 until 40 rows have been completed. Fasten off. EDGING: With the right side facing you, work 1 row of sc along each side edge of the throw. FRINGE: Wind a single strand of yarn around an 11" piece of cardboard. Cut at one end, making 22"-long strands. Attach 9 strands per fringe. Fold strands of yarn in half to form a loop; insert the crochet hook through back of work in first stitch along bottom edge of throw; pull loop through. Bring the ends through loop and tighten. Continue to attach fringe in every other space along the bottom edge. Repeat for the top edge. Trim fringe evenly. ABBREVIATIONS / REFERENCES Click for explanation and illustration approx = approximately beg = begin(s)(ning) ch(s) = chain(s) dec = decreas(e)(s)(ing) fpsc = front post single crochet hdc = half double crochet inc = increas(e)(s)(ing) rem = remain(s)(ing) rep = repeat(s)(ing) rnd(s) = round(s) RS = right side sc = single crochet sl = slip st(s) = stitch(es) tbl = through the back loop tog = together yo = yarn over I use about 9 or 10 8oz skins..

http://www.knitting-crochet.com/crochet/2sided.html Here is a pattern that works up exactly like the one you talked about. I am in the process of making it. It says 173 chains but I am doing it in 183 chains. So far the blanket measures 40" wide. I am going to do it 40 x 40" or whatever makes it a square. My preference is the square shape. Might change my mind, still thinking about it. Any thoughts and reasons of which shape is better? Square or rectangle? I am using a G hook. And the yarn is Bernat Softee Baby it is a sport yarn. I have figured 2 skeins maybe 3, not sure yet. Sometime it stretches to 42" when measuring so I am not exactly sure of completed measurement yet. It seems the shell measures 1". It says 6 shells = 6". Mine didn't measure that but it is still looking good. Also, in the old Crochet With Heart Magazine April 2000 it has the shell pattern called Doubly Delightful Duo. It uses Worsted Weight Yarn and the H hook. It takes 2,624 yards of one color and 2,624 yards of another color to make a blanket 45" x 60". So far I am prefering the baby blanket done using the G hook and the Bernat Softee Baby sport yarn for a Baby Blanket. You can sometimes find the magazine on Ebay. Enjoy!