I think everyone needs a good dose of colour at this time of year, and bright cheerful colours were very much the order of the day when I was planning this simple crochet blanket.
My youngest son (now 15) asked for a replacement stripy blanket as his old crochet one was showing distinct signs of wear and tear after many years of faithful use. He wanted stripes - “quite thick and not too holey” so we settled on a crochet blanket using simple UK treble stitches.
After a lot of faffing over yarn choices we opted for Stylecraft Special Acrylic DK, mainly because of the amazing colour range. My preference was strongly for natural fibres but it proved difficult to find a range that offered the colours he was looking for at a price point I could afford :)
When starting the blanket I asked for advice online - as the looong foundation chain needed for straight blankets is always my undoing with crochet. I was recommended this superb method for avoiding the foundation chain altogether. It was so straightforward to do and got me off to a flying start in no time - highly recommended if you haven’t tried it before. The video is from the very talented Sarah who is @yarnandblarney on Instagram.
REQUIREMENTS:
Stylecraft Special DK - 15x100g (colours listed in order below)
Hook: sized to give a fabric you like. I used 3.5mm as I am quite a loose crocheter
Terminology used is UK throughout - Treble (tr) and Double (dc) stitches are used.
STARTING:
Start with 200 stitches in the first colour - Grape
Row 1: continuing with Grape ch3 (counts as 1 tr). Tr into each stitch all the way across. At the end be sure to work the last tr into the top of the last st of your starting row.
Row 2: Turn. Ch3 (counts as 1 tr) and continue to work tr st all the way back. Break yarn and join next colour.
Following colour repeat below, continue to work 2 rows of each colour.
Repeat until blanket measures 66” or until desired length.
BORDER
I used 3 colours, working 1 full round of each. Join yarn and work 1 round of dc stitches. At each of the 4 corners, work 1dc, ch2, 1dc. When you get back to the first stitch, join with a slip st to complete the round.
COLOUR ORDER
1067 Grape
1432 Wysteria
1188 Lavender
1302 Denim
1003 Aster
1841 Cornish Blue
1708 Petrol
1062 Teal
1722 Storm Blue
1019 Cloud Blue
1820 Duck egg
1842 Spearmint
1712 Lime
1065 Meadow
1203 Silver
This pattern is offered for free here with love. If you would like a PDF with all the information clearly laid out along with tips and tricks that I, as a by-no-means proficient crocheter found helpful, then you may use the button below to purchase a copy at nominal cost.
Credit: Full credit for the colour choices go to my son, Joseph Tilbrook who dreamt up and then laid out the design. All proceeds from the sale of the PDF go to his college fund.
