Vintage Vertical Stripe Crocheted Blanket Pattern

This blanket is intended to be made from leftover yarns. You need to know how to chain, single crochet, double crochet, and add in a new color if you want to change colors in the middle of a row. I used 27 different colors, some more than others. Most of the yarn is Wool-Ease by Lion Brand but there is some Simply Soft by Caron and a few others that I've lost the wrappers for so I don't remember what they are.

At 250 chains, the blanket is 6' 9" long and the width will be a little over 4' wide when I'm done. I used a size "I" hook because that's what the yarn called for. (If you look at the wrapper around the yarn it will tell you the suggested hook size.) I'm getting about 17 rows to every 6". Once you get going you'll be able to do a row in about 20-25 minutes so you can use those figures to estimate your time.

To start, chain 250. At the end of your chain, chain 2 more - this is your turning chain for double crochet.

Now for your first row, double crochet in each chain (your first double crochet will be in your 250th chain).

When you get to the end of the row, cut your yarn and knot off by pulling the cut thread through the last loop on your hook. You just completed the hardest part of the whole blanket!

Next, choose your new yarn color and make a slip knot with it on your hook.

Insert your hook with the slip knot into the space between your last two double crochets. (Remember you will be working into the space for the whole blanket).

With your hook through the space, make a single crochet, then chain two.

Double crochet in every space until the end of the row but...

in the last space double crochet twice in the same space. Cut your yarn and knot off. Can you see how the last two double crochets in the same space make a little "V"?

Always flip your blanket at the end of a row - you work from right to left. With a new yarn on your hook, insert your hook in the first space between your last two double crochets - the space in the "V".

Double crochet in each space until you reach the end of your row and always make two double crochets in your last space. You always begin your row by inserting your hook in the "V". Continue this way until you reach the width that you desire.

I'm planning to do a scalloped edging around the finished blanket so I'll add that here when I'm done.

Believe me, the hardest part is the first two rows but after that it just gets easier and easier. I've left all the yarn tails about 5" long so they'll be easy to weave in later on. This is a great beginner project and works up pretty fast for a blanket. If any of you give it a try I'd love to hear from you and maybe I'll even start a Flickr group so we can share our results. Have fun!

Comments

[Viki]

Thanks for all the great pictures -- I always have trouble changing colors -- you made it simple by SEEING it . . .

[photo blankets]

hello all,

Wow, thanks for the fine tutorial. learn something from you. i cant imagine if you make a blanket with a picture, how long will it takes?

[Judi]

Thank you for the tutorial. What a great way to use up leftover yarn. I'm going to have to give it a try but maybe not until the fall. Wonderful colours.

[Sarah]

Hi - this is a great pattern, thanks for putting it on for all to share. x

[emily]

I started a similar blanket to this at the start of December, would love to crochet along *^_^*

[emily]

I started a similar blanket to this at the start of December, would love to crochet along *^_^*

[Cheryl Doussept]

I have started this blanket and your right it took a little time to get through the first row but after that it was off to the races I strarted it at 930 am and it's now 11am and im heading to do my fifth row and the flickr group sounds great I would love to show you how great and easy your pattern is and lord knows I have a lot of scraps and this is a great way to get rid of them thankyou so much for the great pattern

[Gail]

I need help. I have 4 Christmas stockings my mother crocheted for my family years ago. I have a new daughter-in-law and want to crochet one for her to add to the others. I can't find a pattern. The stockings are long, predominately stripes until you get to the shoe part. Mom made one that looks like a football shoe, one like a sneaker, one like a Mary Jane shoe. I can look at them and do the stripes but have no idea how to add a shoe. Anyone have patterns. These stockings are about 24" or more long. The foot part is about 6-8". Thanks

[jennie]

I happened across this entry last year, when i was looking for an afghan pattern to make for my husband. I love it, and I proceeded to follow the directions and started with a chain of 250. I used the same size hook, and didn't bother checking the size against our bed, since i was following the directions exactly. Well, I ended up with a 9 foot long blanket! Thankfully my husband is very tall, and says it is the perfect size ;)

[jennie]

I happened across this entry last year, when i was looking for an afghan pattern to make for my husband. I love it, and I proceeded to follow the directions and started with a chain of 250. I used the same size hook, and didn't bother checking the size against our bed, since i was following the directions exactly. Well, I ended up with a 9 foot long blanket! Thankfully my husband is very tall, and says it is the perfect size ;)

[jennie]

I happened across this entry last year, when i was looking for an afghan pattern to make for my husband. I love it, and I proceeded to follow the directions and started with a chain of 250. I used the same size hook, and didn't bother checking the size against our bed, since i was following the directions exactly. Well, I ended up with a 9 foot long blanket! Thankfully my husband is very tall, and says it is the perfect size ;)

[carolina]

hello i'm brazilian!
Wow! it is fantastic! too colors, i liked so much.
i don't know make it almost, i wanna learn. i have just to learn to make a TRICO, but i'm still learning and it is so difficult to me. congretullations to you and make your work, your life.
Carolina, 14.

[Tricia McDonald]

Lovely idea for a blanket -- so simple and pretty. Thanks for sharing your pattern. I really like the vibrant colours in your example.

[Sheila Mulwane]

Thank you for this pattern. I passed it on to three of my crocheting friends as well. It is a wondeful pattern with endless possibilities.

[kate]

hi- just found this- hooray! WAS going to do a ripple - like in the ripple along- but I am new to crochet- so this might be better- but a small one for a grandchild...thanks!

[Dan Thompson]

I am going to make this afghan because I have tons of leftover yarn in a myriad of colors, and this will be the perfect way to use them up at random. It's so colorful and I think almost any color combination would look terrific. I don't think you could mess this up if you tried! Thanks for the pattern.

[m'leigh]

Hi, I love some of your ideas, I specially adore the little green handbag, I was wondering how I'd go about getting some of your patterns, do you sell them? Look forward to hearing from you, M'leigh.

[Jude]

I love that you took the time to this in such terrific detail. I am a new crochetter in a family of knitters so it is terrific to see the detail where you add new colours etc. Are you going to show us how to 'weave' the tails in? No pressure....
Thank you again!

[lisaschaos]

I wanted to take a minute to thank you for your details. I crochet so infrequently that I always forget which stitch is which and your links helped refresh my memory without having to do a lot of searching. Thanx!

[Laura]

Thanks! I've never crocheted before but I think even I can get the hang of this one!

[kate]

I have completed about 1 foot of it and I am loving the way it is comming along.

[Harriett]

I started a blanket based on your idea last night for my daughter's room in the colors of her new bed set. Brown, pinks and green. It's great so far -- 7 rows in to it.
Thanks for the inspiration.

[Florence Forrest]

A very easy way to make a blanket. Great tutorial! Thanks for inviting me to the new flikr group :)

[natasha]

Thanks so much for asking! i may take you up on the offer, although, i might knit it in several long skinny sections so that i don't have to hold so much weight.

happy holidays!

[Mike the Quilter]

This is a great thing