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

[Siri]

Yay! Thank you! Even if I never make this, I'm enjoying seeing yours.

[Mariah]

Hi...been lurking for a long time! I didn't know you were going to do a tutorial and when I first saw this blanket I started one immediately! I'm just doing a double crochet (it's the only stitch I know, but I REALLY want to learn to do scallops!) for the whole thing...nothing special at the ends. I don't have much experience with crochet yet, so I'm just tying one color to the next at the end of the rows and carrying on. Oops! When I come to the end of the next row I'll try your method. I'm doing it in random blues and greens to match my living room and it's turning out really nice. We'll use it to snuggle under on the couch! :-)

[Sarah]

Awesome! Thanks for the instructions!

[moki]

I can knit almost every stitch but the simplest crochet baffles me! Thank you for sharing this!

[gleek]

this is a fantastic tutorial! and the first crocheted blanket i've seen that the hook is inserted into the space between the stitches. i love the technique!

[sooz]

Oh fabulous! Thank you for the tutorial - such clear photos and instructions yayyy!

[carolyn]

Thankyou.

[Rose]

Great tutorial Cassi! Thanks so much. (I love the owl, too)

[wms]

Nice blanket! Thank you for those links. I'm learning how to crochet and your pictures and instructions are great!

[Julie]

Love it! The close-up photos are a huge help to novice crocheters like myself. Thanks!

[Sarah Jane]

Thank you for all the info - a flickr group, excellent idea. That is one fabulous blanket! I think I need to brush off my hook...

[SmurfPop]

Thank you so much for this! I've just started crocheting and this is exactly the sort of thing I've been wanting to try :D x

[Michele Annette]

Thanks for your pattern! I will have to work on my stash of yarns! Your afghan looks great!

[Michele Annette]

Thanks for your pattern! I will have to work on my stash of yarns!

[lera]

very nice blanket. your photos are so clear!

[Wendy]

Thanks for the tutorial. This looks like a fun project.

[Theresa]

Thank you! This is great.

[PJ]

Love the bright contrasting colors!

[Lisa]

this looks like a GREAT way to use up all the random skeins & half-skeins i've got around the house. i just have to give up my weird control issues about color.

[clarice]

I really love this blanket and hope to make it (some day). Thank you for walking us through it. Clarice

[Scoutj]

Ohhh I love it!!

[Rete]

I find it easier to change colors by pulling the 2nd color through the last loop of the double crochet and then crochet over the 2 ends as I do the next row so I don't have to weave them all in at the end... I do love the pattern, though, thanks so much!

[laurie]

It's all jibberish to me (LOL) but that is one beautiful blanket!!

[allison strine]

Wow - that blanket is so cool!!

[Carrie S.]

Thank you so much for such comprehensive instructions! I so want to be the accomplished crocheter, but really can't manage much more than a chain. Plus, I'm a lefty, so getting anyone to show me anything is nearly fruitless. I think I might be able to manage this! Wonderful!