Cosy Stripe Blanket

I am addicted to making blankets and I think much of the appeal lies in finding a pattern that delivers a huge amount of feel good throughout the making process. The very act of crocheting row upon neat row of glorious colour is so therapeutic and relaxing that I never want it to end. Having said that though, it is pretty fabulous to end up with a beautiful blanket at the end of the journey.

This pattern uses just one crochet stitch -  Treble Crochet (this is called a Double Crochet in the US). It's an incredibly simple but very effective mixed stripe using two rows of crochet for each colour. The simplicity of it (very little counting or pattern reading!) makes it a hugely enjoyable project, and it's especially suited to the colder months of the year when you can cosy up and enjoy the snugly warmth of the blanket on your lap as you work. The rows grow satisfyingly quickly, and the simple mix of stitches creates a beautiful surface texture. It's an all-round "Good Do" as they say here in Yorkshire!

Some notes before we begin........

♥ I have used 15 x 100g balls of Stylecraft Special DK worked on a 4mm hook to make my Cosy Stripe Blanket.

♥ These 15 balls are enough to make a single bed size blanket with a finished size of approximately 4ft x 6ft / 120 cm x 180 cm.

♥ If you crochet loosly, you will need to make sure that your starting chain and first row measures roughly 120cm otherwise you will need more than 15 x 100g balls. It's fine to reduce your starting chain to achieve the correct size, just remember to make your starting chain a multiple of 3.

♥ If you wish to make the blanket bigger ie to fit a double / king size bed, you will need to increase the number of stitches in your starting chain.....the starting chain should always be a multiple of  3. You will also need to purchase extra yarn if you make a bigger size.

♥ I'm writing this pattern in UK crochet terms, as follows ::

tr [treble] :: yarn over, insert hook, yarn over, pull the loop back through the stitch (three loops on hook), yarn over and pull through two loops on hook (two loops left on hook), yarn over and pull through remaining two loops (note :: this is equivalent to the US dc stitch)

>> NOTE << If you are an experienced hooker (!) and don't require the full step-by-step picture tutorial, I've written a normal pattern at the end for you to copy/paste/print.

To make a blanket with a width of 120cm (single bed size) chain 198 to begin.

:: ROW 1 ::

1 treble into 4^th chain from hook (shown by my needle in the picture above).

Work 1 treble into each chain along.

Assuming we are counting the turning chain as a stitch, you should have 196 stitches in total.

Chain 3 and turn.

:: ROW 2 ::

:: note :: when working a row of treble crochet, you should ignore the stitch at the base of the chain-3. Your first treble should go into the next stitch along, as shown by the arrow in the picture above.

Work 1 treble into each stitch along....

....your very last stitch should be worked into the top of the chain-3 from the previous row, as shown by the arrow above. It's sometimes easy to miss this last stitch, so watch out for it!

There we go, last treble completed.

Assuming we are counting the first ch-3 as a stitch, you should have 196 stitches in total.

Now fasten off, leaving a 15cm tail end for darning in later.

:: ROW 3 ::

:: note ::  change colour for this row, and on every alternate row which will always be an odd number row.

Insert your hook into the first stitch (shown above) and pull a loop of your new colour through to the front.

Chain 3 (counts as 1 treble), then 1 treble into the same stitch (as shown above)

Skip two stitches, then work 3 trebles into the next stitch (as shown above).

*Skip 2 stitches, work 3 trebles into next stitch*

Repeat between ** all the way along the row until you have 3 stitches remaining.

Skip 2 stitches, then work 2 trebles into the very last stitch (which is the top of the chain-3 from the previous row).

If you want to check your stitch count for this row, you should have the following :

(2 tr) + (3 tr x 64) + (2 tr)

Chain 3 and turn.

:: ROW 4 ::

:: note :: you'll be working out of the spaces between the groups of 3-trebles in this row.

Work 3 trebles into the first space (as shown above)

Work 3 trebles into each space along.

Work 1 treble into the top of the very last stitch, then fasten off leaving a 15cm tail end for darning in later.

If you want to check your stitch count for this row, you should have the following :

(1 tr) + (3 tr x 65) + (1 tr)

:: ROW 5 ::

:: Note :: change colour

Insert your hook into the first stitch (shown above) and pull a loop of your new colour through to the front.

Chain 3 (counts as 1 treble).

Work 1 treble into each stitch along, until there is just one stitch remaining....

....IMPORTANT!!!!!!!!>>> SKIP THIS LAST STITCH!!!! Unlike previous rows, there is NO treble worked into this last stitch. Just ignore it :)

Counting your beginning ch-3 as a stitch, you should have 196 stitches in total for this row.

Chain 3 and turn.

:: ROW 6 ::

:: note :: remember to ignore the stitch at the base of the chain-3. Your first treble should go into the next stitch along, as shown by the arrow in the picture above.

Work 1 treble into each stitch along.

As with row 2, make sure you don't miss that very last stitch - work the last treble into the top of the chain-3 from the previous row.

You should have 196 stitches in this row.

Fasten off, leaving a 15cm tail end to darn in later.

:: ROW 7 ::

:: note ::  change colour for this row.

Insert your hook into the first stitch and pull a loop of your new colour through to the front.

Chain 3 (counts as 1 treble), then work 1 treble into the same stitch.

*Skip 2 stitches, then work 3 trebles into the next stitch*

Repeat between ** until 3 stitches remain. Work 2 trebles into the very last stitch (which is the top of the chain-3 from the previous row). Turn (do not fasten off).

:: ROW 8 ::

:: note :: you'll be working out of the spaces between the groups of trebles for this row.

Chain 3 (counts as 1 treble), then work 3 trebles into the first space.

Work 3 trebles into each space along.

Work 1 treble into the top of the very last stitch.

Fasten off, leaving a 15cm tail end to darn in later.

:: ROW 9 ::

:: Note :: change colour

Insert your hook into the first stitch (shown above) and pull a loop of your new colour through to the front.

Chain 3 (counts as 1 treble).

Work 1 treble into each stitch along, until there is just one stitch remaining....

REMEMBER???!!!! That's right, SKIP THE LAST STITCH!!!

Turn (do not fasten off).

:: ROW 10 ::

:: Note :: ignore the stitch at the base of the chain-3

Chain 3 (counts as 1 tr), then work 1 treble into each stitch across (don't forget the last stitch is worked into the top of the chain-3 from the previous row).

Fasten off, leaving a 15cm tail end to darn in later.

After Row 10, you should be able to see how the simple mixed stripe pattern is forming.

Each colour is used to crochet one stripe, which is made up of two rows.

There is one stripe (two rows) of plain trebles, followed by one stripe (two rows) of treble clusters (groups of 3 trebles worked into one stitch).

ROW 11 = Repeat Row 7 (1st treble cluster row)

ROW 12 = Repeat Row 8 (2nd treble cluster row)

ROW 13 = Repeat Row 9 (1st plain treble row)**

ROW 14 = Repeat Row 10 (2nd plain treble row)

** NOTE >> it's very important to remember that the first plain treble row SKIPS A STITCH at the END of that row. This keeps the stitch count correct and the edges straight (there should always be 196 stitches in each of the straight tr rows)

It's very straightforward I promise you, so long as you start and end each row correctly.

A little note about darning in those pesky ends. I've found the neatest way to do this is to use a darning needle and weave the end vertically up the actual post of a treble stitch.....

....then weave it down the post of an adjoining treble stitch before taking it across to the outside edge. Dealing with your ends this way may seem fiddly, but if you do it as you go along (Listen to Lucy here, be disciplined with your tail ends!!), it's not so bad and it makes a strong, super-neat finish.

You may find your edges look a little bumpy or uneven, but remember we'll be adding a border at the end which will disguise any lumps and bumps rather nicely.

As this Cosy Stripe is a brand new blanket I'm currently making, it's still a work in progress. When my blanket measures 180cm(ish) tall, I'll stop the rows and decide what kind of an edging it needs. I'll finish writing up this tutorial then, to share my edging method :)

You can work this Cosy Stripe blanket using whichever colours make your heart sing. All you need to think about is the quantity - it takes roughly 15 x 100g balls to make a single bed size blanket, and twice as many to make a full king size bed blanket.

If you are using the Attic24 Cosy Pack of yarn colours (that's them in the bag above), I'll be sharing the progress of my own Cosy Stripe blanket (including the exact random colour order) here on my blog EVERY SUNDAY throughout November and December 2014. Here are links to the blog posts....

Cosy Blanket Part 1 (introduction and colour order for stripes 1-15)

Cosy Blanket Part 2 (progress update and colour order for stripes 16-30)

Cosy Blanket Part 3 (progress update and colour order for stripes 31-45)

Cosy Blanket Part 4 (progress update and colour oder for stripes 46 - 60)

Cosy Blanket Part 5 (progress update and colour oder for stripes 61 - 75)

Cosy Blanket Part 6 (progress update and colour oder for stripes 76 - 90)

Cosy Blanket Part 7 (all about the edging)

Cosy Blanket Edging (full tutorial for working the border)

To make things easier, here is the pattern written in a more abbreviated form for you to copy/paste/print....

Chain 198 to begin.

:: ROW 1 :: starting in 4th ch from hook, work 1 tr into each st along. Ch 3 and turn. [196 sts]

:: ROW 2 :: Work 1 treble into each stitch along. Fasten off. [196 sts]

:: ROW 3 :: (new colour) ch 3 (counts as 1 tr), work 1 tr into same st. *Skip 2 sts, 3 tr's into next st*

Repeat between ** until 3 sts remain. Skip 2 sts, 2 tr's into last st. Ch 3 and turn. [(2tr) +( 3tr x 64) + (2tr)]

:: ROW 4 :: Work 3 tr's into 1st space between groups of tr's. Work 3 tr's into each space along. Work 1 tr into top of very last stitch. Fasten off.  [(1tr) +( 3tr x 65) + (1tr)]

:: ROW 5 :: (new colour) Ch 3 (counts as 1 tr), work 1 tr into each stitch along until 1 stitch remains. SKIP LAST STITCH ON THIS ROW ONLY. Ch 3 and turn.  [196 sts]

:: ROW 6 :: Work 1 tr into each st along. Fasten off.  [196 sts]

:: ROWS 7 & 8 :: Repeat rows 3 & 4

:: ROWS 9 & 10 :: Repeat rows 5 & 6

Carry on repeating rows 3-6 until you are happy with the length.

♥ Wishing you a Happy,  COSY blanket journey! ♥

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Comments

[Kathleen]

Where can I find this pattern in US Directions

[Robyn Brodie]

This is my go to for blankets. I have used it for a temperature lapghan, stroller blanket, knee warmer, etc, and I don't get sick of doing it. Thank you tsuch a beautiful but simple pattern. Well worth the effort.

[Luz Virginia Barratachea]

Dear Lucy what a beautiful blanket fell in love with the colors . Can you let me know the baby colors you use and where can i purchase it. Also how many chains for a baby blanket.Please let me know and I thank you so much. Virginia from Texas.

[Martha]

In response to Johanna - so long as your total stitches is divisible by 3 I have found it works. The clusters should be going into every third stitch so there are two skipped ones in between and your total number of stitches then remains the same. Good luck!

[Johanna]

I am an experienced crocheter but this one is killing me. I have my first two rows but the math does not work for the number of clusters. There are significantly more than 3 sets of 64 if you do one cluster every 2 stitches. The blanket keeps growing because I am evidently missing something in the pattern. So disappointing as I was so looking forward to gorgeous spring colors.
Can anyone offer any assistance? My first 2 rows are great but I lose it on the next rows. And a pet peeve - if the number of stitches is posted in the pattern they need to be correct.
Any help from anyone?

[Marie Bristow]

Beautiful

[Jennifer Harper-Jones]

I am very pleased to have discovered Attic 24! Have got pattern for two blankets and have ordered lovely coloured wools. This is the way to beat the lockdown - am having a lovely time doing crochet after many years break.

[suzanne chittock]

Well I have ordered one of your blanket packs from wool warehouse so when it arrives I am ready to start. I think I will manage this one as it seems to use trebles only which have a nice rhythm. The packs were well sold out so settled on the autumnal one. I am loving my crochet journey which only began 28 days ago!!

[Kathryn Wetherill]

It looks beautiful and your explanation of what to do is excellent I will try to make one Thankyou

[Beverly]

This is a beautiful blanket and I am going to try to make it. Thank you so much for the pattern

[Susan B.]

Please sign me up for your emails. Thanks so much!! :)

[Lizi Jury also known as Granni Ellie]

I live in sunny South Africa and following your patterns. Have lost count of how many Granny Strip blankets i have crocheted for the needy children and the Old Age Homes. I have found the Cosy Blanket super and very easy to follow. I must just get enthusiastic about the ends and work them in.
Thanks so much for sharing.

[Christine Batchford]

Just finished my first ever blanket. Thanks for the tutorials. About to get the wool for blanket number 2!

[Shirley West]

Whirl should be Shirley !!! Oops !

[Shirley West]

I just love the colors in this afghan blanket ! Can't wait to try it ! Whirl in Arkansas, USA Happy Crocheting !

[Mary]

Just got my yarn and I can't wait to get started.

[Barb Almer]

Beautiful. Is this a good one for a beginner???

[Kathy Bober]

How many stitches do I need to make a baby blanket?

[Jess]

Thank you for this beautiful pattern! I'm doing it as a baby blanket with several colors based on a project photo I saw on Ravelry that caught my eye. Do you have suggestions for how many stitches to cast on for a baby blanket? Thanks again!

[Roy R Wilson]

Thank you I hope to make this for a dear friend as a surprise, she already said she wants to make it for herself when she can. But I know it will make her happy to have it. I am in Ohio and my friend is in Puerto Rico

[Kat Morriss]

Trying to do this pattern slightly different... the 1st 2 rows I want to do in HTC (UK) but if i start in the 4th chain from my hook it doesn't add up. should i try it from the 3rd chain from hook instead?

[Penny Delow]

I have really loved making this blanket, but stuck for borders, what would you recommend please?

[Bonnie Gogolski]

Can it be adjusted to make a baby blanket?
If so, how many do I chain to start for one 32 - 36”?

[Tracy]

I'm so just loveing this beautiful blanket ..it's just so pretty.. loveing all the wonderful colors...

[Debra Gruszkowski]

I found, after several starts, that to make this work out, the count must be multiples of 3 plus 1. Otherwise, when you do the rows with the clusters of three, you will end the row with only two stitches left instead of three. So, my blanket is 150 stitches which is 50 sets of 3. Then I needed to add 1 more stitch. That means my first row of double crochets should be 151 stitches.