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

[kirintorbabe]

Hey!! I know you say not to worry about the bumpy edges, but if on row 5 you skip the second to last stitch and put your last treble in the last stitch it makes things quite even and lovely if you have no wish to add a border! I’ve done it on two blankets now! (Well, done on one that’s finished, no border, straight sides and lovely, the second will have a border and is a wip!) :)

[Gail Jones]

Hi how would this work using aran weight yarn (I'm in u. K). Looking at making a baby blanket. Any help would be most appreciated. Thank you

[Rhi]

The pattern is lovely but it isn't correct. I've started this twice and never got the correct number of trebles either time because the number of chains in foundation chain is off. To get the correct number of stitches between the last treble and the 2 treble you will need to chain multiples of 3 + 2 so for example 198 (multiple of 3s) + 2 = 200. Hopefully this will work. 3rd time lucky!

[Linda Gillis]

Hi everyone across the pond! I'm writing from north of Boston, MA, in the US. Im working on a super bulky blanket for my grandson right now and I want to start this one for a baby blanket (using size 3 yarn, baby weight.) as soon as I'm done with my grandson's!

I couldn't find on your blanket instructions how to finish with the border. Did you use one row of multiple colors?

Thanks for letting me know.!

[Angeline Nietling]

please print pattern

[Gail Slaughter]

I just figured it out I have to do 196 Thanks anyway

[Gail Slaughter]

I love this pattern but I also want to know about Foundation chain we start out with 198 chains if I do foundation chain do I only do 194 trebles? Please respond as soon as possible I can't wait to start this project

[Mandy Long]

Can I suggest than instead of starting with a chain row, and then a treble row, you do a foundation treble row instead? This is much easier to do and it means you can work out the correct number of trebles and length as you go along. I learnt how to do this from a friend and always start my blankets this way now.
Btw, I LOVE your blankets and will be trying this one soon.

[Joanne]

Could this be adapted to make a shawl/sweater?

[Aida]

To make it a Queen size how many chains I need to do and yarn do I need?

[Jmattson]

Oh dear, I had an afghan pattern chosen and the yarn bought and ready to go. Now I see this gorgeous afghan and I must change my mind and make this one!
Since I have #4 weight yarns, I will see if I have enough yarn or will need more and try and figure out the amount of stitches.
This is drop dead gorgeous thank you.

[Mahemuna]

Thank you for sharing..blessings your way.so nicely explained.Thank you..
Everything we need to know and More is here..God bless you..
Kind regards.

[Cheryl]

For those wanting to adjust the size of the blanket, it states in above notes that you chain in multiples of 3 to achieve the size you want.

[Sarah Edwards]

My cousin got me into your gorgeous patterns and crochets, and your use of colour combinations are awesome. I’m having a go at this one, in muted tones of creams, beiges and greys, at the moment and it’s just so easy but super effective. It really has the wow factor! THANK YOU for your beautiful, inspirational site. And keep those ideas coming! I’m addicted!!

Re the Craftworld direct plagiarism of your work; great advice to watermark images, but initially I would check to see how much more of your work has been copied by them, and then approach them to ask for a name-check and a link to Attic24 website. If that doesn’t work (and to be fair it should) sight the fact that this is your intellectual property and you can prove that you posted this pattern almost six years ago.

At the end of the day copying, they say, is the most sincere form of flattery, but it would be nice to get some recognition for your own creations!

[Val Hayward]

Lucy, after reading some of the comments, I had a look and saw this other site
https://craftfortheworld.com/index.php/2019/04/11/cosy-stripe-blanket/
has indeed copied everything from your pattern, including all the pictures, and without crediting you.
Can I suggest that you watermark all of your pictures, which would make it difficult if not impossible to pass off a picture as their own.
Some people just don't play fair.
Val

[Mary Thomson]

would like to make a smaller size how do I do that it's just for a cot.

[Ann hill]

Where can I find this pattern without all the comments

[Nettie]

For those wanting this in a print format... select all of the instructions,right click, select copy. Then open MS Word from your laptop and right click and select paste. Remove or reduce pictures to suit your needs.

Remember to copy the web address and paste this at the start or end of the word document to ensure our lovely Lucy gets due credit.

[Linda]

Beautiful blanket! I’d love to Pin it to my Pinterest board, but it doesn’t seem possible.

[Judy]

Hello,
Love the baby gender neutral version of this blanket I saw on Pinterest. Do you know how many stitches to cast on for a baby blanket size? Thank you

[Patricia A]

Saw this pattern on another website. Using your instructions (recognised the way you format and the diagrams)
Website is 'Craft for the World' https://craftfortheworld.com/index.php/2019/04/11/cosy-stripe-blanket/
I wouldn't have minded, but there was no reference to your work at all on the page.

[Karen Riley]

Are these balls of yarn center pull or pull from the outside? I love this pattern and can’t wait to start it

[Gail]

Hi how would i put a border around this. Any suggestions please but if a beginner. Thank you

[Sandra]

I love this blanket and wish I could save it on my Pinterest board.

[Wanda]

If you chain 198 and go in the 4th chain, that doesn’t give you 196 at the end of row 2. Please explain