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

[Sandra]

Please can you advise instruction to make baby blanket.
ie how many chain to start and finished size. Also would 15 balls make 2 x baby blanket size?
I love the colours!
Thank you

[Lisa Retzer]

Hello! I have seen a lot of requests for help changing the size of a blanket pattern like the Cosy Stripe. Maybe she modified the original tutorial. I just started this one.
Lucy states in bold type how many chain multiples at the beginning.

Multiples of 3 beginning chains for this one!
Hope this helps.

[Geri Bergman]

Thank you so much for this detailed tutorial. I love this blanket!

[Brenda Smith]

this is my first attempt at a larger crochet piece. I am a retired tutor of machine knitting so the resizing is a challenge I have had before. For anyone wanting a blanket of approx. 30 inches- 75 to 80 cms, I cast on 132sts to start and this works well with a size 4mm hook.

[Susan Styles]

looks like the chain count is in multiples of 3. you could make it as wide as you like on this principle.

[Nat]

Hello everyone! I found that someone made a youtube video tutorial of this pattern! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKwYbPaqgnA

[Faye]

Do you have a pattern for the border for the Cozy Stripe Blanket?

[Faye]

How many chains would you need to make a lapgan?

[Nova]

Wow so many people needing help with this pattern and not getting any replies to their questions. What is the point of posting a tutorial to teach people when you’re not prepared to help? It’s my biggest peeve with these tutorials

[Nayu]

Hi Lucy, just wanted to say thank you. My mother is doing one of your granny square kits as she is new to crochet. I usually do simple granny squares as it requires little thought and i have a lot of brain fog with my chronic illness. Due to branching out a little thanks to Disney's new crochet magazine i wanted to do one of your blankets too. I read your blog for years but stopped for a bit. Fell in love with cupcake colours, and while im just doing one of the suggested colour orders repeatedly as i do not like haphazard colours, thrilled how easy iy is as I know treble crochet well. The volours make me so happy as i sit doing it. Already planning to do the Dune blanket after thid one!

[Diane McK]

For baby blankets I usually chain between 108 - 130. You want it to be about 30" - 36"wide

[Teresa Evans]

Wanda Gelezinsky did you ever find out how many stitches for a baby blanket?

[Teresa Evans]

How many stitches to make a baby blanket?

[mavis pedersen]

morning,

can you please tell me how man y chain stitches to nake a baby blanket.
please/
mavis

[Maggie]

Would love to see you do a follow along step by step for those who learn by watching another person do it. Maybe a you-tube video, as it makes it great for an add on to your photos on the blog. Thank you.

[Aimee]

I’m looking to make this blanket baby size.

Could anyone help me with the pattern please?
Ideally I’d like 100chains rather than 198. However, as I’m dyslexic I’m finding it hard to work it out.. any help is greatly appreciated.. my attempts just grow and shrink lol

Thank you x

[Ronnie]

Im new to crochet and thOUGHT i would give this a go -butstuck -
My chain foundation row of 198 stitches only measures 84cms. Should I add more chains in multiples of 3 to make the 120 cms stated in pattern does that mean I will need more wool?
Also how do I see the response to all the comments? Your help appreciated thanks

[Donna]

Here is the link with the photo of the blanket with the granny square border. https://pin.it/H11pWcM

[Donna]

I see this blanket with an additional granny square boarder and it lovely. I bought the yarn kit from your link and was wondering if you had any idea how much more yarn to buy to be able to finish this with the extra granny boarder.

[Shirley Hammond]

How many chains for a baby blanket?

[Liz felstead]

Hi I see lots of post asking how to make this smaller ie baby size blanket. Could someone please help with the maths on this, how many chains to start if I want to make it roughly 24” wide….. thank you

[Ann pond]

Please can you help have started this blanket is lovely after the first stripped using the colour I’ve got do you randomly strip or do you carry on in the Sam sequence I’ve started https://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/aria-blanket.html

[Peggy Mahlik]

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE HELP!!! Is their anyone out there that I could buy some PISTACHIO SPECIAL YARN from???? I am on the border of my throw and ran out of yarn. I only have a side and a half to go!!!! Anyone??? Thank you!!!! Peggy

[Teresa Parker]

I would like to make an afghan out of this pattern...do you have a suggestion as to how many I would chain to make this project correct in size?

Thank you,
Teresa Parker

[ellie]

This looks wonderful, and I appreciate having both the detailed pictures and the abbreviated version to print! <3