Free Pattern: Sports Team Afghan and Baby Blanket



Go team!

  You don't have to make this ripple blanket in sporty colors, but if you cheer for a team, why not start baby out early? Ripples are a great design for boys or girls of all ages, no matter what colors you choose. The texture and contrasting colors of this pattern will interest little ones' senses, while the combination of Caron brand's Simply Soft and One Pound will soothe with softness.


  The eyelets created by chain spaces make great peek-a-boo time for toddlers, though they don't make the pattern too lacy for the average guy. Bigger "kids" can support their team while they wrap up in the warmth of a throw or full size afghan during a chilly game. A throw or twin size afghan makes a great present for a new student's dorm room.


  Adjustments are provided to make a larger matching throw or afghan for dad (or mom) too! As a bonus, a pattern variation gives you a choice to make a slightly lighter blanket that works up faster! Baby blanket is 34" x 40" (86 cm x 101 cm), throw is 45" x 55" (114 cm x 140 cm). Check chart for finished afghan sizes.








Skill level:








Materials:
Worsted weight (4) yarn

  Throw-



Color A: Caron One Pound -Royalty*
Color B: Caron Simply Soft -Neon Orange*


  Baby blanket-



Color A: Caron One Pound -Black
Color B: Caron One Pound -Sunflower

  -See size chart for amount of yarn needed. If you are using Caron One Pound for color B also, you will need half as many skeins as stated.

Crochet hook size I/9 - 5.50MM or size needed to obtain gauge
Needle or smaller hook to weave in ends

Gauge:
15 stitches = 1 multiple (set)

As written (throw):
1 multiple and 6 rows = 5" x 5" (12.5 cm x 12.5 cm)

In back loops only (baby blanket):
1 multiple and 6 rows = < 5" x 5"
- working the pattern variation increases the gauge vertically by less than 1/10" (0.25 cm) for each color repeat.
- with 8 color repeats and the last four rows, the length of this blanket was increased by less than 1" (2.5 cm).



-With 18 color repeats, a king size blanket's length would be increased to about 92" (233.5 cm)

Notes:
*Mixing Simply Soft and One Pound yarn adds extra texture to the blanket. These two yarn work up in the same gauge, but Simply Soft feels just slightly thinner/lighter than One Pound.



When changing colors, remember to do so during the last step of the last stitch in the row before the change.

Stitches and abbreviations:
Begin/beginning - beg
Skip - sk
Stitch(es) - st(s)
Chain - ch
Single crochet - sc
Double crochet - dc
Double crochet 3 together - dc3tog - (Yarn over, insert hook in next st, pull up a loop. Yarn over, pull through 2 loops) three times. Yarn over, pull through all 4 loops on hook.

Directions:

To begin, ch 138 (168, 198, 243, 273, 318) with color A.

Variation:
Work pattern in the back loops only for a slightly longer, lighter blanket with added texture.



Row 1:
2 dc in 4th ch from hook. Ch 3, sk 3, dc3tog twice. Ch 3, sk 3, 3 dc. *3 dc in next st, ch 3, sk 3, dc3tog twice. Ch 3, sk 3, 3 dc.* Repeat from * to * 7 (10, 12, 15, 17, 20) more times. 

Row 2:
Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), turn, 2 dc in same st. Ch 3, sk 3, dc3tog twice. Ch 3, sk 3, 3 dc. *3 dc in next st, ch 3, sk 3, dc3tog twice. Ch 3, sk 3, 3 dc.* Repeat from * to *7 (10, 12, 15, 17, 20) more times.

All remaining rows will be repeating Row 2. Make two (2) more rows in color A. Make two (2) rows in color B.
Continue working pattern with four (4) rows of color A followed by two (2) rows of color B.

These six (6) rows are considered the "color repeats" listed on the size chart.
Check chart for number of repeats/rows.  

Last 4 Rows:
Repeat Row 2 in color A four (4) more times. Change to color B to work border. 

Border:
With color B: Ch 2 (counts as 1 sc, ch-1), turn, 1 sc in same st.  4 sc around first available ch-3 sp of both current and previous row. 1 sc in post sp between dc3tog, 4 sc in next available ch-3 sps of both current and previous row. Skip 2 dc, (2 sc in following post sp) 3 times.* Repeat from * to * 7 (10, 12, 15, 17, 20) times. (1 sc, ch 1, 1 sc) in last post sp. (3 sc around base ch [bottom loop] of next available [3dc] cluster) 51 (69, 111, 111, 111, 111) times. (1 sc, ch 1, 1 sc) in corner post sp. **3 sc around ch-3 sps of both current and previous rows. Sk 2 dc, (2 sc in next post-sp) 3 times, 3 sc around ch-3 sps of both current and previous rows. 2 dc in post-sp between dc3tog.** Repeat from ** to ** 7 (10, 12, 15, 17, 20) more times. 3 sc around ch-3 sps of both current and previous rows. (1 sc, ch-1, 1 sc) in corner post-sp. (3 sc around base ch of next available [3 dc] cluster) 51 (69, 111, 111, 111, 111) times. Join with a sl st to beg ch-1.
Bind off, weave in ends.

Click chart to enlarge:




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