I gave this project the nickname of the "Change-Your-Mind Blanket" for three reasons: 1) If you're using scraps and you run out of a yarn, it's easy to keep busting that stash by changing colors. 2) Get bored with the pattern? Multiple panels give you plenty of space to practice different stitches for a sampler afghan. 3) Give up on finishing? (Because we all know that happens sometimes!) If you're working the pattern as written, then the long panels can be up-cycled into scarves for gift-giving, charity donations, or for yourself.
Oh, and... Just a bonus reason to make this awesomely-easy pattern: Each panel begins with my favorite "chain-less" beginning. This effortless method makes the start of the panels go lightning-fast. Plus, it's so much easier to count the chain spaces instead of individual chains! For help, you can watch this method worked in a video for the Not-So-Mesh scarf which uses the same beginning.
The version shown is made in four colors, keeping each panel a solid color and using a contrasting color for the seam. You could turn this project into a major stash-buster by changing colors within the rounds of the panels. The pieces are quick to work up with a no-chain beginning and simple "granny" stitch, plus a large hook makes it go even faster.
If you're interested in some pictures of the panels before they were joined, see the post "Progress in Reverse". (There's a great example of why you should start the seam with a full One-Pound skein unless you want to join new yarn.) And to see the "finished" blanket before the border was added, see the followup post "Forward Progress".
If you're interested in some pictures of the panels before they were joined, see the post "Progress in Reverse". (There's a great example of why you should start the seam with a full One-Pound skein unless you want to join new yarn.) And to see the "finished" blanket before the border was added, see the followup post "Forward Progress".
Finished size:
52" (132 cm) wide; 64" (162.5 cm) length
Total yarn weight:
36 oz. / 1020 g
2.25 lbs. / 1 kg
52" (132 cm) wide; 64" (162.5 cm) length
Total yarn weight:
36 oz. / 1020 g
2.25 lbs. / 1 kg
Skill level:
Easy
Materials:
Worsted weight (4) acrylic yarn
I used a combination of Red Heart Super Saver in Light Blue (A) and Light Grey (B), plus Caron One Pound in White (C) and Black (D)
Hook size N - 9mm
Yarn needle
Stitch markers (optional)
Gauge:
In 4" by 4" (10 cm by 10 cm)
5 rows of 16 double crochet
Notes:
Chain 1 at beginning of rounds does not count as a stitch. Chain 2 to meet the height of the double crochet if necessary.
Panels are worked in the round.
The single crochet stitch is used to join rounds in order to take the place of a chain-1 space.
A stitch diagram is included after the written pattern.
*Personal note about yarns used:
Colors A and D are used the most... I began with full jumbo (16 oz) skeins of each, and had very little left over. Color B came from my stash and worked to complete one panel with less than a 7-oz skein, so you could work with smaller skeins for A, B, and C. Although scraps will work for making the panels, I highly recommend starting with a jumbo skein for the joining (color D), which takes the most yarn.
A stitch diagram is included after the written pattern.
*Personal note about yarns used:
Colors A and D are used the most... I began with full jumbo (16 oz) skeins of each, and had very little left over. Color B came from my stash and worked to complete one panel with less than a 7-oz skein, so you could work with smaller skeins for A, B, and C. Although scraps will work for making the panels, I highly recommend starting with a jumbo skein for the joining (color D), which takes the most yarn.
Stitches:
(American terms)
Chain
Single crochet
Half double crochet
Double crochet
Slip stitch
Pattern stitch:
(1 chain, 2 double crochet)
Worked just like the classic granny stitch, with one double crochet of the multiple removed.
Instructions for panels:
For pattern shown, make (3) color A, (2) color B, and (2) color C.
Beginning row:
This chain-less beginning builds upwards to create the first "row" of the pattern. The stitches of the first round will be worked into the chain spaces. Remember you can find help for this beginning row in this video.
Chain 2, half double crochet in the farthest chain from the hook.
*Chain 2, half double crochet in the chain space between the previous chain-2 and half double crochet.*
Repeat from * to * 50 times for a total of 52 chain spaces (64" / 162.5 cm finished length of blanket), or work to desired length... Keep in mind that the remaining rounds and border will add about 6" to each end of the panel.
Round 1:
Working into the half double crochet side of the spaces...
Chain 1, make 2 double crochet in the last chain space made.
*(1 chain, 2 double crochet) in each space to the end.*
(1 chain, 2 double crochet) twice more in the end space.
Working around into the chain-2 side of the spaces, repeat * to *.
In the last space, (1 chain, 2 double crochet) once more. (3 sets of 2-double crochet in the space.)
Join with a single crochet in the beginning double crochet (counts as chain-1 space).
**Optional** Mark the chain-1's of the corner spaces, found between the double crochet sets in each end space. (The single crochet joining stitch makes one corner of the pattern.)
Round 2:
Chain 1, make 2 double crochet in the single crochet joining space.
*(1 chain, 2 double crochet) in each space up to the corner chain-1.
In corner space, make (2 double crochet, 1 chain, 2 double crochet).*
Chain 1, (2 double crochet, 1 chain, 2 double crochet) in the next corner space.
Repeat * to * up the next long side to remaining corner space.
Chain 1, make 2 double crochet in the single crochet joining space.
Join with a single crochet in the beginning double crochet.
Round 3:
Chain 1, make 2 double crochet in the single crochet joining space.
*(1 chain, 2 double crochet) in each space up to the corner chain-1.
In corner space, make (2 double crochet, 1 chain, 2 double crochet).
(1 chain, 2 double crochet) in the next chain-1.*
(2 double crochet, 1 chain, 2 double crochet) in the next corner space.
Repeat * to *.
Make 2 double crochet in the single crochet joining space.
Chain 1. Bind off, join with a false stitch by weaving the tail through the beginning stitch, back through the top of the last stitch, and through the middle of the false stitch (from bottom to top).
Joining:
**Panels can be joined using any technique you prefer. The following instructions are for a "seamless" continuous join. Click here to see a diagram/map for how to join squares in this method, but don't let it confuse you!.. Joining these long rectangular panels will be like working only one strip of squares (see a photo-tutorial example here).
First panel:
Begin at the far end of the short side of a panel, using color D.
*Work 3 double crochet in each chain-1 space to corner.*
Make 3 more double crochet in the corner space. (6 total)
Repeat * to * across long side of panel, turn. (Do not complete as a corner!)
For each panel added:
Chain 1, turn.
Make 3 double crochet in the corner space (long side) of the next panel.
Chain 1, remove hook. Insert the hook in the space between the corner double crochet set and the next available set of the previous panel. (Hook should come from behind work and back towards you.) Pick up stitch and chain 1.
*3 double crochet in the next chain-1 of the current panel. Chain 1, remove hook. Insert the hook in the next space available of the previous panel and pick up stitch. Chain 1.*
Repeat from * to * to the corner space.
Make 3 more double crochet in the same space of the current panel.
3 double crochet in each chain-1 across short side to corner; 6 double crochet in the corner space; 3 double crochet in each chain-1 across long side, ending in corner space.
Repeat the step above for each remaining panel.
Complete the corner of the last panel with 3 more double crochet, then continue around the remainder of border with the 3-double-crochet stitch (twice in corners!).
Complete the last corner with 3 more double crochet (6 total). Bind off; join with a false stitch using the tail; weave in ends.
Border:
Using the same 3-double-crochet stitch pattern, work rounds of each color in the following order...
1-B
1-C
1-A
2-D
Stitch diagram:
Chain 1, make 2 double crochet in the last chain space made.
*(1 chain, 2 double crochet) in each space to the end.*
(1 chain, 2 double crochet) twice more in the end space.
Working around into the chain-2 side of the spaces, repeat * to *.
In the last space, (1 chain, 2 double crochet) once more. (3 sets of 2-double crochet in the space.)
Join with a single crochet in the beginning double crochet (counts as chain-1 space).
**Optional** Mark the chain-1's of the corner spaces, found between the double crochet sets in each end space. (The single crochet joining stitch makes one corner of the pattern.)
Round 2:
Chain 1, make 2 double crochet in the single crochet joining space.
*(1 chain, 2 double crochet) in each space up to the corner chain-1.
In corner space, make (2 double crochet, 1 chain, 2 double crochet).*
Chain 1, (2 double crochet, 1 chain, 2 double crochet) in the next corner space.
Repeat * to * up the next long side to remaining corner space.
Chain 1, make 2 double crochet in the single crochet joining space.
Join with a single crochet in the beginning double crochet.
Round 3:
Chain 1, make 2 double crochet in the single crochet joining space.
*(1 chain, 2 double crochet) in each space up to the corner chain-1.
In corner space, make (2 double crochet, 1 chain, 2 double crochet).
(1 chain, 2 double crochet) in the next chain-1.*
(2 double crochet, 1 chain, 2 double crochet) in the next corner space.
Repeat * to *.
Make 2 double crochet in the single crochet joining space.
Chain 1. Bind off, join with a false stitch by weaving the tail through the beginning stitch, back through the top of the last stitch, and through the middle of the false stitch (from bottom to top).
Joining:
**Panels can be joined using any technique you prefer. The following instructions are for a "seamless" continuous join. Click here to see a diagram/map for how to join squares in this method, but don't let it confuse you!.. Joining these long rectangular panels will be like working only one strip of squares (see a photo-tutorial example here).
First panel:
Begin at the far end of the short side of a panel, using color D.
*Work 3 double crochet in each chain-1 space to corner.*
Make 3 more double crochet in the corner space. (6 total)
Repeat * to * across long side of panel, turn. (Do not complete as a corner!)
For each panel added:
Chain 1, turn.
Make 3 double crochet in the corner space (long side) of the next panel.
Chain 1, remove hook. Insert the hook in the space between the corner double crochet set and the next available set of the previous panel. (Hook should come from behind work and back towards you.) Pick up stitch and chain 1.
*3 double crochet in the next chain-1 of the current panel. Chain 1, remove hook. Insert the hook in the next space available of the previous panel and pick up stitch. Chain 1.*
Repeat from * to * to the corner space.
Make 3 more double crochet in the same space of the current panel.
3 double crochet in each chain-1 across short side to corner; 6 double crochet in the corner space; 3 double crochet in each chain-1 across long side, ending in corner space.
Repeat the step above for each remaining panel.
Complete the corner of the last panel with 3 more double crochet, then continue around the remainder of border with the 3-double-crochet stitch (twice in corners!).
Complete the last corner with 3 more double crochet (6 total). Bind off; join with a false stitch using the tail; weave in ends.
Border:
Using the same 3-double-crochet stitch pattern, work rounds of each color in the following order...
1-B
1-C
1-A
2-D
Stitch diagram:
Happy Crocheting!
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