When I find a stitch I love, I get really fixated on it. I make a bunch of different patterns with it until I finally get bored and move on to another stitch.
My fixation right now?
The SC+HDC combo!
The first pattern I made with this stitch was the Comfy Squares Textured Cowl. It was a bit of an accident how it all came together, and interestingly enough, that cowl has become my go-to cowl this winter. I love the way it drapes, and I just love the look of the stitches.
Our family draws names for Christmas, and this year, I drew my Grandma. I was so excited! I knew right away that I wanted to make her something special. So I decided this would be the perfect opportunity to try out this stitch in blanket form.
I am thrilled with how it turned out!
Let’s talk colors. I need to give a shoutout to my friend Krista at Rescued Paw Designs — I’ve admired her great sense of color schemes since I first discovered her blog. The colors I chose for my blanket were inspired by some of her blanket patterns.
I used a collection of Vanna’s Choice (which has some of the most gorgeous neutral colors available in the big craft stores): Purple, Linen, Taupe, and Gray Marble. The great thing about Vanna’s Choice is that their entire line coordinates. So you can pretty much go in and choose any colors you want, and you’re almost guaranteed to come out with a beautiful color scheme.
My advice? Choose three neutrals and one accent color. Make sure at least one of your choices is a heather yarn (meaning it has little flecks of other colors in it) to give your blanket a rustic modern look. (Love me some rustic modern!)
I took the advice of my Little Monkeys followers and softened the finished blanket up by running it through the dryer with a dryer sheet. I was surprised at how soft it came out, and it didn’t mess with the blanket at all. (I’m paranoid about stuff like that.)
Here it is, all ready for Christmas! (Find my free printable “handmade with special care” gift tags here.)
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COMFY SQUARES TEXTURED BLANKET
Level: Easy
Size: Blanket measures 30″x40″ (stroller blanket or small lap blanket size). Pattern is easily adjustable for both length and width.
Hook: K (6.50mm)
Yarn: About 180 yards of #4 worsted/aran weight yarn per color block. I used Vanna’s Choice (by Lion Brand) in color blocks of Purple (x2), Linen, Taupe and Gray Marble. Please see Notes section for a helpful note about yarn amounts.
You’ll also need: Yarn needle
Gauge:
Not crucial, but a row of 10SC = about 3″ in length.
Abbreviations Used:
ST (stitch)
SL ST (slip stitch)
SK (skip)
CH (chain)
SC (single crochet)
HDC (half double crochet)
SC+HDC (this just means to put a single crochet and a half double crochet in the same stitch)
Notes:
(1) This pattern is written in American Standard Terms.
(2) Starting CHs do not count as stitches.
(3) A note about yarn amounts: I used yarn in my stash to complete most of this project, so I wasn’t concerned about trying to use full skeins… which resulted in a pattern that, if done as written, uses about 30 yards of a second skein per color block. If that drives you absolutely nuts, you might want to make your blanket smaller or larger to avoid having a lot of leftover yarn. 🙂
(4) To adjust the width of your blanket, add or subtract from your starting CH (just begin with an odd number of CHs). To adjust the length of your blanket, add or subtract an even number of rows to/from each color block.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
To begin:
With first color, CH101.
Row 1: HDC in 2nd CH from hook. (SK next ST, SC+HDC in next ST) across until 1 CH remains. SC in remaining CH. (100)
Rows 2-22: CH1, turn. HDC in 1st ST. (SK next ST, SC+HDC in next ST) across until 1 ST remains. SC in remaining ST. (100)
Row 23: CH1, turn. SC in first ST and in each ST across. (100)
Helpful tip: The SCs in Rows 23 & 24 help us to create a nice straight line where color blocks come together. If we didn’t add it, the color changes would have a more jagged edge.
Switch to a new color; fasten off previous color.
Row 24: CH1, turn. SC in first ST and in each ST across. (100)
Rows 25-46: CH1, turn. HDC in 1st ST. (SK next ST, SC+HDC in next ST) across until 1 ST remains. SC in remaining ST. (100)
Row 47: CH1, turn. SC in first ST and in each ST across. (100)
For each remaining color block: Switch to a new color and fasten off the previous color, then repeat Rows 24-47.
Fasten off and weave in all ends.
I am obsessed with this stitch. I’ve made afghans, dishcloths and multiple scarves. I just can’t stop. Thank you for the pattern and introduction to the stitch.
Making another one , love the stitch texture on this blanket and the fact you can make it wider or longer. Made one in fall colors for a bachelor and it makes a sturdy blanket. Great for a gift. Vanna’s Choice is a perfect yarn for this blanket.
I am hoping to make this for my son and his fiance as a wedding gift. I’ve admired the pattern for a long time and am so excited to see it come to life. I’ve like to increase the size to 45″X60″. Do you have any recommendations on how many I should chain to get this size, and how many rows of each color I should do?
Hi Candy! The simplest answer is to simply chain as long as you want the blanket to be in width. For the color blocks, divide the number of inches you’d like it to be in length by 5 (or however many color blocks you want), and just keep doing rows until you reach that amount for each color.
Love the pattern, I just have a question. Starting in row 2, does the combo go in the previous rows skip?
I was curious about the same thing. I chained one and I don’t get why there is a turn unless you are using a technique where you crochet (right hand has the hook) and then your opposite hand (left hand has hook and right hand has the yarn) has the hook. Can some one help me understand please??
Can I make this with do yarn?
Would this pattern work with Bernat blanket yarn, or would the chunky yarn hide the texture?
I’ve made two, starting on third from blanket yarn. Pattern shows great, better in solid colors than variegated. Are u on Ravelry? If so, if u go to this pattern and look under projects, you can see lots of examples, many with notes and comments. My username if ThisniCaza if u want to look at mine.
I made one of these before my baby was born, and took it into the hospital with me. All the nurses commented on how much they liked the stitch pattern. Thankyou for sharing!
LOVED the look of your blanket. Posted the link to this page on my Facebook page (business). Can’t wait to try it!
Love the look of this stitch would love to make…caught my eye..thanks so much.
Hi Rebecca. In rows 2 – 22, are you putting the SC + HDC combo in the skipped stitch spaces in the row below or are you putting it in either the SC or HDC stitch.
Always put your stitches into the top loops unless otherwise indicated. 🙂
The combo should go into the top loops of the SC below it. That’s what it works out to anyway following the pattern.
Wonderful pattern, I’m starting a lap blanket for my husband who is now on Hospice care. I think he will love the pattern as well as I. Congratulations on the birth of your son!
Christine
Just wanted to say congratulations! Enjoy him being little as long as you can!
Thanks for the patterns you’ve posted this past year, and best Christmas wishes for the safe delivery of a healthy baby and happy mom.
Congratulations to you and your family awaiting the birth of your son. I made your blanket pattern for my son for Christmas and it came out beautiful. Thank you for sharing this pattern. I did change it up a bit as far as colors and size of stripes and I used cashmere and merino wool yarns. It is so soft and shows the pattern beautifully. I used your gift tag also.
I liked the blankets I saw and would like to see more. I do lap throws for our VA Hospital so I could use that size. Thank you
Love this pattern. Have made several for gifts using the same yarn and colors.
Thank you so much for this pattern.
Hi Rebecca! Thanks for designing this great pattern! I am making the blanket now and everything was fine till I hit row 47 and did my sc row then the next row I went to do as normal and now the blanket is “buckling” on the 48th row (3rd color) and it looks like I crammed a bunch of stitches in when I didn’t! Have you ever run into this problem? How can I fix it?! Thanks in advance!
Since the pattern doesn’t change, there isn’t any reason that the blanket would start buckling that far in. The only thing I can think is that you must have added (or missed) a couple of stitches somewhere recent. Or did you switch to a different brand of yarn that might be thinner or thicker than what you used on the first couple of colors?
Hello Rebecca,
This-really is a lovely pattern and stitch. I particularly like the stitch because it is textured, consistent and clean looking. It is one stitch that is suitable to a man or boy too as it has a handsome, outdoor, cozy, sit by the fireplace look depending on the colours one uses. Vey versatile. I am going to make for my son-in-law but much larger (maybe 50″x80″) as he is a tall man. Thank you so much for sharing your talents.
Pamela (a happy follower of your blog)