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 wasย so excited!ย 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 Designsย —ย 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 threeย 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 atย all.ย (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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This pattern is also available as an ad-free, printable PDF! And if you love PDFs, you might want to check out my All Access Pass. It’s an awesome deal! (Or, scroll down for the free version!)
COMFY SQUARES TEXTURED BLANKET
Level:ย Easy
Size:ย Blanket measures 30″x40″ (stroller blanket or small lap blanket size).ย Pattern is easily adjustable for both length and width.
Hook:ย Kย (6.50mm)
Yarn:ย About 180ย yards of #4ย worsted/aran weight yarn per color block.ย I used Vanna’s Choice (by Lion Brand)ย in color blocks ofย Purple (x2), Linen, Taupe and Gray Marble. Please see Notes section for a helpful note about yarn amounts.
Youโll also need:ย Yarn needle
Gauge:
Not crucial,ย but a row of 10SC = about 3″ in length.
Abbreviationsย Used:
ย ย ST (stitch)
SL ST (slip stitch)
SK (skip)
CH (chain)
SC (single crochet)
HDC (half double crochet)
ย ย ย SC+HDC (this just means to put a single crochet and a half double crochet in the same stitch)
Notes:
(1) This pattern is writtenย 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 aboutย 30 yards of a secondย skein per color block. If that drives you absolutely nuts, you might want to makeย your blanket smaller or larger to avoid having a lotย of leftover yarn. ย ๐
(4) To adjust theย widthย of your blanket, add or subtract from your starting CH (just begin with an odd number of CHs). To adjust theย 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:ย HDC in 2nd CH from hook. (SK next ST, SC+HDC in next ST) across until 1 CHย remains. SC in remaining CH. (100)
Rows 2-22:ย CH1, turn. HDC in 1st ST.ย (SK next ST, SC+HDC in next ST) across until 1 ST remains. SC in remainingย ST. (100)
Row 23:ย 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:ย CH1, turn. SCย in first ST and in each ST across. (100)
Rows 25-46:ย CH1, turn. HDC in 1st ST.ย (SK next ST, SC+HDC in next ST) across until 1 ST remains. SC inย remainingย ST. (100)
Row 47:ย CH1, turn. SCย 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 repeatย Rows 24-47.
Fasten off and weave in all ends.
Thank you so much for this pattern! I was looking for something easy to work up for my sons Christmas gift and as soon as I saw this photo I knew this was the ONE! I appreciate you so so much! ~Paula
This is a fabulous stitch. I just completed a baby blanket for my niece using your pattern, as well as several others I am donating. Easy, can listen to tv without missing a stitch, and lovely to look at with a nice texture as well. Thank you so much for your time, talent, and treasures.
Thank you, thank you and thank you for this awesome pattern! I’ve been looking for something JUST like this for my sons Christmas blanket and couldn’t figure out how I wanted to position my blocks AND what stitches I wanted to use and you just helped me immensely! LOL
I’m making this in a vertical pattern for my daughter. I used 201 for the chain and it’s turning out beautifully. I’m so glad you share your patterns, I love them!
I am also using 201 st for my blanket! Great luck on yours!
Someone posted the link to this pattern on facebook and I had to try it. “I’m in love with the texture.” I have a few Lion Brand “Heartland” skeins of yarn and was looking for something to make with them. This pattern is perfect for them. I have used 1 skein of yarn for one color block. I did add 2 more rows of the pattern so I could use up an entire skein. My first color block measures 32″ long x 7″ wide, using a 101 starting chain and a “K”, 6.5 mm hook.
Thank you for sharing this pattern for free.
I will be following your blog for future ideas.
Susan
hello, I love your patterns, I made your rustic fringe scarf for my sisters birthday, and now I am making this for her for christmas, hopefully it will be done on time, haha, thanks for sharing
I love your colors but I don’t like vanna yarn however I have never made something and then used fabric softener on it. Does it really make it a lot softer. I suppose I could crochet something small and see. Thanks for the pattern. My son in law wants a blanket and this should work minus the purple.
I haven’t used fabric softener so I can’t answer that. Regarding the yarn though, this blanket could be made with any yarn you prefer ๐
Thanks for this wonderful pattern! It is a beautiful blanket and it is super fun and easy to make!!
Hi – I’ve just made this and I absolutely love the pattern. Slight problem – I,ve made it too narrow. Can you recommend a border pattern to go around it?or has anyone done one that doesn’t look out of place.
Thanks
I rarely do borders but when I do it’s usually simple SC ๐
Thank you, Rebecca. You always have the best readable patterns. I look forward to your emails. Thanks again
I love your single/double or half double crochet stitch!! Do you have a pattern for a Christmas tree skirt using this stitch? If not, can you? I think it would be beautiful! ?
That WOULD be beautiful! I’ll have to add that to my pattern brainstorms list ๐
I love the simplicity of it !
I love this stitch combo! I made a purse with it and was wondering if I could sell the pattern or if you would prefer me not to.
Thanks!
I don’t own the stitch combo, so you’re very welcome to create your own patterns with it ๐
Thanks!!
I ordered the two of the grey marble “Vanna’s Choice” just a note for readers, this skein only has 145 yards of yarn, so you are not going to be able to make a full panel (21 rows) from one skein. I wanted to have two panels of grey marble, but I would have to order more yarn. I don’t have alot of leftover yarn in my “project” basket!!
Does this stitch that you use have a specific name? It is super cute. I have completed an afghan using this stitch but can’t post it yet because I have not been able to give it to the recipient yet but when I do, I’ll be sure to link back to your site….. Thanks for sharing all your gorgeous work with us!
It is a modified Grit Stitch. ๐
I live this pattern! I just recently learned how to crochet and have just started this project for my first afghan ๐ I am using a bulkier yarn, so the squares aren’t as distinct as yours. But I love how it looks! And the nice thing about that is I didn’t need to adjust the chain as the chunky yarn makes it wider already!
Is there any chance you would make a quick video clip showing how to make this. I’m very new to crochet and have a difficult time following written instructions. I guess I’m a visual learner.
Video tutorials aren’t an easy thing for me at this stage because I have two little boys running around all the time, but I hope to be able to put some more of my patterns on video soon. ๐
This is just beautiful. Great choice of colors and the pattern, although simple, looks very rich. Great job. I would like to try this and make a gift for my daughter. Thank you so much.