Crochet Basketweave Blanket

Hello! I loved making this giant basketweave blanket! It turned out so soft and squishy! I think it’s because of how the front post double crochet (FPDC) and the back post double crochet (BPDC) work. And also the yarn. I used Caron Simply Soft with a larger hook than I normally do and so the tension loosened up a bit and I’m suggesting you do the same.

Crochet Basketweave Blanket in pink yarn with shell border in progress with hook

Materials

Caron Simply Soft (100% acrylic, 170 g/6 oz, 288 m/315 yds)

8 skeins Strawberry

Size I/5.5mm hook, tapestry needle, scissors

Stitches

Double Crochet (DC): YO, insert your hook, YO and pull up a loop, YO and pull through two loops, YO and pull through remaining two loops.

Front and Back Post Double Crochet (FPDC & BPDC): A front post double crochet means you insert your hook from front to back around the post of the next DC and work a DC. A back post double crochet means you insert your hook from back to front around the post of the next DC and work a DC.

Pattern

The pattern I’m using for this basketweave stitch is a repeat of 14 + 4.  So make your chain as long as you wish. For the yarn amount I suggested buying, I made my blanket 36 inches wide. It turned out to be nine blocks across. (so 9 x 14=126 chains then add 4)

In the 4th chain from hook, DC. DC all the way across. Chain 3 and turn. 

For the next 14 stitches, FPDC, then alternate the next 14 stitches with BPDC. Alternate all the way across your work. Work the very last DC as a regular dc into the chain 3 space. (If you like to DC into the top of the turning chain, feel free. I hate it because it slows me down and I find the border covers the work anyway so I just work into the space) Chain 3 and turn.

Now make sure you are always grabbing around the posts the correct way as you go. You will have blocks that are 14 stitches wide with an extra DC on each end. This keeps the blanket even looking on the ends. I changed directions after ten rows. But look at your work and do your own amount of rows. You might have different yarn or different tension. Stop when you think the block is square and then take note of how many rows you did and then keep it the same throughout.

Pink Crochet Basketweave Blanket draped over wooden basket

Notes

The video clip shows me starting a new row changing from FPDC to BPDC. (Front post double crochet, back post double crochet) the post is the vertical part of the stitch. Instead of inserting your hook into the top of the stitch, under the “v”, you either put your hook in front or behind the post. (Watch the clip you’ll see what I mean. )

For the border, I started by working a SC into each stitch around the whole blanket and 3 SC into each corner. On the sides of the blanket I worked two SC for each DC. I slip stitch when I get back to the start, into the first SC.

A shell stitch is worked over 5 stitches. If you start in a corner, I like to work my SC into that stitch. Then I skip two stitches and work 7 DC into the next stitch. Then I skip over 2 stitches and work a SC. I repeat this pattern around the blanket. But, I fudge a bit on skipping over 2 stitches when I get close to the corners. One, because I do not have the patience to count and make sure everything turns out even. And two, I want a SC to be in the corner. So, look ahead when you’re approaching the corner and make small adjustments to make that happen.

The video clip below shows how I am working a SC plus a chain into the tops of the shells. I am skipping over the SC in between the shells. I am not working anything into that stitch.

I hope you enjoy making this blanket! I did! And it was so good to practice using the FPDC and BPDC. It helped me when I started learning cable stitches.

Pink Crochet Basketweave Blanket draped over silver chair

Feel free to ask any question or leave me a comment if something is unclear. Come and find me on Instagram though! I’m there everyday (almost) and you can leave me a comment there too! 

Feel free to pin this to Pinterest too so you don’t lose the pattern!

Happy Crocheting!

Tiffany