My darling niece Sadie is off to start her freshman year in college! This beautiful girl is the daughter of my baby sister Natalee. I wanted to make her a blanket to celebrate her high school graduation and have it also double as one that she could use in her dorm room.

However, I actually didn’t have the time this summer to make it for her, but after chatting with Natalee, we decided to collaborate. I provided the yarn and Natalee provided the crochet hands. Group effort for the win! 

Sadie chose the Herringbone Mixed Stripe Throw as the inspiration for her throw, and since she is going to school in Idaho, I chose Bernat Forever Fleece as the yarn, to keep her extra warm this winter. 

The Herringbone Mixed Stripe Throw, is one of our classic designs made by my daughter Nicolina. It is a beautiful blanket, but the original yarn we used to make it has been discontinued. Subbing Forever Fleece presented us with a bit of a challenge in that we had to change up the stripe pattern a bit. So, Natalee consulted with Nicolina and Sadie’s college throw is a variation of the original blanket. 

We have a stitch video you can watch if you need a refresher on the herringbone half double crochet stitch. It is a slight variation to a double crochet that makes a stitch that is a bit flatter with great stitch definition. 

Let’s get to the pattern! Be sure and scroll to the end of the post for the free printable pdf. 

Materials

Bernat Forever Fleece (100% polyester, Ball Size: 280 g/9.9 oz, 177 m/194 yds)

4 Balsam, 3 Bergamot, 2 Matcha

Size L/8.0 mm hook, tapestry needle and scissors

Finished size 45 in x 65 in 

Stitch

Herringbone Half Double Crochet (HHDC): Yarn over, insert your hook, yarn over and pull a loop back through and continue pulling through first loop on the hook. Yarn over and pull through final two loops on hook.

Pattern

Chain 126 in Bergamot. (If you’d like to make your blanket bigger or smaller, chain any number.)

ROW 1: Starting in the 3rd chain from the hook, work 1 HHDC in each chain. On final stitch, pull through with Balsam, cut Bergamot, CH 1 and turn. 

ROW 2: Work 1 HHDC in each stitch across the row. CH 1 and turn. 

Repeat row 2 for the rest of the blanket but follow the color chart for the color changes.

Note: You can choose to chain 2 after every row if you wish. We only chained 1 to keep the sides neater looking, but it does make it tricky to find the last stitch. A great way to find it, is to mark the first stitch you make in each row, so on the return pass, you’ll know it is the last stitch of the row. 

To change colors: On your last stitch in the row, YO and insert your hook into the chain space, YO and pull through stitch and through the first loop on the hook. You should have two loops on your hook. This is where you lay the new color over your hook and pull through to finish the stitch with your new color. Make sure to leave at least a 6 to 9 inch tail when you cut the previous color.

Here’s how we did the color changes: 1 row of Bergamot, 12 rows Balsam, 12 rows Matcha, 1 row Balsam, 18 rows Bergamot, 1 row Balsam, 4 rows Matcha, 1 row Bergamot, 14 rows Balsam, 1 row Matcha, 4 rows Balsam, 8 rows Bergamot, 2 row Balsam

Border

Weave in all ends with your tapestry needle. 

Tassels: I made my tassels about 6 inches long in Balsam. I spaced them about 6 rows apart. Here’s how to make and add tassels to the blanket. 

Good luck Sadie on your new college adventure! You are going to have the best time and stay warm!! 

All my love, Aunt Tiff

Click here or image below to download printable pdf.