This is a variation of the Colorful Stripe Blanket we recently designed and shared on Yarnpspirations.com. In this variation, I wanted to create a more advanced beginner project. 

In the case of the original blanket, it’s very beginner friendly. You’d change colors mid row, drop the color, and then pick it back up on the return pass, all while using the wide half double crochet for the entire blanket including the border.

In this new version, I changed the stitch pattern to the mesh stitch (SC, CH) and added a half double crochet slip stitch border that I really think adds to the overall design. 

Thanks again to our friends at Yarnspirations.com for sending us the yarn to design with and for sponsoring Daisy Farm Crafts in 2019.

Materials

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

4 skeins White, 1 skein each Light Country Blue, Country Blue, Dark Country Blue, Gold and Heather Grey

Size H/5.00mm hook, scissors, tapestry needle

Size

Finished size 28 in x 31 in

Stitches

Single Crochet (SC): Insert your hook, yarn over (YO) and pull up a loop, YO and pull through two loops.

Half Double Crochet (HDC): YO, insert your hook, YO and pull up a loop, YO and pull through all three loops.

Half Double Slip Stitch (HDSS): YO, insert your hook, YO and pull up a loop and pull directly through two loops on hook.

Slip Stitch (SL ST): Insert your hook, YO, pull up a loop and pull directly through loop on hook.

Pattern

COLOR SEQUENCE: Color A: Country Blue; Color B: Gold, Color C: Light Country Blue, Color D: Dark Country Blue, Color E: Heather Grey

Chain 110 in White. 

Row 1: Begin in the second chain from the hook. Single Crochet (SC), *Chain 1 (CH), skip (SK) the next CH and SC into the next. Repeat from * across the row. CH 1 and turn. 

Rows 2 – 6: SC into SC from the row below, *CH 1, SK the next CH, SC into the next SC. Repeat from * across the row, CH 1 and turn.

(This repeated sequence is called the MESH STITCH and will be repeated throughout the rest of the blanket. What follows is the color changing instructions.)

Row 7: Work the mesh stitch until the 10th SC. In the 10th SC, pull through with Color A, CH 1 with new color, work Mesh Stitch across the next 18 SC, leaving the white behind to be picked up on the return pass. In the 18th SC, pull through with Color B, CH 1 with new color, leave color A behind, and work the Mesh Stitch across the next 18 SC. In the 18th SC, pull through with White (use a new skein). Work the Mesh Stitch to the end of the row, (there will be 9 SC’s) Ch 1 and turn. 

For the rest of the blanket continue with the mesh stitch and working the color changes as and row counts according to the graph below.

For a video tutorial on how to change the colors and pick up and leave colors behind, watch below:

Border

Round 1: After completing the last row of the blanket, don’t turn. Work 2 more SC into the last st. CH 1 and begin working the Mesh Stitch around 3 sides of the blanket, working one SC into the side of one row, and 1 CH across the side of the next row. End with 1 SC in the 4th corner.

Side 1: Do not turn, CH 12. In the 3rd chain from the hook, work 1 HDC.

Tip: for the best looking result, work under both loops of the chain, not just the top loop.

HDC into each of the chain spaces. SL ST to the next st. *Turn and work HDSS into each of the next 10 HDC. CH 1 and turn. HDSS into each stitch (10),  SL ST into the next 2 stitches on the blanket. Repeat from * working down the side. 

Tip: if your border is rippling and ruffling, add more slip stitches in between each row of HDSS. If the opposite is happening and the blanket is rippling, decrease the number of slip stitches. 

Side 2: Work Side one to the middle stitch of the corner and substitute the CH 1 and turn with a CH 12. You will start side 2 on the very outside edge of the border, not next to the blanket. Rotate the blanket so that you are working up the next side. In the 3rd chain from the hook, work 1 HDC. HDC into each of the next 10 chain spaces. SL ST to the next st on the blanket. *Turn and work HDSS into each of the next 10 HDC. CH 1 and turn. HDSS into each stitch (10) SL ST into the next 2 stitches. Repeat from * working down the side. 

Repeat the instructions for Side 2 for Side 3 and 4. When you’ve returned to the starting side, SL ST and cut.

Weave in all the ends.

Come and show us a picture of all the colors you would use in this blanket! We are hoping to see them and share. You are invited to join our Facebook Group or follow the Daisy Farm Crafts Facebook page. Or, you may tag your Instagram posts with #daisyfarmcrafts and if we see it, we may share into our Instagram Stories. 

Happy Crocheting! 

Click here or on image below for printable pattern