How To Crochet: Blanket Stitch
By Robin Beers – 309 Comments| This easy stitch is perfect for an afghan or blanket. It is just sets of 3 stitches, one single crochet and two doubles. Once you get into the hang of it, you can do it in your sleep! Use it for a baby blanket in a pretty pink or blue or for a regular afghan with bright colors! You can change colors after a few rows for a multicolored effect. |  |
The photo above is a baby blanket I am working on for charity. I am using a J-hook for this with worsted yarn. Decide how wide you want your blanket to be and chain the proper number in multiples of 3. I chained 108 for this blanket and it is about 31 inches wide. For more blanket patterns using similar stitches, click here. Oh, and by the way, feel free to try this stitch on a scarf if you want! Experiment!
Note: If you are left handed, just put your mouse over the photo for a left-handed view.
Start with a foundation row of a multiple of 3 chains.
Row 1: Make 2 double crochets in the 3rd chain from the hook.
*Skip 2 ch. Make 1 sc in next ch.
Make 2 double crochet in the same ch.
Repeat from * to the end of row 1 ending with 1 sc in the last ch.
Row 2: Chain 2, turn, make 2 dc in first sc.
**Skip the next 2 dc, Make sc and 2 dc in next sc.
Repeat from ** across ending with 1 sc in the top of the ch-2.
Repeat Row 2 until desired length is made.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask.
Update: A lot of folks have asked about a border for their finished project. You can add any border that you like! If you want to use the same stitch pattern for your border, you can use the row 1 instructions but work it around the edge of the blanket. Instead of working into chains, you’ll be working into the sides of stitches that are along the edge of the blanket. If you are worried about spacing your stitches, you can use this tutorial first: Crochet Finish Technique: “Crochet Evenly Around†to create a regular single crochet border. Then crochet the edging into the single crochets.
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Such a cute little scrubber that would make.
I learned this as single, half double, double. So, when I read this entry, I grabbed a hook and some yarn and tried a swatch both ways. It does end up looking very different – a whole different texture to the finished fabric. Thanks for the idea; another easy and quick pattern!
You’re welcome, Diane. Yes, it does have a nice texture to it, and it is so easy! 🙂
What a pretty stitch and blanket! Does it use up a lot of yarn to make a decent sized baby blanket?
Oh I have to try this. Thanks.
Megan, I used a 16 ounce skein of yarn – lionbrand – and it made a nice sized blanket – about 31 inches square.
I have been planning to make lap blankets for Christmas gifts this year, but have yet to find a quick, easy pattern I liked. I think I just found it! 🙂
The most amazing and awesome and exciting thing to me I have seen in awhile. When I was first learning how to crochet in the early 70’s I couldn’t find a magazine with a picture of a left handed demonstration. We had no internet of course. It took a couple of people helping me before I felt comfortable on my own. Now, we just put our mouse over a wonderfully detailed, color photo and whammy. A beautiful left handed picture.
Being left handed has a few advantaged in life but crocheting hasn’t been one of them for me!
Thank you!
BTW…Love the blanket stitch :o)
I’m curious to know how everyone feels about the red heart brand yarn versus more expensive or softer ones. I want to try this blanket stitch for my son and just wondered if I should try a different brand of yarn
Hi Jamie,
I just made that cream colored blanket in the photo with the Lionbrand pound of Love yarn and it was inexpensive and soft too! Red Heart brand yarn is very good too – There are some varieties that are softer than others – one I like is called “Red Heart Soft Yarn”. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to get nice yarn, in my opinion. 🙂
thanks
I live in the UK. Are your patterns from the USA? Stitches are named differently here.
Yes, Ann, I am from the USA and I do use the standard pattern codes for the US. Here is a link for the abbreviations:
http://www.crochetspot.com/crochet-abbreviations/ and a link for how to read patterns:
http://www.crochetspot.com/how-to-read-crochet-patterns/
Hope this helps! 🙂
This is such a pretty stitch, I’m making an afghan, would be a perfect stitch for it 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
I like this stitch. I have know how to crochet all my life but I usually only do afghans. When I got sick I stopped doing the more difficult stitch combinations. This one is so simple yet looks so pretty. I will definitely try it.
Jamie had asked peoples opinion on Red Heart yarn. I love it! its really the only yarn I use if I can get by with it. Occasionally I will buy others but I feel it you haven’t bought enough yarn in a dye lot the additional skeins won’t be much off. Also the thread doesn’t unravel like some others.
Lovely stitch pattern!!
Looks like an easy to remember pattern. Will try it soon.
Excellent – thanks. I have been wanting to make my step father a knee rug for watching TV – we are heading into winter here – but i couldn’t decide on a pattern. This is it.
I do single crochet, double crochet,….. and then reversed….double over single and single over double and get a similar affect. Everyone thinks I am doing something “fancy”. Very warm!
Alright, to do a border how would I do that first row? I’m planning on sc. Would I just do sc in each stitch on the top of the blanket? And then 2 sc is each row end of the sides?
This looks gorgeous (so does that pretty pink yarn)!! Can you recommend a pattern that has this stitch please? Thank you! I’ll add it to my crochet “to do” list.
Jamie, I would recommend a border just like you were doing the stitches. This way it will have a scallop edge.
Denise – These directions are actually the pattern. That’s how easy it is!
I’m really new at crochet and trying to make an afghan. I can’t seem to keep it even, its getting narrower. Can you give me some hints. Also what is a normal size for an afghan (how many stitches.) I think I messed it up and need to re-start. But its been good practice and I love how this pattern looks.
you need to count your stitches, you’re probably missing one at the end of each row and it’s getting narrower. I’m making one it’s 166 stitches but I just made a chain and measured the width of me and a little extra. It takes practice but if you count your stitches before you turn its easier to fix a mistake on the row your working on then to tear it out 10 rows later 🙂
Hi Sunny,
What you have described is a common problem for beginner crocheters. It could mean that you are changing your tension as you go. You may be making the stitches tighter which could cause it to get narrower. Or you could be missing a stitch. As you go along, make sure you are holding the yarn comfortable, don’t tense up. The pattern in this tutorial calls for 108 chains across to start. If you are just beginning to crochet, I would recommend practicing smaller – maybe even make a few pot holders until you get your rhythm going. Once you get the hang of it, you can go bigger. Hope this helps. 🙂
Thank you for a lovely alternative to my typical dc stitch that i use on all of my afghans. Using dc is such a nobrainer i can do the roswith my eyes closed. The blanket stitch ( once you count out the chains) is really easy. My family and friends will be so happy (and impressed) when they see the new blanket xtitch i will now use. The tutorials on your website rachel are great and i love the pictures.
Thank you again and keep up the good work!
This came out awesome. I was making a neat pattern of stripes for an afghan for a gentleman friend of mine. I am going to start over with a variegated and watch my stitches better! (the weird blanket is going in the car as car blanket its weird and oblong on one end but warm) I was a whole three inches wider for the first twenty rows then it shrank and evened out because of me trying to fix bo bos without pulling. I would not have done this but that’s what happens when you get several stitches in at work and people start bothering you. Hello Winter now no one but regulars will be around and I will be happy to be able to stitch away on other things and not have everyone fouling me up. “Where’s mine?” To which I replied “Where’s the yarn for it and some $$$ and no its not a sweater.” Why must people be silly enough to assume that everything you make is a sweater?
Such a lovely pattern! I was hunting for an easy (and quick!) baby blanket pattern. This will be perfect. Thanks!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE that I can mouse-over for a left-handed view. BRILLIANT and so very very helpful! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
I was looking for a quick crochet pattern for a baby blanket needed asap. Thanks, will try this one. AND THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE LEFT HANDED PHOTO OPTION…..I’ve never seen that before!! It’s very helpful.
Just discovered this tutorial and I LOVE THIS STITCH! I have gotten tiired of making the same shell stitches all the time, and this is just perfect for an afghan or even a scarf that is not so lacy as a shell stitch, but is still pretty. Thank you, Robin!
I really like this stitch and was wondering if I could get a suggestion on how long a chain I should make for an adult size blanket? Thanks in advance for any responses.
Hi Deanna, the length of the chain would depend on your yarn thickness, hook size and tension, so it’s difficult to say how many chains you should make without know all of this. But you can start by crocheting a chain that is as wide as you want your blanket to be.
Do you have this pattern in printable form Thanks
Myrtis, you can use the print function in your internet browser. Each page here on Crochet Spot is coded to be printer friendly, so it should print out nice and neatly when you print it using your browser.
I love this stitch. AND as a lefty, I love the way you give the lefty view. So many people try to say you should teach yourself by holding it in your right hand regardless… makes it frustrating to try. This is so cool.
Thank you!!!!!! I made my first “straight on the sides” blanket thanks to your pattern and it came out perfect!!! lol…. Easy directions for me and super fast to make!!!
Hugs,
Janine
Being able to have left-handed photos is great! Thanks.
Using different sized hooks also slightly changes the texture. I love this stitch! I used cotton yarn and made my daughter a washcloth with it. 🙂
I love this stitch. I use it for baby blankets. I use the double strand. A strand of pink or yellow and a strand of white with N needle. Easy and fast and looks like it was hard.
Hi Robin,
I love the pattern and plan to use it. Since this will be my first baby blanket ever (I’ll be a grandma soon), how much yarn will I need? (I will use Bernat Softee Baby)
How do you finish corners and the border?
Can I use this pattern to make baby cocoon?
TIA
I ‘m also trying to do a blanket for a baby ..so first I start out with the single and then I do the double for each..But my question is when u start to make it does it come out to look like a scarf ..Because that’s how mines is looking like..Am I doing it right
My yarn is light brown and my hook is light pink so I wanted to know am I doing it right..?
Hi Yvonne, you are probably doing it correctly if you’re following the directions in the tutorial. Keep doing a few more rows, and see if you like it. It’ll look like a scarf in the beginning only because you’re blanket is very narrow. When you add more rows, it’ll start to take the blanket shape.
Thank You very much..Yay im doing it right YES!!!!!! ..Thank you very much
Thank you for this pattern, Rachel. I have now made eight afghans for my family. It is easy and turns out beautifully.
I’ve just bought a load of wool with the intention of making a throw/blanket,I’ve been looking for a new pattern idea and this is perfect,thankyou 🙂
I’ve just started making my niece a blanket with this pattern and I love it! I’m not new to crocheting, but I am not an expert by any means. I was wondering if there’s a way to show how to put an edge/border with this pattern. I’d really love to make a pink blanket and add a chocolate brown border. Thanks!
I am brand new to crocheting, Well, that’s not quite true…I did learn how in the 70’s, but have not crocheted since then! My second granddaughter will be born in Sept. 2012, and I want to crochet a blanket for her. My mother used to crochet and made a few things for my kids when they were born and I still have them. Since she has passed, I want to carry on her tradition. BTW, I am a quilter, so this is totally a new adventure for me!
I am using Baby Bee yarn. What size hook do you recommend to use with this yarn? Does the type of yarn determine how big the blanket will be? So should I add more chain stitches? Thank you so much for your help!
Have you thought of starting a Flickr group so we all can post pictures of our completed projects? It would be so fun and helpful to see other people’s work. Just an idea!
Hi Jackie, yes, the thickness of the yarn and the size hook you use will alter the size of the blanket. I’m not sure what weight of yarn the Baby Bee yarn is, but if you look on the packaging it should say along with what hook it recommends. You can also use the table in this post to help you decide what hook to use: Types of Yarn and Recommended Crochet Hooks and Gauges
At the beginning of the tutorial, it says that you can “decide how wide you want your blanket to be and chain the proper number in multiples of 3”, meaning you can make the beginning chain as long as you want the blanket to be, as long as the chain is a multiple of 3.
I don’t have a Flickr group but you’re more than welcomed to submit a photo to add to the roundup that we have on the site. Here are the roundups if you’re interested: Crochet Roundups
I love your patterns. Question: In Row 2 of the blanket stitch after you ch 2, do you do the 2 dc in the first st of the motif ( 1 sc, 2 dc) ?
Thanks
Hi Cathy, you’ll do the 2 dc in first sc, then skip the next 2 dc, then make the 1 sc and 2 dc in next sc.
While I’m not left-handed, I love how you did the lefty instructions! Thanks for the stitch how-to! 🙂
Loving this pattern. It goes so fast! Thank you.
This is such a wonderfully satisfying (and simple) stitch that creates an intriguing pattern, particularly with vareigated yarns. People are always asking me: What stitch is THAT? (Have given several impromptu demos in coffee shops and other public places!)
I made a baby blanket using this pattern for my soon to be born granddaughter! It was the first crochet project that I have attempted since junior high school! This was a fun (and fast) blanket to make. The directions were so easy to follow. Thanks for a great pattern!
Can you tell me how much yarn is needed to make this blanket? Yardage would be helpful. I will probably start as suggested, with 108 chains. Just your best guess, please.
making a scarf using this stitch and love it. If you notice, it has little heart shapes all in it as well. Mine does anyways. LOL. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for the pattern and for doing the left hand it helps me a lot since I’m left handed.