CROSS STITCH BLANKET
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Materials used : Today I’ve used 4 x 100gms of 4-Seasons Stallion 8-ply acrylic with a 4 mm crochet hook ;
This yarn is not specific for this project.
You can use any yarn with a suitable hook to make this project to any size.
For Indians : You could use Anchor , Red rose ; Red rose metallic or unbranded knitting cotton as well as Oswal and Vardhaman acrylic yarns
International yarns : Among the international yarns I have used, I’d suggest Aunt Lydia Cotton 10, Aunt Lydia Bamboo-Viscose 10, DMC Petra, Sullivans knitting cotton (Australia), Milford Soft, Hilaza Rustica Eclat , Alize cotton yarn and Alize bamboo yarn.
Skill level : Intermediate to advanced
Size made : 36" X 42"
Size only given for yarn estimation. You can make this to any size you want.
Sizing chart for blankets :
https://in.pinterest.com/pin/470063279839582572/. or https://in.pinterest.com/pin/212795151123420585/
Abbreviations used : (Using U.S terminology)
lp(s) : Loop(s) hk : Hook
dc : Double crochet sp : Space
sl-st : Slip stitch ch : Chain
st(s) : Stitch(es) sk : skip
yo : Yarn Over
fsc : Foundation single crochet
Stitches used : (Using US terminology)
Starting slip knot : https://youtu.be/lJcqsVcs8cw
Starting slip knot 1 or the Sloppy Slip knot : https://youtu.be/YfC7KmGpifs
How to hold your yarn in crochet : https://youtu.be/FwOlCbGdbqY
What is a chain stitch ? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXx5ukBjKkY
What is a slip stitch : https://youtu.be/weB3QNbA8Iw
Magic circle : https://youtu.be/ISC39yOqWro
Instructions using U.S terminology
Please note that I start all my rows with a ch 1, turning chain for ease.
Please check the top of this blog for easy video tutorials on all stitches used in today's pattern. For your convenience there video tutorials through the blog too
Please read through all my notes before you pick up your hook, so you know just where we're heading in our pattern.
In my patterns I use the concept of stitch count. This means that you will work the pattern, using this stitch count, for the length / width needed for your project. This ensures that you can use any yarn with a suitable hook to make this project to any size you want.
For today's project, we will start with a row of foundation single crochet that will be the length (or width - basically one side) of your blanket.
I always urge you to try the fsc as it is a great way to start projects and if you haven't before, here's your chance.
Now today we're working on a blanket, but you could use this same idea to make this into a scarf or wrap.
At the end of the scarf, you could add tassels and make it dressy.
For the wrap, you could end with a row of picot on both sides, or work the border pattern and then work tassels too.
How to work a picot stitch : Traditionally for a ch-3 picot, you work (ch 3, sl-st in 3rd ch from hook). For a ch-5 picot, you will do (ch 5, sl-st in 5th ch from hook).
Here’s a great video https://youtu.be/8s3zVaBcn4s
OK so back to today's blanket.
We will then work the pattern from side to side in rows, till you get the length you want for your blanket. Check the top of this blog for blanket sizes.
I am going to work a small border all around my blanket.
My border pattern is about 4" each side, so please work for less for the body of the blanket, especially if you are making a specific size
Of course, if you (like me) are not that fussy about sizes and are using the sizing chart only as a guideline - then a few inches more will not bring the roof down.. in which case, just work the length and width as given in the charts (for blanket sizes), and we just add on the border and have it a few inches larger than given.
The stitch count is in multiples of 6 + 5
Foundation Single Crochet : fsc : https://youtu.be/mcT85fwh4mA
Start Row 1 : with fsc in multiples of 6 + 5 for the length you want for your blanket.
Turn.
Please make a note of your starting number of stitches, so you can finish with the same number for neatness.
Double Crochet : dc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (3 lps on hk);
[yo, draw through 2 lps] twice. One dc made.
Check out the video at https://youtu.be/xdnjB27zpYo
Chainless start for Double Crochet : I dislike the ch-2 / ch – 3 start, and this is what I do to start my row of dc.
Check out the video at https://youtu.be/wskv3iTjRx0
In our pattern we will use a "Crossed stitch", which is 2 dc crossed over like a cross stitch X.
The crossed stitch is worked over 3 stitches.
We will work the 1st dc by skipping 2 stitches, and then working the dc ;
ch 1, and then the 2nd leg of this X is worked by going back and working on the 1st skipped st.
When we complete the stitch, we have a X worked over 3 stitches, with one skipped stitch in between.
Row 2 : dc in the 1st fsc ;
work Crossed stitch over the next 3 sts
[sk next 2 sts and work the 1st dc - which is the 3rd st of this set ;
ch 1, and work dc in the 1st st of this set] ;
*dc in the next 3 sts ; Crossed stitch over the next 3 sts* ;
rep *to* till end ;
dc in the last fsc. Turn.
Row 3 : dc in the 1st dc ;
*3 dc in the next ch-1 sp (of the Crossed stitch) ;
Crossed stitch over the next 3 sts* ;
rep *to* till end ;
dc in the last dc. Turn.
Row 4 : dc in the 1st dc ;
*Crossed stitch over the next 3 sts ;
3 dc in the next ch-1 sp (of the Crossed stitch)* ;
rep *to* till end ;
dc in the last dc. Turn.
Here's a video tutorial for the Crossed stitch.
In case the video does not come on automatically, go to https://youtu.be/KFUfvzRokaY
Rep Rows 3 & 4 till you have the length you want for your blanket.
Remember that we're going to work a small border - and for me this is about 4" each side, so remember to work for 8" inch less
When you reach the length that you want for your blanket, let's work a row of sc to finish.
Remember the number of stitches you started with - so this row has to have the same number for neatness.
Last Row : Work 1 sc in each dc and each ch-sp all the way to the end.
Do not fasten off.
Go straight to the border instructions.
Border :
Our stitch count for the border is in multiples of 5
This means that you need a multiple of 5 on each side. The number does not need to be the same for all four sides. It does need to be the same for the two parallel sides (i.e. the top and bottom need to be the same and the two sides need to be same)
First, let us first work a round of sc all around.
Keeping the stitch count in mind, work as many sc as needed to get the count right.
I would suggest adding rather than subtracting stitches to get the count right.
Now remember you started with a row of fsc, so you do not need to work sc along that side. However, if you do not have the right number for the border, please work a round of stitches all around.
You have ended on the last row, so turn your work by 90° and work along the side of your blanket. You will be working along the horizontal bars of the dc, so work 2 sc in each dc bar all the way down.
Note the number of stitches you work for evenness.
At the end of the row, you can either work a sl-st all the way along the fsc starting row, or you can fasten off and re-attach your yarn at the other end to work sc along that end.
Border pattern Round 1 : dc in the 1st st ;
(ch 1, sk next dc, dc in the next dc) ;
rep (to) all the way to the 1st corner ;
[ch 1, dc in the same corner dc] ;
*rep (to) all the way to the next corner ;
rep [to] in the same corner* ;
rep *to* all the way to the end ;
ch 1 and join to the 1st dc.
At the end of this round check to see that you have the stitch count as required.
This is the pattern I have worked for the border.
Each black block is 3 dc ; each light grey is a dc, and the space in between 2 grey lines is a ch-1 sp.
Border pattern Round 2 : dc in the 1st st ;
[dc in the 1st ch-1 sp ; dc in the next dc] ;
{(ch 1, dc in the next dc) ;
rep (to) 3 times ;
rep [to] once} ;
*rep {to} till the next corner ; dc in the last dc ;
<dc ; ch 1 , dc> in the corner ch-1 sp* ;
rep *to* all the way to the end ;
dc in the last dc ;
ch 1 and join to the 1st dc.
Border pattern Round 3 : dc in the 1st 2 sts ;
(ch 1, dc in the next dc) ;
rep (to) once ;
[dc in the next ch-1 sp ; dc in the next dc] ;
{ (ch 1, dc in the next dc) ;
rep (to) once ;
rep [to] once} ;
*rep {to} till the next corner ; dc in the last dc ;
rep (to) once ;
<dc ; ch 1 , dc> in the corner ch-1 sp* ;
rep *to* all the way to the end ;
rep (to) once ;
dc in the last dc ;
ch 1 and join to the 1st dc.
Border pattern Round 4 : dc in the 1st 2 sts ;
(ch 1, dc in the next dc) ;
rep (to) 2 times ;
[dc in the next ch-1 sp ; dc in the next dc] ;
rep [to] once ;
{ (ch 1, dc in the next dc) ;
rep (to) 2 times ;
rep [to] 2 times} ;
*rep {to} till the next corner ; dc in the last dc ;
rep (to) once ;
<dc ; ch 1 , dc> in the corner ch-1 sp* ;
rep *to* all the way to the end ;
rep (to) once ;
dc in the last dc ;
ch 1 and join to the 1st dc.
This is about 2" (so 4" to your blanket in total)
I had a little yarn left and wanted a frillier border, so I worked a few rounds of ch-3 sps all around.
Border pattern Round 5 : sc in the 1st dc ;
{ (ch 3, sc in the next dc) ;
rep (to) 3 times ;
[ch 3, sk next dc, sc in the next dc] } ;
*rep {to} till the corner dc ;
<dc ; ch 1, dc> in the corner ch-1 sp* ;
rep *to* all around and join with a sl-st to the 1st dc.
I worked a total of 9 round (so rep Border pattern round 5 8 times) for the frilly border of my blanket.
Notes to remember :
1) Work the (dc ; ch 1, dc) in each corner ch-1 sp, even for the border round 5 and all following rounds
2) Check that you border lies flat at the end of each row (so from one side to the other). In case it does not, please add (ch 1, dc) just before that corner set of stitches and it will stay flat. This goes for all rounds
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Block as per yarn requirements.
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Here are some of my older blanket / granny square creations. Have fun with these free patterns too
