The griddle stitch is most commonly used in clothing as it creates a solid-looking fabric without being so linear as crochet stitches. This is designed as a one-row repeat, but with the colour changing after every four rows, I used a back loop only to create a step look. You can opt to skip that if you aren't happy.
The back of the blanket, shown further down in this article, shows how it would look if you didn't do the back loops only.
Options
The blanket's right side (RS) has the stepped texture on the 6th and 10th rows. It creates a ridge using the black loops only. No stepping appears on the blanket's back.
If you want to skip doing the back loop only, your blanket on both sides will look like the back of the blanket. It's still lovely, but I preferred the step look on the front.
You can decide what you prefer.
Materials
Size: 42” wide by 36” long. I intended to use the stripes vertically down.
This is a great stash-busting project to finish up any balls you may have. I used leftovers from one of the stitch-alongs from years ago.
Bernat Blanket Yarn - 300g / 10.5 oz, 201 meters / 220 yards
A - Faded Blues 1 - 2 Balls
B - Seagull Grey - 2 Balls
Hook Size: 10 mm / N/15GAUGE = 8 sc and 7 rows = 4” [10 cm]
Abbreviations
Approx = Approximately
Beg = Beginning
Ch = Chain(s)
Dc = Double crochet
Dcblo = Double crochet back loop only
Rep = Repeat
RS = Right side
Sc = Single crochet
Scblo = Single crochet back loop only
Sl st = Slip stitch
Sp(s) = Space(s)
St(s) = Stitch(es)
WS = Wrong side
Instructions
With A, ch 79. Multiples of 2 chs + 1.
1st row: WS. 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook. 1 sc in each st across. Turn.
Tip: Mark 2nd row as right side (RS) to keep track for the edging.
2nd to 5th rows: Ch 1, 1 sc in first st, 1 dc in next. *1 sc in next st, 1 dc in next. Rep from * across. Turn. Break A at the end of the 5th row.
6th row: With B, attach with sl st to beg st back loop only. Ch 1, 1 scblo in first st, 1 dcblo in next. *1 scblo in next st, 1 dcblo in next. Rep from * across. Turn.
7th to 9th rows: Ch 1, 1 sc in first st, 1 dc in next. *1 sc in next st, 1 dc in next. Rep from * across. Turn. Break B at the end of the 5th row.
10th row to 13th rows: Use A. Rep 6th to 9th rows.
Rep 6th to 13th row 4 more times.
Do not break yarn at the end of the last repeat when finishing up the blanket.
Last row: Ch 1, 1 sc in each st across. Break.
Edging
Tip: The starting chain has only 1 skipped stitch. When evenly spacing the single crochet around, only place one single crochet in the spaces on the beginning chain.
1st rnd: With RS facing, with B, join with sl st to any corner, ch 1, 3 sc in same corner. 1 sc evenly around the blanket placing 3 sc in each corner. Join with sl st to beg sc.
2nd rnd: Ch 3 in same st as join. 3 dc in next st. 1 dc in each st to the st before the middle sc of a corner. *3 dc in corner st, 1 dc in each st to next corner. Rep from * around. Join with sl st to top of beg ch 3. Fasten off.
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Crochet Diagram
Tutorial
Chain 79 to match the blanket shown above. The only thing missing is using the back loop only on the 6th and 10th rows.
Another Palliative Care Blanket
Peg Murphy says
How do I start row 6th row in the Griddle Stitch Palliative Care blanket?
Mikey says
I'm sorry. I don't understand the question. Can you elabourate?