Crochet Inspired Stripe Sampler Blanket
In search of decluttering and hooking out some of your yarn collection? I may have a solution where changing yarns is encouraged.
I stumbled across the Crochet Inspired Striped Blanket and was so intrigued about the stitches used. I had instant questions such as the following:
- How many different stitches are there? The answer is 6.
- What are the multiples of the stitches if I wanted to pull them from this blanket and use them elsewhere? They vary from stitch to stitch.
- How do the stitches get back to being flat to continue onward to the blanket? The last section of each stitch combo returns it back to being flat.
Of course, with my trusty HB Pencil and spare paper, I drew the diagrams for each one of these to figure out the multiples. I realized that most of the stitches have different multiples and I wondered if there was a smaller stitch multiple if I wanted to adjust the size. So I have answers for that.
This pattern was designed by Marianne Forrestal for Red Heart.
Stitch Multiples
When using all 6 stitches in the same afghan, the stitch multiple is 120+2. If you look at the pattern, you will chain 122 to start. It is the Laced Columns in this pattern that has 10+2 that make the stitch multiple so high. So the next time the stitch multiple meets up is 240+2.
If you omit the Laced Columns from this pattern, the stitch multiple can be as low as 24+2.
- Wave Pattern - 8+2
- Zig-Zag Pattern - 3+2
- Cluster Pattern - 2
- Shell Pattern - 6+2
- Laced Columns Pattern - 10+2
- Polka Dot Pattern - 2
Stitch Sampler Video Series
The stitch sampler video series is intended on showing you how to do each of the stitching sections for this afghan.
The video is being presented to showcase the stitch multiples of the particular stitch but you can also use the same counts to do the blanket.
Essentially, the videos allow you to complete this project but also be able to use each of the 6 different stitches on their own or even omit a stitch inside this afghan to crochet it your way.
Remember, the full instructions that are typed below are available for download above. Hit that BLUE PATTERN BUTTON above.
Abbreviations
- A, B, C, etc. = Color A, Color B, Color C. etc.
- ch = chain
- dc = double crochet
- hdc = half double crochet
- sc = single crochet
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- tr = treble crochet
- () = work directions in parentheses into same st
- [ ] = work directions in brackets the number of times specified
- * = repeat whatever follows the * as indicated
Special Stitches
- StitchesCl (3 double crochet cluster) = Yarn over, insert hook in indicated stitch, yarn over and pull up loop, yarn over, draw through 2 loops on hook (2 loops remain on hook); [yarn over, insert hook in same stitch, yarn over and pull up loop, yarn over, draw through 2 loops] 2 times, yarn over, draw through all 4 loops on hook.
- dc2tog (double crochet 2 stitches together) = Yarn over, insert hook in first indicated stitch or space, yarn over and pull up loop, yarn over, draw through 2 loops on hook (2 loops remain on hook – first leg completed), yarn over, insert hook in next indicated stitch or space, yarn over and pull up loop, yarn over, draw through 2 loops on hook; yarn over, draw through all 3 loops on hook (2nd leg completed). Note: A stitch or ch-space is often skipped between the two legs of the dc2tog in this design.
- dc5tog (double crochet 5 stitches together) = [Yarn over, insert hook in next stitch, yarn over and pull up loop, yarn over, draw through 2 loops] 5 times, yarn over, draw through all 6 loops on hook.
- dcV (double crochet V stitch) = (Dc, ch 1, dc) in indicated stitch or space.
- hdcV (half double crochet V-stitch) = (Hdc, ch 2, hdc) in indicated stitch or space.
- long-slip st (long slip stitch) = Insert hook in indicated stitch 3 rows below, yarn over and pull loop even with current row and through loop on hook. Note: Skip the stitch (covered by the long stitch) in the row in which you would usually work.
- long-tr (long treble crochet) = [Yarn over] twice, insert hook in indicated stitch 3 rows below, yarn over and pull up a loop even with current row, [yarn over and draw through 2 loops on hook] twice. Note: Skip the stitch (covered by the long stitch) in the row in which you would usually work.
- shell = 5 dc in indicated stitch or space.
Colours suggested are as follows:
RED HEART® Super Saver®: 2 skeins each of 316 Soft White A, 3950 Charcoal E, and 1 skein each of 520 Minty B, 726 Coral
Wave Pattern
Stitch multiple is 8+2.
With any size hook and yarn that compliments the size of the hook. Use two colours to make this stitchwork pop.
Ch in multiples of 8+2.
Row 1 (right side): Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn.
Row 2: With A, ch 3 (counts as first dc), turn, dc in next sc, hdc in next sc, sc in next 3 sc, hdc in next sc, *dc in next 3 sc, hdc in next sc, sc in next 3 sc, hdc in next sc; repeat from * to last 2 sc, dc in last 2 sc and change to B in last st. Turn.
Row 3: With B, ch 1, turn, sc in each st across working last sc in top of beginning ch-3. Turn
Row 4: With B, ch 1, turn, sc in first 2 sc, hdc in next sc, dc in next 3 sc, hdc in next sc, *sc in next 3 sc, hdc in next sc, dc in next 3 sc, hdc in next sc; rep from * to last 2 sc, sc in last 2 sc and change to A in last st. Turn.
Row 5: With A, ch 1, turn, sc in each st across working last sc in top of beginning ch-3. Turn
Rows 6–13: Repeat Rows 2–5 twice.
You can repeat for more or just finish off.
Tutorial
Zig Zag Pattern
Stitch multiple is 3+2.
With any size hook and yarn that compliments the size of the hook. Use two colours to make this stitchwork pop.
Ch in multiples of 3+2
Row 1 (right side): Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn.
Row 2: With A, ch 1, turn, (sc, ch 3, dc) in first sc, *skip next 2 sc, (sc, ch 3, dc) in next sc; repeat from * to last 3 sc, skip next 2 sc, sc in last sc and change to C. Turn.
Row 3: With C, ch 3 (counts as sc, ch 2), turn, dc in first sc, (sc, ch 3, dc) in each ch-3 space to last ch-3 space, sc in last ch-3 space, ch 2, dc in last sc and change to A. Turn.
Row 4: With A, ch 1, turn, sc in first dc, ch 3, dc in first ch-2 space, (sc, ch 3, dc) in each ch-3 space across, sc in top of beginning ch-3 and change to C. Turn.
Rows 5 and 6: Repeat Rows 3 and 4, do not change to C at the end of Row 6. Turn.
Row 7: With A, ch 1, turn, sc in first sc, 3 sc in each ch-3 space to last ch-3 space, 2 sc in last ch-3 space, sc in last sc. Turn.
You can continue to repeat for more and just finish off.
Tutorial
On Production Table
Cluster Pattern
Stitch multiple is 2.
With any size hook and yarn that compliments the size of the hook. Use two colours to make this stitchwork pop.
Ch in multiples of 2.
Row 1 (right side): Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn.
Row 2: With A, ch 2 (counts as first hdc), turn, hdc in next sc, *skip next sc, hdcV in next sc; repeat from * to last 3 sc, skip next sc, hdc in last 2 sc and change to D in last st. Turn.
Row 3: With D, ch 3 (counts as first dc), turn, dc in next hdc, *ch 1, Cl in ch-2 space of next hdcV; repeat from *across, ch 1, dc in last hdc, dc in top of beginning ch-2 and change to A. Turn.
Row 4: With A, ch 2 (counts as hdc), turn, hdc in next dc, hdcV in each Clacross, hdc in last dc, hdc in top of beginning ch-3 and change to D. Turn.
Rows 5 and 6: Repeat Rows 3 and 4.
Row 7: Repeat Row 3.
Row 8: With A, ch 1, turn, sc in first 2dc, *sc in next ch-1 space, sc in next Cl; repeat from * to last ch-1 space, sc in last ch-1 space, sc in next dc, sc in top of beginning ch-3—121 sc. Fasten off A.
You can continue to repeat or just finish off.
Tutorial
Shell Pattern
Stitch multiple is 6+2.
With any size hook and yarn that compliments the size of the hook. Use two colours to make this stitchwork pop.
Ch in multiples of 2.
Row 1 (right side): Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn.
Row 2: Turn, join E with slip st in first sc, *skip next 2 sc, shell in next sc, skip next 2 sc, slip st in next sc; repeat from * across. Turn.
Row 3: With E, turn, slip st in first slip st, *sc in each dc of next shell, slip st in next slip st; repeat from * across. Fasten off E. Turn.
Row 4: Turn, join A with slip st in first st 3 rows below, ch 4 (counts as tr), *dc in next sc, sc in next 3 sc, dc in next sc, tr in next st 3 rows below; repeat from * across. Turn.
Row 5: With A, ch 1, turn, sc in each st across working last sc in top of beginning ch-4. Turn.
You can repeat the pattern or just finish off.
Tutorial
Laced Columns Pattern
Stitch multiple is 10+2.
With any size hook and yarn that compliments the size of the hook. Use two colours to make this stitchwork pop.
Ch in multiples of 10+2.
Row 1 (right side): Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn.
Row 2 With D, ch 4 (counts as dc, ch 1), turn, skip next sc, dc in next sc, *skip next 2 sc, shell in next sc, skip next 2 sc, dc in next sc, skip next sc, dcV in next sc, skip next sc, dc in next sc; repeat from * to last 8 sts, skip next 2 sc, shell in next sc, skip next 2 sc, dc in next sc, ch 1, skip next sc, dc in last sc. Turn.
Row 3: With D, ch 4 (counts as dc, ch 1), turn, skip first ch-1 space, dc in next dc, ch 2, dc5tog over 5 dc of next shell, ch 2, dc in next dc, *dcV in ch-1 space of next dcV, skip last dc of same dcV, dc in next dc, ch 2, dc5tog over 5 dc of next shell, ch 2, dc in next dc; repeat from *to beginning ch-4, ch 1, dc in 3rd ch of beginning ch-4 and change to B. Turn.
Row 4: With B, ch 4 (counts as dc, ch1), turn, skip first ch-space, dc in next dc, shell in next dc5tog, dc in next dc,*dcV in ch-1 space of next dcV, skip last dc of same dcV, dc in next dc, shell in next dc5tog, dc in next dc; repeat from*to beginning ch-4, ch 1, dc in 3rd ch of beginning ch-4. Turn.
Row 5: With B, repeat Row 3 and change to D in last st. Turn.
Row 6: With D, repeat Row 4. Turn.
Rows 7-9: Repeat Rows 3-5, change to A at the end of last row. Turn.
Row 10: With A, ch 1, turn, sc in first dc, sc in next ch-1 space, sc in next dc, 2 sc in next ch-2 space, sc in next dc5tog, 2sc in next ch-2 space, *sc in next 2 dc, sc in next ch-1 space, sc in next 2 dc, 2 sc in next ch-2 space, sc in next dc5tog, 2 sc in next ch-2 space; repeat from * to 1 dc before beginning ch-4, sc in next dc, sc in beginning ch-4 space, sc in 3rd ch of beginning ch-4. Turn.
Row 11: With A, ch 1, turn, sc in each sc across. Turn.
You can repeat or just finish off.
Tutorial
On Production Table
Polka Dot Pattern
Stitch multiple is 2.
With any size hook and yarn that compliments the size of the hook. Use two colours to make this stitchwork pop.
Ch in multiples of 2.
Row 1 (right side): Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn.
Row 2: With A, ch 1, turn, sc in first sc, *ch 1, skip next sc, sc in next sc; repeat from * across and change to E in last st. Turn.
Row 3: With E, ch 2, turn, dc in first ch-1 space (beginning ch-2 and following dc count as first dc2tog), *ch1, dc2tog working over same ch-1 space and next ch-1 space; repeat from * to last sc, ch 1, dc2tog working over same ch-1 space and last sc and change toA. Turn
Row 4: With A, ch 1, turn, sc in first st, sc in next ch-1 space, *ch 1, sc in next ch-1 space; repeat from * to last st, sc in last st and change to E. Turn.
Row 5: With E, ch 3 (counts as dc), turn, dc2tog working over first sc and first ch-1 space, *ch 1, dc2tog working over same ch-1 space and next ch-1space; repeat from * to last 2 sc, ch 1,dc2tog over same ch-1 space and last sc, dc again in last sc and change to A. Turn.
Row 6: With A, ch 1, turn, sc in first dc,*ch 1, sc in next ch-1 space; repeat from *to last dc2tog, ch 1, skip last dc2tog, sc in top of beginning ch-3 and change to E. Turn.
Rows 7-10: Repeat Rows 3–6, do not change color at end of Row 10. Turn.
Row 11: With A, ch 1, turn, sc in each sc and ch-1 space across—121 sc. Turn.
You can repeat or just finish off.
Sharlene says
I cannot figure out the zig zag pattern. It’s so frustrating, mine looks nothing Like what’s on the blanket
Mindie says
The zig zag stitch really has me stumped. Any chance you’ll post a video of that stitch?
Marina King says
It looks like that's the only one without a video too, where are you having trouble exactly maybe I can help walk you through it?
Mindie says
Mine is just a mess. It doesn't look like the picture of the blanket at all, and does not resemble a zig zag. To me it seems the chain three leaves too large of a gap to fill on the next row, but a chain two tights up the blanket too much. I's just all around confused as to why mine looks so terrible.
Mikey says
I'm sorry, I cannot tell from my home here in Nova Scotia. I'm sorry it's not working out for you. Can you adjust the tension of the chain maybe? Give the ch 2 a bit more slack but not as much slack as a chain three.
Candace Belyea says
The video tutorial for the laced columns of missing and I’m struggling with reading the pattern. Is there a link to the video tutorial somewhere else?
Mikey says
I think I actually forgot to film that one! I will re-add it to the list but I have other tutorials that have a serious deadline before I can scoot back to it. I'm sorry.
sheyenne says
thank you Mikey - that was the struggle for me when doing this pattern (my first big project)