Red Heart Super Saver Bitty Stripes yarn looks good after colouring with crayons, as shown in this stitch sampler blanket called the Crochet Bitty Stripes Sampler Blanket pattern, designed by Jeanne Steinhilber. This blanket was similar to, but not the same as, the Crochet Framed Textures Afghan, and was adjusted and slightly changed to make it easier to crochet.
This stitch sampler has three sections within the blanket to give it the push over the top of joy using Red Heart Bitty Stripes yarn. The colour used is Rainbow; just let the yarn work its colours. There is no yarn manipulation in this blanket design to force colours to work and no stress stitching.
I'm not sure the photography is catching the essence of this blanket. In person, I'm obsessed.
PS. A rectangle version cannot be easily done without a re-write, as the stitch multiple has to be maintained on 1st round and cannot just be a simple 2 chs + 2 number as I had assumed.
Crochet diagrams are provided with this free pattern. You don't have to switch yarn balls between rows, and you just keep on stitching.
Yarn and Details
Red Heart Bitty Stripes, 283 g/10 oz, 471 meters/515 yards (These are larger balls that Red Heart Super Saver and are softer, too.)
- Color - Rainbow 4 balls
Materials and Sizing
- 6 mm / J/10 Crochet Hook
- Afghan is 50” x 50”
- Gauge: 13 sc and 14 rows = 4” [10 cm]
Abbreviations
- Beg = Begin(ning)
- BLO = Back loop only
- Ch(s) = Chain(s)
- Dc = Double crochet
- Hdc = Half double crochet
- Rep = Repeat
- Rnd(s) = Round(s)
- Sc = Single crochet
- Sk = Skip
- Sl st = Slip stitch
- Sp = Space
- St(s) = Stitch(es)
- Yoh = Yarn over hook
Special Stitches
- Bean Stitch = Insert hook in next st, yo and pull up a loop (2 loops on hook), yo in the same stitch and pull up a loop (4 loops on hook), yo in the same stitch once more and pull up a loop (6 loops on hook), yo and pull all loops.
- Blanket Stitch = 1 sc, 2 dc in same stitch.
Instructions
Changing the yarn balls does not change the colour. Let the colour come out of the ball as is. It will magically work. Automatically jump to the next ball wherever the colour sequence is. There is no yarn colour manipulation in this blanket.
Pattern Notes
- Join at the end of a round is an hdc from the last stitch to the top of the first chain or stitch. Counts as ch 2 space.
- Watch for the turns after certain rounds.
- Stitch counts at the end of instruction are considered per side.
1st rnd: With A, ch 4, sl st to form ring. Ch 3 (counts as a dc here and throughout), 1 dc in ring, *[ch 2, 2 dc in ring] 3 times, join. 2 dc per side, 4 ch-2 corners sps.
2nd rnd: Ch 1. 1 sc in same corner sp, *sk 1 dc, 2 sc in sp before next dc,** (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in ch-2 corner sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, 1 sc in beg sp, join. 4 sc.
3rd rnd: Ch 3, 1 dc in same sp, *1 dc in each sc to corner,** (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, 2 dc in beg sp, join. 8 dc.
4th rnd: Ch 1, 1 sc in same corner sp. *In BLO, 1 sc in each st to corner,** (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, 1 sc in beg sp, join. 10 sc.
5th rnd: Ch 1, 1 sc in same sp, *[1 bean st in next st, ch 1, sk next st] to corner,** (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, 1 sc in beg sp, join. Turn. 5 bean st and 2 sc.
6th rnd: Ch 1, 1 sc in same sp, *1 bean st in next st, ch 1, [1 bean st in next ch-1 sp after next bean st, ch 1] across until 1 bean st and last sc remains. Sk next bean st, 1 bean st in next sc, ch 1. ** (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, 1 sc in beg sp, join. Turn. 6 bean st and 2 sc.
7th rnd: Ch 1, 1 sc in same sp, *1 bean st in next st, ch 1, [1 bean st in next ch-1 sp of each bean st, ch 1] across] until 1 bean st and last sc remains below. Sk next bean st, 1 bean st in next sc, ch 1. ** (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, 1 sc in beg sp, join.Turn. 7 bean st and 2 sc.
8th rnd: Rep 7th rnd. Turn. 8 bean st and 2 sc.
9th rnd: Ch 1. 1 sc in same corner sp. *1 sc in next st, [2 sc in ch-1 sp across] until 1 st rem, 1 sc in last st,** (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, 1 sc in beg sp, join. 20 sc.
TIP: 10th round was revised from the original to make it easier to follow.
10th rnd: Ch 3, 1 dc in same sp, *1 dc in next st to next corner.** (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, 2 dc in beg sp, join. 24 dc.
11th rnd: Ch 1. 1 sc in same corner sp. *1 sc in next st, sk 1 dc, 2 sc in sp before next dc, [sk 2 dc, 2 sc in sp before next dc] until 2 sts rem, sk next st, 1 sc in last st,** (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in ch-2 corner sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, 1 sc in beg sp, join. 26 sc.
12th rnd: Ch 3, 1 dc in same sp, *1 dc in each sc to corner,** (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, 2 dc in beg sp, join. 30 dc.
13th rnd: Ch 1. 1 sc in same corner sp. *In BLO, 1 sc in each st to corner,** (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, 1 sc in beg sp, join. 32 sc.
TIP: The stitch counts go to an odd number on the sides in the next rnd.
14th rnd: Ch 1, 1 sc in same sp, *[(1 sc, 2 dc) in next st, sk next 2 sts] until 1 sc rem, sk last st,** (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, 1 sc in beg sp, join. Turn. 11 blanket st and 2 sc = 35 sts.
15th rnd: Ch 1. 1 sc in same corner sp. *[(1 sc, 2 dc) in next st, sk next 2 sts] until 1 sc rem, sk last st,** (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, 1 sc in beg sp, join. Turn. 12 blanket st and 2 sc = 38 sts
16th - 19th rnds: Rep 15th rnd. End of 19th rnd, 16 blanket st and 2 sc.
20th rnd: Ch 1. 1 sc in same corner sp. *1 sc in next st, [sk 2 sts, 3 sc in next st] until 1 st rem, 1 sc in last st,** (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, 1 sc in beg sp, join. 52 sc.
21st rnd: Rep 10th rnd. 56 dc.
22nd rnd: Rep 11th rnd. 58 sc.
23th rnd: Rep 12th rnd. 62 dc.
24th rnd: Rep 13th rnd. 64 sc.
25th rnd: Rep 5th rnd. 32 bean st and 2 sc.
26th rnd: Rep 6th rnd. 33 bean st and 2 sc.
27th - 28th rnds: Rep 5th rnd. End of 28th rnd, 35 bean st and 2 sc.
29th rnd: Rep 9th rnd. 74 sc.
30th rnd: Rep 10th rnd. 78 dc.
31st rnd: Rep 11th rnd. 80 sc.
Repeat 12th - 31st rounds once. Then repeat 12th to 18th rnds once.
TIP: if you want the blanket bigger, repeat 12th to 31st rounds before finishing off the final repeat of 12th to 18th.
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Stitch counts below are for those who wish this information, as the repeat happens.
- 32nd rnd: 84 dc.
- 33rd rnd: 86 sc.
- 34th rnd: 29 blanket st and 2 sc.
- 35th rnd: 30 blanket st and 2 sc.
- 36th rnd: 31 blanket st and 2 sc.
- 37th rnd: 32 blanket st and 2 sc.
- 38th rnd: 33 blanket st and 2 sc.
- 39th rnd: 34 blanket st and 2 sc.
- 40th rnd: 106 sc.
- 41st rnd: 110 dc.
- 42nd rnd: 112 sc.
- 43rd rnd: 116 dc.
- 44th rnd: 118 sc.
- 45th rnd: 59 bean st and 2 sc.
- 46th rnd: 60 bean st and 2 sc.
- 47th rnd: 61 bean st and 2 sc.
- 48th rnd: 62 bean st and 2 sc.
- 49th rnd: 128 sc.
- 50th rnd: 132 dc.
- 51st rnd: 134 sc.
- End of the 31st rnd. First repeat.
- 52nd rnd: 138 dc.
- 53rd rnd: 140 sc.
- 54th rnd: 47 blanket st and 2 sc.
- 55th rnd: 48 blanket st and 2 sc.
- 56th rnd: 49 blanket st and 2 sc.
- 57th rnd: 50 blanket st and 2 sc.
- 58th rnd: 51 blanket st and 2 sc. DO NOT TURN AT THE END OF THE 58th rnd.
59th rnd: RS. Ch 1. *1 sc in each st to next corner.** (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, 1 sc in beg sp, join. Fasten off.
Crochet Diagrams
Rnds 1 to 9 is zoomed in so you can see it better.
Another Stitch Sampler
Kim says
Mine is rippling! Can you possibly tell what I'm doing wrong so when I rip it out and start over the same thing doesn't happen? I'm using a 6mm hook if that makes a difference.
Mikey says
Be sure to check the gauge of the pattern to ensure your hook is matching the original design.
Christine says
How do I print this pattern. When I click on the "print pattern" nothing happens
Mikey says
Checking now and confirming the link has broken. It will be fixed in about 10 minutes from now.
Priscilla Rideout says
Hi! I'm wondering if the stitch count may be off on row 9? As far as I can tell it should be 18 sc, not 20 sc. Thanks for the pattern!
Priscilla says
Hi! I'm wondering if the row count may be off on row 9? As far as I can tell it should be 18 sc, not 20 sc. Thanks for the pattern!
Mikey says
Can you share with my context on why you think that is. It will help me to understand your train of thought.
Lori-Ann Dunphy says
Mikey, are you planning to rewrite this to make it rectangular?
Mikey says
Unfortunately not. I did have it done but then it doesn't work out midway through and it's easier to present this concept in a square wihtout a massive rewrite. The combinations of stitches matter and in a rectangle, the sequence can go out of wack.
Maddy says
I am obsessed with the Bitty Stripes yarn; favorite colorway by far is Rainbow (followed by Rainbow Mist and Moon Beam)! Thank you so much for this pattern update. I will be starting it as soon as my next order of Bitty Stripes arrives. I am looking forward to video tutorials being released as I am a visual learner. I appreciate you all at The Crochet Crowd--thank you for many, many hours of happy crocheting. Your video tutorials especially have helped me improve my crocheting skills.
Taya Garabedian says
Hi Mikey!! I thought I saw somewhere that you were doing a tutorial for this pattern, is that right? Do you know when it will be published? I’ve been working on this as a rectangle blanket but your videos are always better for me to follow than the written patterns xox
Mikey says
First of all, excellent work. The Frame Textures is the same pattern and uses the same tutorial. It was released earlier this week and available here: https://thecrochetcrowd.com/framed-textures-crochet-afghan/
BItty Stripes version which is the same video is in queue for release.
Traci Marcotte says
If you started with the Horizon colorway and then changed to the Galaxy colorway, you could call it, "Beyond the Horizon", lol. I love the Bitty Stripes yarn.
Wilma Nesti says
I was reading the pattern prior to starting and found a couple instructions that I find confusing.
The first round begins "With A", then 5th round ends with "break A. Turn. 5 bean sts and 2sc", then 6th round begins "In any corner with C".
These instructions sound like color changes. What is A? If you break A then turn, how do you continue? What does break A mean? The 6th round refers to C - what does this mean?
This is a beautiful pattern and I've already bought the yarn indicated - Color - Rainbow 4 balls.
I would really appreciate your clarification of these instructions.
Thanks very much!
Mikey says
That's my fault. Originally, the pattern had colour break down. I am updating the pattern now to remove that. Sorry about that.