This is my pattern for a very simple but beautiful striped blanket which has oodles of surface texture and a lovely dense feel. Despite the complex look of the stitch pattern, I promise you this is very easy crochet using two simple stitches to create a series of stacking shells. I would go so far as to say this is one of the easiest patterns I've ever come up with which makes it a perfect project for beginners embarking on their first blanket journey, or for those of us who really, really just love to zone out a little whilst working up some easy, rhythmic rows of colour.
PATTERN INFORMATION
♥ I have used the Hydrangea yarn pack (15 x 100g balls of Stylecraft Special DK) worked on a 4 mm hook to make my Hydrangea Stripe Blanket. The colours are as follows:
♥ Violet ♥ Denim ♥ Cypress ♥ Mocha ♥ Pale Rose ♥ Grape ♥ Storm Blue ♥ Meadow ♥ Vintage Peach ♥ Mushroom ♥ Raspberry ♥ Duck Egg ♥ Pistachio ♥ Camel ♥ Parma Violet ♥
♥ These 15 balls are enough to make a single bed size blanket with a finished size of approx. 4ft x 6ft / 120 cm x 170 cm.
♥ If you crochet loosely, you will need to make sure that your starting chain and first row measures roughly 120cm otherwise you will need more than 15 x 100g balls. It's fine to reduce your starting chain to achieve the correct size, just remember to make your starting chain a multiple of 4, plus an extra 2.
♥ If you wish to make the blanket bigger ie to fit a double / king size bed, you will need to increase the number of stitches in your starting chain.....the starting chain should always be a multiple of 4, plus an extra 2. You will also need to purchase extra yarn if you make a bigger size.
ABBREVIATIONS
I'm writing this pattern using UK crochet terms, as follows :
sl st [slip stitch] :: insert hook, yarn over, pull the loop back through the stitch, then through the loop on your hook.
dc [double crochet] :: insert hook, yarn over, pull the loop back through the stitch (two loops on hook), yarn over and pull through both loops on hook (note :: this is equivalent to the US sc stitch)
tr [treble] :: yarn over, insert hook, yarn over, pull the loop back through the stitch (three loops on hook), yarn over and pull through two loops on hook (two loops left on hook), yarn over and pull through remaining two loops (note :: this is equivalent to the US dc stitch)
TENSION
Before we begin, a note about tension and hook size....the recommended hook size for this yarn is 4 mm, but it is absolutely fine to use a smaller or larger hook size to make sure your blanket is the right size and has the right drape. For example, I am quite a tight hookster, so I generally use a 4.5 mm hook with this yarn. When you work the foundation chain and first row, you may well find it helps if you use a bigger hook size (it's OK to go up to a 5 mm or even 5.5 mm) to keep the bottom of the blanket from pulling too tight and curving like a rainbow! You can then switch back to a smaller hook for all subsequent rows.
If you're not sure about your tension or which hook to use, then work up a small sample - chain 22 (that's 5 x 4, plus an extra 2) and work up a few rows of the pattern - your sample should measure roughly 12.5-13cm wide.
To Begin
Use Grape yarn, chain 182 (that's a multiple of 4, plus an extra 2).
Row 1 : Beginning in 2nd chain from hook, work 1 dc in each stitch along.
Make sure your foundation chain isn't pulling too tight or curving like a rainbow (use a bigger hook if it is). When you reach the end, do not fasten off. You should have 181 dc stitches. Turn your work.
Row 2 :
Note : if you used a bigger hook size for the first row, switch back to your normal hook size now.
Chain 2.
It's important to work the next stitches in exactly the right place, so if you are new to crochet, take a really good look at the picture above. Ignore the stitch that sits right at the base of the chain-2 you just made (this stitch "belongs" to the chain-2).
Skip the first dc stitch.
My needle shows you exactly where you need to put your hook....
Work (2 tr, chain 1, 2 tr) into the next stitch.
Skip the next stitch.
Work 1 dc into the next stitch (as shown above). This is your first shell made.
Skip the next stitch.
Work (2 tr, chain 1, 2 tr) into the next stitch.
Skip the next stitch.
Work 1 dc into the next stitch.
This is your second shell made.
*Skip the next stitch.
Work (2 tr, chain 1, 2 tr) into the next stitch.
Skip the next stitch.
Work 1 dc into the next stitch.*
Repeat between ** until you reach the end of the row - your last dc stitch goes into the very last stitch at the end of the row (as shown by my needle in the above picture. Fasten off, and turn your work. You should have made 45 shells in total.
Before you go any further, lay your crochet out and check that the bottom edge is nice and straight (no rainbows!), and that your work is measuring approximately 120cm wide. It's not too late to re-start if you're not happy with these first two rows - it's important to get these looking right, then the rest of the blanket will be an absolute breeze.
Row 3 : Use Pale Rose yarn.
Insert your hook into the dc stitch you made at the end of the previous row, and pull through a loop of the new colour.
Chain 2.
See where my needle is pointing in the above picture? That's the chain-1 space which separates the two groups of treble stitches. This is where you will work your next shell.
Work (2 tr, chain 1, 2 tr) into the chain-1 space.
Work 1 dc into the top of the dc in the previous row (shown by my needle in the above picture)
*Work (2 tr, chain 1, 2 tr) into the next chain-1 space (shown by my needle in the above picture).
Work 1 dc into the top of the next dc*
Repeat between ** until you reach the end of the row and have made 45 shells in total.
Your last dc should go into the top of the chain-2 which you made at the start of the previous row.
Do not fasten off. Turn your work.
Now is a good time to have another quick measure of your work to make sure that everything is sitting nice and flat and not too loose or too tight.
Row 4 :
Chain 2.
Work (2 tr, chain 1, 2 tr) into the next chain-1 space (shown by my needle in the above picture).
Work 1 dc into the top of the next dc.
*Work (2 tr, chain 1, 2 tr) into the next chain-1 space (shown by my needle in the above picture).
Work 1 dc into the top of the next dc.*
Repeat between ** until you reach the end of the row and have made 45 shells in total.
Your last dc should go into the top of the chain-2 which you made at the start of the previous row.
Fasten off and turn your work.
Row 5 : Use Vintage Peach yarn.
Insert your hook into the dc stitch you made at the end of the previous row, and pull through a loop of the new colour.
Repeat Row 3, as follows :
Chain 2.
*Work (2 tr, chain 1, 2 tr) into the next chain-1 space.
Work 1 dc into the top of the next dc.*
Repeat between ** until you reach the end of the row and have made 45 shells in total.
Do not fasten off. Turn your work.
Row 6 :
Repeat Row 4, as follows :
Chain 2.
*Work (2 tr, chain 1, 2 tr) into the next chain-1 space.
Work 1 dc into the top of the next dc.*
Repeat between ** until you reach the end of the row and have made 45 shells in total.
Fasten off. Turn your work.
See how simple this pattern is? The shells are easy to crochet in the chain-1 spaces and stack neatly on top of one another. It's very easy to see where to put your hook and really it's pretty hard to go wrong!
Now once you're happy with the way your rows are working, I would strongly advise you to darn in your ends with each colour change. Thread them onto a darning needle and darn them in securely - you will be so happy that you took the mere seconds to do this at each colour change instead of leaving them all till the end.
The stacked shells and dc stitches form a really pretty pattern which has a lovely warm, dense texture - you will love having this blanket cosied up on your lap as you work.
Carry on repeating rows 3 and 4, following the suggested colour sequence listed below. Change colours every alternate row (work two rows for each colour stripe). There are 88 stripes in total.
Note : The final stripe (worked in Pistachio yarn) follows a different pattern which will form a straight edge along the top of your blanket (this pattern is detailed below)
1. Grape |
31. Duck Egg |
61. Duck Egg |
2. Pale Rose |
32. Grape |
62. Meadow |
3. Vintage Peach |
33. Storm Blue |
63. Grape |
4. Mushroom |
34. Meadow |
64. Raspberry |
5. Camel |
35. Camel |
65. Denim |
6. Meadow |
36. Mushroom |
66. Mocha |
7. Denim |
37. Vintage Peach |
67. Mushroom |
8. Raspberry |
38. Mocha |
68. Vintage Peach |
9. Mocha |
39. Pistachio |
69. Pistachio |
10. Violet |
40. Denim |
70. Storm Blue |
11. Parma Violet |
41. Raspberry |
71. Violet |
12. Duck Egg |
42. Cypress |
72. Pale Rose |
13. Cypress |
43. Violet |
73. Camel |
14. Pistachio |
44. Parma Violet |
74. Parma Violet |
15. Storm Blue |
45. Pale Rose |
75. Cypress |
16. Mocha |
46. Grape |
76. Duck Egg |
17. Vintage Peach |
47. Mushroom |
77. Denim |
18. Raspberry |
48. Storm Blue |
78. Meadow |
19. Mushroom |
49. Meadow |
79. Camel |
20. Camel |
50. Mocha |
80. Raspberry |
21. Meadow |
51. Duck Egg |
81. Violet |
22. Duck Egg |
52. Cypress |
82. Grape |
23. Storm Blue |
53. Raspberry |
83. Vintage Peach |
24. Grape |
54. Vintage Peach |
84. Mushroom |
25. Pale Rose |
55. Camel |
85. Storm Blue |
26. Parma Violet |
56. Pistachio |
86. Cypress |
27. Violet |
57. Violet |
87. Mocha |
28. Cypress |
58. Pale Rose |
88. Pistachio |
29. Pistachio |
59. Parma Violet |
|
30. Denim |
60. Denim |
Final Stripe :
Row 177 : Use Pistachio yarn and repeat Row 3.
Row 178 : Chain 3.
Work 1 tr in first stitch (as shown above)
Work 1 dc in next stitch.
Skip over the chain-1 space.
Work 1 dc in next stitch.
Work 1 tr in each of the next 3 stitches (shown above)
Work 1 dc in next stitch.
Skip over the chain-1 space.
Work 1 dc in next stitch.
*Work 1 tr in each of the next 3 stitches.
Work 1 dc in next stitch.
Skip over the chain-1 space.
Work 1 dc in next stitch.*
Repeat between ** until two stitches remain. Work 1 tr into each of the remaining two stitches. Fasten off and darn in ends.
BORDER
I've chosen a very simple two-round Linen Stitch Edging for this blanket, using Parma Violet and Pale Rose. You should have plenty of these two colours left after working your blanket stripes, but as a rough guide you will need approximately 15g of yarn to work each round of the border.
To Begin : Make sure the right side of your blanket is facing you (The edge where you darned in your ends will be on the right). Start at the top right hand corner of the blanket.
Round 1 : Use Parma Violet yarn.
Insert your hook into the first stitch at the top/right hand edge of your blanket and pull through a loop of the new yarn. Chain 3 (counts as 1 dc plus chain 1).
Skip 1 stitch.
*Work 1 dc in next stitch. Chain 1.
Skip the next stitch*
Repeat between ** all along the top edge.
To turn the corner, work (1 dc, chain-2, 1 dc) into the last stitch along the top edge. Chain 1
You will now be working down the left hand side of your blanket, from top to bottom.
You will work around the "post" of the stitches at the end of each row.
Work 1 dc around post of next stitch (shown by my needle in the above picture); chain 1.
Work 1 dc around post of next stitch (shown by my needle in the above picture); chain 1.
Work 1 dc around post of next stitch (shown by my needle in the above picture); chain 1.
*Work 1 dc around post of next stitch; chain 1*
Repeat between ** until you reach the bottom edge.
Turn the corner by working (1 dc; ch 2; 1 dc) around the post of this last st; ch 1.
You are now working along the bottom (foundation) edge of the blanket, inserting your hook under the single stitch/loop of the foundation chain (shown by my needle in the above picture).
Note : make sure you don't pull your stitches too tight along this bottom edge - switch to a bigger hook size if you need to.
*Skip 1 stitch; 1 dc in next stitch; chain 1*
Repeat between ** until 1 stitch remains.
Turn the corner by working (1 dc; ch 2; 1 dc) around into the last stitch; chain 1.
You are now working up the right hand side of the blanket from the bottom to the top. As before, you will be crocheting around the “post” of the stitches at the end of each row.
*1 dc around post of next stitch; chain 1*
Repeat between ** until you arrive back to where you started.
The final stitches go in the same space where you started (shown by my needle in the above picture)
Work 1 dc into the same space where your beginning chain-3 was made; chain 2.
Slip stitch into 2nd chain of beginning chain-3 to close the round. Fasten off.
That's the hardest round of the border completed - the next round will be a breeze I promise!
Round 2 : Use Pale Rose yarn.
Begin in any chain-2 corner space.
Insert your hook into any chain-2 corner space and pull through a loop of the new colour.
Chain 3 (counts as 1 dc, plus chain-1);
For this round, you will be working your stitches under the chain-1 spaces made in round 1 (my needle is showing the chain-1 space in the above picture).
*1 dc in next chain-1 space; chain 1*
Repeat between ** until you reach the corner.
Work (1 dc; ch 2; 1 dc) into the chain-2 corner space of previous round. Chain 1. That's your first side complete.
*1 dc in next chain-1 space; chain 1*
Repeat between ** until you reach the corner.
Work (1 dc; ch 2; 1 dc) into the chain-2 corner space of previous round. Chain 1. That's your second side complete.
*1 dc in next chain-1 space; chain 1*
Repeat between ** until you reach the corner.
Work (1 dc; ch 2; 1 dc) into the chain-2 corner space of previous round. Chain 1. That's your third side complete.
*1 dc in next chain-1 space; ch 1*
Repeat between ** until you reach the corner.
Work 1 dc into the same space where your beginning chain-3 was made; chain 2;
Slip stitch into 2nd chain of beginning chain-3 to close the round. Fasten off and darn in all ends.
Don't you just love love love the super-neat finish that the linen stitch makes?
I really like the narrow edge I created for the Hydrangea blanket, but if you have enough yarn, you might like to add a few more rounds of linen stitch to make the edging wider.
The easiest way to take stock of your yarn is to use digital kitchen scales. I had roughly 17-18 g left of most colours, so I would have just about had enough (15 g) to add more linen stitch rounds to my edging. If you'd like to see what this looks like, take a look at my Linen Stitch Edging tutorial.
At the moment, I don't have a PDF version of this pattern for you to print. If you've purchased a Hydrangea yarn pack from my shop at Wool Warehouse, a printed pattern is included with the yarn.
However, here is a condensed version of the Hydrangea Stripe pattern which you can copy/paste/print if you wish :
1. Grape |
31. Duck Egg |
61. Duck Egg |
2. Pale Rose |
32. Grape |
62. Meadow |
3. Vintage Peach |
33. Storm Blue |
63. Grape |
4. Mushroom |
34. Meadow |
64. Raspberry |
5. Camel |
35. Camel |
65. Denim |
6. Meadow |
36. Mushroom |
66. Mocha |
7. Denim |
37. Vintage Peach |
67. Mushroom |
8. Raspberry |
38. Mocha |
68. Vintage Peach |
9. Mocha |
39. Pistachio |
69. Pistachio |
10. Violet |
40. Denim |
70. Storm Blue |
11. Parma Violet |
41. Raspberry |
71. Violet |
12. Duck Egg |
42. Cypress |
72. Pale Rose |
13. Cypress |
43. Violet |
73. Camel |
14. Pistachio |
44. Parma Violet |
74. Parma Violet |
15. Storm Blue |
45. Pale Rose |
75. Cypress |
16. Mocha |
46. Grape |
76. Duck Egg |
17. Vintage Peach |
47. Mushroom |
77. Denim |
18. Raspberry |
48. Storm Blue |
78. Meadow |
19. Mushroom |
49. Meadow |
79. Camel |
20. Camel |
50. Mocha |
80. Raspberry |
21. Meadow |
51. Duck Egg |
81. Violet |
22. Duck Egg |
52. Cypress |
82. Grape |
23. Storm Blue |
53. Raspberry |
83. Vintage Peach |
24. Grape |
54. Vintage Peach |
84. Mushroom |
25. Pale Rose |
55. Camel |
85. Storm Blue |
26. Parma Violet |
56. Pistachio |
86. Cypress |
27. Violet |
57. Violet |
87. Mocha |
28. Cypress |
58. Pale Rose |
88. Pistachio |
29. Pistachio |
59. Parma Violet |
|
30. Denim |
60. Denim |
TO BEGIN [use Grape yarn] Chain 182 (the starting chain should always be a multiple of 4, plus an extra 2).
Row 1 Begin in 2nd ch from hook, work 1 dc into each st along; turn [181 sts].
Row 2 Ch 2; *skip 1 st; work (2 tr; ch 1; 2 tr) into next st; skip 1 st; 1 dc into next st.*
Repeat between ** until you reach the end of the row. Fasten off; turn [45 shells].
Row 3 [use Pale Rose yarn] Join yarn in dc stitch; ch 2; work (2 tr; ch 1; 2 tr) into the first ch-1 sp; *1 dc into the top of the next dc; work (2 tr; ch 1; 2 tr) into the next ch-1 sp.*
Repeat between ** until 45 shells have been made; work 1 dc into the top of the ch-2 from the beginning of the previous row; turn.
Row 4 Ch 2; work (2 tr; ch 1; 2 tr) into the first ch-1 sp; *1 dc into the top of the next dc; work (2 tr; ch 1; 2 tr) into the next ch-1 sp.*
Repeat between ** until 45 shells have been made; work 1 dc into the top of the ch-2 from the start of the previous row. Fasten off; turn. [45 shells].
Rows 5 & 6 [use Vintage Peach yarn] Repeat rows 3 & 4.
Rows 7 - 175 Carry on repeating rows 3 & 4. Follow the suggested colour sequence listed in the table above, changing colours every alternate row until you have completed 87 stripes in total (work two rows for each colour stripe).
Row 175 [Use Pistachio yarn] Repeat Row 3.
Note the final row will form a straight top edge to your blanket.
Final Row 176 Ch 3; *1 tr in next st; 1 dc in next st; skip ch-1 space; 1 dc in next st; 1 tr in next st; 1 tr in next st;*
Repeat between ** until you reach the end of the row, working the final tr into the top of the ch-2 from the previous row. Fasten off and securely darn in all ends.
If you'd like to see lots more pictures of my blanket and find out what inspired my colour choices, I wrote a ta-dah post which you might like to read :
♥ HYDRANGEA STRIPE BLANKET : Ta-dah! ♥
As always, I am more than happy to provide my patterns and picture tutorials for free here on my blog, I hope you enjoy using them. If you have used this pattern and would like to donate a few pennies it would be very much appreciated. Thank you so much for your support.
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♥
Hi Lucy - thank you so much for all the incredible patterns you have. I am getting ready to make yet another of your blankets - this one. I really enjoyed the vibe of the Dahlia colourwash and was wondering if you had a colourwash version of this pattern?
Posted by: Sarah | July 03, 2024 at 11:59 AM
Hi Lucy I was given one of your packs including pattern for Xmas 2023 it as Ocean, as my husband & I had sailed both here & France. The colours were
Gorgeous. I am 90 now I have never crocheted always knitted. I have just finished the lovely colourful blanket, my daughter, friends & neighbours think it super. I enjoyed following the pattern & was soon hooked. I now want to have a go at your Hydrangea blanket which I want to order. Wish me luck
Jean
Posted by: Jean Bury | January 31, 2024 at 08:46 PM
Is there a random stripe option using the colours from the Fireside blanket? I read in the blog you were doing one but haven't come across it so far.
Posted by: Ann Cobb | January 29, 2023 at 02:17 PM
I bought the fireside kit but am not sure about the granny squares now Coukd I do the hydrangea one using the Heather shades which I have? There are only 12 colours in my kit though.
Posted by: Jennifer McNeill | January 04, 2023 at 09:54 AM
I am currently making this blanket with the recommended wool and I love it. It is taking me quite a while to complete but I just love adding the different beautiful colours and I have had a lot of lovely compliments about it 😊
Posted by: Lyns | April 11, 2021 at 11:04 PM
I am about halfway through this project but there is a little niggling detail which looks ok overall but I’d really like to put right. Between the dc and the next treble, the chain stitch that forms is very long and no matter how much I try to work tighter it is still long, big and loose.
Posted by: Elaine Harrison | September 12, 2020 at 09:32 AM
I've tried several sample swatches up to 4 rows to check tension AND changed needle size as suggested but can't get it to stop curling. Does this go away further on?? Help!
Posted by: kelly | July 09, 2020 at 08:20 PM
I tried three times I get two rows done measure and get 132 cm have 45 shells.I used I hook to start off then go to G do T just keep going.Im just using pink verigated and blue verigated.2 rows each.
Posted by: Jan rice | May 25, 2020 at 04:03 PM
Hi Lucy, I think someone may have had the same problem I had. I'm new to crochet but knew there was a difference between UK and US crochet terminology. I Googled UK but unless you listen to the accent you may get US. I did 2 colours of US by mistake and it looked really loopy as their double is our treble and I have no idea what their treble is but it doesn't work for this pattern (lots of wool winding and fans are too tall and loopy!). Happily I'm on colour 4 now and it looks beautiful!
Posted by: Julie | May 04, 2020 at 05:35 PM
Everybody's tension is different so it will take a lot of mistakes in order for everybody to come up with the same measurements. I redid my chain and first row and come up different every time. Each time was too wide so came up with my own chain count. Came up with 112 cm wide which will be a good size blanket for me. Trying to make fit so won't run out of yarn. It would help if a gauge came with the pattern. You know, so many rows = so many cm, so many stitches = so many cm.
Posted by: EVELYN K | February 07, 2020 at 07:47 PM
I've just started the third colour but mine looks holy compared to the pictures but I have the right amount of shells. What am undoing wrong! Feeling frustrated
Posted by: Nicky Hill | February 01, 2020 at 06:01 PM
I love this, I've followed your blog for quite a while and when asked what I wanted for my birthday I asked for one of your kits. My daughter bought me this one, I'm on the last two pistachio rows and I'm almost sad that I've nearly finished it. Your instructions are so clear to follow and you have a great way with choosing colours. Thank you. p.s. I've just ordered the cupcake kit, and I can't wait to start that. Already planning the one after that.
Posted by: Sarah Davies | January 14, 2020 at 12:04 PM
I love the blanket that has the white stripe in between. Is that the pattern you get when you purchase the Hydranger Wool Pack?
Posted by: Janene Wohlers | January 01, 2020 at 04:47 AM
Hola, acabo de comenzar su alfombra de hortensias porque estoy tratando de entender y seguir patrones, sus instrucciones y fotos son muy útiles, gracias. Hice mis dos primeras filas con un gancho 4.5 y continué con un gancho 4. Solo estoy en la fila 2, pero el trabajo es muy rizado: ¿es de esperar o he hecho algo mal?
Espero que puedas aconsejar
Posted by: Belgica M | November 19, 2019 at 07:34 PM
Will this amount of yarn make 2 baby blankets?
Posted by: Margaret | October 29, 2019 at 01:37 PM
attic24.typepad.com
Posted by: Marie | September 14, 2019 at 10:18 PM
HI Lucy,
I have just purchased the pack for the Hydrangea Blanket because I love it when I saw it on the Woolwarehouse. I have done my 182 chains using a 5.5mm hook but still can only get my chain to measure 100cm. Could you advise me? More chains to get up to 120cm? I am relatively new to crochet and not sure how to correct this.
Thank you
Janet
Posted by: Janet Cromack | August 05, 2019 at 09:29 PM
Some of the best instructional pics I've seen. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Linda | June 30, 2019 at 07:05 PM
How do I order the Hydranger wool pack
Posted by: Sue | June 30, 2019 at 03:14 AM
I believe that in the U.S., dc and tr stitches are different. Is that correct? If so, is a dc a U.S. single crochet and is a tr a U.S. dc?
Posted by: Linda Teeter | June 01, 2019 at 01:19 AM
Next one will be moorland
Posted by: Siobhan van meurs | March 20, 2019 at 02:08 PM
Hi Lucy, just finishing hydrangea blanket in babycashmarino
Just love it, the photos have been so helpful. Great site
Kind regards
Siobhan in Cornwall
Posted by: Siobhan van meurs | March 20, 2019 at 02:06 PM
How can I buy 2 extra balls 1 of Parma Violet and 1 of Pale Rose?
Posted by: Alice Winifred Codling | February 21, 2019 at 01:00 PM
I just saw a Facebook post where someone made this blanket using the "dune colourway" scheme. I was about to give up blankets for a while, but what's one more? Is there a dune colourway yarn packet for this pattern? (I'd like to make a large size, so I really want two, I guess.) Fingers crossed!
Posted by: Leslie Rawls | January 25, 2019 at 07:00 PM
I learnt to crochet ( granny squares) in September... bought the Hydrangea pack and on row 4 now but loving it and I'd be lost without your great tutorial ( and support on FB). Colours and pattern are just lovely x
Posted by: Marie Shaw | January 13, 2019 at 11:06 AM