Are you ready to snuggle up with a cozy new project? Well, I’ve got just the thing for you today – a chunky crochet blanket free pattern that will warm your heart and toes!
This blanket is so quick to make thanks to the bulky yarn and easy row repeats. And I loved how by incorporating stripes, this pattern kept me engaged in such a fun way – I never got bored as I was working!
My finished blanket (and the one pictured in the sample) is a stroller size blanket and measures approximately 30.25″ / 77cm wide by 37″ / 94cm long.
However, I know that many of you will want to make blankets in different sizes, so I’ve created a super helpful table with measurements, stitch and row counts per size as well as approximate yarn requirements.
How to get this pattern:
Option 1: Scroll on down to get this pattern for free!
Option 2: Purchase the easy-to-read, print-friendly PDF:
What you’ll need to crochet this chunky blanket
Yarn
For this crochet blanket you can use any #5/Bulky weight yarn in 2 or more colors. For reference, I used WeCrochet Billow which is deliciously soft, especially for a 100% cotton yarn!
If you can’t get your hands on a bulky yarn for your blanket, then using a #4/worsted weight yarn with two strands held together will also work great (but do bear in mind that this will affect the required yardage!).
Hook
For my blanket, I used a 6mm (J-10) crochet hook – please feel free to use whatever hook size you are comfortable with for your chosen yarn.
Gauge is not critical for this project, but if your gauge does differ from mine then your blanket may turn out a little bigger/smaller, depending on how loosely/tightly you crochet.
How to crochet this striped blanket
Now, let’s dive into the construction of the blanket!
You will only need to know basic crochet stitches to make this blanket – chains, single crochets, double crochets and just a handful of treble crochet stitches.
The blanket is worked in rows from the bottom up, and each stripe consists of 4 rows. You’ll change colors every 4 rows to achieve the beautiful striped effect. I used 4 colors for my crochet stroller blanket but feel free to use any color combination you prefer.
How to change colors
You will change color on the last step of the last stitch of each Row 4 repeat. Complete the final stitch of the row with your working yarn, then yarn over the new color and pull through. You can pull the previous color gently to secure the new color in place. You are now ready to begin the next row with your new color.
If you use just 2 colors, you won’t need to cut your yarn after each color block; you can simply “float” the yarn up the side of your work on each color change. (Don’t worry – the floats will be covered by the border later!). If you use more than 2 colors, you’ll need to cut your yarn after each block.
Crochet blanket border
After completing the main part of the blanket, it’s time to add a simple “linen stitch” border. You’ll begin the border with the last color used in the body of the blanket, and the pattern includes instructions for each round of the border, including how to turn the corners.
Feel free to add your own personality to the border – work it in a single color as I have done, work it in stripes, or work some extra rounds to make it really stand out!
How to make this blanket in a different size
You might be wondering how you can make this blanket in a different size. Well don’t worry, I’ve got you covered!
It can be tricky to adjust a pattern to a different size, and to know how much yarn you need so I have done some of the work for you and created a table with finished measurements, stitch counts and rows for 9 different blanket sizes. You can find the detailed table in the pattern below.
And if you wish to make a size that’s not listed here there are just two things to keep in mind:
- Your stitch count needs to be a multiple of 6+1
- Your row count needs to be a multiple of 4+1
Of course, making a custom size will affect your yarn requirements so please do use the following table as a guideline only, and know that your actual yardage may vary depending on the type, weight and fiber content of your yarn.
And now, without further ado, let’s start crocheting!
Sunset Waves Blanket
Video Tutorial
There is also a full video tutorial to accompany this pattern.
Sunset Waves Blanket
Striped Chunky Crochet Blanket Pattern
Pattern Notes
Skill Level
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch = chain
- ch-# sp = chain space, # denotes number of chains
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- sk = skip
- sl st = slip stitch
- sc = single crochet
- dc = double crochet
- tr = treble crochet
- fsc = foundation single crochet (see Special Stitches)
- beg = beginning
- rem = remaining
Construction
- This blanket is worked in rows from the bottom up.
- Each stripe consists of 4 rows i.e. you will change colors every 4 rows.
- The sample is pictured in 4 colors, but feel free to use any color combination that you wish. (You will need at least 2 colors to create the striped effect.)
General Pattern Notes
- The stitch count for each round is given in square brackets [ ] at the end of the row/round. If no stitch count is given then the count is the same as the previous row/round.
- Ch 1 at the start of Round 1 does not count as a stitch.
- Chains within a row/round are included in the count.
- The print-friendly PDF also contains a stitch diagram for the pattern.
Color Changes
- You will change colors every 4 rows as follows:
- With working yarn, finish row as normal.
- Keeping working yarn to the back of your work, yarn over new color and pull through.
- Pull gently on previous color to pull the new color into the correct starting position for the next row.
- With the new color, ch 1 and work next row as per pattern.
- ou will change colors every 4 rows as follows:
- If you are using 2 colors only, you do not need to cut your working yarn between color changes; you can simply “float” it up the side of your work for the next color change.
- If you are using 3 or more colors, you should cut the working yarn at each color change.
Special Stitches
Foundation Single Crochet (fsc)
Step 1: Ch 2, insert hook into second chain from hook, yarn over and pull up a loop. [2 loops on hook]
Step 2: Yarn over and pull through first loop on hook i.e. ch 1. This creates the first “chain” in your foundation row. [still 2 loops on hook]
Step 3: Yarn over and pull through two loops on hook. First fsc made.
Step 4: Insert hook into extra “chain” made in Step 2, yarn over and pull up a loop. [2 loops on hook]
Step 5: Yarn over and pull through the first loop on hook i.e. ch 1. This is the next “chain” in your foundation row. Yarn over and pull through two loops on hook. Second fsc made.
Repeat Steps 4 and 5 as required.
Finished Measurements
Stroller Blanket Sample
Width: 30.25″ / 77cm
Length: 37″ / 94cm
Finished measurements include a 0.75″ / 2cm border.
Please see ADJUSTMENTS section below for information on making the blanket in a different size.
Gauge
Main Stitch Pattern
11 sts x 11 rows = 4″ x 4″ / 10 cm x 10 cm measured over sc (unblocked).
Border (Linen Stitch Pattern)
11 sts x 3 rows = 4″ x 0.75″ / 10 cm x 2 cm measured over linen st.
Note: gauge is not critical for this project. However, if your gauge does not match the one listed in the pattern then your blanket may turn out a little larger/smaller depending on how loosely/tightly you crochet, and you may use a different amount of yarn than what is listed below.
Materials
Yarn
Any #5/Bulky weight yarn in 2 or more colors. The amounts given here are for WeCrochet Billow (120 yds/110m per 100g skein; Weight: #5/Bulky; 100% Pima Cotton).
Note: Feel free to choose your own color combinations based on the total amount given below. If you wish to make a different sized blanket, please see the Adjustments section further down.
| Colorway | yds/m | Skeins | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Color 1 (C1) | Comfrey | 230 yds / 210m | 2 |
| Color 2 (C2) | Tea Rose | 230 yds / 210m | 2 |
| Color 3 (C3) | Bare | 205 yds / 187m | 2 |
| Color 4 (C4) | Turmeric | 195 yds / 178m | 2 |
| Border (C3) | Bare | 85 yds / 78m | 1 |
| TOTAL | 945 yds / 864m | 9 |
Hook
6mm (J-10) crochet hook (or hook required to meet gauge)
Other Items
- Yarn needle
- Stitch marker
Adjustments
To make a blanket of a different size you can use the following table as a guideline.
| Blanket Size | Finished Measurements (incl. 0.75” / 2cm border) | Stitches (any multiple of 6+1. Add 1 for starting chain) | Rows(any multiple of 4+1) |
| Small Cradle | 15″ x 32.25″ / 38cm x 82cm | 37 | 77 |
| Large Cradle | 21.5″ x 34″ / 54.5cm x 86.5cm | 55 | 81 |
| Stroller Blanket | 30.25″ x 37″ / 77cm x 94cm | 79 | 89 |
| Receiving Blanket | 41.25″ x 42″ / 105cm x 106.5cm | 109 | 101 |
| Crib | 41.25″ x 62.75″ / 105cm x 159.5cm | 109 | 153 |
| Lapghan | 39″ x 50″ / 99cm x 127cm | 103 | 121 |
| Small Throw | 49.75″ x 62.75″ / 126.5cm x 159.5cm | 133 | 153 |
| Medium Throw | 56.5″ x 67.5″ / 143.5cm x 171.5cm | 151 | 165 |
| Large Throw | 63″ x 74″ / 160cm x 188cm | 169 | 181 |
Yarn requirements for alternative sizes
- You will need to do some calculations to work out how much you need of each colorway, depending on the number of colors you use.
- To assist you with this I have listed the total number of 4-row “color blocks” for each size in the table below, as well as the approx. yardage required for one color block.
| Blanket Size | Number of color blocks | Approx. yarn required per color block | Approx. total yarn required |
| Small Cradle | 19 | 20 yds / 18m | 405 yds / 370m |
| Large Cradle | 20 | 25 yds / 23m | 610 yds / 558m |
| Stroller Blanket | 22 | 40 yds / 37m | 945 yds / 864m |
| Receiving Blanket | 25 | 55 yds / 50m | 1470 yds / 1344m |
| Crib | 38 | 55 yds / 50m | 2190 yds / 2003m |
| Lapghan | 30 | 50 yds / 46m | 1650 yds / 1509m |
| Small Throw | 38 | 65 yds / 59m | 2640 yds / 2414m |
| Medium Throw | 41 | 75 yds / 69m | 3220 yds / 2944m |
| Large Throw | 45 | 85 yds / 78m | 4105 yds / 3754m |
Written Pattern
If you wish, you can purchase an inexpensive, ad-free PDF version of this pattern through Ravelry, Etsy or LoveCrafts.
I hope you have enjoyed this pattern, if you have questions at all, please don't hesitate to contact me. And be sure to tag your finished project on Instagram or Facebook using @nedandmimi or #nedandmimi!
Happy crocheting!
Sarah