Festive Heart and Stripes Christmas Crochet Blanket Pattern

Heart & Stripes Crochet Blanket Pattern

Materials:

• Yarn:
  • Red yarn (approximately 800g)
  • White yarn (approximately 1000g)
  • Suggested: Soft acrylic or acrylic blend yarn for durability and softness.
• Hook: Size H/8 (5 mm) crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge.
• Scissors
• Tapestry Needle (for weaving in ends)

Gauge:

• 4” x 4” square = 16 stitches x 8 rows in shell stitch pattern. Adjust hook size as needed.

Finished Size:

• Approximately 50” x 60” (adjustable by adding/removing rows or columns).

Abbreviations (US Terms):

• ch: chain
• sc: single crochet
• dc: double crochet
• sl st: slip stitch
• st(s): stitch(es)
• sp: space

Pattern Overview:

This blanket alternates between red and white stripes, with embedded red heart motifs in white sections. It features a textured, shell-like stitch pattern and a scalloped border.

Instructions:

Step 1: Start the Foundation

1. Using white yarn, ch 150 (or any multiple of 10, plus 6 extra stitches for turning).
2. Row 1: Starting in the 4th ch from hook, work 1 dc. Skip 2 ch, (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in next ch, skip 2 ch, 1 dc in next ch. Repeat from * to * across. Turn.

Step 2: Shell Stitch Stripes

1. Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), work 3 dc in the next ch-1 sp, 1 dc in the next dc. Skip 2 sts, (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in ch-1 sp, skip 2 sts, 1 dc in next dc. Repeat across. Turn.
2. Repeat Row 2 for 10 rows to create the first stripe in white.

Step 3: Change Colors

1. Switch to red yarn. Repeat Row 2 for the next 10 rows.
2. Alternate between 10 rows of white and 10 rows of red until the blanket reaches your desired length.

Step 4: Adding Heart Motifs

1. Placement: Hearts are added to the white stripes only.
2. On Row 5 of each white section, work the following:
   • Use intarsia or tapestry crochet to switch to red yarn and form a heart. For a 10-row stripe, place the heart in the center 6 rows of the stripe.
   • Chart for a small heart (10 stitches wide x 6 rows tall): Row 1: x Row 2: x x Row 3: x x Row 4: x x Row 5: x x Row 6: x x
   Replace the corresponding white stitches with red following the heart chart. Carry the unused yarn along the back as you work.

Step 5: Finishing Edges

1. After completing all stripes and hearts, finish with a scalloped border:
   • Round 1: Attach white yarn. Sc evenly around the entire blanket, placing 3 sc in each corner.
   • Round 2: Work (sc, skip 1 st, 5 dc in next st, skip 1 st) to create scallops. Repeat around.

Step 6: Weave in Ends

Use a tapestry needle to weave in all loose ends.

Notes:

• For larger hearts or additional motifs, adjust the stitch count and placement within the white stripes.
• Customize colors to suit your preference (e.g., pink and cream for Valentine’s Day!).

This pattern will give you a festive, cozy blanket perfect for decoration or cuddling up during the holiday season! Let me know if you’d like further guidance on the stitches or techniques.