Crochet Plaid Blanket Pattern

Plaid may look complicated, but with this crochet plaid blanket pattern, you'll be amazed at how simple it can be! The technique combines the versatility of the mesh stitch with a clever weaving method, making it look intricate but actually easy to pull off.

Author: Kimberly Arenas

Materials

Abbreviations (US terms)

Chain - ch
Double crochet - dc

Notes

Base Stitches: The most common base stitch for a plaid blanket is the double crochet (DC) or half double crochet (HDC). These stitches create a solid fabric while allowing enough space for the color changes to stand out. I use double crochet for this blanket.
Weaving in Ends: As with any multi-color crochet project, be sure to weave in all the ends securely. Use a yarn needle to thread the ends through the back loops of the stitches to hide them well and prevent fraying. Or make it into fringe like I do!
Weight: A medium-weight yarn (like worsted weight) is typically a good choice for blankets, offering warmth and structure without being too bulky.

Instructions

Crochet Plaid Blanket Base

The crochet plaid blanket pattern is made in rows.
Row 1: Ch x163.
Row 2: In the 5th ch from the hook, make a dc. Then skip the next stitch, and ch x1. In the following stitch make a dc.
You want to repeat making a dc, skip a ch + ch x1 for the rest of the row. You should end on a dc.
When you get to the end of the row, ch x3 and turn your work.
Row 3: Now you are going to make a dc over the last dc post you made, ch x1 and skip the chain you made in the last row. You want to continue stacking dc posts and chain spaces over each other so you make perfect columns.
When you get to the end of the row, ch x3 and turn your work.
Row 4-8: Repeat row 3. At the end of row 8, fasten off the black yarn and switch the color to yellow. Then ch x3 and turn your work.
Row 9-12: Using the yellow yarn repeat row 2. At the end of the last row switch back to black. Then ch x3 and turn.
For the rest of the blanket you will be alternating color blocks and black blocks. Each color block will have 4 rows, and the black blocks will have 8.
The entire blanket color scheme is like this:
Black - 8 rows
Yellow - 4 rows
Black - 8 Rows
Orange - 4 rows
Black - 8 Rows
Red - 4 rows
Black - 8 Rows
Purple - 4 rows
Black - 8 Rows
Blue - 4 rows
Black - 8 Rows
Green - 4 rows
Black - 8 Rows
When the crochet color block blanket is completed, fasten off the yarn and weave in any ends.

2 ways to make the crochet plaid effect:

You can make chains the length of the blanket (163-180 chains depending on your tension) and then weave them in individually with either your fingers or the help of the needle.
You can measure out 3 strips of yarn that is about a foot longer than the blanket base and weave all 3 of them at the same time with either your fingers or a needle. (This is probably the easiest and less frustrating).
With both options you want to tie the ends to the beginning and end of the blanket so they cannot be pulled out easily.
With option 1: You can choose to weave in any ends and be fringeless, or you can cut 12 inch yarn strips and make additional fringe to add to the ends of the blanket.
With option 2: The fringe is already built in so no additional cutting is necessary, however it is nearly impossible to hide all the ends if you were wanting to make the blanket fringeless. Just make sure to leave 6 inches of yarn on each side of the blanket when weaving in the yarn.
To attach the fringe to the top and bottom of the blanket, pinch the strand of yarn at the middle and make a loop, insert a hook into the short side of the scarf and pull the yarn through the bottom stitch. Then using your fingers take the ends of the fringe and loop them through the hole you made and pull tight.
After the fringe has been added, you will need to trim the crochet blanket fringe in order to have even fringe. Lay the blanket down somewhere and gently comb the fringe with fingers or a wide tooth comb and try to cut the trim in a straight line using scissors.
And now you have your very own crochet rainbow blanket! Perfect for snuggling under on the couch.

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