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When I’m designing a new crochet baby blanket I really try to think about what most people want for babies. I’ve designed so many over the years and a recurring theme has emerged – simple and classic. Even if the blanket is really colourful I try and balance that with a really simple stitch texture to balance it out. Conversely if it’s a single block of colour then I use a bit more texture and detail in the stitch and construction and this always seems to be a winner. My most popular designs have always been baby blankets in neutral colours that feel modern and not fussy but that nod towards the traditional. I hope The Oyster Shell Blanket is one to add to that simple and classic collection.
I’ve been using a really bright and fun colour palette recently and I felt like it was time to calm it down with this latest design. The stitches I’ve used are my take on cluster stitches and the chain spaces give a delicate fretwork style to the blanket to give it a lovely drape so it’s perfect for a summer baby.
You can carry on reading to find the free pattern here in this blogpost or purchase an ad-free, printable PDF version of the Oyster Shell Blanket crochet pattern in my stores to download and print.
This post contains some affiliate links so any clicks from you help support me to bring more free patterns.
Yarn
I designed the blanket in Deramores Studio Baby DK – Oyster 005. The entire blanket only took three balls of yarn so is a really budget friendly make.
The yarn is 100% acrylic, 270m/100g and there are 15 beautiful shades to choose from.
The fabulous folks at Deramores have put together a yarn pack (which also includes the free pattern PDF) so if you fancy it in the Oyster shade then follow the link below:
—BUY THE YARN PACK AND GET A PATTERN PDF HERE—
Tension and Sizing
The finished blanket measures 80cm by 96cm.
Tension of main pattern – 3 sets of clusters and 5 rows = 10cm x 10cm
Materials
Along with the yarn you will also need:
A 5mmcrochet hook
Needle
Scissors
Notes
A ch1 at the beginning of a row does not count as a stitch.
A ch4 at the beginning of a row does count as a stitch.
Glossary/Abbreviations
ch – chain,
ss – slip stitch,
st- stitch,
sk – skip,
BL – back loop,
FL – front loop,
rep – repeat,
RS – right side,
FP – front post
dc – double crochet,
htr – half treble,
tr – treble,
dtr – double treble,
US Stitch Terms:
sc – single crochet,
hdc – half double crochet,
dc – double crochet,
tr – treble crochet,
Special Stitches
In UK Terms:
For a 4dtr cluster stitch (4dtr-Cl) begin as if to double treble crochet in next stitch, but don’t complete the stitch and leave two loops on the hook. Repeat this again, crocheting as if to make a double treble crochet but don’t complete the stitch and leave three loops on the hook. Continue to do this, working into the same stitch, until there are 5 loops on the hook. Yarn over, pull through all 5 loops on the hook.
A 2tr-Cl is worked in the same way but just completing the stitch after 2 stitches instead.
For a detailed step by step tutorial of how to crochet the cluster stitches then please scroll down beyond the pattern.
Pattern
In standard UK terms – please refer to the chart for US terminology conversions.
Foundation chain: ch94 [or any multiple of 4+2]
Row 1: RS: dc in 2nd ch from hook and each across [93]
Row 2: ch5 (counts as st and ch), sk st, 4dtr-Cl, ch1, sk st, *dtr, ch1, sk st, 4dtr-Cl, ch1, sk st, rep from * to last, dtr in last
Row 3: ch4 (counts as st and ch) *sk st, tr, ch1, sk st, 2tr-Cl, rep from * to last 4, ch1, sk st, tr, ch1, sk st, tr in last
Row 2 and 3 create the pattern.
Rows 4-15: Repeat the pattern 6 more times
Row 16: Rep Row 2
Row 17: ch1, htr in each
Row 18: BL only – ch1, htr in 2, *ch1, sk st, htr, rep from * to last, htr in last
Row 19: FL only – ch1, htr in each Row 20: Rep Row 18
Row 21: Rep Row 19
Rows 22-27: Repeat the pattern 3 more times
Row 28: Rep Row 2
Rows 29-33: Rep Rows 17-21
Rows 34-48: Rep Rows 2-16
Row 49: ch1, dc in each
Border:
Round 1: ch1, htr in each on short edge, (htr, ch1, htr) for corner, for long edge – 3htr in side of each dtr, 2htr in side of each tr, 1htr in side of each htr, (htr,ch1,htr) for corner, repeat around, ss in 1st to join [406 htr and 4 x ch1-corner spaces]
Round 2: ch1, htr in each, (htr,ch1,htr) in each corner, ss in 1st to join [414 htr and 4 x ch1-corner spaces]
Round 3: ch1, htr in each, (htr,ch1,htr) in each corner, ss in 1st to join [422 htr and 4 x ch1-corner spaces]
Weave in all ends and block the blanket.
Learn to crochet the Cluster Stitch-
There are loads of different versions and interpretations of how to work a cluster stitch so to help out I thought I’d create a little step by step tutorial of how I do it.
I absolutely love to see completed projects so make sure you add your completed projects to Ravelry here or use #hanjancrochet and tag me over on Instagram so I can find you.
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