Thursday, January 22, 2015

Wobbly Rectangles Blanket - Free Pattern | Tw-In Stitches

I love a square blanket, but sometimes it is helpful to have your blanket more the shape of a rectangle.  The dc2tog stitch can be used to create the Wobbly Rectangles Blanket!


Click here to add this project to your Ravelry queue!

 

What size to make?

Before we get started, you need to decide what size blanket you would like to make.  The size of your blanket will determine your starting chain for your rectangles.

Baby blanket: 30 x 36 inches = Starting chain of 20.

Lapghan:  36 x 48 inches = Starting chain of 38.

For any other dimensions, calculate the difference between your desired length and width.  For example, the baby blanket is 30 x 36.  36-30 is 6 inches.  Using a J hook and worsted weight yarn, you need 3 chains for each inch, + 2 extra chains for the start.  3 x 6 = 18, + 2 is 20 chains.

You may need to adjust the number of chains based on the type of yarn you are using, the size hook you are using, and the tension of your crochet.  Your starting chain must be a multiple of 3 + 2 to work.  To be certain you are okay, measure your chain as close to difference of your dimensions as possible, but confirm it is a multiple of 3 + 2. If you are slightly under, please do not worry.  It will still work!


Supplies:

3 skeins Red Heart Super Saver Yarn in 3 different colors (7 oz per skein)
- I used white, Spring Green, and Turqua
- J Hook (6.00 mm)
- Tapestry needle

Stitches Needed:


Chain
dc2tog (Double crochet together)  Click here for a video from Moogly to learn how to crochet this stitch.
slip stitch
Standing DC  Click here for a video from Moogly to learn how to crochet a standing dc.
Standing dc2tog: begin a standing dc, pull yarn through first two loops only.  Yarn over, insert hook through next chain 1 space and complete the dc2tog.
DC

Note about the corners: Each corner is worked over three stitches.  They will consist of the second half of a dc2tog, chain 1, dc, chain 1, dc, chain 1, the first half of a dc2tog.  You will have what appears to be 4 dcs in each corner.


Pattern: (baby blanket)

*For a photo tutorial of the first two rows, click here.

Row 1: Chain 20.  In the fourth chain (counts as 1 dc) from the hook, begin dc2tog. (yarn over, insert hook, yarn over, draw up through first 2 loops only).  Skip 1 chain, complete dc2tog in next stitch (yarn over, insert hook, yarn over, draw up through first 2 loops, yarn over, draw through remaining 3 loops).  Chain 1.  Begin next dc2tog in same stitch. Continue across the chain, ending with the completion of the final dc2tog in the last stitch. *Chain 1, double crochet in the same stitch.* Repeat * to * three times. Continue your stitches along the bottom side of the chain.  Begin dc2tog in the same stitch, skip 1 chain, complete dc2tog in the next. Dc2tog across to the end.  In the last stitch, complete the last dc2tog, *chain 1, dc *.  Repeat from * to * two times. Chain 1, join to top of beginning chain 3. Fasten off. (8 dcs, 16 dc2togs, 24 chain 1 spaces)

* I'm working on my charting skills!  ;)



Row 2: Color B, Join new color in the chain 1 space just to the left of the chain 3 from Row 1, using the standing DC method, but only drawing up through the first two loops.  Complete the dc2tog in the next chain 1 space. Chain 1. Begin dc2tog in the same space and continue pattern across.  When you reach the end, you will see three tree chain 1 spaces in the rounded end from row 1.  In the first chain 1 space, create a corner cluster (end of last dc2tog, chain 1, dc, chain 1, dc, chain 1, begin new dc2tog, all in the same space). Complete dc2tog in next space, chain 1, begin next dc2tog in same space.  Complete in the third chain 1 end space.  Create a corner cluster in that space.  Continue with the dc2tog pattern across the side.  When you reach the other end, create a corner cluster in the first of the three chain 1 spaces as the end. Complete dc2tog in next space, chain 1, begin next dc2tog in same space.  Complete in the third chain 1 end space.  Create a corner cluster in that space. Complete the last dc2tog in the same space as your standing dc2tog. Chain 1, join to top of standing dc2tog. (24 dc2tog, 8 dc, 32 chain 1)

Row 2 begins to make the rectangular shape.  I really need to work on my charting skills!



Row 3: Color C, join new color in the chain 1 space, you just completed from Row 2 using the standing dc2tog method.  Dc2tog across, crocheting a corner cluster in each of the corner spaces and the dc2togs across each side.  Complete the last dc2tog in the same space as your join, chain 1, join to top of standing dc2tog. (32 dc2tog, 8 dc, 40 chain 1)

Closeup of the first four rows of my completed blanket


Rows 4 - 24: Alternate colors, repeating row 3.

Note: If you decide to make any other dimensions for this blanket, you will need to continue to repeat row 3 until you achieve the desired length and width.  For the featured blanket picture, I made a lapghan that measures 36 x 48 inches and it was a total of 27 rows.

Fasten off and weave in ends!

Lapghan sized blanket created with beginning chain of 38.  36 by 48 inches


You can add any border you like, but I actually like mine without one!

Enjoy!

15 comments:

  1. Congratulations on figuring this great pattern out! Do you have the stitch summary for Row 2? I'm trying to get it right from he diagram, but seem to have it wrong and I can't figure out where.

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    Replies
    1. If you did the pattern exactly as written, you will have (24 dc2tog, 8 dc, 32 chain 1 spaces). Each new row will increase by 8 dc2tog, but will always have the 8 dc for the corners. The number of chain 1 spaces will be the same as the number of dc2tog + the 8 dc. I hope this helps!

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  2. My husband LOVES your pattern and would like me to make one for him. Could you help me figure out how many chains, etc to start with for an adult sized blanket? Thank you so much!

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    Replies
    1. Hi, Maggie! I'm happy to help. You need to decide what dimensions you would like your blanket to be. I would recommend using this:
      Lapghan: 36 x 48 inches = Starting chain of 38.
      You can always make it bigger than the dimensions listed. Just keep adding more rows. It will always be a difference of 12 inches between the length and width.

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  3. Hi i'm planning to make rectangular tablecloth 47" in length and 23" in diameter. Can you please guide me

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    Replies
    1. Hi, Aparna, If you read the instructions under "What size to make," I give instructions on how to calculate your starting chain so that the blanket works out to be the size you would like. Please remember that this pattern is written using worsted weight yarn, so you are going to have to experiment with lighter yarn weights.

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  4. i was wondering how this would be done with one color of yarn? i am using variegated yarn and would like to just stick with that. trying to figure out how to start row two is stumping me big time! i am a beginner crocheter

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Aimee,
      You can use the trick I used for the square to continue the next row. Here's a link: http://www.twinstitches.com/2016/04/wobbly-squares-blanket-without-changing.html

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    2. Awesome! Thanks for the quick response!

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  5. I love this! It gives the Granny square a whole new look.

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  6. Thank you for sharing your pattern. :) I finished a peach, seafoam green and off white baby blanket following your instructions. I love it! Thanks again!

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  7. LOVE this! Gonna have to try it soon! Have too many WIPS right now but saving this pattern!! Thank you!

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  8. I'm doing this pattern with Lion Brand Pound of Love yarn and I think I'm running into trouble. I'm using a hook that's .5mm larger than what the yarn calls for, but it seems as though the edges on my blanket are not at all straight. They have a wavy look to them and the short edges seem wider than the rest... I do plan on doing a matting technique that I saw to try to square it out some but is there anything else that I could be doing wrong? Or are the funky edges just normal for this pattern?

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  9. Thank you for the time and energy you've taken to give us this pattern. Wish me luck! LOL

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  10. Hello, I am planning to make this blanket in a 60 x 40 size. If I understand correctly, I would need a ch of 62? It seems too long. Please help.

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