The Two Sided Baby Blanket Pattern

One side is worked in white, the other is worked with four different colors in a striped sequence.

White is the MC, and the rest will be referred to as Color A, B, C, D.

Use a hook size that is compatible with the yarn of your choice. I used an H (5mm)hook and a worsted weight yarn.

A pictorial for this afghan can be found below to try and answer any questions you might have.

To Begin Afghan:

With MC, ch 163.
Row 1: Work 1 dc in 5th ch from hook, work 3 dc in next ch, dc in next ch, * sk next 2 ch, (dc in next ch, 3 dc in next ch, dc in next ch), rep across to end; do not work in last ch. Drop loop from hook. Do Not Turn.

Row 2: With Color A, starting at beg of last row, join with a sc in the ch before the first dc of first shell on previous row), ch 6 (keeping loops in front of last row) skip next shell and sc in first ch left unworked between shells on prev row, rep across row, ending with ch 6, sc in end ch (the free ch left unworked from prev row) , ch 2. Turn.

Row 3: Continue with Color A, work a sc in first dc of last shell st row, ch 2, * inserting hook through the dc and under the chain loop, work a shell (5dc in same sp) in center of next shell, rep across, changing to color B in last st. Drop loop from hook. Do Not Turn.

Row 4: Pick up dropped MC loop at end of the shell st row before last, * Ch 6, working in front of last shell st row, sk next shell, work 1 sc in space before next shell (same color shell as ch loop being made), rep from * across, end with ch 6, sc under ch loop at end of row. Ch 2, Turn.

Row 5: Continue with MC, work a sc in first dc of shell, ch 2, * inserting hook through the dc and under chain loop, work a shell (5dc in same st) in center of next shell, rep from * across. Drop loop from hook. Do Not Turn.

Row 6: Pick up dropped loop (color B), ch 6, working in front of last shell st row, sk next shell, work 1 sc in space before next shell, rep from * across, end with ch 6, 1 sc under ch loop at end of row.

Repeat rows 3, 4, 5, and 6 for pattern, working colors in a striped sequence and keeping MC on one side solid. Work until blanket measures the length you want or need. About 48 inches is a good length. End with a MC chain loop row.

For Last Row: With MC, ch 2, Turn, work a sc in next 4dc of last shell st row, * ch 2 work 1 sc in middle dc of next shell, rep from * across row to last shell, work 1 sc in middle dc of this shell and 3sc in last dc, Turning so that you are now working on the side of blanket, cont to sc across entire side of blanket as evenly as you can, working 3 sc into each corner, cont around entire blanket in this manner, join in beginning sc with a sl st. Fasten Off.

You may now add a border of your choice. You may use two strands of yarn to work a reverse sc around entire blanket. Or you may choose to add a ruffle. Or you may want to just continue in rounds of sc until border is the way you like it to look.

This is your pattern now. Make the border your way. I hope that I have helped you to be able to make the blanket.

I'll post a picture of my version of this completed blanket another day. Meantime, have a good one and I'll talk to you later gater!

Your Sandi

At the end of this row

At the end of this row, you put a sc into the ch after the last shell. Ch 2 and Turn. (You turn on ch loop rows)

Continuing with the White Chain Loop Row

Chain 6 and then work a sc into one of the white dc between the first two shells. Ch 6 and repeat across the row.

Chain Loop Row

Okay we are back to the white again. Row 4.

You pick up the loop where you left off and tighten it on the hook. Remember you did not turn at the end of the last row, so this row starts at the opposite end and that is where you'll find the white loop.

The Rest of Row 3

Row 3(shell stitch row) is continued by putting a shell(5dc) in the center stitch of each white shell. It is important that you pick up the ch loop at the back and stitch through it also. This anchors the two sides together. At the end of this row, drop the loop from the hook the same way you did before--pulling it out some so you don't lose your work.

Do Not Turn (on shell stitch rows)

Row Three

For Row 3(Shell St row): You will have to forgive me in that this picture is not matching up to the colors we are using at the moment.

With the blue yarn, I want you to sc in the top of the white row of shells. The first st only. Then ch 2,

Row Two

I'll call this the Chain Loop Row. I'm using this picture to help you see what it looks like after you get a few rows done. You'll understand it a whole lot better with this picture in mind.

For Row 2: Do not turn your work. Leaving the white yarn (MC) off the hook, go back to the beggining of the first row. Making a loop on your hook with the CC yarn (I used blue), join with a sc in the ch loop before the first shell made with the white yarn in row one.

(Before you yell at me, just stare at the picture a minute. It's not as complicated as it sounds.)

Now ch 6(with the blue) and sc in one of the unused ch loops after the next (white) shell on row one. Continue all the way across. When you get to the end of the row, sc in the previously unused loop at the end of row one.

Being careful not to undo any of the white stitches, ch 2 (with the blue) and Turn your work.

Begin With the Chain

I'm doing this one for a baby. It will be large enough to use as a crib blanket.

I used Caron Simply Soft yarn and a size H hook. That's 5mm for the hook and worsted weight. Your brand may have a 4 on the label next to weight.

For the foundation chain, with White(MC) ch 163.
Row 1: (shell stitch row) Work 1 dc in 5th ch from hook, 3dc in next ch, dc in next ch,* skip next 2 ch, (dc in next ch) rep from * across to end of ch. There will be one ch loop extra at end. We'll use it later.

You are going to drop the loop from the hook for now. I want you to pull the yarn so that it makes a very large loop. This way you won't lose any of your work.

Do not turn.

Making a Two Sided Blanket

This is a whole lot easier than it looks. One side is made with alternating rows of color and the other side is solid white. Both sides are worked together. When you master this little techinique you're friends and family members will brag about you to people you don't even know.

I'm here to show you how its done.

Why Pastels?

Ever wonder why so many crochet turotials are made using pastel color yarn? It's easier to see the stitches.

The hardest color to work with is black. Try it and see if you don't find yourself thinking(if not saying outloud) that you can't see the stitches.

That being said, I believe this photo might explain why we bother to stitch with black. The effect of contrast is awesome to behold. Makes it worth the extra time and effort.

Back Loop?

If you struggle with understanding the back loop/front loop that is mentioned so often in crochet--you are not alone.

To help you to 'see' it without being there to actually 'show' them to you; this is what I come up with that helped someone else find her back loops.

When you make a beginning chain and then go to crochet into that chain, you are crocheting into the back loop of the chain. Do this and look at it. You should now 'see' it in a whole new way.

When you crochet into the back loop of a stitch, that is the loop that is furthest from you. Front loop is closest.

Why do we do this? It gives us a loop to attach work to later on in the pattern. It makes a nice line on the crochet piece that is decorative.

Yum Yum

Easy Peach Pie

1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup milk
1 can peach slices
butter as needed

Dot a 1qt baking dish with butter. Combine all ingredients except peaches. Pour into baking dish. Spread peaches over top. Bake 40 minutes at 350 degrees (F).

Ribbing in Crochet

The ribbing that is found on sweaters can be done in crochet. For this example I used a smaller hook for the ribbing than I did for the sweater body.

To Begin: Ch 13.

For Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook and in each ch across. Ch 1, Turn. (12sc)

Row 2: Sc in back loop only of first st and each st across to last st, sc in both loops of last st. Ch 1, Turn.

Rep Row 2 until you reach the length you need. In ribbing, the length equals the width. That is because you turn the ribbing around and changing hook to a larger size you then work the sweater up from there.