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Lemonade Throw
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Today I’d like to share a simple throw pattern that I think makes a big impact. The center of the throw is constructed in rows with a simple stitch repeat that creates texture. The border is added in rounds with alternating bands of smooth stitches and a different textured stitch. I love the contrast from one stitch pattern to another, but don’t worry, they are all basic stitches that even a beginner can handle.
I love to design patterns that are basic guidelines and can be customized in many ways, I call them “recipes”. This allows each crocheter to customize to their own needs and tastes. This particular blanket has a lot of opportunity for customization. The texture is strong enough to make it shine in a solid color or choose several colors for endless stripes and combinations.
I made my sample as a generously sized baby receiving blanket, but this pattern can easily be adjusted to just about any size! You can find my blanket sizing chart HERE if you need help with sizing. Work as many rows as you like to achieve the length you desire, then add the border. The border can be customized too! I worked two repeats of each section but you can add more rounds or more repeats if you want a wider border.
Click here for a handy blanket sizing chart!
I made this beauty with Red Heart Bunches of Hugs in three colors. The center is a “print” called Castle and the border is worked in Banana and Rain. The yarn is a #4 worsted weight, soft acrylic and quite pleasant to work with. It iscurrently available in 18 colors in a big ball size which is perfect for larger projects. In fact, for my sample I used about 1 1/4 balls of the print and about 1/4 of each of the other two colors. I plan on making other items with the leftovers, but if you don’t have a need for the extra, you could mix with another similar weight yarn such as Red Heart Baby Hugs Medium or even Red Heart Super Saver.
You can read some of my favorite Red Heart Yarn reviews HERE.
Thank you to Red Heart for providing the yarn for this project!
I hope you’ll give this pattern a try. Let me know how you like it and be sure to share your finished photos on my Facebook page or tag me on Instagram @patternparadise!
Don’t forget to join the Pattern Paradise Crochet Community Facebook Group too!
Pattern Instructions
Size: Approximately 42″ x 42” – Size is easily adjustable – see notes.
Materials:
Red Heart Bunches of Hugs worsted weight yarn in three colors:
- Color 1 (Castle) – Approximately 850 yds
- Color 2 (Rain) – Approximately 250 yds
- Color 3 (Banana) – Approximately 250 yds
Tapestry Needle for weaving ends
Gauge: Gauge is not critical for this project, but I got approximately 5 Shells x 9 rows in 4” in the Blanket pattern — Stitch multiple = 3
And to store my crochet hooks, I love this case!
Abbreviations (US Terms):
ch = chain
dc = double crochet
sc = single crochet
sl st = slip stitch
st(s) = stitch(es)
Special Stitches:
- Shell = [sc, 2dc] in same stitch
- Beg Shell = [ch2, 2dc] in first stitch
Notes
- Weave ends as you work.
- Stitch count is in ( ) at the end of the Row/Round.
Blanket
The center part of the blanket is worked in rows. The border is added in rounds. It’s easy to adjust this blanket to any size you like. Simply add or delete chains in increments of 3 for the beginning chain to adjust the width; add/reduce the rows to adjust the length.
Row 1: With Color 1, ch105, 2dc in 3rd ch from hook (counts as a Beg Shell), skip 2 chs, [Shell in next ch, skip 2 chs], repeat between [ ] until there is one ch remaining, sc in last ch. (34 Shells)
Row 2: Turn, Beg Shell, skip 2, [Shell in next st, skip 2], repeat between [ ] until there is one st remaining, sc in last st. (34 Shells)
Repeat Rows 2, until the blanket Is desired length.
Border
- Join rounds with sl st to first st of round.
Round 1: Ch1, turn, work [sc, ch1, sc] in first st (this will become a corner), work sc across until there is one st remaining, being sure to have an odd number of sc (you may have to skip one if you don’t have an odd number of sts); *[sc, ch1, sc] in corner, work sc evenly to next corner being sure to have an odd number of sc*, repeat between * to end, join. Fasten off. Be sure you have the same number of stitches along the top and bottom of the blanket and the same number on each side. You will have an odd number of stitches on each of the 4 sides + you will have [sc, ch1, sc] in each corner.
Round 2 (mark this round as a right side round): Join Color 2 in any corner, ch1, *[sc, ch1, sc] in corner, sc to next corner*, repeat between * to end, join.
Rounds 3 and 4: Sl st into the corner, ch1, *[sc, ch1, sc] in corner, sc in each st to next corner*, repeat between * to end, join. Fasten off after last repeat.
Round 5: Join Color 3 in any corner, ch1, *[sc, ch1, sc] in corner, [sl st in next st, hdc in next st] repeat to last st before next corner, sl st in last st before corner*; repeat between * to end, join, sl st into corner.
Rounds 6 to 8: Ch1, turn, *[sc, ch1, sc] in corner, [sl st in next st, hdc in next st] repeat to last st before next corner, sl st in last st before corner *; repeat between * to end, join, sl st into corner. Fasten off after last repeat.
Round 9: Working from right side of blanket, join Color 2 in any corner, ch1, *[sc, ch1, sc] in corner, sc to next corner*, repeat between * to end, join.
Rounds 10 to 12: Ch1, *[sc, ch1, sc] in corner, sc to next corner*, repeat between * to end, join. Fasten off after last repeat.
Rounds 13 to 16: Repeat Rounds 5 to 8. Fasten off after last repeat.
You can find lots of blanket and afghan patterns at AllFreeCrochet.com too!
Want more blankets from Pattern Paradise?
(click on photo to get more info on pattern)
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I want the free blanket throw plush
I don’t understand. The page where you posted this comment has the free pattern. If you need further help, please send me an email.
Hi There> have completed the inside portion of blanket. Have frogged border 3 times. The initial sc around row is fine and defines my stitch count. Where the problem is on the second sc around in color 2. I have sc, ch 1, sc in each corner (next round is done in the ch 1 of previous round for corner). My stitch count for each opposing side is exact and an uneven number. Problem is when I get to corners on second round of sc in color two I am short and have to expand last stitch to make it to ch 1 space for corner stitches. I have counted and recounted and it is still happening. Any idea why? tx
Your rounds should be ending with a sl st to the first sc of each corner, then you will slip stitch into the ch1 space and start the new corner there. Between the corners there are only sc stitches, so I’m not following where you noting that you are coming up short. If you need further help, please email me at [email protected]
ok i see now that color 1 is multi color thanks
Quick question, can you tell me how often you switched colors or did you just do it when ever. In the pattern you say to start off with color one but never specify when to switch colors.
If you are referring to the center of the blanket, I did not change colors there as the yarn was self striping and I considered this Color 1. The color changes come into play in the border and if you look at those rounds, I do specify Color 2, Color 3, etc.
I love this blanket! Thank you for sharing the pattern. I’m in the process of making this as a gift for a friend who has a baby due in October. Can you tell me about how much width/length the border adds? Knowing this will help me better determine how big to make the center. Thank you!
That’s so sweet of you, the border is approximately 6″ on each side.