Inspired by twinkling lights reflected on snow, the Very Merry Blanket adds holiday flare with its multicolored stripe pattern on a field of white.

Blanket is made with octagon, square, and triangle motifs that are worked in the round. Tapestry crochet colorwork makes this project really shine. This simple technique requires the use of just two colors in each round, alternating between each to create tiny blocks of color. Using double crochet stitches, the motifs work up in a snap! Motifs are joined with an invisible mattress stitch to create a festive design across the fabric. Finally, a wide block-stitch border is added.

Detailed, step-by-step photo and video tutorials illustrate the tapestry technique, as well as how to sew motifs together using the invisible mattress stitch.

Whether a treat for yourself or a gift for someone special, this blanket is sure to be an heirloom that will brighten the holidays year after year.

Skill Level: Confident Beginner

Finished Measurements
52 x 52 inches (132 x 132 cm)

Materials
Approx. 3200 yards (2926 meters) medium-weight yarn
Size G/6/4mm crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge
Tapestry needle
8 stitch markers (optional)

For the blanket shown here, I used Cascade 220 medium (worsted) weight wool yarn (220 yds/201 m; 3.5 oz/100 g per hank): 12 hanks #8505 White; 1 hank each #7803 Magenta, #2404 Atlantic, #8895 Christmas Red, and #2409 Palm

For a 2-color blanket (1 Main Color and 1 Contrasting Color for the stripes), you will need approx. 1200g (2640 yds) of yarn for the Main Color and 240g (528 yds) of yarn for the Contrasting Color.

Yarn Note
• Pattern is designed for medium-weight yarn. Lighter or heavier weight yarns may be used. A different weight yarn may require a different size hook, as well as more or less yarn than noted. Working with a thinner or thicker yarn may result in different gauge measurements, which will affect the Finished Measurements.

Gauge
Rnds 1–4 of Octagon Motif = 3.5 inches (9 cm)
Octagon Motif = 9 inches (23 cm) wide; 4 inches (10 cm) on each side, blocked
Square Motif = 4 inches (10 cm) square, blocked
Triangle Motif = 5.5 inches (14 cm) on longest side; 4 inches (10 cm) on other 2 sides, blocked
14 dc = 3 inches (7.5 cm)

PATTERN INCLUDES
• Premium pattern pdf with professional full-color photographs.
• List of abbreviations (US terms used) plus special stitches and techniques.
• Stitch charts for octagon, square, and triangle motifs.
• Assembly guide.
• Photo tutorial for crocheting a stacked single crochet (optional to replace beginning chain-3).
• Photo tutorial for changing colors at the end of a round and beginning the next round with the new color.
• Photo tutorial and video tutorial for how to change color using tapestry crochet with double crochet stitches.
• Photo tutorial and video tutorial for how to join motifs using the invisible mattress stitch.

This pattern listing includes 2 downloadable files:
(1) Main Pattern PDF presents the pattern in a 2-column layout with color photos.
(2) Print-Friendly PDF: An additional text-only pdf presents the pattern in a simplified 1-column layout. All text is in black and pdf has been tagged for accessibility.

Stitches Used
Chain, slip stitch, single crochet, double crochet, and treble crochet

Techniques Used
Adjustable ring method, changing color using simple tapestry crochet (2 colors only in a round), single crochet join, invisible mattress stitch

Pattern written in US crochet terms.

Testing by Fran Elsky

Technical editing by Randy Cavaliere