Leaping Stripes and Blocks Blanket

There are brand new babies in the extended family, and that means a new crochet blanket pattern! So I gathered together soft cotton and a beautiful overlapping blocks pattern to create the Leaping Stripes and Blocks Blanket. The colors seem to move up and down the blanket in a fun zigzag pattern, and the overlapping boxes create a yummy rhythmic pattern to crochet. One row just leaps over the other – and I love the way it looks!

The Leaping Stripes and Blocks Blankets that I made up are preemie sized, to fit our new arrivals – about 20″ x 20″. This is also the perfect size for adding an amigurumi head to make a sweet crochet lovie! If you like the pattern but want it bigger, I’ve included sizing information for making a standard baby blanket, afghan, and queen size blanket as well! So be sure to check the sizing info for the specifics, and then follow the generalized instructions below. I’ve included a photo tutorial that starts with a chain of just 18 – but it’s enough to show how the stitch pattern comes together.

The blankets I made use 3 colors each. With this number I was able to carry the colors up along one side of the blanket, and cover them with the border. If you use more than 3 colors, you’ll probably want to cut and weave in the ends after each row (which may use a bit more yarn). The stitches used are beginner stitches, and as soon as you’ve made the first few rows the rest is a breeze!

Leaping Stripes and Blocks Blanket

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• US – I, 5.5mm hook
• Worsted weight yarn, equal amounts in 2 or more colors – for amounts see below
  (Hobby Lobby I Love This Cotton in Pistache, White, and Pink or Aqua shown in finished blankets; Lily Sugar’n Cream shown in tutorial photos)
• 
• VIDEO
  
  
• Dansk Tæppe med hoppende striber og blokke, af Camilla Herløw Søgaard (PDF)
• Nederlandse Deken Van Verspringende Strepen en Blokken, door Elke Wellens van Het Haakbeest (PDF)

Sizes: (yardage totals approximate)
Memorial Blanket/Afghan Square (12″ x 12″) – Ch 42; 38 rows; 160 yds
Preemie/Lovie (20″ x 20″) – Ch 70; 64 rows; 420 yds
Small Baby Blanket (30″ x 30″) – Ch 110; 96 rows; 950 yds
Standard Baby Blanket (36″ x 36″) – Ch 130; 116 rows; 1350 yds
Afghan/Throw (48″ x 68″) – Ch 174; 216 rows; 3350 yds
Twin Blanket (66″ x 90″) – Ch 238; 288 rows; 6237 yds
Queen Blanket (90″ x 100″) – Ch 326; 320 rows; 9250 yds
King/Cal. King (110″ x 100″) – Ch 398; 320 rows; 11,550 yds

Instructions:

Row 1: With first color ch to length desired (see list above). Dc in the 4th ch from hook, then dc in the next ch. *Ch 2, skip 2 ch, dc in next 2 ch. Repeat from * until last ch remains, dc in the last ch. Turn.

Row 2: Ch 1 and sc in the 1st st. Ch 2, skip next 2 sts. *Working over the chains and into the unworked foundation chains below, dc in each of the next two foundation chs. (The chains from Row 1 are enclosed within these dc sts.) Ch 2, skip the next 2 sts. Repeat from * until last st remains. Sc in the last st (top of ch 3), finishing the st with second color. Drop first color (cut if using more than 3 colors). Turn.

Row 3: Ch 1 and sc in the 1st st. *Working over the chains and into the top of the sts from two rows previous, dc in each of the next two sts.** Ch 2, skip the next 2 sts. Repeat from * across, ending last repeat at ** with last st remaining. Sc in the last st. Turn.

Row 4: Ch 1 and sc in the 1st st. Ch 2, skip next 2 sts. *Working over the chains and into the top of the sts from two rows previous, dc in each of the next two sts. Ch 2, skip the next 2 sts. Repeat from * until last st remains. Sc in the last st, finishing the st with the next color. Drop last color (cut if using more than 3 colors). Turn.

Repeat Rows 3 and 4, switching colors every 2 rows, through the next to last row indicated in the Sizes chart above (ending on a Row 3 repeat). Then go to the last row instructions below.

Last Row (even # row): Ch 1, sc in the 1st 3 sts. *Working over the chains and into the top of the sts from two rows previous, dc in each of the next two sts. Sc in the next 2 sts. Repeat from * until last st remains. Sc in last st. Break yarn and weave in ends.

Border: I did a simple border of two rows of sc, working 3 sc in each corner. You can do the same if you like this look, or do something fancier if desired!

Easy enough, eh? I hope you find the size you need here – if there’s a blanket width you’re looking for that’s not here just let me know and I’ll add it to the chart. The Leaping Stripes and Blocks Blanket was a lot of fun for me to crochet (even making two in a row) and I hope you enjoy it just as much! If you spot any errors please let me know – for the free patterns YOU are the testers! And if you liked it, let me know too – I love to read your comments!

Written pattern copyright Tamara Kelly 2013. Please do not reprint or repost this pattern, but please do link to this page to share this pattern with others. If you wish to make items for sale from this pattern, please visit the About page for details.