Size: 36” wide by 40” long (easily modified, info on modifying below and in free pattern)
Hook: Size K (6.5mm) Tunisian crochet hook with 24” cord attached, additional 40” cord, two end stoppers (scrap yarn can be used instead of 40” cord)
Yarn: Any worsted weight yarn in three colors, 660 yards each color, plus one extra skein in your color of choice for fringe (details below on the yarns I used)
Additional Materials: tapestry needle for cross stitching design and weaving ends
Gauge: 3.5 stitches and 3.5 rows per inch
Pattern + links to four-part video tutorial is a FREE RAVELRY DOWNLOAD.
INFORMATION ON MODIFYING PATTERN
You can make this blanket any size, using any yarn weight or hook size you like, as long as you like the fabric you are creating.
To determine your starting chain number, you’ll knit to make a swatch. Using the yarn and hook size you’d like to use, chain 20 (or so), and work up a small sample. Bind-off and wash swatch, then either block or dry the swatch as you will the finished blanket. (If you choose a machine washable and dryable yarn, you can machine wash and dry the swatch.) Then measure the number of stitches you’re getting per inch, and make note of that number.
Multiply that number by the number of inches wide you’d like your finished blanket, and use that number as your starting chain number. Here are some standard blanket sizes from About.com:
Crib: 45 by 60 inches
Twin/Throw: 66 by 90 inches
Double: 80 by 90 inches
Queen: 90 by 90 to 100 inches
King: 108 by 90 to 100 inches
An easy way to determine the amount of yarn you’ll need if you’re modifying the size is to work up your first stripe, and make note of how much yarn you used. There are 11 stripes total in the blanket. Remember to allow enough yarn for a wider Center Panel, and allow extra for fringe.
Information on things you’ll see in this video:
The interchangeable Tunisian Crochet hooks I’m using can be found here.
The yarn used in the pink/blue/green blanket is Knit Picks Brava Worsted, Blush – 3 skeins, Sky – 4 skeins (extra skein for fringe), Mint – 3 skeins
The yarn used in the Sock Monkey colors blanket is Lion Brand Wool-Ease Worsted, Cranberry – 3 skeins (extra skein for fringe), Oxford Grey – 2 skeins, Wheat – 3 skeins
The sweater I’m wearing is a free pattern + video tutorial.
The nail polish I’m wearing is by Julep, color “Malala”.
Staci, How would you change color in the middle of Tunisian crochet without leaving holes?
Melissa – I demonstrate how to change colors in the video.
S t a c i
Oh okay so there’s no difference between changing colors at the end of a row or the middle of the row. Thanks Staci you are the best.
This pattern doesn’t call for changing colors in the middle of a row, but I believe you will do it on a right-to-left row, the same way you do when changing colors for stripes.
S t a c i
What size hook did you use for the bulky demonstration?
That size hook should I use for the DK weight yarn?
Thank you for posting this info and wonderful video. I also love the idea of making this for a puppers (my kid’s call our 8 year old Vizsla). What size did you make you puppers blanket? Thank you.
Hi Staci~ I have started a Tunisian project. I learned something new viewing your video! Thanks! I never knew you could crochet into the spine…If you chain 10, you get 10 squares (11 sts). I have always crocheted into the front of the foundation row and if I wanted 10 squares I would needed to chain 11 sts. I also like the way the foundation row looks doing it your way…it matches the bind off.
Judi – I used size L hook with the bulky yarn.
S t a c i
Catherine – the dog blanket I made is the exact dimensions listed in the pattern.
S t a c i
Hi! Great video..!I am new at crosseting and i wanted to ask if i want to make a king size blanket, will the cord of the hook hold all these loops?Isn’t it too short to hold them? Maybe its a stupid question but i am new..
Stavy – I haven’t tested out a king-sized blanket, but my guess is that you’ll need at least a 32″ cord attached to the hook.
S t a c i
Thanks for the answer! So can i find such a long hook-cord or do i have to make it?
The Tunisian hook set that I link to in the post has all lengths of cords.
Thank you again..! I really enjoy your videos!
Thanks for this video. I took a Tunisian Crochet class at a local fiber festival last Fall and it was……difficult. Watching this video made learning so much easier. Thanks again!
Is that a basinji? What a gorgeous dog! (I’m very interested in the Tunisian Crochet too, by the way. Thanks for the video! I learn best from videos.)
Hi Staci . . . first let me say how much I enjoy your site, patterns, and videos! My question is,
When you calculate for a larger blanket using the “how to modify” instructions will I use the same number of rows in the pattern, 12, 12, 12, 20 etc. to get the length I want for a larger blanket? Or will I have to increase my row numbers, too?
Thanks Staci!
Susan – that is totally up to you. Bigger rows, more rows- whatever you like to achieve the size you want.
S t a c i
Thanks so much for everything you do help everyone out there. Your videos are the best! I understand that this rolls up like a scroll (lol) but if you are not using a natural fiber yard can you still block it from rolling? I am working on a scarf and just using yard I had at home. Thanks.
This is wonderful blog and I have a question to ask but it has nothign to do with this post… I am wondering if you have done a video on how to do K1yoK1?? I could use the help? Thanks
Can you please tell me or link me to the alphabet you used for the baby blanket? I love it and your videos are all fantastic! Thank you!
Celeste – the links to both alphabets I used are in the free, downloadable pattern.
S t a c i
Hi Staci,
How do you count rows in Tunisian crochet if you put it down and come back and didn’t keep up with what row you are on. Thanks
Debbie – each finished row of “boxes”, as you see in the part of the tutorial where I demonstrate cross stitching, is a finished row.
S t a c i
Again let me ask how to you block yarn when it isn’t a natural fiber because it still rolls?
Lisa – I can’t speak for all synthetic yarns, or all stitches…but I found that with the Tunisian Crochet stitch, a little bit of steam was all that was required to get the fabric to relax and lie flat. This is true for both the acrylic yarn I used (Knit Picks Brava), as well as the wool blend (Lion Brand Wool-Ease). The fabric has shown no sign of curling since I applied steam, even after machine washing.
S t a c i
I’m a complete beginner and you are the absolute best help and teacher available on the internet. I have recently completed the Log Cabin and am beginning this project. Is it ok to steam to relax occasionally during the crochet?
Your video is great! I am having trouble understanding something though. I know how to do the stitch no problem. I totally understand how to change colors. However, what I am not getting is the needle can only hold so many stitches and that is not the entire width of the blanket. Is that where the extensions come in? If so I cannot find a video on how to use the extensions. Also not seeing your link to the needles you used. Thanks!!
Sandy – the hook with the 24″ cord attached is enough cord to hold all of the stitches of this blanket, no need for an extension piece. The hook set I used can be found here:
http://www.yarn.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/product.detail/categoryID/0D3CF20A-2155-4EF7-B2C3-86685C455877/productID/309E0195-490C-41B9-B5EF-BD18E8013CB1/
S t a c i
Staci could you please do a demo on how you make this with the cord? Do you just keep going and push it onto the cord? With the cord thinner than the hook, doesn’t that mess up the stitches? I can’t find a video on how this works anywhere.
Sandy – it is no different than using circular knitting needles. The stitches are made on the hook, and stay that size as they slide to the cord.
S t a c i
Hi Stacy,
I am making the Tunisian baby blanket like the one in your video (thanks to you) and I ordered the blush and green from knit picks but the pink is from China and the green is from Turkey. (I did not want the yarn from China so I ordered the blue from ebay). To make a long story short Knit picks told me the blush was from Turkey and it is from China. Do you think this will make a big difference in the baby blanket? Thank you fort all your help.
Pat – sorry, I have no idea. I just know I ordered the yarn from Knit Picks, and that’s the end of my knowledge.
S t a c i
Hi staci,do you have a basic dog sweater video nothing fancy i need a tutorial for rib collar and stockinette body one or 2 colors maybe red and green for christmas.please if you have one let me know i need the video tutorial and the written pattern..i have x-large dog, large dog, medium dog, small dog and xs size dog…please help from beg to end basic easy to understand turtleneck collar rib stockinette body..armholes…i need one pattern for in the round and one pattern for flat i want to do both..please help. email me too if you can…i like the bulky yarn 5 or 6 and size 13 needles if possible…i have circulars 16″,24″,29″ 36″ in size 11 13 and 15 and flat straight needles 11,13,15,17….i know its a lot to ask maybe you have already but i cant find please email links to them..i really appreciate!!!
Shelley – I don’t have dog sweater patterns like that…I suggest you search Ravelry for what you’re looking for. There are dozens (maybe hundreds) of dog sweater patterns there.
Good luck!
S t a c i
Hi Staci, thinking of giving this blanket a try, I know its going to be hard to say, bur roughly, how much quicker is it to crochet this baby’s blanket, compared to knitting a blanket? If it’s easier how long would it take you to crochet it?
Chrisann – crochet is quicker than knitting, but sorry, I can’t tell you how much quicker it is. This blanket took me a couple of weeks to finish, working on it for a few hours in the evenings and more on the weekends.
S t a c i
Hi Staci,
I have tunisian crochet hook WITHOUT attached cord. Is there some way I can make the baby blanket using just what i have?
Radhika – you will probably find that a Tunisian hook with out a cord will be too short for the width of the blanket. You can always try to work a few rows and see how it goes.
S t a c i
I really love the blanket.
Thanks soooo much
Carolyn
I just finished my blanket!!! Thanks for the pattern.
“To determine your starting chain number, you’ll *knit* to make a swatch.”
Couldn’t resist! Staci, you rock.
I love you’re teaching methods and the blanket. Made a blanket for my grandson. I would like to send you picture of it. In the process of making a baby blanket. Of all the tutorials out there I find you the most helpful and fun to watch. Thank you very much
Hi Staci,
Question if I wanted to practice the techniques and I don’t have the Tunisian Crochet hook, could I use a regular crochet hook instead?
Clara
Clara – you really need a long hook to work Tunisian crochet. You could work just a few stitches on a regular-length hook, but this blanket requires a much longer hook to hold more stitches.
I did 150 change with the hook size I 5.5MM what size of blank is that question I am trying to make a crib blanket
Hi Staci,
First of all Thank you for all your videos! I have made several of your patterns. I have just finished making this blanket and I am rather pleased with it’s ease and speed (less than 2 weeks),and I plan on making several more this year.
As I am a bit of a perfectionist…..Here’s my question. Could you explain more about the tension? I think my tension may have been too loose. In the video, it appears as if you have quite a bit of tension on the yarn. The back of my work seems messy and irregular. Could that be from working too loosely? Also,the bottom right corner of the blanket is much more loose than the other 3 corners.
Thanks again,
Rachel
Rachel – you probably want to knit up some swatches to work on your tension…if it seems loose, you probably need to tighten. If it seems more irregular, you just need to work on keeping constant tension.
S t a c i
When you’re starting a new color row the one end stitch being brought up to the next row is a different color. To avoid this from happening if you need to switch to the new color yarn when you are doing your very last “pull through 2” when finishing your left to right row. That will cause that last stitch that gets pulled up into the next row to already be the color you want it.