The Blanket Stitch Free Tutorial & Dishcloth Pattern
Introduction to the Blanket Stitch
The Blanket Stitch creates the most amazingly textured fabric almost bubbly to look at. It’s perfect for blankets, hence the name, as it works up fast and the finished result is cozy and warm. Not only does it work well for blankets, this stitch may be utilised in many different projects from scarves to shawls, Its wonderful texture makes it a perfect choice for dishcloths.
This tutorial will teach you how to master the blanket stitch and crochet your first project, a useful dishcloth. Whether you are new to crochet or have years of experience under your belt this guide will give you everything you need and a fee pattern to crochet the Blanket Stitch. A video guide is also included for a visual reference.
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Benefits of Crochet Blanket Stitch
The Blanket Stitch is both beautiful and durable providing both aesthetic value and utility. This stitch lends itself well to a wide variety of projects including blankets and scarves. It's added durability when crocheted in cotton yarn, makes it perfect for dishcloths and washcloths.
Explore patterns created with the Blanket Stitch...
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Free Blanket Stitch Tutorial & Dishcloth Pattern
Beginners and experienced crocheters alike will benefit from this simple tutorial. I will guide you through the process of learning the Blanket Stitch and making your first project a handy dishcloth. We will begin by discussing the essential materials needed for this robust stitch pattern and introduce you to the stitches and techniques to crochet the Blanket Stitch. I will also cover troubleshooting tips and tricks to help you perfect your project.
Once you have mastered the Blanket Stitch you will be ready to move on to bigger projects. Why not try this free baby blanket pattern, the Sweet Dreams Baby Blanket.
Could a Beginner Learn this Stitch?
The Blanket Stitch is crocheted using only simple basic stitches and as long as you are familiar with the basics, you can easily master this stitch. The dishcloth pattern provides a great opportunity to practice and perfect this technique and you will have something useful and beautiful once finished. A video tutorial is also provided which can be especially helpful for beginners.
Looking for more easy stitch tutorials? Check out the stitch directory. New stitches are added frequently so check back often.
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This post contains affiliate links, if you make a purchase through one of my links I will get a small commission from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you…
Equipment
Let's start by getting everything we need ready. Just like most crochet projects, we'll only require a few crochet supplies -
- Yarn: I recommend a worsted (Aran) or DK weight yarn in soft cotton or acrylic to practice with, cotton is best for dishcloths
- Crochet hook: An ergonomic hook is comfortable to hold, go for the size recommended on your yarn ball band or your pattern
- Scissors: Any small sharp scissors will do
- Darning needle: One with a large eye suitable for yarn
Choosing Your Yarn
I crocheted these swatches in Drops Paris. It comes in a gorgeous variety of colours. It's soft and very easy on the purse strings.
If you are making a dishcloth with your swatch, there are so many wonderful choices when it comes to choosing your yarn. Lily Sugar 'n Cream and Paint Box Yarns Cotton Aran are great choices.
Exploring the Blanket Stitch Pattern
Now, let's take a look at the beautifully textured stitch pattern we'll be learning. It is far less complicated than it looks, this gorgeous textured effect is surprisingly simple and easy to master and only uses single and double crochet stitches, making this a great choice for beginners.
Before we begin let's familiarize ourselves with the basic stitches for this pattern -
- Double Crochet: Yarn over and insert hook into stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through 2 loops, yarn over and pull through remaining loops
- Single Crochet: Insert hook into stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through all loops
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.png "Blanket Stitch Dishcloth Pattern")
Stitches 'n' Dishes
Why do I make my swatches in cotton yarn? Crochet dishcloths are not only functional but also great for the environment. They can be used for various kitchen tasks from wiping counters to washing dishes. Their durability makes them more sustainable than disposable cloths and not only that they make thoughtful handmade gifts for family and friends.
Crochet in soft cotton for delightful face cloths. Paired with some artisan soaps and crochet scrubbies and you have yourself a home spa mini hamper. I am sure you know someone that would love a gift like that, or maybe just treat yourself.
Your dishcloths can be personalised by experimenting with different colours, or try different stitches. Adding a border can make them truly unique. Just a simple round of single crochet or shell stitches can take your simple washcloth to the next level. Making a dishcloth is such a quick and easy project and gives you that instant gratification you get from a project finished.
Video Tutorial
For those that are visual learners a video tutorial is available to compliment this guide. It will show you step by step how to crochet the Blanket Stitch. The video reinforces the written tutorial, pause, rewind, and practice alongside. Use it as a visual aid to master techniques.
Start Crocheting Here...
The Blanket Stitch One
Materials
Drops Paris
5mm hook
Darning needle
Gauge
Not essential for this project, finished cloths measure approx. 9 inches square
Abbreviations US Terms (UK conversion)
Sc - single crochet (double crochet)
Dc – double crochet (treble crochet)
Ch – chain
Sl st – slip stitch
St(s) – stitch(es)
Yo – yarn over
Sk - skip
Difficulty
Easy
About the Yarn
Drops Paris is a wonderfully versatile Aran weight yarn, spun from multiple strands of 100% natural, non-mercerised cotton, resulting in a soft and supple matte fabric that feels sublime. This breathable and highly absorbent yarn is perfect for creating spring and summer baby blankets. Drops Paris comes in 50g balls in many appealing colours. Each ball is 75 metres (82 yards).
You can purchase the yarn here at Wool Warehouse. I often buy yarn from here and can thoroughly recommend them. I am not affiliated with them in any way.
Alternative Yarn Options
If you can’t get hold of Drops Yarn, I recommend Paint Box Yarns Cotton Aran from Lovecrafts Yarns or Lily Sugar 'n Cream . This is also another of my favourite places to buy yarn, (affiliate link).
Pattern Notes:
- Read pattern carefully before starting
- US terms are used throughout
- This dishcloth is crocheted in Blanket Stitch
- Ch3 at the start of a row counts as dc
- Chain required number for size or a multiple of 3 +1
Start Crocheting Here...
Row 1 dc in 4th ch from hook, [sk2, sc in next ch, 2dc in same ch] repeat until last 3 st's, sk2, sc in last ch, turn.
Row 2 ch3, dc in 1st st, [sk2, sc in next st, 2dc in same st] repeat until last 2 st's, sc in ch3 sp, turn.
Repeat row 2 until piece measures desired length (around 9 inches for a dishcloth). Fasten off and weave in ends.
This stitch pattern creates nice neat edges so there is no need for a border, unless you want to add one of course.
Try one of my edging patterns...
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Common Mistakes & How To Avoid Them
It is easy to end up with uneven edges if you miss count your stitches, or your tension is uneven. Always ensure your stitch count is correct at the end of each row. Good tension is something that comes with practice. Practice and patients are key to mastering this technique. Creating a neat edge can be achieved by incorporating correct turning chains and paying attention to the first and last stitches of each row.
Expanding Your Skills
Once you have mastered the Blanket Stitch, you are ready to make more complex projects. Try combining with other stitches and techniques. The Sweet Dreams baby blanket would be a great project to try. Try your hand at different stitch patterns, our stitch directory is updated with new stitches frequently.
More dishcloth patterns to try...
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Love the texture of the stitch - will write it on my list!
ReplyDeleteIs your list anything like mine? I wonder if I will ever make half the things I would like to...
DeleteNice tight stitch, and easy to do.will post when done.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Look forward to seeing your photos...
DeleteWhat size hook do you use and how many foundation chains do you suggest for an afghan?
ReplyDeleteHi Lucinda, your hook size will depend on which yarn you are using, just use the size recommended on the ball band. You would then make your starting chain as wide as you would like your blanket making sure it is a multiple of 3+ 1 stitch...
DeleteHow many skiers of each color yarn did you use for these above blankets?
ReplyDeleteI used 2 balls of Caron Cakes or 2 balls of each colour Stylecraft Special aran for the pink and grey blanket...
ReplyDeleteI love this pattern but am having great difficulty with the instructions. Do you mean that we do the single
ReplyDeleteCrochet and 2 double crochets (3total) in the same stitch? I am looking toward to hearing from you so I can make this beautiful blanket. Thank you.
Yes that's right Jill, all into the same stitch as you can see in the photo. Sometimes it helps to click on the photos to get a better look as they zoom in a bit... Good luck with your blanket.
DeleteThis blanket is beautiful. I only wish there was more details in the instructions. For instance, the hook size, the amount of yarns and most important details on the changing of yarns. Helpful points for the next time. Thank you for sharing your work.
ReplyDeleteHi Carmen I'm sorry you feel there is not enough information for you this post was only meant as a stitch tutorial and not a blanket pattern, designed to show you the basic stitch and then for you to use your imagination to create anything you like. My blanket patterns do all have much more detailed information. As this tutorial has been so popular perhaps I should write up the full pattern for it. Thank you for taking the time to comment and I hope you visit again soon...
DeleteI thought the instructions were great and anyone that crochets or knit's knows the yarn and needle size are on your material that your using, unless of course your a beginner, then and only then are there no dumb questions. It's a beautiful blanket.
DeleteHave you made the actual pattern? If so where can I find it! Thank you!
DeleteI am hoping to write this up when I get the time. I will be sure to post a link to the pattern once I do...
DeleteThank you for the instructions to this stitch. I saw the lovely pink, white and grey blanket then briefly read the instructions which seem quite straightforward (but I won't really know untilI I try it!). It's so simple and the effect is beautiful - mine is striped but with a minty green theme for a friend's baby. It'll take me a while as the wool is quite thin and I'm using a 3.5mm hook - but it will be beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThank you, I would love to see your finished blanket...
Deleteso when usi g multiples of 3 say 99 is the + 1 done one time or after evry third stitch
ReplyDeleteHi Isch99, just once so you would chain 100...
DeleteThis is a beautiful pattern. I’ve so far done 3 rows and with your instructions it’s started off lovely. Thanks so much for sharing xxx
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome Jennie, I'm glad you are enjoying the tutorial...
DeleteWhat color choice did you use in the Caron Cakes yarn?
ReplyDeleteHi Vern, I used Rainbow Sherbet and Cake Pop
ReplyDeleteYour instructions were great and the blanket is beautiful
ReplyDeleteThank you so much.
DeleteNow I know what to make with the Caron Cakes yarn! I love this stitch pattern; simple but pretty.
ReplyDeleteI love working with yarn cakes, no need to change colours...
DeleteCan you tell me the size of the pink, grey and white blanket? Looks like u used 2 skeins of each color.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry I made the blanket such a long time ago I don't remember. I have ordered yarn to make another one and am intending on writing up a full pattern. I would say 2 balls of each colour sounds about right...
Deletethat's a really pretty blanket you done a great job.
ReplyDeleteIs there a pattern for this yet?
ReplyDeleteI'm working on the pattern for the pink and silver blanket at the moment. I will post here as soon as it is ready...
Deletehow did you do the shell stitch on the blanket, i have made the blanket but need to know how to do the shell stitch edging for it
ReplyDeleteI used the Simple Shell Edging pattern which you can find here https://lullabylodge.blogspot.com/2018/06/crochet-tutorial-how-to-add-simple.html
DeleteI love how the blanket looks and want to make it for my grandchild who is due in October. When you start the blanket and do the first two rows, do you change color and the whole pattern is just doing the second row. And then changing the yarn with a different color after every two rows.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure which blanket you are referring to. Two of the blankets shown are made with Caron Cakes so you don't need to change colours, for the other blanket, the colours are changed every 4 rows. You can find the full pattern for the Sweet Dreams blanket here...
Deletehttps://lullabylodge.blogspot.com/2019/04/sweet-dreams-baby-blanket-free-crochet.html
Enjoy!
Thank you.
DeleteWhat edging is used in the brown blanket and pink/orange blanket please?
ReplyDeleteI think that was just hdc clusters into the spaces.
DeleteWhat edge is on the pink/orange blanket? Looks the same as the brownish one.
ReplyDeleteHdc clusters into the spaces.
DeleteCould I possibly use Bernal softee baby chunky for this pattern?
ReplyDeleteHi Jean, yes you could, you would need to use a bigger hook though. Just use the hook size recommended on the yarn ball band.
DeleteIs there a 'ch3' missing from the instructions at the beginning of row 3 (row 1) and every other 'odd' number row?? If not, then what happens at the end of row 4 (row 2)?? since there is not a 'space' in which to 'sc and turn' at the end of row 4. Thanks for your help, Anne.
ReplyDeleteHi, there is no row 3, you are just repeating row 2 which has a ch3 at the start. Hope that clarifies.
Deletei just bought your pattern!
ReplyDeletemay i double check if this is the yarn you used ?
https://www.lovecrafts.com/en-gb/p/stylecraft-special-for-babies-aran
and when you say 2 [4] 100g balls what do you mean? should i buy 4 items for each colour or 2 ??? sorry I m new to it!! thank you!!
Hi Antzil,I am sorry for the late response I do not check the comments very often. It is always better to contact me directly at the email address provided, if you have purchased a pattern from one of my stores and need help. The no. of balls you need depends on which size of blanket you are making. I am hoping after reading the patter through you managed to figure it out. I hope you enjoyed the pattern. Best regards...
DeleteI love this stitch! I've made 2 baby blankets, they work up so fast! A pink, rose, white with a white shell border and one in blues. It doesn't really need the border as the side edges have a lovely natural scallop. I did 6 rows before I changed colors so I wouldn't need to change as often. I recently did a complicated pattern with a lot of changes, a lot of counting, it was challenging. This one was so simple-I enjoyed working on it more and it's much prettier. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you enjoyed the tutorial...
Delete