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...

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. 

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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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

Yarn Weight	Hook	Yardage (approx..)	Starting Chain
Fingering (4ply)	3mm	127	49
Light worsted (DK)	4mm	110	43
Worsted (Aran)	5mm	90	37

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...

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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