Train Tracks Baby Blanket

This is a crib sized baby blanket with a patchwork apparence. The sample is Caron Simply Soft which is a soft worsted weight yarn.

Size:
34″ by 42″

Materials:
For lap blanket size, 680 grams/24 ounces/1260 yards worsted weight yarn
Size H (5mm) crochet hook

Abbreviations:
ch = chain
ch sp = chain space
dc = double crochet
sc = single crochet
sl st = slip stitch

General Instructions:

There are three different types of squares. Make four of each type. The train track square requires two colors. The other two squares can be made in solid colors, but can be different colors from the train track square. I assembled the blanket with the same color as the track color, but any color can be used. Each of the square types has a special stitch which is described at the beginning of each of their instructions.

Each of the squares are alternating rounds of single crochet and double crochet or double crochet type stitches. On all rounds, the corners are a single chain stitch. The corners on the double crochet rounds consist on making a (2dc, 1ch, 2dc) cluster in this corner chain space. Take particular care on the next stitch after the corner to find the true next sc. It tends to get buried under that cluster, so you may have to pull the cluster back a bit to get into that stitch.

Unless otherwise indicated, crochet in the back loop only.

Train Track Square:

Ldc – yo, insert hook in sc or chain space below the dc of the previous row, yo and pull up a loop even with last stitch made, (yo and draw through 2 loops) twice.

Ch4. Sl st in first chain to form ring.
Rnd 1: Ch3 (counts as a dc), 2dc in ring, (ch1, 3dc in ring) three times, ch1, sl st in top chain of 3ch.
Rnd 2: Ch1, sc in same stitch as sl st, sc in next two dc, [ (sc, ch1, sc) in ch sp, sc in next 3 dc ] three times, (sc, ch1, sc) in ch sp, sl st in first sc.
Rnd 3: Ch3 (counts as a dc), dc in next 3 sc, [ (2dc, ch1, 2dc) in ch sp, dc in next 5 sc ] three times, (2dc, ch1, 2dc) in ch sp, dc in next sc, sl st in top chain of 3ch.
Rnd 4: Ch1, sc in same stitch as sl st, sc in next 5 dc, [ (sc, ch1, sc) in ch sp, sc in next 9 dc ] three times, (sc, ch1, sc) in ch sp, sc in next 3 dc, sl st in first sc.
Rnd 5: Ch3 (counts as a dc), dc in next 6 sc, [ (2dc, ch1, 2dc) in ch sp, dc in next 11 sc ] three times, (2dc, ch1, 2dc) in ch sp, dc in next 4 sc, sl st in top chain of 3ch.
Rnd 6: Ch1, sc in same stitch as sl st, sc in next 8 dc, [ (sc, ch1, sc) in ch sp, sc in next 15 dc ] three times, (sc, ch1, sc) in ch sp, sc in next 6 dc, sl st in first sc.
Rnd 7: Ch3 (counts as a dc), dc in next 9 sc, [ (2dc, ch1, 2dc) in ch sp, dc in next 17 sc ] three times, (2dc, ch1, 2dc) in ch sp, dc in next 7 sc, change to track color, sl st in top chain of 3ch.
Rnd 8: Ch1, sc in same stitch as sl st, sc in next 11 dc, [ (sc, ch1, sc) in ch sp, sc in next 21 dc ] three times, (sc, ch1, sc) in ch sp, sc in next 9 dc, change to main color, sl st in first sc.
Rnd 9: Ch3 (counts as a dc), dc in next 12 sc, [ (2dc, ch1, 2dc) in ch sp, dc in next 23 sc ] three times, (2dc, ch1, 2dc) in ch sp, dc in next 10 sc, change to track color, sl st in top chain of 3ch.
Rnd 10: Ch1, sc in same stitch as sl st, (ldc in next dc, sc in next 2 dc) four times, ldc in next dc (so that the ldc is in the ch sp of prior sc row), sc in next dc, [ (sc, ch1, sc) in ch sp, sc in next dc, ldc in next dc (so that the ldc is in the ch sp of prior sc row), sc in next 2 dc, (ldc in next dc, sc in next 2 dc) seven times, ldc in next dc (so that the ldc is in the ch sp of prior sc row), sc in next dc ] three times, (sc, ch1, sc) in ch sp, sc in next dc,  ldc in next dc (so that the ldc is in the ch sp of prior sc row), sc in next 2 dc, (ldc in next dc, sc in next 2 dc) two times, ldc in next dc, sc in next dc, change to main color, sl st in first sc.
Rnd 11: Ch3 (counts as a dc), dc in next 15 sc/ldc, [ (2dc, ch1, 2dc) in ch sp, dc in next 29 sc/ldc ] three times, (2dc, ch1, 2dc) in ch sp, dc in next 13 sc/ldc, sl st in top chain of 3ch.
Rnd 12: Ch1, sc in same stitch as sl st, sc in next 17 dc, [ (sc, ch1, sc) in ch sp, sc in next 33 dc ] three times, (sc, ch1, sc) in ch sp, sc in next 15 dc, sl st in first sc, finish off.

Crossed Double Crochet Square:

Cdc – crossed double crochet – skip a stitch, dc in next stitch, yo, go behind that dc, insert needle through back loop of skipped stitch and then complete a dc

Ch4. Sl st in first chain to form ring.
Rnd 1: Ch3 (counts as a dc), dc in ring, (ch1, 3dc in ring) three times, ch1, dc in ring, sl st in top chain of 3ch.
Rnd 2: Ch1, sc in same stitch as sl st, sc in next dc, [ (sc, ch1, sc) in ch sp, sc in next 3 dc ] three times, (sc, ch1, sc) in ch sp, sc in next dc, sl st in first sc.
Rnd 3: Ch3 (counts as a dc), cdc in next 2 sc, [ (2dc, ch1, 2dc) in ch sp, cdc in next 2 sc, dc in next sc, cdc in next 2 sc ] three times, (2dc, ch1, 2dc) in ch sp, cdc in next 2sc, sl st in top chain of 3ch.
Rnd 4: Ch1, sc in same stitch as sl st, sc in next 4 dc, [ (sc, ch1, sc) in ch sp, sc in next 9 dc ] three times, (sc, ch1, sc) in ch sp, sc in next 4 dc, sl st in first sc.
Rnd 5: Ch3 (counts as a dc), cdc in next 4 sc, dc in next sc, [ (2dc, ch1, 2dc) in ch sp, dc in next sc, cdc in next 4 sc, dc in next sc, cdc in next 4 sc, dc in next sc ] three times, (2dc, ch1, 2dc) in ch sp, dc in next sc, cdc in next 4 sc, dc in next sc, sl st in top chain of 3ch.
Rnd 6: Ch1, sc in same stitch as sl st, sc in next 7 dc, [ (sc, ch1, sc) in ch sp, sc in next 15 dc ] three times, (sc, ch1, sc) in ch sp, sc in next 7 dc, sl st in first sc.
Rnd 7: Ch3 (counts as a dc), cdc in next 8 sc, [ (2dc, ch1, 2dc) in ch sp, cdc in next 8 sc, dc in next sc, cdc in next 8 sc ] three times, (2dc, ch1, 2dc) in ch sp, cdc in next 8 sc, sl st in top chain of 3ch.
Rnd 8: Ch1, sc in same stitch as sl st, sc in next 10 dc, [ (sc, ch1, sc) in ch sp, sc in next 21 dc ] three times, (sc, ch1, sc) in ch sp, sc in next 10 dc, sl st in first sc.
Rnd 9: Ch3 (counts as a dc), cdc in next 10 sc, dc in next sc, [ (2dc, ch1, 2dc) in ch sp, dc in next sc, cdc in next 10 sc, dc in next sc, cdc in next 10 sc, dc in next sc ] three times, (2dc, ch1, 2dc) in ch sp, dc in next sc, cdc in next 10 sc, dc in next sc, sl st in top chain of 3ch.
Rnd 10: Ch1, sc in same stitch as sl st, sc in next 13 dc, [ (sc, ch1, sc) in ch sp, sc in next 27 dc ] three times, (sc, ch1, sc) in ch sp, sc in next 13 dc, sl st in first sc.
Rnd 11: Ch3 (counts as a dc), cdc in next 14 sc, [ (2dc, ch1, 2dc) in ch sp, cdc in next 14 sc, dc in next sc, cdc in next 14 sc ] three times, (2dc, ch1, 2dc) in ch sp, cdc in next 4 sc, sl st in top chain of 3ch.
Rnd 12: Ch1, sc in same stitch as sl st, sc in next 16 dc, [ (sc, ch1, sc) in ch sp, sc in next 33 dc ] three times, (sc, ch1, sc) in ch sp, sc in next 16 dc, sl st in first sc, finish off.

Cluster Square:

Cluster – (yo, insert hook, draw up a loop, yo, draw through 2 loops) three times in same stitch, yo, draw through 4 loops.

Ch4. Sl st in first chain to form ring.
Rnd 1: Ch4 (counts as a dc and chain), (3dc in ring, ch1) three times, 2dc in ring, sl st in 3rd chain of 4ch.
Rnd 2: Sl st in ch space, ch1, (sc, ch1, sc) in same ch space, [ sc in next 3 dc, (sc, ch1, sc) in ch sp ] three times, sc in next 3 dc , sl st in first sc.
Rnd 3: Sl st in ch space, ch3, (1dc, ch1, 2dc) in same ch space, [ dc in next sc, ch1, skip 1 sc, cluster in next sc, ch1, skip 1 sc, dc in next sc, (2dc, ch1, 2dc) in ch sp ] three times, dc in next sc, ch1, skip 1 sc, cluster in next sc, ch1, skip 1 sc, dc in next sc, sl st in top chain of 3ch.
Rnd 4: Sl st in next dc, sl st in ch space, ch1, (sc, ch1, sc) in same ch space, [ sc in next 3 dc, sc in ch sp, sc in cluster, sc in ch sp, sc in next 3 dc, (sc, ch1, sc) in ch sp ] three times, sc in next 3 dc, sc in ch sp, sc in cluster, sc in ch sp, sc in next 3 dc , sl st in first sc.
Rnd 5: Sl st in ch space, ch3, (1dc, ch1, 2dc) in same ch space, [ ch1, skip 1 sc, (cluster in next sc, ch1, skip 1 sc) five times, (2dc, ch1, 2dc) in ch sp ] three times, ch1, skip 1 sc, (cluster in next sc, ch1, skip 1 sc) five times, sl st in top chain of 3ch.
Rnd 6: Sl st in next dc, sl st in ch space, ch1, (sc, ch1, sc) in same ch space, [ sc in next 2 dc, (sc in ch sp, sc in cluster) five times, sc in ch sp, sc in next 2 dc, (sc, ch1, sc) in ch sp ] three times, sc in next 2 dc, (sc in ch sp, sc in cluster) five times, sc in ch sp, sc in next 2 dc , sl st in first sc.
Rnd 7: Sl st in ch space, ch3, (1dc, ch1, 2dc) in same ch space, [ dc in next sc, ch1, skip 1 sc, (cluster in next sc, ch1, skip 1 sc) 7 times, dc in next sc, (2dc, ch1, 2dc) in ch sp ] three times, dc in next sc, ch1, skip 1 sc, (cluster in next sc, ch1, skip 1 sc) 7 times, dc in next sc, sl st in top chain of 3ch.
Rnd 8: Sl st in next dc, sl st in ch space, ch1, (sc, ch1, sc) in same ch space, [ sc in next 3 dc, (sc in ch sp, sc in cluster) 7 times, sc in ch sp, sc in next 3 dc, (sc, ch1, sc) in ch sp ] three times, sc in next 3 dc, (sc in ch sp, sc in cluster) 7 times, sc in ch sp, sc in next 3 dc , sl st in first sc.
Rnd 9: Sl st in ch space, ch3, (1dc, ch1, 2dc) in same ch space, [ ch1, skip 1 sc, (cluster in next sc, ch1, skip 1 sc) 11 times, (2dc, ch1, 2dc) in ch sp ] three times, ch1, skip 1 sc, (cluster in next sc, ch1, skip 1 sc) 11 times, sl st in top chain of 3ch.
Rnd 10: Sl st in next dc, sl st in ch space, ch1, (sc, ch1, sc) in same ch space, [ sc in next 2 dc, (sc in ch sp, sc in cluster) 11 times, sc in ch sp, sc in next 2 dc, (sc, ch1, sc) in ch sp ] three times, sc in next 2 dc, (sc in ch sp, sc in cluster) 11 times, sc in ch sp, sc in next 2 dc , sl st in first sc.
Rnd 11: Sl st in ch space, ch3, (1dc, ch1, 2dc) in same ch space, [ dc in next sc, ch1, skip 1 sc, (cluster in next sc, ch1, skip 1 sc) 13 times, dc in next sc, (2dc, ch1, 2dc) in ch sp ] three times, dc in next sc, ch1, skip 1 sc, (cluster in next sc, ch1, skip 1 sc) 13 times, dc in next sc, sl st in top chain of 3ch.
Rnd 12: Sl st in next dc, sl st in ch space, ch1, (sc, ch1, sc) in same ch space, [ sc in next 3 dc, (sc in ch sp, sc in cluster) 13 times, sc in ch sp, sc in next 3 dc, (sc, ch1, sc) in ch sp ] three times, sc in next 3 dc, (sc in ch sp, sc in cluster) 13 times, sc in ch sp, sc in next 3 dc , sl st in first sc, finish off.

Assembly:

Lay out the squares in a three by four grid. The first joining will be first to second row. Keeping the squares in the order you have laid out, put the second row squares back to back with the first row squares, holding up the sides you want to seam with the second row square toward you. Make all stitches in both loops of the edge of the squares. Form a starting loop and make a single crochet in the edge corner chain space of the second row square. Sc in the edge corner chain space of the first row square. Sc in the next sc of the second row square. Skip a stitch on the first row square and sc in the next stitch. Skip a stitch on the second row square and sc in the next stitch. Proceed in this fashion across to the end of those squares, skipping stitches between sc on each square, except at the end to sc in each ch1 space. Then sc in the ch1 space of each of the next two squares keeping with the alternating pattern, then proceed across as with the first squares. Do this again for the third squares.

Make this join across each of the rows then again down the two columns. If the border is to be the same color, do not finish off the last one.

Border:

Rnd 1: On right side, starting from last join row make a single crochet in the ch1 spaces of the adjacent corner. Sc across each edge of each square, and sc in each ch1 corner space. At each seam, sc in the side of the seam. At each outside corner, (1sc, ch1, 1sc) in the corner ch1 space. Continue around the perimeter of the blanket to the beginning and slip stitch in the beginning sc.

Rnd 2: Ch3 (counts as a dc), and dc in each sc across each side of the blanket. At each ch1 space on the outside corners, do (2dc, 1ch, 2dc) in the ch1 space. At the end of the round, join with a slip stitch to the third chain of the beginning ch3.

Rnd 3: Ch1, sc in same stitch. Sc across each side. At each ch1 space on the corners, do (1sc, 1ch, 1sc) in the ch1 space. At the end of the round, join with a slip stitch to the first sc. Finish off and weave in all ends.