The Blanket Has Eyes

This whimsical blanket can be made with selected colors or with scraps on hand for a nice stash busting project. The example has a cream color for the non-”eye” sections, but these can also be made with any number of colors.

The example is made in aran weight yarn.

Size: Directions are given for three widths.

Materials: Aran weight yarn Size I (5.5mm) crochet hook

Abbreviations:
ch = chain
dc = double crochet
hdc = half-double crochet
sc = single crochet
tr = triple/treble crochet

The beginning chain should be a multiple of 60 plus 2.

For these widths, start with this number of chains:
38.5″ = 122
57.5″ = 182
71.25″ = 226

Row 1: Begin in a non-”eye” color. Skip first 3 ch (counts as first dc), dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in each ch to end of row. Turn.

Row 2: Make all stitches in both loops. Ch3, dc in second dc, dc in each dc to end of row. Dc in top turning chain. Turn.

Row 3: Repeat row 2.

Row 4: Ch4 (counts as first tr), tr in 2nd dc, tr in each of next six dc, dc in each of next two dc, hdc in each of next two dc, sc in each of next six dc, hdc in each of the next two dc, dc in each of next two dc, ** tr in each of next 46 dc, dc in each of next two dc, hdc in each of next two dc, sc in each of next six dc, hdc in each of the next two dc, dc in each of next two dc. Repeat from ** across to last 38 dc, tr in each of the next 37 dc, tr in the top turning chain. Change to an “eye” color. Turn.

Row 5: Ch1, sc in first tr, sc in each of the next 37 tr, hdc in each of next two dc, dc in each of next two hdc, tr in each of next six sc, dc in each of the next two hdc, hdc in each of next two dc, ** sc in each of next 46 tr, hdc in each of next two dc, dc in each of next two hdc, tr in each of next six sc, dc in each of the next two hdc, hdc in each of next two dc. Repeat from ** across to last 8 tr, sc in each of the next 7 tr, sc in the top turning chain. Turn.

Row 6: Ch1, sc in first sc, sc in each of the next 7 sc, hdc in each of next two hdc, dc in each of next two dc, tr in each of next six tr, dc in each of the next two dc, hdc in each of next two hdc, ** sc in each of next 46 sc, hdc in each of next two hdc, dc in each of next two dc, tr in each of next six tr, dc in each of the next two dc, hdc in each of next two hdc. Repeat from ** across to last 38 sc, sc in each of the next 38 sc. Change to a non-”eye” color. Turn.

Row 7: Ch4 (counts as first tr), tr in 2nd sc, tr in each of next 36 sc, dc in each of next two hdc, hdc in each of next two dc, sc in each of next six tr, hdc in each of the next two dc, dc in each of next two hdc, ** tr in each of next 46 sc, dc in each of next two hdc, hdc in each of next two dc, sc in each of next six tr, hdc in each of the next two dc, dc in each of next two hdc. Repeat from ** across to last 8 sc, tr in each of the next 8 sc. Turn.

Row 8: Ch3, dc in second tr, dc in each stitch to end of row. Dc in top turning chain. Turn.

Rows 9 and 10: Repeat row 2 two times.

Repeat rows 4 through 10 until afghan is desired length. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Note about color changes: The best way to make a color change is to finish all but the very last pull through of the two loops of the last stitch of a row. Cut yarn with a few inches of tail and join with new color next to stitch. Pull new color through last two loops. Weave in ends.

Afghans, Crocheted, My Patterns