The Niko Blanket: A FREE Linen Stitch Rectangle Crochet Blanket

Is your yarn stash silently judging you from the corner of the room? You’re not alone! Try the new Niko Throw Blanket, a cozy linen stitch rectangle blanket that’s perfect for stitchers of every skill level.

Beginner-friendly and wonderfully meditative, the Niko Throw Blanket is all about soothing rhythm and satisfying repeats. It’s the kind of project you can sink into at the end of the day, letting the stitches guide you while watching your yarn pile slowly, joyfully disappear. Make this project with my FREE pattern, and discover how to access a helpful tutorial video!

PIN IT NOW, MAKE IT LATER!

Make the Niko Throw Blanket!

• FREE PATTERN: Keep scrolling for the FREE version of the Niko Throw Blanket
• PRINTABLE PDF: Get a printer-friendly, ad-free PDF version of the Niko Throw Blanket from Ravelry or TLYarnCrafts.com
• PROJECT YARN: Want to use the same yarn I did? Get your hands on Happy Place HERE!

The Linen Stitch Rectangle: A Simple Technique with Big Payoff

It’s no secret that the linen stitch is one of my favorite comfort stitches. I’ve used it to make a bag, an advent shawl, and even an entire linen stitch temperature blanket, and it never stops being satisfying. With each new project, I love finding a way to remix the stitch through color, scale, and shaping. For the Niko Throw Blanket, my goal was to keep the calming, rhythmic linen stitch feel while adding just enough interest to make it a joy from start to finish. The result is a cozy, modern linen stitch rectangle blanket that’s easy to settle into and hard to put down.

While I’d done linen stitch squares before, the linen stitch rectangle was a new and delightful adventure. Starting with a chain of your choice, you build the fabric outward, forming four clean corners and letting the blanket grow at an easy, intuitive pace. I crocheted the Nike Throw Blanket to a classic throw blanket size, perfect for couch lounging on quiet evenings.

Keep scrolling to learn how to make your own linen stitch rectangle blanket!

Stash Busting with Happy Place: Turning Leftovers Into Something Beautiful

While we may not have come into our leftovers the same way, I know many crocheters have a basket of partial skeins waiting for the right project. The Niko Throw Blanket was designed with this intention in mind. By striping colors every 2 rows and adding new skeins without overthinking, you’ll turn your stash into a one-of-a-kind linen stitch rectangle blanket that feels modern and heirloom-worthy. You’ll never look at that basket of leftovers the same way again.

Get your hands on the same yarn I used! Shop Happy Place Solid and Melange HERE!

Make the Niko Throw Blanket!

• FREE PATTERN: Keep scrolling for the FREE version of the Niko Throw Blanket
• PRINTABLE PDF: Get a printer-friendly, ad-free PDF version of the Niko Throw Blanket from Ravelry or TLYarnCrafts.com
• PROJECT YARN: Want to use the same yarn I did? Get your hands on Happy Place HERE!

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Niko Throw Blanket Details

DESCRIPTION

The Niko Throw Blanket is a beginner-friendly linen stitch crochet pattern designed for soothing stitches and serious stash busting. Worked as a center-out rectangle, this modern throw features a calming rhythm, clean edges, and endless customization. Made with DK weight yarn, it’s perfect for using leftover skeins and experimenting with color without overthinking. The throw size uses over 3,000 yards, making it an ideal long, relaxing project with a beautiful, heirloom-worthy finish.

MATERIALS

• Hobbii Happy Place Solid and Melange, DK weight (#3), 50% cotton, 50% wool [273 yards/ 100 grams]. Sample made with approximately 3175 yards of various leftovers. Sub in the Dk weight yarn of your choice.
• 5.5mm crochet hook (like this one!)
• Scissors
• Tapestry needle
• Locking stitch marker
• Garment steamer for steam blocking

FINISHED SIZE

60″ long x 55″ wide after steam blocking

GAUGE

6” = 24 rows x 28 stitches in (ch 1, sc 1) pattern after steam blocking; ch-1 counted as a stitch in gauge

ABBREVIATIONS

• CC = change color
• Ch = chain
• Dc = double crochet
• Rep = repeat
• RS = right side
• Sc = single crochet
• Sk = skip
• Sl St = slip stitch
• Sp = space
• WS = wrong side

NOTES

• Chain Multiple: Feel free to adjust the length of your starting chain to change the dimensions of your blanket. Add or remove chains in multiples of 2. Your starting chain should be an even number.
• Achieving Even Gauge: Given the size of our finished blankets, aim for gauge on the tight or medium side. I recommend going with a hook that is 1.5mm smaller or up to 0.5mm larger than the size recommended on the ball band. Adjust to your comfort, but a tighter gauge is recommended as the fabric may loosen and stretch over time. 
• Using Scrap Yarn: Here are some tips to use as much stash as possible and create visual interest in your project: Arrange yarn in order from smallest to largest balls – use the smallest balls of yarn first to allow for quick color changes early in the project; work with colors that have good contrast on each round; choose your border color early and set it aside.
• Managing Color Changes: Change color every 2 rounds, starting with Round 3. Keep colors attached and carry them up the work on the WS only. I like to change color on the joining slip stitch, but you can change it on the chain 1 at the beginning of the round as well.

Niko Throw Blanket Pattern

BLANKET BODY

With first color, ch 34.

ROUND 1 (RS): Sc in the back bump of the 4^th ch from the hook, place marker on first sc, (ch 1, sk 1, sc in next ch) across to last 2 ch, ch 1, sk 1, (sc, ch 2, sc, ch 2, sc) in last ch, rotate to work on other side of ch, (ch 1, sk 1, sc in base of next sc) across to marked sc, ch 1, (sc, ch2, sc) in base of marked sc. Do not join. 

ROUND 2 (RS): Sc in the ch-sp before the marked sc, drop marker, mark the sc just made, (ch 2, sc) in the same sp, (ch 1, sc in next ch-sp) to next ch-2 sp, (ch 1, sc, ch 2, sc) in ch-2 sp, ch 1, (ch 1, sc, ch 2, sc) in next ch-2 sp, (ch 1, sc in next ch-sp) to next ch-2 sp, (ch 1, sc, ch 2, sc) in ch-2 sp, ch 1, sl st in marked sc, drop marker, sc in next ch-2 sp, mark ch-2 sp. CC to next color. Turn.

ROW 3 (WS): Ch 1, sc in next ch-2 sp, (ch 1, sc, ch 2, sc) in ch-2 sp, (ch 1, sc in next ch-sp) to next ch-2 sp, (ch 1, sc, ch 2, sc) in ch-2 sp, ch 1, sc in next ch-sp, (ch 1, sc, ch 2, sc) in ch-2 sp, (ch 1, sc next ch-sp) to marked ch-2 sp, (ch 1, sc, ch 2) in marked ch-2 sp, drop marker, sl st in next sc to join. Turn.

ROUND 4 (RS): Ch 1, sc in ch-2 sp, mark ch-2 sp, [(ch 1, sc in next sp)* to next ch-2 sp, (ch 1, sc, ch 2, sc) in ch-2 sp] around, ending last rep at * – you are now at the marked ch-2 sp, (ch 1, sc, ch 2) in marked ch-2 sp, drop marker, sl st in next sc to join. Turn.

Rep Round 4, changing color every 2 rounds, until your blanket is about 54” x 59”. Fasten off all colors in use and CC to Border color. Turn so WS is facing.

BORDER ROUND 1 (WS): Rep Round 4.

BORDER ROUND 2 (RS): Ch 1, sc in ch-2 sp, mark sp, sk next sp, [(6dc in next sp, sk next sp, sc in next sp, sk next sp) to ch-2 sp, (sc, ch 2, sc) in ch-2 sp] around to marked sp, sc in sp, drop marker, ch 2, sl st in next st to join. Fasten off.

FINISHING

• Weave in all ends.
• Steam block to Finished Measurements

ADDITIONAL SIZES

This pattern is so addictive, I knew I’d want it in multiple sizes. I did the math to offer this pattern in 10 different sizes! Want the recipe? Get the PDF pattern here!

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The Niko Throw Blanket has been my go-to couch companion as we battle single-digit temperatures this winter. If the weatherman has anything to say about it, I’ll be cuddled under mine until the first blooms of spring arrive. That’s just fine with me – I’ve got a stack of library books and a pile of unfinished crochet projects to keep me company. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Before you get back to that addictive stitching, share your Niko Throw Blanket project in the TLYC Makers Facebook Group and tag @TLYarnCrafts on Instagram. Don’t forget to upload it to Ravelry as well! We are so excited to see your beautiful progress.

More FREE crochet throw blanket patterns:

1 – Mocha Ripple Afghan // 2 – Joyful Afghan // 3 – Checked Out Blanket