Need a new classic baby blanket pattern in your crochet toolkit? Look no further than the Tri-Color Linen Baby Blanket, a free pattern that brings out the best in any yarn.
If you thought my obsession with the linen stitch was going to end, think again. After designing 5 patterns AND a temperature blanket using this iconic stitch, you can expect to see it even more this year. This time, enjoy the quick Tri-Color Linen Baby Blanket made in Bernat Velvet.
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Mastering the Crochet Linen Stitch
The crochet linen stitch uses two basic stitches – the single crochet and the chain. The simplicity of this stitch makes it especially appealing to beginner crocheters. Aside from being easy to crochet, this stitch has a modern, elegant feel that elevates any yarn or project you use it for.
While experimenting one day, I came up with an easy way to execute the linen stitch as a one-row repeat. Completing the stitch this way makes it much easier to change the color of each row – you can focus on the color changes without worrying about keeping an eye on the pattern. I chose to change color each row to give the final blanket the look of being complicated while, in reality, it couldn’t be simpler.
Looking to practice the linen stitch even more? Check out the Theo Blanket, Willow Sweater, Lo-Fi Cowl, and Roxie Tank.
Tips for Crocheting with Velvet Yarn
Many crocheters have a love-hate relationship with velvet yarn. On the plus side, it is beautiful, easy to find in craft stores, and it produces a stunning finished item. But, velvet is notorious for not holding up well with use. The biggest drawback is worming, which involves yarn working its way out of the stitches, resulting in large loops of hanging yarn. Thankfully, there are a few things you can do to extend the beauty of your crocheted blanket.
Tighten Your Gauge
Working with a smaller hook and using smaller stitches will help minimize the impact of worming. A smaller hook and smaller stitches result in a tighter gauge, putting more tension on the yarn itself. This technique helps the yarn stay in place since shorter stitches keep the yarn in place better.
Leave Longer Tails
You are more likely to experience worming of your tails if they are too short. Keep your yarn tails long at the beginning of the project and at the end. The Tri-Color Linen Blanket only uses one skein of each color, so you should not have to add a new ball of yarn in the middle of the project.
Cake Your Yarn
Another potential concern when working with velvet yarn is the frequency of knots. Perhaps your experience is different, but I do not remember having too many issues with knots when I first tried velvet yarn a few years ago. But, while making this blanket, I ran across so many that it made me want to chuck the skein across the room. Use a yarn ball winder to cake your yarn before crocheting with it. This allows you to find any problem areas in the yarn early, helping you avoid having to interrupt your stitching to untangle yarn.
Wash In A Garment Bag
Bernat Velvet yarn recommends hand washing and laying finished pieces flat to dry. But that’s just not practical when the finished item is a baby blanket. Parents need to be able to throw the blanket in the wash and dryer dozens of times while baby is still small. I’ll warn you now – your blanket will look different after that first wash and dry. To help preserve some of the beauty, wash your blanket in a garment bag. This lessens friction while still getting your blanket squeaky clean. If you’re able, I’d still recommend laying the blanket flat to dry. Dry your blanket in the garment bag if you plan to machine dry it.
In addition to this sweet blanket, I crocheted a teddy bear to gift to my cousin in celebration of her very first baby, a little girl. I used Lion Brand’s Hue + Me yarn and THIS pattern from Dariya Baysh Toys Shop on Etsy. I’m not typically a fan of amigurumi, but this pattern was so easy to follow with plenty of helpful photos.
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Tri-Color Linen Baby Blanket Details
DESCRIPTION:
Do you need a crochet blanket pattern that is fast, elegant, and versatile? Look no further than the Tri-Color Linen Baby Blanket! The Tri-Color Linen Baby Blanket uses a one-row repeat of the linen stitch in rows. The color is changed each row using a technique that avoids too many loose ends. This blanket works up fast and is easy to customize using your favorite bulky weight velvet yarn.
MATERIALS
- Bernat Velvet Yarn (bulky weight). One skein each of Cream (C), Pink Dusk (B), and Taupe Coffee (A).
- 6mm crochet hook (I love this one!)
- Scissors
- Tapestry needle
FINISHED SIZE:
38″ wide x 42″ long
GAUGE:
4″ = 10 rows 14 stitches in linen stitch pattern (sc and ch-1 sps counted as stitches). Gauge is approximate, as measuring gauge in velvet yarn is imprecise.
ABBREVIATIONS:
Ch = chain
Sc = single crochet
Sk = skip
Sp = space
St = stitch
Are you a visual learner? Get the hang of the tri-color linen stitch in this tutorial video:
Tri-Color Linen Baby Blanket Pattern
Body
ROW 1: With A, ch 135, sc in 3rd ch from hook, (ch 1, sk 1, sc in next ch) across row, changing color to B in the last st, turn. Do not fasten off A.
ROW 2: Ch 2, sc in next ch-1 sp, (ch 1, sc in next ch-sp) across row, placing the last sc in the starting ch-2 sp and changing color to C, turn. Do not fasten off B.
ROW 3: Ch 2, sc in next ch-1 sp, (ch 1, sc in next ch-sp) across row, placing the last sc in the starting ch-2 sp and changing color to A, turn. Do not fasten off C.
Repeat Row 3, chaing color each row, to 42″ long, ending with the last row worked in C. Fasten off colors A and B.
Border
Continuing with C, rotate to work along row ends. Ch 2, sc in same sp as last st of the final row. (Ch 1, sk next row, sc in the end of the next row) to next corner, working over yarn floats. Ch 2, sc in same st. Rotate to work along bottom of blanket.
(Ch 1, sk ch-sp, sc in base of next sc) to next corner. Ch 2, sc in same st. Rotate to work along side of blanket.
(Ch 1, sk next row, sc in the end of the next row) to next corner, working over yarn floats. Ch 2, sl st in first sc of round. Fasten off.
Finishing
Weave in all remaining ends.
This might have been my first Tri-Color Linen Baby Blanket, but it certainly won’t be my last. This project is so addictive that I finished it in less than a week. I can’t wait to make my next one, and I hope you enjoy it as well!
Please take a moment to upload your projects to Ravelry and don’t forget to PIN this pattern to Pinterest so you can share it with friends. I’d love to see your projects on social media – share them on Instagram using the hashtag #TLYCMakers, then head over to the TLYC Makers Facebook group and share it there too!
Need even more blanket inspo? Check out these FREE crochet baby blanket patterns:
I love your channel. I have crocheted since age 18; now 75. Your demonstrations and instructions are clear and concise and some of the best I’ve seen. So kudos to you kiddo. I made one temperature afghan which I eneded up giving away to the Catholic Women’s crochet group. But I am excited to make your temperature square afghan. Should be much smaller in size and fun to make. Thank you so much for your superior expertise.
Thank you so much for your easy to understand tutorial. The visual greatly helped me achieve the same look. I am making a baby blanket for my first grandchild, due to arrive in December.