Primrose Stitch Crochet Blanket Pattern

This primrose stitch blanket uses small groups of double crochet stitches. They form a soft cloth with a raised feel. Rows of single crochet and chain spaces sit between them.

Work the blanket flat in rows. Then add a plain single crochet border. Use one shade for the whole blanket. Or change shades every two rows.

The plan below uses the traditional primrose stitch. The size, row count, and border form a new project plan. The size and yarn needs are estimates. Make a gauge swatch first.

Pattern Details

Skill Level

Easy

You should know how to chain, single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet, and work into a chain space.

Size

• Main fabric: About 40 × 52 inches.
• Finished blanket: About 42 × 54 inches with a 1-inch border.
• Foundation: 152 chains.
• Main fabric: 156 rows.
• Width: 50 shells on each shell row.

The finished size depends on your gauge and border width.

Materials

• Yarn: Worsted-weight yarn, category #4.
• Estimated amount: About 1,900–2,300 yards, including the border.
• Hook: US H/8, 5 mm, or the size needed to meet gauge.
• Yarn needle.
• Scissors.
• Tape measure.
• Stitch markers.

Choose a yarn that feels soft and suits the care needs of the blanket. Use the same yarn weight for all colors.

Abbreviations

These instructions use US crochet terms.

• ch: Chain.
• sc: Single crochet.
• hdc: Half double crochet.
• dc: Double crochet.
• sl st: Slip stitch.
• st / sts: Stitch / stitches.
• sp / sps: Space / spaces.
• sk: Skip.
• rep: Repeat.
• rnd: Round.
• RS: Right side.
• WS: Wrong side.

Gauge

Target gauge after washing and drying:

• 5 shells across = about 4 inches.
• 12 rows = about 4 inches.

Count all rows, including the rows with chain spaces.

Make a Gauge Swatch

1. Ch 32.
2. Work Row 1 below to make 10 ch-2 sps.
3. Work Rows 2 and 3 as given.
4. Rep Rows 2 and 3 until you have 18 rows in all. End with Row 2.
5. Fasten off.
6. Wash and dry the swatch as stated on the yarn label.
7. Measure 5 shells across and 12 rows through the center.

If the swatch is too wide, try a smaller hook. If it is too narrow, try a larger hook. Check the feel and drape as well as the size.

Special Stitch

Primrose group: (sc, ch 2, sc)

Work all parts into the same ch or st:

1. Work 1 sc.
2. Ch 2.
3. Work 1 more sc into the same ch or st.

Shell: 3 dc

Work 3 dc into the same ch-2 sp.

Written Pattern Instructions

Pattern Notes

• Turn at the end of each row.
• Skip 2 chains at the start of Row 1. These count as one edge hdc.
• On shell rows, the first ch 3 counts as one edge dc.
• On primrose-group rows, the first ch 2 counts as one edge hdc.
• Do not add chains between shells.
• On Row 3, work each primrose group in the middle dc of a shell.
• Mark the top of each turning chain. This helps you find the edge stitch.

Foundation

Ch 152 loosely.

Use a larger hook for the foundation if your chains tend to be tight. Switch back to your main hook for Row 1.

Row 1: Set Up the Chain Spaces

1. Work (sc, ch 2, sc) into the 3rd ch from the hook.
2. Sk 2 ch. Work (sc, ch 2, sc) into the next ch.
3. Rep from * to * until 2 ch remain.
4. Sk 1 ch.
5. Work 1 hdc into the last ch.
6. Turn.

Count: 50 primrose groups, 50 ch-2 sps, and 2 edge hdc. The skipped starting chains count as one edge hdc.

Row 2: Make the Shells

1. Ch 3. This counts as the first edge dc.
2. Work 3 dc into the first ch-2 sp.
3. Work 3 dc into each ch-2 sp across.
4. Work 1 dc into the top of the starting ch 2 from Row 1.
5. Turn.

Count: 50 shells and 2 edge dc — 152 dc in all, including the starting ch 3.

Row 3: Make the Primrose Groups

1. Ch 2. This counts as the first edge hdc.
2. Work (sc, ch 2, sc) into the middle dc of the first shell.
3. Work (sc, ch 2, sc) into the middle dc of each shell across.
4. Leave the other dc in each shell unworked.
5. Work 1 hdc into the top of the starting ch 3.
6. Turn.

Count: 50 primrose groups, 50 ch-2 sps, and 2 edge hdc.

Rows 4–156

Rep Rows 2 and 3.

On each shell row, work the final dc into the top of the previous row’s starting ch 2.

End at Row 156, which is a shell row.

You will have:

• 78 shell rows.
• 78 primrose-group rows, including Row 1.
• 50 shells across the final row.

Check the length before you finish. To change it, add or remove full 2-row repeats. Always end with a shell row.

Fasten off.

Optional Color Changes

Change colors at the end of a shell row so each new shade starts on a primrose-group row.

1. Work the last dc until 2 loops remain on the hook.
2. Yarn over with the new color.
3. Pull through both loops.
4. Turn and work the next row with the new color.

Leave tails long enough to weave in with a yarn needle.

Single Crochet Border

Choose the face you prefer as the RS. Lay the blanket flat before adding the border.

Border Rnd 1

1. Keep the RS facing you. Join yarn in the first dc of the last row.
2. Ch 1. This does not count as a st.
3. Work 3 sc into the same st. This makes the first corner.
4. Work 1 sc in each st across the top. Stop before the last st.
5. Work 3 sc into the last st.
6. Work down the side. Start with 2 sc around each row-end dc or ch-3 edge. Work 1 sc around each row-end hdc or ch-2 edge.
7. Work 3 sc into the first foundation ch. This makes the lower corner.
8. Work 1 sc in each foundation ch across. Stop before the last ch.
9. Work 3 sc into the last foundation ch.
10. Work up the next side. Use the same spacing at each row end.
11. Join with a sl st to the first sc.

Change the side stitch spacing if needed. The border should lie flat. Use fewer stitches if it forms waves. Use more if it pulls the edge inward.

Place a marker in the middle sc of each 3-sc corner.

Border Rnd 2

1. Ch 1.
2. Work 1 sc into each st around.
3. At each marked corner st, work 3 sc.
4. Move the marker to the middle sc of the new corner.
5. Join with a sl st to the first sc.

Rep Rnd 2 until the border is about 1 inch wide.

Fasten off.

Finishing

1. Weave in all ends on the WS.
2. Wash the blanket as stated on the yarn label.
3. Lay it flat and gently shape the edges.
4. Let it dry fully.

How to Adjust the Size

Change the Width

Use a foundation chain that is a multiple of 3, plus 2.

Foundation chains = number of shells × 3 + 2

At the target gauge:

A 1-inch border adds about 2 inches to the total width.

Change the Length

Add or remove full 2-row repeats. End with a shell row.

At the target gauge, each 2-row repeat adds about ⅔ inch. Use your washed swatch to plan the length and yarn amount.