Gentle Comfort Ribbed Throw Blanket Pattern

This soft crochet throw has broad bands of color. The shades are cream, pale blue, and light gray. Work rows of half double crochet in the back loop. These rows form soft ridges. A cream border keeps the edges neat.

Work the throw flat, one row at a time. The stitch repeat is easy to follow. Each stripe has 25 rows. This pattern has not been sample-tested. The yarn amounts and final size are estimates. Make a gauge swatch before you start.

Skill Level

Easy

You should know how to chain, work half double crochet and single crochet, change colors, and weave in yarn ends.

Size

• With the border: About 42 inches wide × 52 inches long.
• Before the border: About 40 inches wide × 50 inches long.

Materials

• Worsted-weight yarn, Category #4: About 1,800–2,100 yards total.
• Color A — Cream: About 1,150–1,350 yards, including the border.
• Color B — Pale blue: About 325–375 yards.
• Color C — Light gray: About 325–375 yards.
• Crochet hook: US I/9, 5.5 mm, or the size needed to meet gauge.
• Yarn needle.
• Scissors.
• Measuring tape.
• Four stitch markers.

Use yarns of the same weight and similar fiber content. A soft, washable yarn is a good choice for a blanket used often.

Abbreviations

US crochet terms

Gauge

12 hdc and 10 rows = 4 inches, worked in BLO.

Measure the swatch after washing and drying it as directed on the yarn label.

Make a gauge swatch:

1. Ch 26.
2. Hdc in the third ch from the hook and in each ch across. 24 hdc.
3. Ch 2, turn.
4. Hdc in BLO of each st across. 24 hdc.
5. Rep Steps 3–4 until you have 20 rows in total.
6. Wash and dry the swatch. Measure a 4-inch square near the center.

If you have more than 12 sts in 4 inches, try a larger hook. If you have fewer than 12 sts, try a smaller hook. Check the row gauge too, as it affects the length.

Adjust the Size

To change the width:

Add or remove foundation chains. The number of hdc will be two fewer than the number of chains.

At the stated gauge, each 3 sts add about 1 inch of width.

For a custom width before the border:

Width in inches × 3 = number of hdc.

Add 2 to that number for the foundation chain.

To change the length:

Add or remove rows. At the stated gauge, 5 rows add about 2 inches.

Keep all five stripes the same depth for an even layout. Each extra row added to all five stripes adds about 2 inches to the total length.

A larger blanket will need more yarn.

Pattern Notes

• Work in rows. Turn after each blanket row.
• Ch 2 does not count as a st.
• Each blanket row has 120 hdc.
• Work Row 1 into the foundation chains.
• Work Rows 2–125 in BLO.
• Work the border through both loops.
• Each stripe has 25 rows.
• Change colors on the last pull-through of the final hdc.
• Cut the yarn at each color change. Leave a 6-inch tail.
• Mark the first and last hdc if needed.
• Choose either face as the RS before adding the border.
• Count your sts often to keep the edges straight.

Pattern Instructions

Step 1: Make the Foundation

With Color A, ch 122.

Keep the chains loose. If the chain feels tight, use a hook one size larger for the chain, then switch back for Row 1.

Step 2: Work the First Row

Row 1: Hdc in the third ch from the hook. Hdc in each ch across. 120 hdc.

The two skipped chains do not count as a st.

Step 3: Begin the Ribbed Fabric

Row 2: Ch 2, turn. Hdc in BLO of the first st and each st across. 120 hdc.

Work the first hdc into the last hdc of the prior row. Do not work into the turning ch.

Step 4: Finish the First Stripe

Rows 3–25: Rep Row 2 with Color A. 120 hdc in each row.

On the final hdc of Row 25, change to Color B as described in Step 6.

Step 5: Work the Remaining Stripes

Keep repeating Row 2. Follow this color order:

Each row has 120 hdc.

After Row 125, fasten off. Leave a 6-inch tail.

Step 6: Change Colors

At the end of each stripe:

1. Work the last hdc until three loops remain on the hook.
2. Drop the old color.
3. Yarn over with the new color and pull through all three loops.
4. Cut the old color, leaving a 6-inch tail.
5. Ch 2 with the new color and turn.
6. Work the next row in BLO.

Keep the yarn tails loose so they do not pull the edge inward.

Step 7: Check the Blanket Body

• Lay the blanket flat.
• At the stated gauge, it should measure about 40 inches wide × 50 inches long.
• Check that the rows have 120 sts and that the sides are straight. Smooth the fabric gently before you add the border.

Step 8: Work Border Round 1

• With the RS facing, join Color A in a corner st.
• Ch 1. This does not count as a st.
• Work 3 sc in the corner st. Mark the middle sc.

Continue around the blanket:

• Across the top: Work 1 sc in each hdc between the corner sts.
• Along each side: Start with 6 sc for every 5 row ends. Work 1 sc in each of four row ends, then 2 sc in the fifth. Rep along the side.
• Across the foundation edge: Work 1 sc into the underside of each foundation ch that holds an hdc, between the corner sts.
• At each remaining corner: Work 3 sc in the corner st. Mark the middle sc.

Each corner group replaces the single sc that would go into that corner st. Do not work the same corner twice.

Sl st to the first sc to join. Do not turn.

Lay the blanket flat. If an edge pulls inward, add a few evenly spaced sc. If it waves, remove a few sc. Adjust this round before you go on.

Step 9: Work Border Rounds 2–4

• Round 2: Ch 1. Sc in each st around, working 3 sc in each marked corner st. Move each marker to the middle sc of the new corner group. Sl st to the first sc.
• Rounds 3–4: Rep Round 2.
• Do not turn between rounds.
• Check the blanket after each round. The border should lie flat. These four rounds should add about 1 inch to each edge, though your sc gauge may vary.
• Fasten off after Round 4.

Step 10: Finish the Blanket

1. Weave all yarn tails through several sts on the WS.
2. Change direction once while weaving each tail to help hold it in place.
3. Wash the blanket as directed on the yarn label.
4. Lay it flat and gently shape the edges and corners.
5. Let it dry fully before use.