Let the colors flow with the Study of Blue Blanket, a striking throw that showcases a wide variety of textural crochet stitches. This center-out design begins with a circular motif and gradually transforms into a square blanket. Part of the beloved Study Series by Mikey of The Crochet Crowd, this project marks the 20th installment in the sampler collection. Use yarn that changes colors for you, or carefully control the color changes—it’s up to you. Stitch your way through colors you love and make a blanket to keep or gift to a friend.
If you encounter any errors, please email me at inquiry@thecrochetcrowd.com with the mistake and your suggested changes.
Crocheters overwhelmingly decided, in a poll with The Crochet Crowd, that they prefer to crochet blankets and let the colour flow without forcing colour changes. A minority prefers to control the colours. This blanket design intentionally let the o’go play their flavour as the colours came out naturally from each of them.
Of course, this is a template, allowing crocheters who wish to control the narrative on colours to do so and change the colours as they see fit.
I Like Crochet Magazine wanted a blue design, and with the Overboard colour from Caron Colorama, I thought it was a great blend of blue meets different tones of blue with the off-blue-ish white to break up the tones. Reminds me of the depths of water, including the sea spray on a beach.
The Crochet Study of Blue Blanket is the 20th stitch sampler in the Study Series by Mikey. Find your stitching journey in colours you love and hook yourself a blanket to enjoy or to give to a friend.
Time: Approximately 30 hours
Skill Level: Easy
Size: 56” x 56” square
Gauge 10 sc and 11 rows = 4” [10cm]
Materials
Hook: US size J/10 6.0 mm or size needed to obtain gauge
Notions: Tapestry needle
Yarn: Caron Colorama (100% Acrylic, 228 yards [208 meters] / 6.4 ounces [180 grams]): Overboard (9 o’gos, 1,268 yds)
Special Stitches
- Dc3tog = (Yoh and draw up a loop in next st. Yoh and draw through 2 loops on hook) 3 times. Yoh and draw through all 4 loops on hook.
- Fptr = Treble Front Post
- Sl st bp = Insert hook from right to left around post of next stitch at back of work. Yoh and draw through loop on hook.
Pattern Notes
- Each Colorama O’go starts with a different colour, but the lengths of the colours are the same. You may want to consider looking at your O’gos and putting them in the order in which you want the colours to appear. You will crochet without worrying about changing colour with intention.
- If a colour is split between the beginning and ending of an o’go, use the entire colour.
- In pattern reading. Ch 1 means to physically crochet by chaining 1. If it states ch-1, the instructions use that to place the assigned stitch.
Pattern
Join all rnds with sl st to first st unless otherwise indicated.
Ch 5. Join with sl st to beg ch to form ring.
Round 1: (RS). Ch 1. 18 dc in ring. Join with sl st bp. (18 dc.)
Round 2: Ch 1. 1 bpdc around first dc. *Ch 1. 1 bpdc around next dc. Rep from * around. Ch 1. Join. (18 sts and 18 ch-1 sps.)
Round 3: Ch 1. 1 dc in first bpdc. 1 dc in next ch-1 sp. *1 dc in next bpdc, 1 dc in next ch-1 sp. Rep from * around. Join. (36 dc.)
Round 4: Ch 1. 1 sc in first dc, 2 sc in next dc. *1 sc in next dc, 2 sc in next dc. Rep from * around. Join. (54 sc.)
Round 5: Ch 1. 1 sc in each sc around. Join. (54 sc.)
Round 6: Ch 1. Fptr around first dc in 3rd rnd. Skip sc behind fptr. 1 sc in each of next 2 sc. *Sk the next dc in rnd 3. Fptr around next dc in 3rd rnd. Skip sc behind fptr. 1 sc in each of next 2 sc. Rep from * around. Join. 54 sts. (18 fptr and 36 sc).
Round 7: Ch 1. 2 sc in first st. 1 sc in each of next 2 sts. *2 sc in next st. 1 sc in each of next 2 sts. Rep from * around. Join. (72 sc.)
Round 8: Ch 1. 1 sc in first sc. *Ch 4. Skip next 3 sc. 1 sc in next sc. Rep from * to last 3 sc. Ch 4. Skip last 3 sc. Join. (18 sc and 18 ch-4 sps.)
Round 9: Sl st in first ch-4 sp. Ch 1. 1 sc in same sp. *8 dc in next ch-4 sp. 1 sc in next ch-4 sp. Rep from * to last ch-4 sp. 8 dc in last ch-4 sp. Join. (72 dc and 9 sc.)
Round 10: Sl st bp around next dc. Ch 1. 1 bpdc around first dc just worked. (Ch 1. 1 bpdc around next dc) 7 times. *Skip next sc. (Ch 1. 1 bpdc around next dc) 8 times. Rep from * around. Ch 1. Join. (72 bpdc and 72 ch-1 sps.)
Round 11: Sl st to the next ch-1 sp. Ch 4 (counts as 1 dc + ch 1 sp), 1 hdc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, (1 sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1) 3 times, 1 hdc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, 1 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1. Skip next ch-1 sp. *1 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, 1 hdc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, (1 sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1) 3 times, 1 hdc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, 1 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1. Skip next ch-1 sp. Rep from * around. Join to 3rd ch of beg ch-4. (63 sts and 63 ch-1 sp, 126 sts.)
TIP: The blanket will start to get wavy but you have to trust in the pattern as it will work itself out.
Round 12: Sl st to next ch-1 sp. Ch 3, 1 dc in same sp. 2 dc in next 9 ch-1 sps. 3 dc in next ch-1 sp. *2 dc in next 10 ch-1 sps, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp. Rep from * around to the 8th last ch-1 sp. 2 dc in each of the next 7 ch-1 sps, 3 dc in last ch-1 sp. Join. (132 dc.)
Round 13: Ch 4 (counts as 1 dc + ch-1 sp). *Sk next st. 1 dc in next dc, ch 1. Rep from * around. Join to 3rd chain of beg ch-4. 66 dc and 66 ch-1 sps. (132 sts.)
Round 14: Ch 1. 1 sc in each dc and ch-1 sp around. Join. (132 sc.)
Round 15: Ch 3 (counts as dc here and throughout). 1 dc in next 9 sc, 2 dc in next sc. *1 dc in next 10 sc, 2 dc in next sc. Rep from * around. Join. (144 dc.)
Round 16: Ch 1. 1 fpdc around same st as join. 1 bpdc around next st. *1 fpdc around next st. 1 bpdc around next st. Rep from * around. Join. (144 sts.)
The next round will be the Samurai Stitch. For our example, it will be slightly different to maintain the growth of a circle.
Samurai St Beg = Samurai Stitch. Ch 3, 1 dc in the next 2 sts. Yoh and wrap around the last 3 dc posts from front to back. Carefully wrap around the 2 dc and ch-3. Yoh, pull up a loop and extend slack with the loop so the three posts are slightly compressed together and a loop lies across the posts. (Yoh and pull through 2 loops) twice.
Samurai St 4 = Samurai Stitch. Sk next st. 1 dc in the next 3 sts. Yoh and wrap around the last 3 dc posts from front to back. Carefully wrap around last 3 posts, yoh, pull up a loop and extend slack with the loop so the three posts are slightly compressed together and a loop lies across the posts. (Yoh and pull through 2 loops) twice.
Samurai St 5 = Samurai Stitch. Sk next st. 2 dc in next st, 1 dc in the next 2 sts. Yoh. Carefully wrap around last 4 posts, yoh, pull up a loop and extend slack with the loop so the four posts are slightly compressed together and a loop lies across the posts. (Yoh and pull through 2 loops) twice.
Round 17: Sl st to next st (counts as skipped st). Samurai st beg, samurai st 4, samurai st 5. *(Samurai st 4) twice and Samurai st 5. Rep from * around. Join. (156 dc. 24 – samurai sts 4 and 12 – samurai sts 5.)
Round 18: Ch 1. 1 sc in each st around. Join. (156 sc.)
Round 19: Ch 1. 1 sc in same st, ch 3, sk 2 sc. *1 sc in next sc, ch 3, sk next 2 sc. Rep from * around. Join. (52 ch-3 sps and 52 sc.)
Round 20: Sl st to next ch-3 sp, ch 1, 1 sc in same sp, 7 dc in next ch-3 sp. *1 sc in next ch-3 sp, 7 dc in next ch-3 sp. Rep from * around. Join. (26 – 7 dc petals and 26 sc. 208 sts.)
Popcorn FP = Popcorn Front Post. Popcorn stitch. Work 4 dc around sc in rnd below. Drop the loop from the hook, insert your hook from front to back under the top 2 loops of the first double crochet of the group, grab the dropped loop with your hook and pull it through the stitch, ch 1 to close.
Round 21: Sl st to back post of next 2 dc. Ch 3 (counts as bpdc), 1 bpdc around next 4 dc. Sk next dc. 1 popcorn fp around next sc. *Skip next dc, 1 bpdc around next 5 dc. Sk next dc. 1 popcorn fp around next sc. Rep from * around. Join. (26 – 5 dc back post petals and 26 popcorn. 156 sts.)
Round 22: Ch 3. 1 dc in next 10 sts, 2 fpdc in around next popcorn st. *1 dc in next 11 sts, 2 fpdc around next popcorn st. Rep from * around. Join. (169 sts.)
Round 23: Ch 3. 1 dc in next 11 dc, 2 dc in next dc. *1 dc in next 12 dc, 2 dc in next dc. Rep from * around. Join. (182 dc.)
Round 24: Ch 1. 2 sc in same st as join. 1 sc in next 12 dc. 2 sc in next dc. *1 sc in 13 dc, 2 sc in next dc. Rep from * around. Join. (196 sc.)
Big V-sts = (1 dc, ch 3, 1 dc) in assigned st.
Round 25: Ch 6 (counts as 1 dc and ch-3 sp), 1 dc in same beg st. Ch 1. *Sk next 3 sc, big v-sts in sc. Ch 1. Rep from *around. Join with to 3rd ch of beg ch-6. (49 big v-sts and 49 ch-1 sps.)
Round 26: Sl st to next ch-3 sp. Ch 3. 4 dc in same sp. *5 dc in next ch-3 sp – 5 dc petals made. Rep from * around. Join. (245 dc, 49 petals.)
Round 27: Ch 1. 1 sc in each st around. 1 extra sc in last st. Join. (246 sc.)
Round 28: Ch 4 (counts as 1 dc + ch-1 sp). *Sk next sc. 1 dc in next sc, ch 1. Rep from * around. Join to 3rd chain of beg ch-4. 123 dc and 123 ch-1 sps. (246 sts.)
Round 29: Sl st to next ch-1 sp. Ch 1. 3 sc in same sp. 2 sc in each of the next 8 ch-1 sps. [3 sc in next ch-1 sp, 2 sc in next 8 ch-1 sps] 12 times. 3 sc in next ch-1 sp, 2 sc in last 5 ch-1 sps. (260 sc.)
Round 30: Ch 3. 1 dc in same st as join. 1 dc in next 12 sc. *2 dc in next sc, 1 dc in next 12 sc. Rep from * around. Join. (280 dc.)
Transition to Square
Prepare the next round with stitch markers to locate the corners. Use the first stitch as the first corner and place a stitch marker. [Starting in next st, count to the 70th st and mark with a stitch marker.] 3 times.
When counting the stitches per side, don’t include the chain spaces that make up the turn of a corner.
Additional Tip: Joining with hdc means to use hdc to reach over to the first stitch to create a bridge, which equals ch-2. Use the post of that hdc created as a ch-2 space.
Round 31: Ch 4 (counts as tr), 1 tr in same join as join. *1 tr in next 4 sts, 1 dc in next 7 sts, 1 hdc in next 7 sts, 1 sc in next 33 sts, 1 hdc in next 7 sts, 1 dc in next 7 sts, 1 tr in next 4 sts. ** (2 tr. Ch 2. 2 tr) in next stitch. Rep from * twice more, then * to ** once. 2 tr in beg st. Join with hdc. (73 sts per side. 292 sts.)
Round 32: Ch 3. 1 dc in same join sp. *1 dc in next 14 sts, 1 hdc in next 14 sts, 1 sc in next 17 sts, 1 hdc in next 14 sts, 1 dc in next 14 sts. ** (2 dc. Ch 2. 2 dc) in next corner sp. Rep from * twice more, then * to ** once. 2 dc in same join sp at the beginning. Join with hdc. (77 sts per side. 308 sts.)
Round 33: Ch 3. 1 dc in same join sp. *1 dc in next 10 sts, 1 hdc in next 10 sts, 1 sc in next 37 sts, 1 hdc in next 10 sts, 1 dc in next 10 sts. ** (2 dc. Ch 2. 2 dc) in next corner sp. Rep from * twice more, then * to ** once. 2 dc in same join sp at the beginning. Join with hdc. (81 sts per side. 324 sts.)
Round 34: Ch 3. 1 dc in same join sp. *1 dc in next 8 sts, 1 hdc in next 8 sts, 1 sc in next 49 sts, 1 hdc in next 8 sts, 1 dc in next 8 sts. ** (2 dc. Ch 2. 2 dc) in next corner sp. Rep from * twice more, then * to ** once. 2 dc in same join sp at the beginning. Join with hdc. (85 sts per side. 340 sts.)
Round 35: Ch 3. 1 dc in same join sp. *1 dc in next 8 sts, 1 hdc in next 8 sts, 1 sc in next 53 sts, 1 hdc in next 8 sts, 1 dc in next 8 sts. ** (2 dc. Ch 2. 2 dc) in next corner sp. Rep from * twice more, then * to ** once. 2 dc in same join sp at the beginning. Join with hdc. (89 sts per side. 356 sts.)
Round 36: Ch 3. 1 dc in same join sp. *1 dc in each st to corner. ** (2 dc. Ch 2. 2 dc) in next corner sp. Rep from * twice more, then * to ** once. 2 dc in same join sp at the beginning. Join with hdc. (93 sts per side. 372 sts.)
Round 37: Ch 3. 1 dc in same corner sp. Ch 1, *[sk next st. (1 dc in next st, ch 1, sk next st] to next corner.** (2 dc. Ch 2. 2 dc) in next corner sp. Rep from * 2 more times, then rep * to ** once. 2 dc in beg corner sp. Join with hdc. (97 sts (47 ch-1 sps included) per side. 388 sts)
Round 38: Ch 1, 1 sc in same corner sp. *1 sc in each st and ch 1 sp across.** (1 sc. Ch 2. 1 sc) in corner sp. Rep from * 2 more times, then * to ** once. 1 sc in beg corner sp. Join with hdc. (99 sts per side. 396 sts.)
Block the blanket into a square by lightly spraying it with water, stretching it into shape and letting it air dry.
Round 39: Ch 3. 1 dc in same join sp. *1 dc in each st to corner. ** (2 dc. Ch 2. 2 dc) in next corner sp. Rep from * twice more, then * to ** once. 2 dc in same join sp at the beginning. Join with hdc. (103 sts per side. 412 sts.)
Round 40: Ch 1. 1 sc in same join sp. *1 sc in each st to corner. ** (1 sc. Ch 2. 1 sc) in next corner sp. Rep from * twice more, then * to ** once. 1 sc in same join sp at the beginning. Join with hdc. (105 sts per side. 420 sts.)
Round 41: Ch 3. 1 dc in same corner sp. Ch 1, *[sk next st. (1 dc in next st, ch 1, sk next st] to next corner.** (2 dc. Ch 2. 2 dc) in next corner sp. Rep from * 2 more times, then rep * to ** once. 2 dc in beg corner sp. Join with hdc. (109 sts (53 ch-1 sps included) per side. 436 sts)
Round 42: Ch 1. 1 sc in same corner sp. *1 sc in each st and ch-1 sp across.** (1 sc. Ch 2. 1 sc) in corner sp. Rep from * 2 more times, then * to ** once. 1 sc in beg corner sp. Join with hdc. (111 sts per side. 444 sts.)
Round 43: Ch 3. 1 dc in same join sp. *1 dc in each st to corner. ** (2 dc. Ch 2. 2 dc) in next corner sp. Rep from * twice more, then * to ** once. 2 dc in same join sp at the beginning. Join with hdc. (115 sts. 460 sts.)
Rounds 44-55: Repeat Rounds 40-43. Fasten off.
Stitch Counts
Round 44: (117 sts per side. 468 sts.)
Round 45: (121 sts (59 ch-1 sps included) per side. 484 sts)
Round 46: (123 sts per side. 492 sts.)
Round 47: (127 sts per side. 508 sts.)
Round 48: (129 sts per side. 516 sts.)
Round 49: (133 sts (65 ch-1 sps included) per side. 532 sts.)
Round 50: (135 sts per side. 540 sts.)
Round 51: (139 sts per side. 556 sts.)
Round 52: (141 sts per side. 564 sts.)
Round 53: (145 sts (71 ch-1 sps included) per side. 580 sts.)
Round 54: (147 sts per side. 588 sts.)
Round 55: (151 sts per side. 604 sts.)