Loopy PandaHow to Crochet the Blanket Stitch
The crochet blanket stitch is a one-row repeat of (single crochet, 2 double crochet) in the same stitch, then skip 2 stitches. Chain a multiple of 3, work 2 dc in the 3rd chain from the hook, then repeat (skip 2, sc and 2 dc in the next) across. Each row has the same stitch count, a multiple of 3.
What you need
- Smooth yarn in a light colour, for example worsted (4, Medium)
- Crochet hook in the size on the yarn label
- Stitch marker
Row by row
- Know the groupThe pattern is built from one group:
(sc, 2 dc), a single crochet and 2 double crochet all worked into the same stitch. Between groups you skip 2 stitches. - Chain a multiple of 3To practise, chain 18.
- Row 1: startWork 2 dc in the 3rd chain from the hook. The 2 chains you skipped are the turning chain; they do not count as a stitch.
- Row 1: across*Skip 2 chains,
(sc, 2 dc)in the next chain*; repeat from * until 3 chains remain. Skip 2 chains and work 1 sc in the last chain. With 18 chains you have 15 stitches: 2 dc, 4 groups, 1 sc. - Row 2: turn
Ch 2and turn. The chain 2 does not count as a stitch. Work 2 dc in the first stitch (the sc you just made). - Row 2: across*Skip 2 stitches,
(sc, 2 dc)in the next stitch*; repeat from * until 2 stitches and the turning chain remain. Each group lands in the sc of a group below. - Row 2: finishSkip the 2 stitches and work 1 sc in the turning chain (on Row 2, into the chains you skipped at the start of Row 1). You have 15 stitches again.
- Repeat Row 2Repeat Row 2 until the piece is as long as you want. The groups build up the wavy texture of the stitch.
Stitch count check
Count the sc and dc; the chain 2 is not a stitch. With a foundation chain of 3 × n, every row has 3 × (n − 1) stitches: 2 dc, n − 2 full groups and 1 sc.
| Foundation chain | Stitches per row | Full (sc, 2 dc) groups |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | 15 | 4 |
| 30 | 27 | 8 |
| 60 | 57 | 18 |
| 3 × n | 3 × (n − 1) | n − 2 |
If a row's count is not a multiple of 3, a group went into the wrong stitch or the last sc is missing. Near the end of Row 1 you must have exactly 3 chains left: 2 to skip and 1 for the sc.
In UK terms
| Pattern style | Group | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| US | (sc, 2 dc) in next st | The group on this page |
| UK | (dc, 2 tr) in next st | Same stitch; UK dc = US sc, UK tr = US dc |
Other things people mean by “blanket stitch crochet”
The name is used for three different things. This page is about the crochet stitch pattern above, which is what most crochet tutorials mean. The other two:
- The sewn blanket stitch. In sewing and embroidery, blanket stitch is a stitch used to reinforce the edge of thick materials. It is made with a needle, not a hook. Some crocheters sew it around a fleece blanket with yarn and then crochet into the loops, but it takes a long piece of yarn to get around a whole blanket.
- A crochet edge on a fleece blanket. A more common route is to make small holes along the fleece edge (a skip-stitch blade on a rotary cutter is made for this) and crochet into the holes, for example
sc, ch 1in each hole and(sc, ch 2, sc)in each corner hole. Then add any border on top. - “Which stitch is best for a blanket?” There is no single blanket stitch. Popular choices include this one, moss stitch, V stitch and granny squares. For sizes and yarn, see blanket sizes and how much yarn you need.
Common mistakes
- Putting the group in a dc. On Row 2 and after, each
(sc, 2 dc)goes into the sc of a group below. If you land in a dc, the texture drifts out of line. - Counting the chain 2. It is not a stitch. Counting it makes you look for a stitch that does not exist.
- Missing the last sc. The row ends with 1 sc in the turning chain. Without it the row is one stitch short and the edge gets uneven. See why is my crochet getting wider.
Chart symbols on this page
Frequently asked questions
How many chains do I need for the crochet blanket stitch?
A multiple of 3 for the method on this page, for example 18, 30 or 60. Some versions start with a row of single crochet on a multiple of 3 plus 1 stitches; they use the same (sc, 2 dc) group with different edges. Follow your pattern.
Does the chain 2 count as a stitch?
No. In this pattern the turning chain 2 only gives height; you still work the last sc of the next row into it, but it is not counted.
Is the crochet blanket stitch the same as the sewing blanket stitch?
No. The sewing blanket stitch is made with a needle to finish the edge of thick fabric. The crochet blanket stitch is a textured fabric made with a hook from single and double crochet.
How do I crochet an edge on a fleece blanket?
Make evenly spaced holes along the edge, for example with a skip-stitch blade on a rotary cutter, then crochet into the holes: sc and ch 1 in each hole, (sc, ch 2, sc) in the corners. You can also sew a blanket stitch first and crochet into it.
What is the best crochet stitch for a blanket?
It depends on the look you want. This blanket stitch is textured with no chain spaces, moss stitch drapes well, V stitch is open with tall rows, and granny squares let you use many colours.
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