Instructions on Crocheting a Cross Stitch & Cluster Blanket

Crochet stitches for the basis for new stitches.

Crochet doesn't just consist of rows upon rows of single crochet, double crochet or half double crochet. This craft is so versatile, you can create two distinctly different patterns for a blanket using two different yarn colors. To make this blanket, you need to know how to single crochet, change yarn colors and double crochet. Create a more distinctive look for your blanket by crocheting a single crochet border of two rows. Use one color for each border row.

Things You'll Need

• Size K crochet hook
• Light worsted yarn, white and dark blue, seven skeins each
• Large-eye tapestry needle
• Scissors

Instructions

Beginning and Cluster Stitch

1. 

   Make a chain (ch) of 167 stitches (st) using white yarn. Ch one and turn work from left to right (make sure to turn your work from left to right at the end of each completed row). Make a single crochet (sc) in the second ch from your hook, then sc in each ch to the end of row one. Make a turning ch, turn work and crochet as in row one.

2. 

   This simple tool can help you make a beautiful home decor item.

   Take your yarn over (YO), insert hook in fourth ch from hook--three skipped chs become first dc--YO and pull up a loop. YO and draw yarn through two loops on hook, YO, skip the next ch and insert hook in next ch, YO and pull up loop. YO, draw through two loops on hook, YO, draw through all three loops on hook, ch one, (work cluster, ch one) across to last chain then dc in last ch (row three).

3. Continue working in cluster stitch in white yarn until blanket measures approximately 36 inches. Change to blue yarn in the last two loops of the last dc stitch, cut the white yarn and weave in ends.

Cross Stitch and Ending

1. Crochet dc st, skip (sk) three st and double crochet (dc) in next st. Ch one, make dc into skipped st from front to back. Wrap yarn around the hook again to continue dc, working yarn wraps around the outside of the first dc you just made. Complete dc normally (row one of crochet cross stitch). Continue following rows in the same stitch.

2. Stagger your crochet cross stitches between crochet cross stitches completed in previous rows. As you work in this pattern, you'll see each row has crochet cross stitches alternating between each other, separated by ch st.

3. Continue working in crochet cross stitch for all rows in blue until this half of blanket measures approximately 36 inches. Change to white yarn on the last two loops of last dc, for first row of blanket border. Fasten off blue yarn and weave in ends using a large-eye tapestry needle.

4. Crochet border, using two rows of sc stitches. Use white for row one and the blue for row two.

Tips & Warnings

• If you don't want to use white and blue, use two colors of your choice.

• Use light worsted yarn so the patterns of each st will show easily.

References

• NexStitch: Cluster Stitch
• Stitch 'n Bitch: The Happy Hooker; Debbie Stoller; 2006
• Beginner's Guide Crochet Stitches & Easy Projects; Leisure Arts; 1999