Easy Crochet Tartan Blanket Tutorial

Hello happy hookers....

have you every looked at tartan and wished you could crochet that?  Well, now you can!   And it's SO EASY!

If you can crochet a granny square you can make this......  honestly!

 

I created this blanket in 2018 to be a kit when I had my craft workshop, but I am now trying to work through all of my later items and transfer them onto video so you can make them too!

Obviously the classic look is the black & white with a touch of red.. I have seen this one made many a time by simple switching out the red for a different colour. It looks great in Hot Pink!

I have done it in shades of purples too which look really nice... but alas, I don't seem to have that photograph any longer.

So this time, for the video tutorial, I decided to do it in shades of blue with a peach colour for the contrast.  I have to say, it's not my favourite colourway at all.   But if you need any help putting some colours together, feel free to email me and I will make some suggestions for you.

You will need four shades of one colour, varying from light to dark.  The reason for this is that the colours from tartan come from the colours passing over each other to create shades.   You then need a contrasting colour for some of the joining.  The joining is done in two colours, the lightest of your shades and your contrast.  This is what helps the tartan pattern come together.

And here is the video explaining how to make it... it is a long video, but if you can already crochet a Granny Square then you can skip quite a bit of it.

If you would prefer a written pattern, then here you go.

I work in UK crochet terminology, with a 4.50mm crochet hook - my favourite is Clover Amour.  (amazon affiliated link)

I also use Stylecraft Special DK yarn in the following:

1 x contrasting shade

2 x darkest shade

3x next darkest shade

1 x medium shade

1 x lightest shade

Solid Colour Granny Square:

Make 76 in Second Darkest and 60 in Darkest.       

·                4 CH and SS to join into a ring.  CH 3 (counts as first TR) work 2 x TR into the ring, (CH 2, work 3 x TR into the ring) 3 times. CH 2,  SS into 3rd CH to join.  (4 clusters of 3 x TR with CH sp between)

·                SS into the next 2 st, then SS into the following CH sp.

·                CH 3 (counts as first TR) work 2 x TR into the same CH sp, CH2, work 3 x TR into the same CH sp.  (in the next CH sp work - 3 x TR, 2 CH, 3 x TR) 3 times, SS into 3rd CH to join.  

·                 SS into the next 2 st, then SS into the following CH sp.

·                CH 3 (counts as first TR) work 2 x TR into the same CH sp, CH2, work 3 x TR into the same CH sp.  (in the next CH sp work  3 x TR, in the next corner CH sp work 3 x TR, 2 CH, 3 x TR) 3 times. In the next CH sp work  3 x TR, SS into 3rd CH to join. End yarn.

 

Two Colour Granny Square:

Make 24 with middle round Lightest Shade and 2 outer rounds of Medium Shade.      

·                LIGHTEST: - 4 CH and SS to join into a ring.  CH 3 (counts as first TR) work 2 x TR into the ring, (CH 2, work 3 x TR into the ring) 3 times. CH 2,  SS into 3rd CH to join.  (4 clusters of 3 x TR with CH sp between). End yarn.

·                MEDIUM:  Join yarn in any CH sp, CH 3 (counts as first TR) work 2 x TR into the same CH sp, CH2, work 3 x TR into the same CH sp.  (in the next CH sp work - 3 x TR, 2 CH, 3 x TR) 3 times, SS into 3rd CH to join.  

·                 SS into the next 2 st, then SS into the following CH sp.

·                CH 3 (counts as first TR) work 2 x TR into the same CH sp, CH2, work 3 x TR into the same CH sp.  (in the next CH sp work  3 x TR, in the next corner CH sp work 3 x TR, 2 CH, 3 x TR) 3 times. In the next CH sp work  3 x TR, SS into 3rd CH to join. End yarn.

To join:.       

·                With your work back-to-back, and working into the BACK LOOP of your stitches, work a DC into each stitch across the whole side.  (when you work a regular stitch you have two strands of yarns over your hook, for joining just use the back loop only.  Because the squares are back-to-back, these loops will sit together.)

Work in the order of squares as given...

 Row 1:

Working in a row across as shown by the grid, join the squares in the following colours.

Join a 2 colour square to a 2nd darkest with CONTRAST, * then add a Kelly Green with LIGHTEST, then add a Tomato/Lincoln with CONTRAST,  then add a Kelly Green with CONTRAST, repeat from * finishing with the Tomato/Lincoln as the 10th square.

Row 2:

Join a Kelly Green square to a Bottle Green with CONTRAST, ** then add a Bottle Green with LIGHTEST, then add a Kelly Green with CONTRAST, then add a Bottle Green with CONTRAST, repeat from repeat from ** finishing with the Kelly Green as the 10th square.

 

Now join these two strips together with CONTRAST.

Row 3:

Repeat Row 2, then join onto Row 2 with LIGHTEST.

Row 4:

Repeat Row 1, then join onto Row 3 with CONTRAST.

Row 5:

Repeat Row 2, then join onto Row 4 with CONTRAST.

Row 6:

Repeat Row 2, then join onto Row 5 with LIGHTEST.

Row 7:

Repeat Row 1, then join onto Row 6 with CONTRAST.

Row 8:

Repeat Row 2, then join onto Row 7 with CONTRAST.

Row 9:

Repeat Row 2, then join onto Row 8 with LIGHTEST.

Row 10:

Repeat Row 1, then join onto Row 9 with CONTRAST.

Row 11:

Repeat Row 2, then join onto Row 10 with CONTRAST.

Row 12:

Repeat Row 2, then join onto Row 11 with LIGHTEST.

Row 13:

Repeat Row 1, then join onto Row 12 with CONTRAST.

Row 14:

Repeat Row 2, then join onto Row 13 with CONTRAST.

Row 15:

Repeat Row 2, then join onto Row 14 with LIGHTEST.

Row 16:

Repeat Row 1, then join onto Row 15 with CONTRAST.

To edge:.       

Round 1: With LIGHTEST work DC all the way around as follows..... start in any stitch and work 1 x DC into each stitch across each Granny Square and 1 x DC into each seam.  Work 3 x DC's into each corner. SS to join.

Round 2: With MEDIUM, start in any stitch and work 1 x HTR into every stitch across the edge.  Work 1 x HTR, 1 x CH, 1 x HTR into each corner. SS to join.

Round 3: As round 2.

Round 4: With DARKEST, Crab Stitch. This is a Double Crochet worked BACKWARDS around the edge. Start in any stitch, attach yarn and CH2, into the next stitch BACK insert your hook, bring your yarn through and over the top of the stitch work a DC.  Continue. You will find it creates a twisted rope effect.  SS to join, end yarn and sew in all ends.

Stitches explained:

Chain Stitch (CH) - Yarn around hook (from the back) and pull the new yarn through the loop on your hook.  This is ONE chain.  Repeat as needed.

Double Crochet (DC) - Put hook through work, draw yarn back through (2 loops on hook) yarn around hook (from the back) draw yarn through the 2 loops on the hook.

Half Treble Crochet - Yarn around hook (from the back) put hook through work and draw yarn back through (3 loops on hook) yarn around hook, draw through 3 loops on hook.

Treble Crochet - Yarn around hook (from the back) put hook through work and draw yarn back through (3 loops on hook) yarn around hook, draw through 2 loops on hook, yarn around hook, draw through 2 loops on hook.

Slip Stitch (SS) - Put hook through work, draw yarn back through work and the stitch on your hook.