Peek-A-Boo Blanket Pattern

This crochet blanket pattern is the seventh pattern I have created with the “Peek-A-Boo” design. It is thick and squishy and warm… soooo perfect for snuggling. It is my cats’ new favorite blanket. The best part is that it is not only comfy, it is also beautiful and stylish. It looks great wherever I lay it down!

The Origin of This Pattern

I have been wanting to make a blanket for a while now. It felt like a rite of passage in the crochet world. But I’ve also been putting it off… because I know myself! I get bored with projects easily. I usually prefer quick, immediate gratification projects like hats and scarves. But I knew I wanted to conquer the challenge.

When it came to a design, I immediately thought of the Peek-A-Boo design since I’ve done so many patterns with that stitch repeat already. Especially since I’d done the Peek-A-Boo Scarf. The blanket would just be a larger version of the same pattern.  

The Yarn For This Pattern

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When I was thinking through what kind of yarn to use, I first asked the facebook crochet community what their favorite yarns for blankets were. I wanted something super soft that would also hold up over time. Far and away, Bernat Blanket yarn was the most mentioned yarn wherever I went. So, I got in touch with Yarnspirations to see if they could help me out with this pattern. I was super excited when they said they would supply the yarn for this project! Thank you Yarnspirations!

My number one favorite thing about this yarn is that it is so chunky! It is a size 6, super bulky weight, so it works up so quickly! This definitely helps me out as a crocheter who gets bored quickly. I might die a slow death making a blanket in a worsted weight yarn!! Second favorite part…. it is soft, soft, soft! So squishy. Especially when you use a larger hook like I did to really get a good drape. And lastly, of course I haven’t put it to the test of time yet, but it really seems like it will hold together well. It doesn’t fray or fuzz or break apart as you work with it. I am very very pleased with it!

The Pattern

If  you would like to purchase an inexpensive, ad-free pdf version of this crochet blanket pattern, you can find it here at my Etsy shop. (scroll down for the full free pattern)

Add this crochet blanket pattern to your Ravelry favorites HERE.

Materials:

Size 6 Yarn (I used 6-7 skeins Bernat Blanket in Country Blue, 10.5 oz)
USQ/ 15.75 mm Crochet Hook
Yarn Needle
Scissors

Gauge:

Measuring rows of hdc in the 3rd loop only (to replicate first rows of pattern): 4” = 5 hdc and 4 rows.

My gauge is very tight. You may need to go down a hook size or two if you crochet more loosely. See notes for further info.

Stitches Used:
(sl st) slip stitch
(fhdc) foundation half double crochet
(sc) single crochet
(hdc) half double crochet
(dc) double crochet
technique: crocheting in the 3rd loop

Pattern Notes:

Starting chains do not count as a stitch in this pattern. In other words, the Ch 1 or Ch 2 at the beginning of the row is not included in the stitch count for the row.

My gauge is tighter than most. I used a size Q hook in order to get the drape I wanted with the fabric. If you crochet more loosely, you can either go down a hook size or two, OR, if you like the drape of the fabric at the larger hook size, you can just adjust the number of stitches and rows. I was looking for a very loose drape, as I wanted as much “squish” as possible. If you prefer a tighter stitch, you can go down a hook size or two and adjust the number of stitches as needed (see next paragraph).

This pattern is fairly easy to adjust to whatever size you like. If you want to decrease or increase the width of the blanket, just decrease or increase the number of stitches in your beginning chain or foundation row. Just keep the total number of stitches an even number. If you want to decrease or increase the height of your blanket, simply decrease or increase your number of rows you complete. To maintain the repeat that I used, just be sure to end on a repeat of row 4 and then add one more row of hdc in the 3rd loop.

In order to attain the compactness of the ribbing rows, the pattern will instruct you to finish off (or cut your yarn) at the end of certain rows, and then reattach your yarn at the first stitch of the previous row. This is because these rows require you to crochet in the third loop, which can only be done in one direction (you can’t turn and crochet back in the other direction and achieve the same look).

Due to the nature of finishing off and reattaching on a lot of the rows, the vertical edges of the finished blanket are not very straight. I resolved this by adding fringe on those edges. If you don’t like fringe you may consider some other type of edging on those ends.

If you do decide to add fringe, be sure you leave your ends long enough to incorporate them into whatever length of fringe you think you will want to have.

Pattern:

Row 1: 78 fhdc (or until about 52 inches). End with an even number. Mine was 52 inches at stitch 77, but I went to 78 to get an even number. Finish off.

Note: if you prefer to use a starting chain instead of a foundation half double crochet you can chain 79. Hdc in the second chain from the hook and in each chain across. Finish off. (78)

Row 2: Attach yarn to the first stitch of the foundation row. (In other words, you are not turning and going back the other direction to the beginning of row 1. Instead, you have finished off your yarn at the end of row 1, then you’re jumping back to the beginning of row 1 to reattach your yarn.) Ch 1. Hdc in the third loop only (see photo below) of the same stitch and all stitches across. Finish off. (78)

Rows 3-4: Repeat row 2, except that you attach to the first stitch of the previous row (rather than the foundation row). (78)

Row 5: Attach yarn to the first stitch of the previous row. Ch 2. Dc in the same stitch. Sc in the next stitch (in 3rd loop only, for this stitch and the rest of the row). *Dc in the next stitch. Sc in the next stitch.* Repeat from * to * across. Do not finish off this time. (78).

Row 6: Ch 2. (do not crochet in the 3rd loop for this row) Turn. Dc in the same stitch. Sc in the next stitch. *Dc in the next stitch. Sc in the next stitch.* Repeat from * to * across. (78)

Row 7: Ch 2. Turn. Dc in the same stitch. Sc in the next stitch. *Dc in the next stitch.
Sc in the next stitch.* Repeat from * to * across. (78).

Note: For rows 6 through 11, taller stitches will be placed in the shorter stitches of the previous row and vice versa. So, Dc will be placed in the Sc of the previous row and then the Sc will be placed in the Dc of the previous row.

Rows 8-10: Repeat row 7.

Row 11: Ch 2. Turn. Dc in the same stitch. Hdc in the next stitch. *Dc in the next stitch. Hdc in the next stitch.* Repeat from * to * across. Finish off. (78)

Row 12: Attach yarn to the first stitch of the previous row. Ch 1. Hdc in the third loop only of the same stitch and all stitches across. Note: the 3rd loop will have a slightly different placement, depending on whether it is a hdc or dc that is crocheted into. (See photo at below.) Finish off.

Remaining rows: Repeat rows 2 through 12 until the height of your blanket measures about 60 inches. End the last repeat on a repeat of row 4. Complete one more row of hdc in the third loop only. Finish off.

Add fringe to the ends of the rows and if you have not weaved in your ends you can incorporate them in the fringe.

You can find a step by step tutorial for adding fringe, as well as hiding tails in the fringe, HERE.

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More Free Patterns I Think You’ll Enjoy:

Cascades Pillow Pattern

Chunky Peek-A-Boo Beanie

Peek-A-Boo Water Bottle Carrier

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Note: Feel free to sell finished products made with this pattern. If finished products are posted online, please include a reference/credit to this pattern. Do not distribute or claim the pattern as your own, or alter and use my photos to market your finished products.