How to make Vintage Vertical Stripe Crocheted Blanket

This blanket is intended to be made from leftover yarns. You need to know how to chain, single crochet, double crochet, and add in a new color if you want to change colors in the middle of a row. I used 27 different colors, some more than others. Most of the yarn is Wool-Ease by Lion Brand but there is some Simply Soft by Caron and a few others that I've lost the wrappers for so I don't remember what they are. At 250 chains, the blanket is 6' 9" long and the width will be a little over 4' wide when I'm done. I used a size "I" hook because that's what the yarn called for. (If you look at the wrapper around the yarn it will tell you the suggested hook size.) I'm getting about 17 rows to every 6". Once you get going you'll be able to do a row in about 20-25 minutes so you can use those figures to estimate your time.

**There is a crochet-along group on Ravelry that is working on this afghan - be sure to check it out for more tips and camaraderie!**


To start, chain 250. At the end of your chain, chain 2 more - this is your turning chain for double crochet.


Now for your first row, double crochet in each chain (your first double crochet will be in your 250th chain).


When you get to the end of the row, cut your yarn and knot off by pulling the cut thread through the last loop on your hook. You just completed the hardest part of the whole blanket!


Next, choose your new yarn color and make a slip knot with it on your hook.


Insert your hook with the slip knot into the space between your last two double crochets. (Remember you will be working into the space for the whole blanket).


With your hook through the space, make a single crochet, then chain two.


Double crochet in every space until the end of the row but...


in the last space double crochet twice in the same space. Cut your yarn and knot off. Can you see how the last two double crochets in the same space make a little "V"?


Always flip your blanket at the end of a row - you work from right to left. With a new yarn on your hook, insert your hook in the first space between your last two double crochets - the space in the "V".


Double crochet in each space until you reach the end of your row and always make two double crochets in your last space. You always begin your row by inserting your hook in the "V". Continue this way until you reach the width that you desire. I'm planning to do a scalloped edging around the finished blanket so I'll add that here when I'm done. Believe me, the hardest part is the first two rows but after that it just gets easier and easier. I've left all the yarn tails about 5" long so they'll be easy to weave in later on. This is a great beginner project and works up pretty fast for a blanket. If any of you give it a try I'd love to hear from you and maybe I'll even start a Flickr group so we can share our results. Have fun!