Hello hello everyone!
It feels like a long time since I wrote a blog post!
I’m so excited to finally share my 70’s Throw Blanket with you, this one has quickly become one of my favourites. It’s cozy, fun, and full of that retro charm (hence the name, wink wink).
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This blanket is everything I love about crochet: simple stitches, beautiful texture, and endless colour possibilities. The pattern is super easy to follow, just a few repeating rows, and the result is this gorgeous, cozy throw that looks like it came straight out of a vintage living room (in the best way possible 😍).
Honestly, the idea came because I wanted to capture that same vibe as the Riverbed Blanket, one of my most-loved designs. It’s fun, colourful, and the constant colour changes keep every row exciting. And since I know how much you guys love that blanket, I wanted to create a second option with a similar feel.
I just needed to find the right stitch combo, something easy and relaxing to make, but with a texture that looks way more complicated than it actually is. My biggest source of inspiration? My massive collection of stitch books. I went flipping through pages, searching for that perfect mix, and when I finally found it… the blanket basically designed itself. And trust me, you’re going to be obsessed with this one! 🤎
Not ready to crochet yet? Pin this image and crochet later!
About the yarn
I used a super soft, medium-weight yarn, Color Theory by Lion Brand Yarn, that gives just the right amount of drape without feeling heavy. It’s the kind of yarn that glides through your hook and works up beautifully for blankets.
This yarn is incredibly soft, machine washable and dryable, it comes in gorgeous colours to choose from, and the best of all? It’s pretty affordable (which is key when making a big project!)
Switching colour on every row!
I know, you read that right, we will be changing colours in every single row, and I know not everyone likes to be doing this because who likes weaving in ends? No one!
But, on the other hand, sometimes we have to be a little bit more adventurous and play with colour combinations. At the end of the day, this is what will make a project really special, the way you combine different colours and create beautiful palettes.
So hey! I know, it’s not fun weaving in ends, but in the video tutorial below, I will show you the way I like to switch colours and it prevents from weaving in ends.
But one more thing, if you really don’t like changing colours and don’t want to commit to weaving in ends, I have a solution for you. Using variegated yarn can be the trick! This is a very good solution since you don’t have to cut or join a new colour every row, the yarn will do its thing for you.
The best thing, is watching the blanket change colour on its own, not even having to think about it, pretty cool, uh?
Now there is not excuse for you not to make this blanket!
Wash/block your blankets!
I highly recommend washing and drying your blankets when working with acrylic or any acrylic blend yarn. This process will make your blanket ultra soft and relax the stitches making it a bit larger and drapey.
In this case, I’m working with Wool-Ease by Lion Brand Yarn, and let me tell you, this yarn completely transforms after washing. Once you take that fabric from the dryer, it will be the softest thing you have ever touched, trust me!
Taking care of your blankets
Depending on the material you decide to use, and how often you use your blanket, is the care they should have. Now, the pattern I’m sharing here with you is for a lapghan/toddler size, so you should definitely wash it more often.
Another thing super handy to have is a fabric shaver. This will remove any lint or pills that your blanket might get as time goes on.
If you would like the ad-free printable pattern PDF, you can get it from Etsy or My Shop. If you would like to purchase the kit (yarn+pattern) you can do so from the Lion Brand Website.
Check out more crochet patterns
Follow along with the video tutorial on YouTube!
Stitches you should know
- Chain
- Slip Stitch
- Single Crochet
- Half Double Crochet
- Double Crochet
Yarn
To make the size shown in this pattern you will need: 5 colours of Acrylic yarn.
I used Color Theory by Lion Brand yarn in the following colours:
Colour A – Bee Pollen 172g/387m (2 skeins)
Colour B – Canyon 164g/369m (2 skeins)
Colour C – Ivory 170g/383m (2 skeins)
Colour D – Bone 192g/432m (2 skeins)
Colour E – Peacock 170g/383m (2 skeins)
Notions
Measurements
The final size of this blanket (including the border) is 42″x46″
If you want to change this blanket’s size, you will need a chain multiple of 2. Then follow the same pattern.
Gauge
Pattern stitch 4″x4″= 6 clusters x 9 rows using a 5.5 mm hook and an even number of sts.
Abbreviations
This pattern uses US standard terms
- ch(s) – Chain(s)
- st(s) – Stitch(es)
- hdc – Half Double Crochet
- dc – Double Crochet
- dc-cl – Double Crochet Cluster
- [] – Repeat the sequence in the brackets
General Notes
- IMPORTANT: Choose which colour will be your A, B, C, D and E before starting.
- If you’re using less or more than 5 colours, choose an uneven number of colours, this will help you use approximately the same amount of yarn for each shade.
- We will be cutting the yarn and joining a new colour on each row, feel free to use your preferred method for joining a new colour, or you can follow the technique I showed in the video tutorial.
- Place a stitch marker at the beginning of every row to make sure you are not missing a stitch.
- The yarn colours may look different in the photos, as I edit my photos to give a personal touch. You can find the true yarn colours on the last page of the pattern.
- For this specific pattern size the border has been done with colour D (bone), if you choose to make any other sizes, you will need to add more yarn to do so.
Special Stitches
3 DC-Cluster stitch: Yarn over, insert hook into stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through 2 loops (you’ll have 2 loops on your hook). Repeat this step 2 more times, inserting the hook into the same stitch each time, you’ll end up with 4 loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through all 4 loops to complete the cluster.
2 DC-Cluster stitch: Yarn over, insert hook into stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through 2 loops (you’ll have 2 loops on your hook). Repeat this step one more times, inserting the hook into the same stitch each time, you’ll end up with 3 loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops to complete the cluster.
Pattern
Colour sequence: A, B, C, D, E – Repeat.
Using colour A, begin with your foundation ch: Ch 140.
Row 1: Sc into the second ch from the hook and across the row. Ch 2 and turn. (139 sts)
Row 2: Hdc into the same st as ch 2, skip 1 st, [(hdc, ch, hdc) into the next st, skip 1 st], repeat the sequence until there are 2 sts left, hdc 2 into the last st. (PHOTOS A, B & C)
**switch to colour b**
Row 3: Ch 3, turn. Dc in the same st as ch 3, ch 1. [3 dc-cl in the ch-1 space between the 2 hdc from the previous row, ch 1], repeat the sequence across. In the last space (between the hdc and starting ch from the previous row), work 2 dc-cl. (PHOTOS D, E & F)
**switch to colour c**
Row 4: Ch 2 and turn, [(hdc, ch, hdc) in the ch space from the previous row], repeat the sequence across. Hdc in the last st. (PHOTO H)
**switch to colour d**
Row 5: Ch 3 and turn, 3 dc-cl in the ch-1 sp between the 2 hdc from the previous row. [Ch 1, 3 dc-cl in the next ch-1 sp between the 2 hdc from the previous row], repeat the sequence across. Dc in the top of the turning ch from the previous row. (PHOTOS H, I & J)
Row 6: Ch 2 and turn, hdc into the same st as ch 2, then work [(hdc, ch, hdc) into the next ch space], repeat the sequence until the last st, hdc 2 into the last st. (PHOTOS K & L)
Repeat rows 3–6 in order (3, 4, 5, 6) until you reach the desired length for your size.
If you’re making the same size as shown in this pattern, continue until row 102.
Be sure to maintain the colour sequence as noted above.
Your blanket is now done!
Border:
Join Colour D and work a row of single crochet across the top edge, placing one sc in each hdc (not in the ch spaces). You should have a total of 139 sts.
When you reach the corner, make 3 sc in the last stitch to form the corner. Rotate your blanket to work along the side edge, placing 1 sc in each hdc row and 2 sc in each cluster row. Continue this pattern down the side.
At the bottom edge, work 3 sc in the corner space, then continue with 1 sc in the bottom of each chain across. Repeat this process for the remaining corners and side edges.
When you return to the starting point (top edge), make 2 sc in the last stitch, then fasten off and weave in your ends neatly.
Photo tutorial
Diagram
Legend
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