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Where are my crochet people at? I’ve got a new afghan project for ya! About time, right? This simple granny stripe blanket (afghan) is my latest and I think you’ll love, love, love it!
Time to try something new
I really love to crochet, but it comes in waves. I’m on for a long time, and then I’m off, like really off…for a long time. I took a break from crochet after my last couple of blankets, the The Easiest Afghan Ever and 18,000 stitches, but I came back strong with this new simple granny stripe afghan!
Staying true to my style, I wanted to make an afghan that I could set down, walk away from, and still be able to come back to (and remember what was going on) whenever I wanted. But I’ve done the all SC and the all DC, so I had to dig a little deeper for this one.
This simple granny stripe blanket (afghan) has a slightly more challenging pattern than I usually post, but still it’s fairly easy.
I say fairly because there were some stressful moments, haha. The first issue I ran into was the first row of single crochet stitches for the border, specifically the ones up the sides…figuring out where to place them and how many to use was hard and I ended up ripping them out a few times because it started getting wonky on me. I ended up putting 3 SC for every 2 rows up the sides and 1 SC in each stitch across the top and bottom.
The second issue I had was weaving in all the tails from the color changing. This wasn’t hard so-to-speak, but it was time-consuming; taking me several hours to complete. It’s not a deal breaker, but I was definitely ready to be done with the project and still had a gazillion tails to weave in. Stay strong my friend, you can do it!
Fortunately (for me), the last row was white, which was the same color that I wanted for the border, so after the last row, I chained 1, turned, and continued with 1 SC in each stitch all the way across. Then I added 3 SC to turn the corner, and SC all the way down the side. I continued with 3 SC in the corner again and the rest of the way around the blanket. I did 3 rows of SC to complete the border.
If you don’t end with the border color, you’ll have to change colors before you begin the border.
Still only two stitches
This simple granny stripe blanket (afghan) is made up of cluster stitches, which are just just 3 double-crochet stitches in one space and then the border is 3 rows of SC all the way around, joined at the end with a slip stitch. The finished size is 50 x 75 inches. I made this a little longer than I normally do, for my sweet husband, who’s over 6 feet tall. You’re welcome, babe!
Let’s do this!
I used Caron 1 pound skeins of medium 4 yarn in taupe and white.
A double crochet cluster is 3 double crochets in the same stitch.
Instructions:
Using a “G” hook, chain 147.
Row 1: Work 1 double crochet into the third chain. *Skip 2 stitches, work double crochet cluster into the next stitch*. Repeat all the way across. Make 2 double crochets into the last chain. Chain 2 and turn.
Row 2: Work a double crochet cluster into the first space between the clusters on the previous row. Do this all the way across. End with one double crochet into the top of the chain 2 at the end of the row. Cut yarn and weave ends (or wait until the end, like I did – LOL).
Row 3: Join new color with a slip stitch chain 2, 1 double crochet in the same space. Work double crochet clusters into all spaces. Work 2 double crochet in the top of the chain 2 at the end of the row. Chain 2 and turn.
Row 4: Work double crochet clusters in all the spaces across the row. End with one double crochet into the top of the chain 2 at the end of the row. Cut yarn and weave ends (or wait).
*Repeat rows 3 and 4, alternating colors, until desired length is reached.*
Don’t forget to weave in all those tails, if you didn’t do so already!
For the border:
Chain 1 and single crochet in each stitch across the top, 3 single crochets in the corner. Continue the single crochet down the side using 3 single crochets for every 2 rows (I have a total of 204 stitches down each side), 3 in the corner, single crochets in each stitch across the bottom, and single crochet up the other side. Repeat for a total of 3 rows. Join last single crochet to the corner with a slip stitch and weave the tail in.
This simple granny stripe blanket (afghan) would be gorgeous in all one color, with a transitioning multicolored yarn, or with blocks of color. There are so many possibilities.
Have fun with it!
Did you make this project? We want to see! Tag @kristineinbetween on Instagram and hashtag it #kinbetween
And when you’re all done, try this easy single crochet afghan or this all double crochet afghan!
Thanks for the pattern, Kristine. I’m making prayer shawls and will use this pattern with 2 or more colors, for some of them.
I’m also making boot cuffs and this pattern is good; but using a single color because the cuffs are not that large.
I also like to bake and may be trying some of your recipes.
Happy Life !
.
Hi Maggie! I love the idea of making prayer shawls and boot cuffs with this pattern, they’ll be beautiful! I love boot cuffs SO much! Happy live to you too! 🙂
Just started on my Afghan and loving the speed of it already I think I will change colors every fourth row thank you
I love the idea of changing every 4 rows, it will be gorgeous! Happy crocheting!
Kristine,
I saw where you made this afghan in rainbow colors. You called it the Granny Rainbow Blanket. I love the colors. What brand yarn and colors did you use for it. Also, can I get the pattern for this blanket? It appears just a little different from the regular Simple Granny Striped Afghan.
Thank you,
Kitty
Hi Kitty! I actually didn’t make the rainbow one, so I don’t have the pattern. You might be able to find it on Pinterest. 🙂
Going to try my first one with the doubt. Your was beautiful good job wish me luck.
Good luck Pamela! You got this! 🙂
Gorgeous blanker. How would you modify the count to make a baby blanket? Thank you so much
I might have missed it, but I didn’t see how many skeins of yarn you used. Do you mind sharing?
Hi Becky! I used the 1 pound skeins from Joann and used 2 of each color, I believe! Happy crocheting!
How many skeins of each?
Hi Kari! I used the 1 pound skeins from Joann and used 2 of each color. 🙂
Awesome thank you
I am confused. Row 1 states to “skip 2′ cluster in the open space”. Since this is the first row there is no open space because the foundation row are chains. Should I ‘cluster’ stitch in the next chain
What weight and who many skiens equal a pound? What size should it be when I am done? Thanks, Mary Bigler
What is a skeins ? What is the equivalent to 3,4,ply double knitting , arran or chunky please
Doreen 😊
I love this throw/blanket, it’s so simple clean and classic looking. I’ll pin it to make in the near future! Thank you!
Thank you so much Laura! It is absolutely one of my favorites so far! Happy crocheting!
Very nice! But I am with you I HATE weaving in ends. Since each color in this design is worked for two rows it lends itself to my favorite work around – carry the unused color up the side. The strands up the side are hidden by the border stitches. Just be sure to carry it loosely so as not to distort the edge, It works as long as your colors repeat in even numbered rows. I have done this with three colors as well, though juggling three balls of yarn attached to your work can be tricky, but still worth it to me to avoid having to weave in all those ends.
If you didn’t want to carry the yarn up the side you could also still cut the yarn at each change then instead of waiting and weaving in the ends you can just crochet over them aso you go. Now all you have to do is snip any ends that may be peaking out. It’s much easier than juggling a few balls of yarn or weaving everything in.
This is the method I use too 🙂 weaving ends on a large project started to drive me a little bonkers once and I’ve been just working over the threads ever since.
I agree, this is brilliant! I wish I had know about it BEFORE I completed this afghan! LOL! I will be trying this method on my next color changing blanket for sure! 100%! 🙂
Carrying up is the only way to go when you are dealing with multiple colors. If you ever knit a pair of socks with multiple colors on double pointed needles you learn that right quick! 🙂
Using a “G” hook, chain 147 (or any multiple of 7).
Explain please what you mean by multiplying up seven? Wanting to make it smaller and I’m not quite sure what you mean by multiply at seven.
Thank you.
Very beautiful design
Any multiple of 7 means you can adust the size of your blanket by making your foundation chain as a multiple of 7 or a number that can be divided by 7 and equal a whole number with no remainder or need for a decimal. Her pattern used 147 foundation chains to get a width of 50 inches. If you want a small or baby blanket, you could start your blanket with a foundation chain of 98 for a blanket about 34-36 inches wide. You can do this because 98 can be divided by 7 with no remainder (98÷7=14)
So if you want to make a smaller blanket, instead of chaining 147 stitches in your foundation chain, you could chain 98 and use the pattern.
If you wanted a larger blanket you could start with an number of chains larger than 147 that can be divided by 7 equally, so you could use 168 because 168÷7=24 and no remainder or decimal.
Awesome thanks for the math class it would look nice for a baby girl with pink and white.
I am going to do this for a baby boy in navy and white!?
That sounds lovely Lisa! Happy crocheting!
I’m doing for a boy’s nursery in browns and tan….moose themed room! Thank your for the math lesson. I couldn’t figure that out either!
I love those colors Barbara! It’ll be gorgeous, I’m sure! Happy crocheting!
How many rows did you do to get the 72 inches in length?
This is a lovely pattern but i think the instruction for rows 1 and 2 need clarifying as it is very confusing even for an experienced crocheter as myself. Row 1 should begin with 1 DC in second ch from hook NOT ch 2 as implies to add additional 2 sts. Row 2 should begin with ch 2 dc in second st skip 2 dcs then cluster between clusters of previous row. A new crocheter will be very comfused over instructions as written above. Thanks for sharing your pattern i am glad i figured oit to continue.
I Am so glad I found your clarification…I have ripped this out multiple times because it was not working out to be even on the ends…I hope this time it is better.
I am confused with the instructions. Do you chain 2 turn , chain 2 for a total of 4 chain stitches to begin new row. Also, are you going from space to space with the clusters. What is the skip 2 mean?
Thank you, I am a beginner and bought all this yarn and would have been very upset if I couldn’t get this straight
I absolutely luv this pattern. I took a 2 hr crochet class in December, made a scarf and am currently making this afghan in blue n cream and it looks awesome. Thanks for the great pattern?
I love this! I bet blue is gorgeous! Happy crocheting!
This Granny stripe is absolutely beautiful. I can’t wait to try it.
Thank you so much Kim, it is totally my favorite one now! 😉
I made a smaller version of this for a baby shower gift. I used baby blanket yarn in the same colors. It turned out beautiful. I’m working on another blanket for my daughter. Thank you for the pattern!
Awesome! I bet the baby blanket was gorgeous! I should make a few smaller ones… Haha you inspired me!
I would really like to try this pattern in baby size first. I think with being able to look back at everyone’s comments it will really help. Thank you Teresa
Good Luck Teresa, once you get going it goes quickly! I was able to complete this afghan faster than any other one I’ve made to date! Woohoo!
Do you use 2 yarns together with this pattern?
Nope Addie, just one at a time, you have to change colors every two rows (if you’re following this pattern exactly). Happy crocheting!
Thank you. I’m going to make this a 1 color Afghan…Had to start over on boy here we go..?
I’m sure it will be gorgeous! I was considering making one in all gray… Hmm…should I start another afghan? LOL! Good luck!
I think the questions & answers are so helpful. When I crochet I’m alone. Now when I have a question, I know where to go! Many thanks to all of you.
Kristine. I’m the same with going all out or nothing!
I had a massage a few months ago and she was working on my left arm and said “do you knit”? I said “no I crochet everday!” Thats why my forearm was hurting so much! Just taking a break for a few. Won’t stop me from crocheting! My Mom, God bless her, used to say I crocheted as fast as I was rocking in my chair! Lol.
Love your blog and patterns. Thanks so much!
I love this story, Ronda! I won’t stop either, not ever – I love it! Thank you so much for taking a minute to leave a comment, you made my day! Happy crocheting! 🙂
I love this pattern. It truly is simple. I made a queen size blanket for my son by increasing width and length. I chose his favorite football team colors and did groups of 11 rows. I would love to teach this simple pattern to my 7th grade yarn club. Thanks for a great pattern.
Oh my gosh Gail! I love that you made a HUGE blanket – I’ve never made anything that big, but I want to! I bet it’s beautiful. I love simple patterns too, I hope the kids enjoy it! Have a great one! 🙂
Hi Gail, do you mind sharing how many stitches you started with for such a large blanket? I cannot wait to drop this knitting project and start this beautiful piece for my nephews wedding gift!
This is lovely and looks easy to make! Thanks for the inspiration–I might try this in different colours 🙂
Thank you so much Jewels! It is super easy and the granny pattern works up really fast compared to some tighter stitches! Have fun with the colors! 🙂
When I saw this pattern I loved it. I am going to make one for my son. But I am going to use green and gold since he is a Green Bay Packers fan. It will be bigger since he is 17 and almost 6 foot tall, so thank for the multiple table that is a big help. I am also going to do 3 more after my sons for all three of my grand daughters. I am not a granny square type of person when I am done with an afghan I want to be done not sew hundreds of squares together. Thank you Thank you for doing all the brain and design work. I will start mine this weekend, I can hardly wait.
Hi Brenda! Oh boy am I with you on the stitching the granny squares together – that is NOT FOR ME. LOL! I love how easy and quickly this stripe pattern works up! I want to make a larger two-person one this year for our mountain cabin! Keep me posted on your progress and happy crocheting!
Can I use Bernat Blanket Yarn for this pattern?
Hi Stephanie! Yes, you could use any brand or gauge of yarn, but it will effect the size and bulk of the finished product.. I used a medium (4) gauge yarn for this afghan. Happy crocheting!
Thank you! I needed a simpled baby blanket to make – and the colors of the room are off white and tan – so perfect!
I made it in a square about 40×40. Thank you so much, I really enjoyed making this.
I don’t clip and add colors individually, I pull the thread up (crochet over) on one side. I thought it would be seen or add weight, but when I did the single crochet all around (BTW saying 3 per 2 rows is GENIUS! I always have an issue and end up with too many), it disappeared and worked perfectly. It saved me so much time weaving in the ends.
Hey Mary! I love what you did with crocheting over – I needed that before I made this afghan! LOL! I’m so glad it turned out perfectly and I’m envious you didn’t have to weave in any ends. 🙂
I love this pattern! I’m currently making it with similar colors as a Christmas present for my aunt. I’m making it with a super bulky yarn, though instead of a medium weight. It’s so gorgeous and cuddly!! And… if you do all 147 chains with the super bulky yarn… it’s HUGE! I can’t wait to finish it.
Thank you so much Madalyn, I’m sure your aunt will absolutely love it! There’s nothing better than a handmade gift. I love the idea of using bulky yarn, I would love to see yours! And also, I love your name. Our daughter’s name is Madilynn. 😉
Kristine. I have a whole set of crochet hooks but no “G”. What MM is it? Is there another hook that will work just as well?
Hey Kat! G is 4.25 mm. You could absolutely use another hook too, it will just change the size of the afghan (which is really not a big deal). If you have H, that’s another one of my favorites! 🙂
How many 1 pound skeins did you use of each color?
Hi Cheyenne! I think I purchased a total of 4 for this afghan.
Just beautiful. Will try to make a blanket like this.
Thank you so much Rachel! It’s one of my favorites for sure!
Mine isn’t rippling!! I don’t know what I’m doing wrong.
Hi Geral! Well that’s a good thing; I don’t think you want ripples in this afghan. Did you get it figured out?
What am I doing wrong my ends are rolling up please help me fix it ,thank you
I just finished one! It’s gorgeous! I used bulky Bernat Blanket yarn in lavendar and cream for my daughter’s 29th birthday next month. I followed your directions exactly and couldn’t be happier. Thank you for the pattern! 🙂
Hi Kristine.
I want to make this afghan but I might decide to go bigger. Is it a multiple of a certain amount or do I just end on an uneven number of stitches?
As long as it’s an even number Tami, you should be good to go!
I love this blanket and was looking for something to make with my different colors of yarn (love the random strip generator you mentioned in another blanket!). I saw people mentioned running the yarn alongside the ends and then cover it with the border, that is my favorite way! Another mention was to crochet over the yarn strands when changing colors. I’ve done that too and if it’s not long enough it will wiggle out after a few washings. Then I found the Russian join or magic knot where you tie then ends together in a different way that will not come undone, no matter how hard you pull. Plus it leaves you with a very tiny knot that you can hide in the stitches. No more weaving ends for me!!! Bella Coco has a video tutorial on youtube. Thank so much for sharing your creativity with us!
I’m totally going to check this out Nadette, thank you! I’m always looking for new techniques; I’m so glad you shared!
I’ve used the magical knot technique n your easiest ever blanket! Works like a charm ! I never go back to weaving ends in again! By the way I love that pattern! I’ve made two blankets over it in the last last two months! I’m now going to do another blanket of this beautiful pattern ! Can’t wait to see how it turns out! All Christmas presents for my Grandchildren!,,Thank you for all your patterns!,
Love this one, but can you tell me the size it will be if I use instructions as shown here?
This particular afghan came out to be 50 x 75 inches. Good Luck, Fran!
I just finished making this blanket today!! Took me about a week. I love it!!! Thank you for the pattern. It was so much fun to do! Made it in rust and cream colors.
Do you have a easy granny square baby afgan
Hi. I was wondering roughly how many balls of yarn you used to make the bed-size throw above. Many thanks!
I’ve made three blankets so far and will be staring a fourth soon. So peaceful and relaxing!
Hi Marlene, I know exactly what you mean! I find crocheting extremely peaceful and therapeutic! Such a nice way to spend an afternoon, isn’t it? Happy crocheting!
ugh….I am a visual learner (beginner)……I have started this 4 X and cannot get it……can you post a video on this…..I love this pattern and have spent my winter making 8 baby blankets and 2 full size afghans…….this was the first project I wanted for myself and just cannot get this…..started this 4 X only to rip it out….. 🙁
I chained 147 and it is no where near 50″
This sounds like a gauge issue, Maureen. You might be too tight or too loose with your chains. I would just crochet up to whatever multiple of 7 you get that 50″ mark for, or change your gauge to accommodate the pattern. Happy creating! 🙂
How many rows did you end up doing? I want to make mine roughly the same length.
Hey, Kristine, I will make this pattern soon. Thank you for sharing a beautiful, easy design. I’m making afghans for a nursing home. I want to use up miles of yarn so I prefer single (or two) color designs. I’m with you on weaving in tails! About your cookies, did you know that the current recipe on chocolate chip cookies is different from that on older packages? I’m older than dirt, had a package from long ago, and was surprised to see how different the recipes are. The older recipe calls for 3/4 tsp baking pwder, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt. New calls for 1 tsp baking soda & 1 tsp salt. Old calls for 1 egg; new calls for 2 eggs. Old calls for 3/4 c. brown sugar and 1/3 c. white sugar. New calls for 3/4 c. each brown and white sugar.
Do I need to chain 1 after each cluster stitch?
Amazing crochet design. so useful with creative thoughts. I like it very much. you give a unique idea to crochet lovers. who love to crochet they should try this.thanks for the helpful idea.diysncrafty.com
I’m having a hard time understanding the last stitch in each row. Does the stitch go into the top loop or into the last hole?
Thank you,
Tina
Thank you for your pattern! I just made one exactly like yours for my sister…..she had seen the picture of your afghan and loved the color combination so that’s what she chose! Turned out wonderful! However, I too was having trouble following the directions at first, so I switched and used another pattern I had done before in the Granny stripe. It was by Attic24, a lady in Great Britain who had done a rainbow granny stripe afghan, which I did for a granddaughter. I had to adapt her instructions into US terms, as they use different terms over there. Here are the instructions I used:
Your starting chain should always be a multiple of 3, plus an extra 2.
[So I chained 159 +2 for a total of 161 chains when I made mine.]
Row 1 ::
work 1sc in 2nd chain from hook. Continue working sc’s into each chain till the end. Turn the work.
Row 2 ::
Chain 3, then work 1dc into first stitch. *Skip 2 stitches, then work 3dc’s (I call this a “dc cluster”) into next stitch*.
Repeat between ** until you have just 3 stitches left, skip 2 stitches, then work 2dc’s into last stitch on row.
You should have a row that begins and ends with 2dc’s, and has dc clusters in between. Turn.
Row 3 ::
You’ll be working out of the spaces between the dc clusters of the previous row.
Chain 3, then work 3dc’s into 1st space between clusters of previous row. Work dc clusters into each space made in the previous row. And then to finish the row, work 1 dc into the top stitch of the ch3 made at start of previous row. Fasten off.
Row 4 :: Tie in your new color…knot the two yarns tightly together, leaving ends to darn in after. [or do as suggested in other comments on this page and just leave yarn attached to balls so no weaving in at the end]
To begin, insert hook through the very first space of the previous row (between the last dc and the previous dc cluster). Draw the new yarn color through to the front, ch 3, then 1 dc in same space.
Work dc clusters into each space along, but work JUST 2 dc’s into the final space. Turn.
Row 5 ::
chain 3, work dc cluster’s each space across. To finish the row, work 1 dc into the top stitch of the ch3 made at start of previous row. Fasten off.
Repeat rows 4 and 5, working two rows for each color.
[Your rows will have 2 dc on each end of the first row and 1 dc on each end of the second row all the way through….that helped me to remember to make sure I got started right!]
Hi! My blanket keeps curling, should I keep going or have I done something wrong? Did anyone else find their crochet curled at the start? Thanks!
How many rows long did you make yours?? I want to make sure I plan for a 6’ blanket! Thank you
Hi Kristine — I ran upon your site and think I will try this afghan. I have had several different colors of yarn to make a throw for my granddaughter and I think the double clusters will make it really special!
I’ve had your pattern for ages and just never seemed to get around to it , at the moment I’m doing a shawl, but after re looking at your pattern think I’ll have a go at it once I finish the shawl might take me a good few weeks though lol thank you for a beautiful pattern Doreen xx
Hi Doreen! This makes me so happy. It’s an easy one, and it works up quickly since the cluster stitches are so big. I was actually contemplating making a new one (different colors, same pattern) for our cabin. I haven’t crocheted in a while; time to get back at it. Happy crocheting, I appreciate the comment. ❤️
Sorry, silly question.
How many balls of yarn did you use?
Sharlene
I made this for my granddaughter in browns greens tan and cream… it is stunning. Wish I could post a picture 😀
I made this and it came out great! Exactly like the picture! Mine is a little longer as my son-in-law is 6’ 5. Thank you for the pattern.
Would really like to see a tutorial on this granny stripe blanket. I really like it and I am ready to start one now.
How many skeins of yarn do I need to make this granny stripe afghan?
I want to make baby blanket with this stiches..how may chain should i start with