Adele from ‘3 Beans in a Pod’ totally delighted me when she shared this absolutely stunning photo of for her crochet baby blanket made in harlequin stitch. It’s a ‘work in progress’- photo for a blanket for her boys. The color combination with the harlequin stitch pattern is glorious for a baby blanket, and more! It’s both a great color combination for boys, but, as it’s so sophisticated-looking, it would make a stunning home décor treasure that would befit a beach cottage home decorating scheme. In which case, you’d probably want to make the full-sized afghan.
Harlequin Stitch for Crochet Baby Blanket
Image credit : Adele, 3 Beans in a pod
Adele used Bendigo Woollen Mills ‘Luxury’ 10ply: 6x 200g balls to make a thick, heavy blanket (approx 1.2kg). Final measurements: 120cm x 90cm.
Someone just asked me about the colors, and by looking at the Bendigo website, I’d say that these are: ghost, koala, lake and navy blue.
How to Crochet the Harlequin Stitch
This is the pattern Adele used. This sure looks complicated – but isn’t. Let me break it down for you.
Free Blanket Crochet Pattern
The crochet pattern for this entire blanket: ‘Greenway’ harlequin stitch afghan
It’s a free crochet pattern that uses US crochet terminology. And it’s for a full-sized afghan blanket.
Yarn Needed
15 skeins (100 g) of Berroco Comfort yarn will give you a 45 x 60-inch blanket.
You’ll need much less, as a baby blanket is typically only 36 inch. Pro-rate your yarn needs accordingly. Convert the length x width: a baby blanket is 13/16 x 6/10 of the full afghan. This means that you will need 6/10 of the yarn allotted for the full afghan. Let me put that in a table for you:
| Blanket size | Full Afghan | Baby blanket |
Aunt Martha Green |
4 skeins | 3 |
Barley |
3 skeins | 2 |
Sprig |
3 skeins | 2 |
Teal |
3 skeins | 2 |
Spruce |
2 skeins | 2 |
This yarn is made with 50% superfine nylon and 50% superfine acrylic. This yarn will lead to a very fine blanket. Meanwhile, Adele used yarn from Bendigo woollen mills in Australia, which is thicker than the original pattern specified. This wool maker does ship internationally, but there’s always a cost with doing so (which might be worth it…)
However, If you are looking for a US-based supplier of the wonderful yarn specified in the pattern (and look for options of free shipping) you can find it here: Berroco Comfort Yarn
The Harlequin Crochet Stitch Explained
The Harlequin Stitch is also called the Catherine Wheel.
How does it work? In layman’s language/ in simple crochet terms: you first chain a row and then you have a set-up row. After your initial set-up row, the pattern repeats 4 rows in different colors. It’s essentially made up of two shells that are facing each other, plus a few (skipped) stitches to make the pattern. Each shell is typically made up of an uneven number of stitches. In this case, the Berroco pattern states (3dc, ch, 3dc) instead of 7 dc. Essentially this will make your blanket lighter and cheaper, as you’ll use less yarn than if you were to make the 7dc. I suppose after making a thousand wheels, that 1 stitch less adds up… (wink).
Free Video Tutorial Harlequin Stich Crochet Pattern
(How to make the Catherine Wheel crochet pattern)
Here is a free video tutorial to learn how to do this stitch and make this blanket. The Harlequin stitch demo and tutorial starts at 2.05 min. And you don’t need to watch the whole 19 minutes of this video. After a few minutes you will already see how the Harlequin stitch is actually forming. At that time you can switch over to your Harlequin blanket crochet pattern, and start working on your own great project! Have fun !!
A
Enjoy!
TIP: Crochet Yourself a Dishcloth with the Harlequin Stitch, First
If this stitch is completely new to you, I’d suggest you make a say 12 x 12 “ dishcloth which will have 4 benefits:
- 1. You’ll get to understand how the pattern works.
- 2. You’ll get to measure your gauge.
- 3. You’ll get to decide on a small project to see if you really want to make a large blanket of 45 x 60 inches using this stitch pattern.
- 4. You’ll have a new dishcloth with a beautiful pattern. Finish your square off with a round of single crochet and add a hanging loop.
More
Crochet Patterns & Crochet Stitches (almost all tutorials are free!)
Till soon,
Rose
Note: Three Beans in a Pod* is a blog that no longer exists today.
I watch and crocheted along with you the Harlequin stitch, but I can’t fine the part 2 video that show you how to add the third color. If you can send that to me I would really appreciate it.
Hi Vanessa,
I’ve updated the article to link directly to the second video as well, for easy reference.
Cheers,
Astrid
I would like the pattern for this lanket.
Is there a printable pattern for this afghan?
Can u email me the typed out pattern for the catherine wheel or harlequin crochet pattern. I have watched your videos but need the pattern so i know how many chains to start the afghan with.
How can i get a copy of the harlequin wheel pattern emailed to me?
Done!
Yes, there is a free printable pattern for this gorgeous afghan. It’s linked in the blog already, but here it is again: https://www.berroco.com/sites/default/files/downloads/patterns/Free_Greenway_pattern_from_Comfort_K_C_Afghans.pdf
As er above.
Your patterns are beautiful.
Thank you, Anita. I don’t take full credit for them, though. I am merely featuring many of the great work by others, in many cases. But I do spend a lot of time on research and finding the best works out there. And then, some patterns are my own. :-)
Is there a way to get the colors on Adele’s afghan.
How many chains do you start out with? I’m sorry I don’t see it.
Hi Lynn
I looked up the colors for you and put them in the article itself, so that everyone can read them. Hope this helps you.
Cheers, Rose
Hi Lynn,
The patterns is basically a multiple of 8 sts + 1; and a 4-row repeat.
Click the link of the pattern as all the details are in there.
Hope this helps.
Rose
Hi there, I have just been watching your video of the harlequin stitch and would love to have a copy of the full blanket/afghan pattern to make my own. My email address is xxxxxxxx. Would really appreciate if you could email me a copy. Thank you
Hi Charmaine, the link to the full pattern is on the main page.
PS. I will remove your email address from your message, to retain your privacy. ;-)
It seems like you have to follow either the Berroco pdf or Harlequinn video. They aren’t the same,an i correct?
You can do both, really.
Hi Fawn
The link for this blanket pattern with the harlequin stitch is in the article. Hope you can find it.
Rose