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Published on October 30, 2023

Free Crochet Pattern: Playful Diamonds Blanket – Scheepjes Softfun (US or UK Terms)

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Hello! Today I have a free pattern for you – The Playful Diamonds Blanket – a linen stitch crochet blanket that works up quick in front of the television, but never gets boring.

Social Media: #PlayfulDiamondsBlanket and #CypressTextiles

PDF Format

Find this pattern in a convenient printable PDF format at Etsy /Ravelry / My Shop

Project Details

  • Skill Level Easy
  • Measurements 32in X 46in (Gauge is not necessary for this project.)
  • Materials Scheepjes Softfun Yarn (details below), Size 4mm Crochet Hook
  • Social Media Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Etsy, Ravelry: CypressTextiles
  • Hashtags #PlayfulDiamondsBlanket #CypressTextiles

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Scheepjes Softfun Yarn

  • 11 balls of Softfun Yarn in various colors for the panels
  • 3 balls of Softfun Yarn in the background color, for joining and border

Softfun Denim and Softfun Aquarel are also mixed in my sample.

Key Stitch Descriptions (US Terms)

Note: This pattern is in US Terms, but there is only 1 stitch used: single crochet, so if you are used to reading UK Terms, please know that you are using dc for this entire project. (US) sc = (UK) dc

Remember that the US double crochet = UK treble crochet, as this stitch is used in the border only.

  • chN chain N number of times
  • dc double crochet
  • MR make ring: slip knot, ch3, ss in third ch from hook
  • Rep repeat
  • sc single crochet
  • sp space or chain space
  • ss slip stitch
  • st stitch
  • yoh yarn over hook

Repeat and Bracket Guide

Square brackets [ ] are used for small repeats: 4dc, [2dc, 3tr, 2dc] 2 times

Asterisks *are used for repeats that include small repeats: *5dc, [1ch, 1dc] 3 times in next ch, rep from * 3 times

Round brackets ( ) are used when a string of stitches are worked into the same spot: (3tr, 3ch, 3tr) in next st

Stitch Counts are given at the end of rows where necessary, in the following format: – 12 dc, 3 sp

Tips and Notes

  • Weave your ends after each time you cut the yarn to avoid having to do them all at the end.
  • Please read the stitch guide for any abbreviations.
  • To get a neater result, I do not “chain up” for the first sc of the round/row. Jump straight into the first sc.

Find this pattern in a convenient printable PDF format at Etsy /Ravelry / My Shop

Instructions

This blanket is made by beginning a base triangle, and then working straight up in a diagonal pattern until the first strip is complete, changing color along the way to make the stripes. The next panel is then made, and so on until all panels are complete. Then the panels are edged with single crochet (UK Double crochet) and joined as you go as each panel is edged, using my PLT Join. All subsequent strips are joined in this manner until the blanket is complete. A simple 2-round border finishes the piece.

Note: This pattern is written without instructions to change color and without mention of how many rows to make per stripe. Please use the guides below to help you decide these elements.

Color placement and stripe layout

The color placement is not an exact science, and every color in this palette looks wonderful next to all the others. I simply say that you will be a lot less stressed if you aren’t constantly checking a color chart or a stripe row amount, and you are instead just allowed to happily hook.

Colors: I put all of my colors in a basket and randomly drew them out to figure out my next color. The only thing I kept in mind was to use the colors fairly evenly throughout the blanket, just so that when I arrived at the final panel, I would still have a variety of colors to choose from. You don’t want one color running out halfway through the blanket. Other than that, feel free to use whatever color order suits your fancy! This palette is a riot, and you can’t go wrong. Also, some leeway is built into the yarn amounts to account for tension differences, so you have some wiggle room when it comes to playing with the color order.

Stripes: Here is my guideline for the stripes. Each stripe has a certain number of rows. Each “diamond” section has 22 rows. There are 3 different types of color sections that I made. Solid color: 22 rows of one color, Wide Stripe: 6 rows of A, 2 rows of B, repeated, Narrow Stripe: 2 rows of each color alternating.  Once you get into the groove, you will just be absent-mindedly making color sections, and that is A-okay.

How to change color

For this project, here is how I changed color. When ending one color, fasten it off completely. To join on the next color, make a slip stitch in the chain space where the new color will begin. Start working directly into the same chain space for the new row. Note: Since this project is entirely linen stitch, you will only work into chain spaces throughout the blanket, with the exception of the simple border.

Panels

Change color as discussed in the guide above.

Base Triangle

Row 1 (WS) MR, [1sc, ch1] 2 times, 1sc, turn. [3 sc, 2 sp]

Row 2 (1sc, ch1, 1sc) in first sp, ch1, (1sc, ch1, 1sc) in next sp, turn. [4 sc, 3 sp]

Rows 3-22 (1sc, ch1, 1sc) in first sp, [ch1, 1sc in next sp] across to final sp, ch1, (1sc, ch1, 1sc) in final sp, turn, cut yarn. [24 sc, 23 sp]

Straight Rows

Rows 1-154 Join new color with ss in first ch-sp, 1sc in same sp, [ch1, 1sc in next sp] across to final ch-sp, ch1, (1sc, ch1, 1sc) in final sp, turn, cut yarn. [24 sc, 23 sp]

Fill Corners to Square Off Panel

Rows 1-22 1sc in first sp, [1ch, 1sc in next sp] across to end, turn.

Row 23 1sc in sp, cut yarn and weave all ends.

Add Panel Edging and Join Panels as you go

First Panel (at far-left side of blanket)

Join background yarn with ss in final sc, [3sc in corner, 1sc evenly across, placing 1 st at the end of every row across] 4 times, ss in first sc, cut yarn. Make sure opposing sides have an equal amount of sc.

Subsequent Panels

Join background yarn with ss in final sc, 3sc in corner, 1sc evenly across, placing 1 st at the end of every row across, 2sc in corner st, PLT Join as follows: remove lp from hook, insert hook front to back through corresponding st on completed panel, grab lp – PLT Join maneuver complete, [1sc, PLT] across to next corner, 1sc in corner, PLT, 2sc in corner, 1sc evenly across bottom edge of panel, 3sc in corner, 1sc evenly across next long side of panel, ss in first sc, cut yarn.  

Left corner:

Work as for first side, matching stripe color, but add in PLT Join maneuver to join to adjacent panel.

Finishing

When all panels are complete, cut yarn and weave in all ends.

Border

Round 1 Join with ss in corner, 1sc in corner st, ch1 – counts as first dc, [4dc in same corner st, 1dc in all sts across, 1dc in corner st] 4 times omitting final dc, ss in ch1.

Round 2 [3sc in corner st, 1sc in all sts across to next corner] 4 times, ss in first sc, cut yarn and weave ends. Yay!! You’re finished! Do a happy dance!

Bonus: Make one panel for a scarf!

Use any colors that you like and make your color sections as long as you like in order to make a lovely art scarf that lies very flat and drapey. No border is needed, so this scarf is a very quick make. The edges are nicely scalloped without any border as you can see in the photos.

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No pattern or other material may be reproduced — mechanically, electronically, or by any other means, including photocopying — without written permission of Rachele Carmona. This applies to all content on CypressTextiles.net, BabyLoveBrand.net, and all other sites used by Rachele Carmona including social media. Paid patterns are for personal use only. You may sell your finished crocheted items.

Discounted Pattern Pack – Linen Stitch Blanket Series

If you love Linen Stitch Blankets, I have a whole pack of them at a discounted price! Includes 9 linen stitch patterns. As with all my bundles, there is a deep discount if you buy them! So check out those listings below if you love having a convenient PDF or you just want another way to support my work! Thank you!

Find the Linen Stitch Blanket Series in my shops!

Etsy // Ravelry

Patterns included:

  • French Braid Blanket – Mini, Mondo, and Mega versions
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  • Beach Hut Blanket
  • Chevronnie Blanket
  • Zendoodle Blanket – Square and Rectangle Versions
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Happy Crafting as always!

Rachele C.

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