Here is an easy gingham plaid crochet blanket with Granny Stripes and it is a free crochet pattern by Kristyn Crochets!

Nana’s Crafty Home is excited to host this free pattern as Kristyn has stepped away from blogging for the time being.  Take it away Kristyn!

I wanted to try something new (new to me) and use the gingham design with bright bold colors.  This blanket to be a go-to couch/car blanket for the kiddos, so I tried to incorporate stimulating shades.   Caron Simply Soft**had the perfect color palette for what I was looking for.

**This post contains affiliate links.  You can click on any yarn or material highlighted to purchase.  I will receive a small commission if you purchase but it won’t cost you any extra!  Thank you so much for supporting my work!

Along with my color craziness, I also  desired to not carry along a bunch of colors,  the solution, join-as-you-go!  I love working crochet using the join-as-you-go method, for me it saves me from lots of frustration that I find when carrying along more than one color.  Maybe I just haven’t mastered the carrying art, or maybe I’m just really motivated to join-as-you go.

I realize this may be considered plaid more so than gingham, and I do use the term gingham loosely.  With the alternating colored rows and my mis-use of the color palette rules, I’m not sure gingham would be the most technical of terms.  I decided it was more gingham than plaid because of the perfectly sized squares.  When I think plaid I think rows and columns of alternating colors of different lengths, resulting in many squares/rectangles of different sizes.  Call it what you want I’m gonna call it gingham.

This blanket works up with 5, easy to make strips, either individual and sew, or as I did using the join-as-you-go.  The gingham pattern for this blanket only uses 3 colors to achieve this design, alternating colors on every other row gives this gingham pattern a unique look.  

Video tutorial by Kristyn can be found below at the bottom of this post.

If you would like to purchase the ad-free pdf version of this pattern you can find it on Ravelry here.  Thank you so much for supporting Kristyn’s work!

You may also like the following free crochet patterns at Nana’s Crafty Home:

1. Wrap Me in Sunshine Blanket
2. Owl Hexagon Blanket by Kristyn Crochets!
3. Pineapple of My Eye Blanket

Easy Gingham Plain Blanket free crochet pattern

Skill:

Easy

Finished Size:

45in. wide by 54in. long

Supplies:

• Caron Simply Soft
  • Blue Mint ( 2 skeins 600 yards)
  • Chartreuse (3 skeins 900 yards)
  • Fuchsia (2.5 skeins 750 yards)
• Size I (5.5MM) Crochet Hook
• Scissors

Stitches/Abbreviations:

CH – Chain
DC – Double Crochet
SC – Single Crochet
SS – Slip Stitch
Cluster – 3DC in the same space/stitch

Notes:

• This blanket is working in 5 strips that are joined as you go.  If you wish you can make up 5 stripes and sew together.
• A * to * indicates a repeated stitch sequence.

I’ve added a chart below to assist you with the color scheme, I will notate color changes as well, throughout the written instruction.

Each strip contains 6 different colored squares that are worked in rows, the gingham effect is achieved when adding additional rows with alternating colors.

Some rows will require a color change at the end of each row.  You can use your preferred method to deal with the tail ends.

1st Strip:

Even-numbered rows may alternate, and odd-numbered row should always be worked in Chartreuse for the entire strip, follow the color chart below:

With Chartreuse, CH29,

Row 1:

Working back down the CH, SC in the 2nd CH from hook, SC in each CH space. (28SC)

Row 2:

CH1, turn your work, 2DC, CH1, in the first stitch, skip 2 stitches, *3DC, CH1, in the next stitch, skip 2 stitches,* 8 times, 2DC in the last stitch. (8-3DC clusters and 2-2DC clusters)

Row 3:

CH1, turn your work, DC, CH1, in the first stitch, skip the next stitch, *3DC, CH1, in the next CH space, skip cluster,* 9 times, DC in the last stitch. (9-3DC clusters and 2DC’s at each end)

Row 4:

CH1, turn your work, skip the first stitch, 2DC, CH1, in the first CH space, *skip the next cluster, 3DC, CH1, in the next CH space* 8 times, CH1, 2DC in the last CH space. (8-3DC clusters and 2-2DC clusters)

Rows 5 through 19:

*Repeat rows 3 and 4,* 7 more times.

Rows 20 though 37:

*Repeat rows 3 and 4, alternating colors,* 9 times.

These rows will be worked alternating Fuchsia and Chartreuse.  Every even-numbered row should be worked in Fuchsia and each odd-numbered row should be worked in Chartreuse.  It is up to you if you will be weaving in your tail ends, encasing them, or carrying along both colors as you go.

Rows 38 through 55:

Repeat rows 20 through 37, only alternate Blue Mint and Chartreuse.

Every odd-numbered row should be in Chartreuse and each even-numbered row should be worked in Blue Mint.

Rows 56 through 73:

Repeat rows 20 through 37.

Rows 74 through 91:

Repeat rows 38 through 55.

Rows 92 through 109:

All rows worked in Chartreuse.

*Repeat rows 3 and 4,* 9 times.

Row 110:

CH1, turn your work, SC in each stitch and CH space, fasten off.

Strips 2 through 5:

The rest of the strips are worked like the 1st strip only, you will work additional strips while joining to the 1st (2nd, 3rd, or 4th) strip. 

When making a join, you should always be joining at the end of each odd-numbered row, then at the start of the next even-numbered row.    The non-joining side will remain using the CH1, turn method.

Quick Overview of Join-As-You-Go Method:

1. Start making your final stitch in the odd-numbered row, before your last yarn over when you have 2 loops left on your hook, insert hook into the top of the stitch corresponding odd-numbered row on the previous strip.
2. Make a SS or, yarn over, (if you are making a color change you would want to bring in your new color here) and pull the loop through all remaining loops on hook, this completes your last DC stitch and joined your row.
3. Locate the top of the stitch on the previous strip, in the row above.  This stitch should already contain the base of 1 stitch.
4. Insert hook from front to back, make a SS, or yarn over and pull loop through all the loops left on your hook.  This joins your eleven numbered row to the previous strip, and replaces your turning chain.
5. Continue working your granny stripe pattern as normal.

With your right side facing, locate the your last SC stitch made in row 110 of the first strip.  Join, Chartreuse, CH29,

Using the join method and the starting CH instructions, work these strips just like the 1st strip, only you will rotate and make different color combinations to create the gingham design.  Below is a written color guide for each additional row and strip, or use the Gingham Pattern chart.

2nd and 4th Strip:

Row 1

• Chartreuse

Rows 2 through 19

• Even Rows =  Chartreuse
• Odd Rows = Fuchsia

Rows 20 through 37

• All Rows = Fuchsia

Rows 38 through 55

• Even Rows =  Blue Mint
• Odd Rows = Fuchsia

Rows 56 through 73

• All Rows = Fuchsia

Rows 74 through 91

• Even Rows =  Blue Mint
• Odd Rows = Fuchsia

Rows 92 through 109

• Even Rows =  Chartreuse
• Odd Rows = Fuchsia

3rd Strip:

Row 1

• Chartreuse

Rows 2 through 19

• Even Rows =  Chartreuse
• Odd Rows = Blue Mint

Rows 20 through 37

• Even Rows =  Fuchsia
• Odd Rows = Blue Mint

Rows 38 through 55

• All Rows =  Blue Mint

Rows 56 through 73

• Even Rows =  Fuchsia
• Odd Rows = Blue Mint

Rows 74 through 91

• All Rows =  Blue Mint

Rows 92 through 109

• Even Rows =  Chartreuse
• Odd Rows = Blue Mint

1st and 5th Strip:

Rows 1 through 19

• All Rows = Chartreuse

Rows 20 through 37

• Even Rows =  Fuchsia
• Odd Rows = Chartreuse

Rows 38 through 55

• Even Rows =  Blue Mint
• Odd Rows = Chartreuse

Rows 56 through 73

• Even Rows =  Fuchsia
• Odd Rows = Chartreuse

Rows 74 through 91

• Even Rows =  Blue Mint
• Odd Rows = Chartreuse

Rows 92 through 109

• All Rows = Chartreuse

Fringe:

Weave in all ends and block blanket if desired.

Pick the right side of your blanket, whichever side you are most happy with.

Lay or hang your blanket in an easy to cut in position.  This will help keep the strand nice and straight for a more even cut.  Try to avoid moving the blanket until fringe is cut.  I’m not a great at straight cuts so anything helps!

Cut 12 to 15 inch strands of yarn in each color.  Use 2 strand for each fringe.

Place 2 strands of yarn in every other SC stitch along the outer rows.

Insert hook from back to front pull 2 strands of desired colors through, and make a slip knot.

After all fringe is added, cut to desired length.