The crochet sampler blanket A Winter’s Night Rhapsody is a free crochet pattern by Nana’s Crafty Home!
This is part 1 of A Winter’s Night Rhapsody Crochet a Long which will be released in four parts.
There is something so exciting about the first part of a crochet a long – gathering your yarn and supplies before getting started with that very first row of your crochet sampler blanket. So many possibilities for color options even yarn choices – worsted weight or dk? cotton or acrylic?
I hope you are all ready and excited to start your very own winter themed crochet sampler blanket!
You can check out all the details about yarn supplies and release dates for the Winter’s Night Rhapsody Blanket on the blog.
Crochet Sampler Blanket A Winter’s Night Rhapsody Part 1 Details
There is a lot going on in part 1 of this crochet sampler blanket and you may be learning several new stitches. I hope you will enjoy them!
One note I want to make about the stitch tutorials I am providing for you. These stitch tutorials are prepared so that you can take them to additional projects starting out from a foundation chain. They may not be an exact match to the written pattern instructions for the blanket as I may have adjusted stitches to accommodate the number of stitches available for the blanket. I may also change different aspects of the stitch to how it will look in the project. However, these tutorials will show you the basics of each stitch and how they are worked. I hope you find them helpful and that you will fall in love with each one of them and take them to other projects as well.
You will notice I am recommending the Stacked SC Stitch – alternative turning ch 3 to replace the ch-3 at the beginning of a row. This stitch is really easy and makes such a huge difference in the look of the finished crochet sampler blanket I cannot recommend it enough. However, you will notice I am placing a ch-3 instruction in each row. I am doing this because you will find this instruction more commonly in crochet patterns and I think it would be confusing to some to see it differently. However, if you decide to use the Stacked SC crochet stitch, just know you will be substituting that for the ch-3 at the beginning of a row.
Stacked SC Stitch – alternative turning ch 3
We get started with a bang with a row of the Bobble Crochet Stitch – so much gorgeous puffy texture! These stitches are a real yarn eater so you won’t see these again until the very end of the blanket but they really are lovely.
After moving on from the bobble stitches there is a section of Parquet Stitch. The Parquet stitch is very lovely with an open feel. Just a two-row repeat using beginner friendly stitches. I would love to make a blanket with only this stitch!
After the Parquet Stitch section there are a few rows of chains, skipped stitches and hdc stitches worked in those skipped stitches creating a mesh stitch appearance.
Then there is a section of beautiful large popcorn stitches in which the popcorns are worked with a different color which really makes them pop! I have a tutorial to show you how to change colors with the popcorn stitch.
Popcorn Crochet Stitch + changing colors
Then you will move on to the Snowflake section. I have worked a twist on these stitches from my previous stitch sampler blankets. I couldn’t find a way to use the same technique but in the end I am really happy with how this technique worked for my blanket. Basically you are working a section of double crochet stitches with a chain st placed between the dc stitches – without skipping any stitches – then coming back to crochet your snowflake into that chain stitch!
It may be easier for you to keep track of that chain stitch by placing a stitch marker around the chain so you don’t have to hunt for it. Another tip would be to keep the stitch marker in the chain as you are working the snowflake. That chain will become very tight after working your first stitches into the back loops of the chain which may make it difficult to find that unused front loop to work the remaining stitches.
There are two different snowflakes but you could certainly choose to make only one of the snowflakes instead. In my pattern I am making 1 row of snowflake and 1 row of snowflake 2 but you could alternate snowflakes on both rows. Do whatever you want here – the blanket is yours!
You can check out Snowflake #1 in my Snowflake Cup Cozy free crochet pattern. For this pattern I am using a base of single crochet stitches instead of double crochet stitches.
Snowflake Stitch Tutorial – will show you how to crochet the base of the snowflakes plus step by step for both Snowflake 1 & Snowflake 2!
After the section of snowflakes you will work another row of popcorns for more fun texture and then move on to the Leaping Stripes & Blocks Stitch Tutorial. This is another fun stitch with an interesting look using simple stitches and a two row repeat. Another fantastic stitch for blankets!
Leaping Stripes & Blocks Stitch Tutorial
That is the end of part 1 of your crochet sampler blanket! Part 2 of a Winter’s Night Rhapsody sampler afghan will be fun with a big section of color work tapestry crochet. I hope you enjoyed this section of the blanket and are looking forward to part 2 which will be released free on the blog Jan 27, 2023.
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You may also like the following free crochet patterns by Nana’s Crafty Home:
- 1. Autumn Rhapsody Blanket pattern
- 2. Spring Rhapsody Blanket pattern
- 3. Marjorie Blanket crochet pattern
Winter’s Night Rhapsody Crochet Stitch Sampler Blanket Part 1
Pattern written in US crochet terminology
Supplies:
Paintbox Cotton Aran, Weight 4/Medium (100% cotton) 1.7 oz / 93 yds
- Paintbox Cotton Aran Paper White 10.2 oz / 558 yards / 6 skeins (Color A)
Paintbox Cotton Aran Slate Grey 6.8 oz / 372 yards / 4 skeins (Color B)
Paintbox Cotton Aran Dolphin Blue 8.5 oz / 465 yards / 5 skeins (Color C)
Paintbox Cotton Aran Royal Blue 8.5 oz / 465 yards / 5 skeins (Color D)
Paintbox Cotton Aran Mustard Yellow 8.5 oz / 465 yards / 5 skeins (Color E) - Total yardage: 42.5 oz / 2325 yards
Purchase Kit from Lovecraft’s (affiliate):
(3) Festival of Lights 10-ball color pack
Size H (5.0 mm) crochet hook
Stitch Markers
Scissors
Tapestry Needle
Approximate finished size: 36” wide x 50” height (not including pom pom edge)
Gauge: 8 rows dc st = 4” / 14 dc st = 4”
Abbreviations:
- ch = chain
- RS = right side
- WS = wrong side
- st = stitch
- hdc = half double crochet
- dc = double crochet
- sc = single crochet
- sl st = slip stitch
- yo = yarn over
- sk = skip
- sp(s) = space(s)
- blo = back loop only
- mpc = mini popcorn (see special stitches section below)
- dc4tog = double crochet 4 together (see special stitches section below)
dc5tog = double crochet 5 together (see special stitches section below) - pc = popcorn (see special stitches section below)
- V-st = v stitch (see special stitches section below)
- sc2tog = single crochet 2 stitches together (see special stitches section below)
Special stitches:
dc4tog: yo, insert hook into specified stitch, yo, pull up a loop, yo and pull through 2, *yo, insert hook into same st, yo, pull up a loop, yo and pull through 2,* repeat from * to * 2 more times; yo, pull through all 5 loops on hook.
dc5tog: yo, insert hook into specified stitch, yo, pull up a loop, yo and pull through 2, *yo, insert hook into same st, yo, pull up a loop, yo and pull through 2,* repeat from * to * 3 more times, yo, pull through all 6 loops on hook.
pc (popcorn): 4 dc st in same st, drop loop from hook, insert hook into top of first dc made, place dropped loop on hook and pull loop through st. When changing colors at the end of the pc, yarn over with new color and draw through both loops to close popcorn.
V-st (v stitch): (1 dc, ch 1, 1 dc) worked in the same st.
sc2tog: (insert hook into next st, yo and pull up a loop) twice, yo and pull through all 3 loops on hook.
mpc (mini popcorn): 3 sc sts in same st, drop loop from hook, insert hook into top of first sc made, place dropped loop on hook and pull loop through st.
Recommended Video Tutorials:
Stacked SC Stitch – alternative turning ch 3
Popcorn Crochet Stitch + changing colors
Leaping Stripes & Blocks Stitch Tutorial
Pattern Notes:
- Ch 3 at beginning of each row counts as stitch.
- I used a stacked sc stitch as an alternative ch 3 turning chain.
- Stitch count will remain the same throughout unless otherwise noted.
Part 1 Instructions
With Color A, ch 122.
Row 1: (RS) Hdc in third ch from hook (skipped chs do not count as first st), and 1 hdc in each ch to end. Turn. (120)
Row 2: (WS) Ch 2, dc4tog in same st (ch 2 counts as first dc of a dc5tog), 1 sc in next st, *dc5tog in next st, 1 sc in next st,* repeat from * to * to end. Turn.
Row 3: Ch 1, sc in each st to end. Turn.
Fasten off Color A.
Row 4: With Color B, ch 1 (does not count as a st), 1 sc in same st, *ch 2, sk 2, 1 sc in next st,* repeat from * to * to last two sts, ch 2, sk next st, 1 sc in last st. Turn. (40 ch-2 sps)
Fasten off Color B.
Row 5: With Color C, ch 3 (counts as dc here and throughout), 1 dc in same st, *sk next ch-2 sp, 3 dc in next st,* repeat from * to * to last ch-2 sp, sk next ch-2, 2 dc in last st. Turn. (39 sets of 3 dc sts + 4 dc)
Fasten off Color C.
Row 6: With Color B, ch 1, 1 sc in same st, *ch 2, sk next 2 sts, 1 sc in next st,* repeat from * to * to end. Turn. (40 ch-2 sps)
Fasten off Color B.
Row 7: With Color D, repeat row 5.
Fasten off Color D.
Row 8: With Color B, repeat row 6.
Fasten off Color B.
Row 9: With Color C, repeat row 5.
Fasten off Color C.
Row 10: With Color B, repeat row 6.
Fasten off Color B.
Row 11: With Color E, ch 2 (does not count as st), working behind ch-2 from previous row; 1 hdc in skipped st, *1 hdc in sc st from previous row, 1 hdc in next two skipped sts,* repeat from * to * to last st, hdc in last st. Turn. (120)
Fasten off Color E.
Row 12: With Color A, repeat row 6.
Fasten off Color A.
Row 13: With Color E, repeat row 11.
Fasten off Color E.
Row 14: With Color D, repeat row 6.
Fasten off Color D.
Row 15: With Color E, repeat row 11.
Row 16: With Color C, ch 3, 1 dc in each st to end. Turn.
Fasten off Color C.
Row 17: Carry color A, working with Color D, ch 3, dc in next 4 sts, *with color A (when changing colors at the end of the pc, yarn over with new color and draw through both loops to close popcorn), pc in the next st, with color D dc in next 4 sts,* repeat from * to * to last 5 sts, with color D dc in last 5 sts. Turn. (23 popcorns)
Fasten off Color A & Color D.
Row 18: With Color C, ch 3, 1 dc in each st to end. Turn.
Fasten off Color C.
Row 19: With Color B, ch 3, 1 dc in each st to end. Turn.
Row 20: Note: you will not be skipping sts after each ch-1. Ch 3, 1 dc in next 5 sts, ch 1, *1 dc in next 12 sts, ch 1,* repeat from * to * to last 6 sts, 1 dc in last 6 sts. Turn. (120 dc sts + 10 ch-1 sps)
Row 21: Note: skip each ch-1 sp of previous row. Ch 3, 1 dc in each st to end. Turn. (120 sts)
Fasten off Color B.
Snowflake 1
Each snowflake will be worked in the ch-1 from row 20.
With RS of blanket facing and with Color A, insert hook into back 2 loops of any ch-1 sp from row 20, slip stitch to join.
- Round 1: Ch 1, (1 sc, ch 3) three times in back loops; rotating work slightly now working in front 1 loop of ch-1, (1 sc, ch 3) three times, sl st to first st. (6 ch-3 sps)
- Round 2: Sl st in next ch-3 sp, ch 1, (2 sc, ch 4, 2 sc) in each ch-3 sp around, sl st to first st.
- Fasten off leaving a long tail to tack snowflake down. Tack down and weave in ends.
Row 22: With Color D, ch 3, 1 dc in each st to end. Turn.
Row 23: Note: you will not be skipping sts after each ch-1. Ch 3, 1 dc in next 11 sts, ch 1, *1 dc in next 12 sts, ch 1,* repeat from * to * to last 12 sts, 1 dc in last 12 sts. Turn. (120 dc sts + 9 ch-1 sps)
Row 24: Note: skip each ch-1 sp of previous row. Ch 3, 1 dc in each st to end. Turn. (120 sts)
Fasten off Color D.
Snowflake 2
Each snowflake will be worked in the ch-1 sp of row 23.
With RS of blanket facing and with Color A, insert hook into back 2 loops of any ch-1 sp from row 23, slip stitch to join.
- Round 1: Ch 1, 3 sc in back 2 loops; rotating work slightly now working in front 1 loop of ch-1, 3 sc in front loop. Do not sl st join.
- Round 2: (mpc, ch 4, sl st in 4th ch from hook, ch 3) in each st around, sl st to first st.
- Fasten off leaving a long tail to tack snowflake down. Tack down and weave in ends.
Row 25: With Color C, ch 1, 1 sc in each st to end. Turn.
Row 26: Ch 3, 1 dc in each st to end. Turn.
Fasten off Color C.
Row 27: Carry color A, working with Color D, ch 3, dc in next 4 sts, *with color A, pc in the next st, with color D dc in next 4 sts,* repeat from * to * to last 5 sts, with color D dc in last 5 sts. Turn.
Fasten off Color A & Color D.
Row 28: With Color C, ch 3, 1 dc in each st to end. Turn.
Fasten off Color C.
Row 29: With Color B, ch 3, 1 dc in next 2 sts, *ch 2, sk 2, 1 dc in next 2 sts,* repeat from * to * to last st, 1 dc in last st. Turn. (62 sts + 29 ch-2 sps)
Fasten off Color B.
Row 30: With Color E, ch 1, 1 sc in same st, ch 2, sk next 2 sts, *working over the ch-2 and in unworked stitches from row below; 1 dc in next 2 sts, ch 2, sk next 2 sts,* repeat from * to * to last st, 1 sc in last st. Turn. (60 sts + 30 ch-2 sps)
Fasten off Color E.
Row 31: With Color A, ch 3, *working over the ch-2 and in unworked stitches from row below; 1 dc in next 2 sts, ch 2, sk 2,* repeat from * to * to last ch-2 sp, 1 dc in next 2 sts from row below, 1 dc in last st. Turn. (62 sts + 29 ch-2 sps)
Fasten off Color A.
Row 32: With Color D, repeat row 30.
Fasten off Color D.
Row 33: With Color E, repeat row 31.
Fasten off Color E.
Row 34: With Color B, repeat row 30.
Fasten off Color B.
Row 35: With Color C, ch 1, 1 sc in same st, *working over the next ch-2 and in the unworked stitches from row below; 1 hdc in next 2 sts, 1 sc in next 2 sts,* repeat from * to * to last ch-2 sp, 1 hdc in next 2 sts from row below, 1 sc in last st. Turn. (120)
Row 36: Ch 3, 1 dc in each st to end. Turn.
Fasten off Color C.
Fasten off. Weave in ends.
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Hi! Thank you so much for being here! I am Tonya the designer behind Nana's Crafty Home. As a wife, mother, Nana of 9 & with 2 fur babies, my days are filled with love, laughter, hugs and yarn! Here you will find colorful and creative crochet designs for yourself or loved ones. My hope is that you will be inspired to learn and create along with me!
I love the snowflakes!
Thank you so much Alexandra! 💕🌸