Houndstooth Squares Blanket

The Houndstooth Squares Blanket pattern has been living in my head for months, and I'm so excited to have finally turned it into a reality - and a free crochet afghan pattern on Moogly!

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Clifford-Sized Hounds... tooth!

This blanket pattern is based on a pixelated version of the houndstooth check - I spent a lot of time with graph paper and markers figuring out the perfect layout!

And part of the fun is that the giant houndstooth checks don't show up until the squares are joined together. Houndstooth writ very, VERY large!

The pattern for the Houndstooth Squares Blanket is written a little differently. Be sure to read all the notes and info before you begin, and you'll end up loving this blanket as much as I do!

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Houndstooth Squares Blanket

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US - M/N, 9.0mm hook - Clover Amour

1550 yds Red Heart Comfort Chunky (100% Acrylic; 5-Bulky/UK: 14-16 ply; 448yds/410m; 12.7oz/360g)
Color A: White - 2 balls (850 yds)
Color B: Smoke - 2 balls (700 yds)

This yarn has been discontinued. Recommended substitution: WeCrochet Brava Bulky

Gauge: 9 sts x 6 rows = 4 in/10 cm in pattern

Size Shown: 48" x 48" excluding border (see below for changing the size)

Pattern Repeat: 12 blocks/36 sts x 12 blocks/24 rows (16" x 16")

Helpful Links and Tutorials:

Houndstooth Squares Blanket Tutorial 

Foundation Double Crochet

Extended Double Crochet (exdc)

Mattress Stitch Seaming

Changing colors in the Middle of the Row

How to Make Yarn Bobbins

Using a Swift and Yarn Winder

Back Loop Only (blo)

Join with sc

Special Stitch:

FEXDC - Foundation Extended Double Crochet: To begin, ch 3, yo, insert hook in first ch made, yo and pull up a loop, yo and pull through first loop only twice, yo and pull through 2 loops twice. To continue, yo and insert hook into base of first st, yo and pull up a loop, yo and pull through first loop only twice, yo and pull through 2 loops twice.

NOTES:

Instructions are offered in two forms: a pixel chart and simplified written instructions. There is also a video tutorial linked above.

Split the large balls of yarn into smaller cakes or bobbins for easier use. You will need 2 bobbins of each color to work the pattern.

This pattern is worked in 3 long strips that are then sewn together. To make the pattern as a full-width pattern, you'll need 12 bobbins of color - so be brave and patient if you take this option!

As you change colors, leave the old color behind, hanging, and pick it up again as needed for the next row.

To change the size of the pattern, please see the charts below the instructions.

PIXEL CHART INSTRUCTIONS:

Each pixel or square represents 3 exdc and 3 sc as follows. The sc are worked into the exdc.

And here is the repeat - 12 blocks x 12 blocks

This means that this chart above represents 36 sts (12 blocks x 3 sts) and 24 rows (12 blocks x 2 rows). The white squares represent Color A, and the purple squares represent Color B.

To make the blanket as shown, repeat this chart 3 times in a row, 3 times, making 3 strips like this:

Then, sew the strips together with the mattress stitch and add the border as written below. Put into plain language, the border is made by working sc evenly around the blanket in the same color as the stitch you are working into. A ch 2 helps turn each corner. Then, work a second round for the border in the darker color, working in the back loop only.

WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS:

The instructions for Rows 1 and 2 are written in the standard format - after that, every odd-numbered row is worked in exdc, and every even-numbered row is worked in sc. The instructions for the even numbered rows are not given, as you simply change colors to match the previous row, as you'll see after completing Row 2. Turn after every row.

Row 1: With Color A (CA), FEXDC 18 sts, with Color B (CB), FEXDC 9 sts, with CA FEXDC 9 sts; turn. (36 sts in every row)

Row 2: Ch 1, sc 9, with CB, sc 9, with CA, sc 18; turn.

Row 3: CA 18, CB 6, CA 9, CA 3.

Row 5: CA 18, CB 3, CA 9, CB 6.

Row 7: CA 27, CB 6, CA 3.

Row 9: CA 24, CB 6, CA 6.

Row 11: CA 21, CB 6, CA 9.

Row 13: CA 9, CB 6, CA 3, CB 18.

Row 15: CA 6, CB 6, CA 6, CB 18.

Row 17: CA 3, CB 6, CA 9, CB 18.

Row 19: CB 6, CA9, CB 21.

Row 21: CB 3, CA 9, CB 24.

Row 23: CA 9, CB 27.

Row 25: CA 18, CB 9, CA 9.

Rows 26 - 48: Repeat Rows 2 - 24.

Rows 49 - 72: Repeat Rows 26 - 48. Break yarn.

Repeat twice (or to desired dimensions, see below).

Assemble: Using the Mattress Stitch, sew the three strips together (see images above).

Border Rnd 1: Using matching color, sc in each st around, working ch 2 at each corner; join.

Border Rnd 2: With Color B, join to any ch-2 sp (corner) with a sc, ch 2, sc in the same ch sp, *working in the blo sc in each st to the next ch-2 sp,** (sc, ch 2, sc) in the ch-2 sp; rep from * around finishing last rep at **; join and finish off.

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Now Let's Play with Sizes!

Made with Red Heart Comfort Chunky yarn, each repeat of this chart makes a square that is 16" wide and 16" long. So, to plan this throw, I went with 3 x 3 - for a finished size of 48" x 48".

But this pattern is very customizable - here are some standard blanket sizes to get you started. Keep in mind that each repeat of the pattern (each pixel graph) uses approximately 172 yards of yarn.

Baby Blanket: 2 x 2 - 32" x 32" 

Wheelchair/Lapghan: 2 x 3 - 32 " x 48"

Twin or Full/Double: 5 x 6 - 80" x 96"

Queen: 6 x 6 - 96" x 96"

King: 7 x 6 - 112" x 96"

Using lighter yarn? Of course, you can make this pattern in worsted weight yarn too - or any weight! To figure out your plan, crochet one repeat of the pattern (Rows 1 - 24) in your chosen yarn. Take that measurement, and then you should be able to see how to put together your blanket (and your first strip will already be off to a great start)!

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And that's the Houndstooth Squares Blanket! I hope you enjoy it - and that the different forms of the instructions make it easy for you! There will be a video tutorial coming very soon, if you are confused on the graph, or how to change colors or any of the details.

I think this houndstooth pixel graph might make another appearance in a Moogly pattern - I'm sure many of you are already plotting all the fun things you can do with it! Grab some graph paper and plan those colors!

If you do make your own Houndstooth Squares Blanket, I’d love to see a photo. So if you share it on social media, be sure to tag me @mooglyblog or #mooglyblog – and happy crocheting!

The Fine Print

Written pattern copyright Tamara Kelly 2018, all rights reserved. Please do not reprint or repost this pattern, but please do link to this page to share this pattern with others.  If you wish to make items for sale from this pattern or translate it to another language, please visit the About page for details. Thank you to Red Heart Yarns and Furls for providing the materials for this pattern.