121 TLC Designs Christmas

121 TLC Designs Christmas Crochet Blanket by Tricia Crow

Project Overview

The 121 TLC Designs Christmas is a crochet blanket and throw designed by independent designer Tricia Crow. This intermediate-level project creates a finished blanket measuring 51 inches by 63 inches, making it an ideal size for a decorative throw or lap blanket. The design features a charted pattern with festive appeal, perfect for holiday décor or seasonal gifting.

What Is Being Made

This project produces a rectangular crochet blanket worked from bottom to top using a detailed stitch chart. The blanket combines basic single crochet stitches with decorative bobble stitches arranged in a charted pattern, creating visual interest and texture throughout the finished piece.

Techniques and Construction

The blanket is constructed using chart-based crochet, a technique that requires reading a visual pattern grid to determine stitch placement. The pattern is worked in rows, with the crocheter reading the chart from left to right on even rows and following the chart progression from the bottom upward. This method allows for precise placement of decorative elements across the blanket surface.

The construction begins with a foundation chain of 206 chains, which establishes the width of the blanket at 205 stitches. The first three rows are worked entirely in single crochet to create a stable base. Rows 4 through 288 follow the detailed stitch chart, after which the final three rows return to single crochet across to create a finished edge. In total, the blanket consists of 289 rows.

Stitches Used

• Single Crochet (sc) — The foundation stitch used throughout the blanket, including the base rows, charted rows, and finishing rows. Single crochet creates a tight, dense fabric suitable for blankets and throws.
• Bobble Stitch — A decorative, textured stitch that adds dimension to the design. The bobble stitch is created by repeating a yarn over and draw-up sequence five times in the same stitch, then drawing the yarn through all loops on the hook in one motion. These bobbles are worked to the back of the fabric, creating raised texture on the front surface.

The charted pattern indicates the spacing of bobble stitches with single crochet stitches between them. Numbers on the chart represent the quantity of single crochets placed between bobble stitch clusters; when three or more single crochets appear consecutively, a number indicates the count.

Materials Required

This project calls for I Love This Yarn in an aran weight (also known as worsted weight or weight category 4). The pattern requires approximately 4700 yards of yarn, providing ample yardage for the large finished blanket. A size 7 (4.5 mm) crochet hook is used throughout the project, which is the standard hook size for aran-weight yarn and creates a fabric with good drape and structure suitable for blankets.

Difficulty Level

Rated as intermediate, this pattern is suitable for crocheters with foundational skills. While single crochet and bobble stitches are not overly complex, the chart-reading requirement and the large number of rows (289 total) demand attention to detail and sustained focus. Crocheters should be comfortable following visual charts and maintaining consistent tension throughout a lengthy project.