Diagonal Basketweave Baby Blanket in Cascade Yarns North Shore - DK584 - Downloadable PDF

Diagonal Basketweave Baby Blanket in Cascade Yarns North Shore

What is Being Made

This is a crochet baby blanket designed by Kristen Stoltzfus Clay, measuring 29 inches wide by 36 inches long when finished. The blanket is categorized as both a kids' blanket and home décor piece, making it suitable for nurseries, playpens, or decorative use in any room. The finished size of 31" x 37" provides ample coverage for infants and toddlers while remaining portable and easy to care for.

Crochet Techniques and Stitches

This intermediate-level crochet pattern utilizes a diagonal basketweave construction technique that creates visual texture and dimension. The pattern incorporates several fundamental crochet stitches to achieve the basketweave effect:

• Double crochet (dc) serves as the primary stitch throughout the blanket
• Half double crochet (hdc) is used in specific sections of the pattern
• Single crochet (sc) contributes to stitch definition and shaping
• Treble crochet (tr) adds height variation to the basketweave texture
• Chain stitches (ch) create the foundation and spacing within rows
• Slip stitches (sl st) join rounds and connect sections
• Front post treble (Fptr) and back post treble (bptr) stitches work around the posts of previous rows to create the characteristic basketweave pattern
• Cluster stitches (cl) are used as a special stitch, created by working 2 double crochets in the same stitch while retaining the last loop of each on the hook, then drawing a new loop through all 3 loops to complete the cluster

The pattern begins with a foundation chain of 133 stitches and works in rows. The gauge is established at 20 stitches by 8 rows equaling 4 inches in double crochet stitch when unblocked, which helps crafters ensure proper sizing and fabric drape.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The blanket is worked in Cascade Yarns North Shore, a 100% acrylic yarn available in 100-gram skeins containing 220 yards of yardage. This project requires 8 skeins in color #12 Sandshell, providing a neutral, soft palette suitable for any nursery décor. The total yardage needed is approximately 1,760 yards.

A size G (4.25 mm) crochet hook is used throughout the pattern to work with the DK weight yarn, and a yarn needle is required for weaving in ends upon completion. The acrylic fiber content makes this blanket easy to care for, machine washable, and durable for frequent use and laundering.

Skill Level and Pattern Difficulty

Designed as an intermediate-level project, this blanket requires familiarity with basic crochet stitches and the ability to work post stitches, which create the dimensional basketweave effect. Crafters should be comfortable reading pattern abbreviations, maintaining consistent gauge, and understanding how to work across multiple rows while maintaining stitch count and pattern alignment.