Hayfield Day Tripper CAL Week 6 - Joining & Border - 10640P - Downloadable PDF

Hayfield Day Tripper CAL Week 6 – Joining & Border: Complete Crochet Blanket Finishing Guide

Designed by Katie Jones and published by Hayfield, Day Tripper CAL Week 6 – Joining & Border (Design No. 10640) is the final instalment of the Day Tripper Picnic Blanket crochet-along series. This free downloadable PDF brings the entire project to completion by guiding crocheters through joining all their finished motif squares into one cohesive blanket and adding a bold, signature striped border. It is rated intermediate in difficulty and is worked entirely in crochet using UK crochet terminology throughout, with US equivalents provided in square brackets for international makers.

What Is Being Made

The finished project is the Day Tripper Picnic Blanket, a colourful, motif-based crochet blanket designed for outdoor use. Week 6 is the culminating stage of the crochet-along, meaning all individual motif squares created in previous weeks are now assembled and edged to produce the complete, ready-to-use blanket. The border is specifically designed to use up any remaining yarn and delivers a bold striped edge that frames the blanket with a polished, intentional finish.

Construction Method and Joining Techniques

The assembly process follows a structured, step-by-step approach that breaks the blanket down into manageable sections before joining everything together. The recommended method is clearly laid out as follows:

• Block assembly: Smaller individual motifs are first grouped and joined into sets of four, creating larger composite blocks. Two pairs of motifs are joined along one edge, and these pairs are then joined to each other to form each large block of four.
• Final joining: The four large blocks are then joined together following the layout shown in the pattern photograph, with careful attention to motif order and colour positioning.
• Double crochet join (recommended): The preferred joining method is a double crochet join worked on the wrong side of the blanket. Squares are placed right sides together, and Yarn E is used to join into a corner chain space of both squares simultaneously, creating a neat, visible ridge on the reverse that adds a subtle structural detail.
• Whip stitch join (alternative): For makers who prefer a sewn finish, the pattern notes that the same steps can be followed using a whip stitch with a tapestry needle, offering flexibility depending on personal preference and finishing style.

Border Design

Once all blocks are joined, a bold striped border is worked around the entire blanket. The border is an ideal opportunity to use up any leftover yarn from earlier weeks of the crochet-along, making the project economical and mindful of yarn usage. The striped edging gives the Day Tripper Picnic Blanket its signature look, tying together the various colours used across the motifs into a cohesive, finished frame.

Stitches Used

Week 6 draws on a focused set of crochet stitches and techniques appropriate for an intermediate-level maker:

• Double crochet (dc) – referred to in US terms as single crochet – is the primary stitch used for both joining squares and working the border rounds.
• Treble (tr) – the US equivalent is double crochet – may feature in the border construction.
• Chain (ch) – used to begin rounds and create foundational structure within the border.
• Slip stitch (ss) – used to join rounds and move yarn to new positions without adding height.

Key Techniques and Finishing Details

Alongside the joining and border work, the pattern places strong emphasis on neat finishing as an essential part of achieving a professional result:

• Weaving in ends: All yarn ends must be sewn in using a tapestry needle, weaving back and forth through the back of the work. The pattern specifies leaving a tail of at least 15 cm (6 in) when changing yarns or fastening off, and securing at least 8 cm (3 in) of that tail