Monkey Applique Blanket

Monkey Applique Blanket by Sam Pratt

Project Overview

The Monkey Applique Blanket is an intermediate-level crochet project designed by Sam Pratt. This downloadable PDF pattern provides instructions for creating a charming comfort blanket featuring a monkey applique design. The finished blanket measures 44cm x 30cm, making it an ideal size for a baby or small child's comfort piece.

What is Being Made

This pattern creates a decorative crochet blanket with an applique monkey motif. The blanket serves as both a functional comfort item and a decorative piece, combining a structured base blanket with a dimensional monkey applique that adds visual interest and tactile appeal for young children.

Materials Required

The Monkey Applique Blanket uses DK weight yarn (also known as double knit yarn) totaling approximately 100g. The specific yarn quantities and colors include:

• 50g DK cream yarn for the main blanket base
• 50g DK white yarn
• 25g DK dark brown yarn
• 25g DK light brown yarn
• Oddments of DK yellow yarn for details
• Oddments of DK black yarn for facial features
• Small amount of stuffing for the three-dimensional monkey applique
• 5mm crochet hook

Crochet Techniques and Stitches

This intermediate-level pattern employs several fundamental and intermediate crochet techniques to construct both the blanket base and the monkey applique.

Foundation and Basic Structure: The blanket begins with a chain foundation row of 49 stitches, worked with a 5mm hook. The pattern uses a combination of stitch heights to create texture and visual interest throughout the piece.

Stitches Used: The pattern incorporates the following crochet stitches:

• Chain (ch) – used for the foundation row and decorative chain spaces throughout the pattern
• Double Crochet (dc) – provides a dense, structured base in the foundation row and selected rows
• Half Treble (htr) – used to create medium-height stitches for texture variation
• Treble (tr) – a taller stitch that creates openwork sections and lacy effects within the blanket structure
• Double Treble (dtr) – the tallest stitch in the pattern, used for specific textural elements
• Slip Stitch (sl st) – used to join rounds and secure stitches, particularly in applique construction

Stitch Pattern Construction: The blanket employs a repeating pattern that combines treble stitches with chain spaces. Row 2 establishes a pattern of treble stitches separated by 2-chain spaces and missed stitches, creating 25 trebles and 12 chain spaces. This pattern continues with variations, where subsequent rows work trebles into the previous row's missed stitches below the chain spaces, maintaining 13 chain spaces and 25 stitches across the width.

Applique Technique: The monkey applique is constructed separately and then attached to the blanket base. This involves crocheting individual pieces for the monkey's body, head, ears, and limbs, which are then stuffed to create dimension before being sewn or slip-stitched onto the finished blanket.

Gauge and Sizing

Gauge is an important consideration for this pattern. The gauge for white yarn is 10cm x 10cm equals 17 trebles and 15 rows. For yellow yarn, the gauge is 10cm x 10cm equals 18 trebles and 11 rows. These measurements ensure that the finished blanket achieves the intended dimensions of 44cm x 30cm.

Difficulty Level

Rated as an intermediate project, this blanket requires basic crochet knowledge including familiarity with multiple stitch types and the ability to follow a multi-row pattern with stitch variations. The combination of different stitch heights and the applique construction make it suitable for crocheters who have completed several beginner projects and are ready to develop their skills further.

Pattern Format

This pattern is provided as a downloadable PDF document, allowing crafters to access and reference the instructions digitally. The pattern includes copyright information by Sam Pratt and EmmieGeorge Designs, with contact information provided for pattern support.