Monkey Blanket in Caron Simply Soft - Downloadable PDF

Monkey Blanket in Caron Simply Soft – Crochet Pattern by Deb Richey

The Monkey Blanket is a charming, character-themed crochet blanket designed by Deb Richey and worked in Caron Simply Soft yarn. This downloadable PDF pattern is available completely free and is rated intermediate in difficulty, making it a rewarding project for crocheters who are comfortable with basic stitches and ready to tackle motif construction, color changes, and assembly. The finished blanket measures approximately 33 x 42 inches (84 x 106.5 cm), making it a generous lap or baby blanket size that is perfect as a handmade gift or a cozy nursery accent.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a single crocheted blanket assembled from individual motifs — specifically small squares and rectangles — that are worked separately and then joined together to create the overall design. The finished piece features a playful monkey theme, with the motif shapes and color palette working together to build the character's face and decorative border elements. The blanket's construction is modular, meaning each piece is completed on its own before the full layout comes together, which is a great technique for managing a larger project in portable, bite-sized steps.

Techniques Used

• Motif-based construction: The blanket is built from separate crocheted pieces — 20 small squares and 31 rectangles — each worked in the round and then assembled. This modular approach is a hallmark of intermediate crochet projects and allows for excellent color control.
• Working in the round: Both the small square and rectangle motifs are crocheted in continuous or joined rounds, beginning from a central chain or foundation chain and expanding outward with shaped corners.
• Corner shaping: Each motif features defined corner spaces created with chain-1 corner spaces flanked by double crochet clusters, giving the pieces crisp, structured edges that align neatly during assembly.
• Colorwork and contrast color joining: Multiple contrast colors are introduced by fastening off one color and joining the next with a slip stitch, a clean and common technique for achieving bold color definition between rounds.
• Pivot technique for rectangles: The rectangle motifs are started on a foundation chain and then worked around both sides of that chain — a technique that requires pivoting at the end of the chain to pick up stitches in the free loops on the opposite side, creating a seamless oval or rectangular base.
• Three-dimensional embellishment: The pattern calls for polyester fiberfill, suggesting that some elements of the monkey design are stuffed to create a dimensional, sculptural effect on the blanket surface.

Stitches Used

• Single crochet (sc) – used extensively throughout the motifs and as the gauge stitch
• Half double crochet (hdc) – used to shape the rounded sections of corners and motif edges
• Double crochet (dc) – used for corner clusters and structural rounds
• Chain (ch) – used for foundation chains, turning chains, and corner spaces
• Slip stitch (slip st) – used to join rounds and attach new yarn colors

Gauge

The pattern specifies a gauge of 13 stitches and 20 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in single crochet using a US H-8 (5 mm) crochet hook. Achieving the correct gauge is important for ensuring that the individual motifs are consistent in size and that the assembled blanket reaches the intended finished dimensions.

Materials

The blanket is worked in Caron Simply Soft, an aran weight yarn (170 g / 6 oz; 288 m / 315 yds per skein). Simply Soft is a smooth, 100% acrylic yarn known for its soft drape and vibrant color range, making it well-suited to a colorful character blanket like this one. The pattern uses a rich palette of eight contrast colors:

• Contrast A: Chocolate (9750) – 1 skein
• Contrast B: Bone (