Diagonal Stripes Blanket in Red Heart Baby Clouds Multis and Soft Baby Steps Solids - LW2589

Diagonal Stripes Blanket in Red Heart Baby Clouds Multis and Soft Baby Steps Solids – LW2589

This Diagonal Stripes Blanket (pattern number LW2589) is a crocheted baby blanket designed by Nanette M. Seale and published by Red Heart. Finished dimensions are approximately 34" x 37½", making it a generously sized throw perfectly suited as a baby shower gift or nursery accent. The design is rated intermediate in difficulty and is available as a downloadable PDF.

What Is Being Made

The project is a soft, cozy baby blanket worked in a diagonal stripe pattern. Construction begins at one corner using an adjustable ring, and the fabric is built outward through symmetrical increases on every row, creating the characteristic diagonal orientation of the stripes. A decorative border finishes the edges, adding a polished, gift-ready appearance. The blanket is worked entirely in super bulky (super chunky) weight yarn, which means it works up quickly — ideal when a baby gift is needed in a hurry.

Yarns and Materials

The pattern calls for two specific Red Heart yarn lines used in alternating stripe sequences:

• Red Heart Baby Clouds Multis — a super bulky yarn with a soft, cloud-like texture and a multicolored colorway that provides the variegated stripe color (referred to as color A in the pattern).
• Red Heart Soft Baby Steps Solids — a super bulky solid-colored yarn that contrasts with the multi to define the diagonal stripe structure (referred to as color B in the pattern).

Two crochet hook sizes are referenced — a larger hook for the blanket body and a corresponding hook for gauge checking. The pattern instructs crafters to use any size hook necessary to achieve the correct gauge, so hook size is adjusted to the individual crocheter's tension.

Gauge

The stated gauge is 7 stitches and 8 rows in single crochet = 4 inches. Checking gauge before beginning is strongly recommended to ensure the finished blanket reaches the intended 34" x 37½" dimensions.

Techniques Used

• Corner-start construction — the blanket begins with an adjustable ring and just 3 single crochet stitches, then expands outward with increases at each end of every row to build the diagonal shape organically.
• Stripe sequencing — colors A and B are alternated in blocks of rows, with yarn joined and fastened off as each color section is completed, creating clean diagonal stripes across the fabric.
• Long hdc (long half double crochet) — a textural technique where the hook is inserted two rows below the current working row, pulling up a longer loop before completing the stitch. This creates a woven, layered visual effect and is a hallmark of the stripe transition rows.
• Increases — two stitches are worked into the first and last stitch of every row throughout the body of the blanket, maintaining the diagonal expansion.
• Decorative border — a sweet border is applied around the finished blanket to frame the design and neaten the edges.

Stitches Used

• Single crochet (sc) — the primary stitch used throughout the blanket body in color A rows.
• Half double crochet (hdc) — used in color B rows to create the contrasting stripe sections.
• Long hdc — a special stitch worked into a stitch two rows below; yarn over, insert hook from front to back, pull up a loop, yarn over, draw through all three loops on hook.
• sc2tog — single crochet two stitches together; a decrease stitch used in shaping and border work.
• sc3tog — single crochet three stitches together; a sharper decrease used at corners or in the border.
• hdc2tog — half double crochet two stitches together; a decrease used within the hdc stripe rows.
• Cluster — two partial double crochet stitches worked into the same stitch