Diagonal Stripes Blanket Square For Stocking in Caron United - Downloadable PDF

Diagonal Stripes Blanket Square for Stocking in Caron United – Free Crochet PDF Pattern by Tammy Hildebrand

What You'll Make

This free downloadable PDF pattern by designer Tammy Hildebrand guides you through crocheting a single large blanket square measuring approximately 36 inches [91.5 cm] across. The finished square is intended to be contributed as part of a larger community stocking project, making it a meaningful and charitable make. The bold diagonal stripe design creates a striking visual effect through strategic color changes rather than complex stitch construction, making this an ideal project for crocheters who want impressive results without advanced techniques.

The pattern is part of an initiative connected to Caron® United™ yarn, where 15 cents from every ball sold goes directly to the Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation®, which provides college scholarships to children of military personnel who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Crocheting this square is therefore both a creative and a community-minded endeavor.

Difficulty Level and Who This Pattern Is For

Rated as Easy/Beginner, this pattern is well-suited to newer crocheters who have a basic grasp of foundational crochet skills. The diagonal stripe effect is achieved through simple color-change techniques rather than intricate stitch combinations, so anyone comfortable with basic crochet construction can achieve a polished, professional-looking result. More experienced crocheters will also appreciate this as a relaxing, rhythmic project that works up steadily.

Techniques Used

• Diagonal construction: The square is built on a diagonal axis, creating the characteristic stripe movement across the fabric. This technique involves increasing and decreasing at specific points to shape the work as it progresses.
• Color changing: The pattern includes clear instructions for switching between three colors. The color change is worked on the last yarn over of the final stitch in the old color, with the new color drawn through to complete the stitch — a clean, professional method that minimizes visible joins.
• Carrying yarn: Rather than cutting and rejoining yarn at every color change, the pattern instructs you to loosely carry the unused color up along the side of the piece until it is needed again. This reduces the number of ends to weave in and keeps the back of the work tidy.
• Join with single crochet (join with sc): A specific technique described in the stitch guide where a slip knot is placed on the hook, the hook is inserted into the indicated stitch, yarn is pulled up a loop, and yarn is drawn through both loops to complete the join. This creates a neater, more seamless start than a traditional slip-stitch join.

Stitches Used

• Single crochet (sc) — including the specialized join with sc technique described in the stitch guide
• Block-based construction — the gauge is measured in blocks (4 blocks and 8 rows = 6 inches [15 cm] square), suggesting a structured, repeating unit forms the foundation of the fabric

Materials Required

The pattern is specifically designed for Caron® United™ yarn, a CYCA #4 (Aran/Worsted weight) yarn. Each skein contains 4 oz / 113 g and approximately 235 yards / 215 meters. You will need 2 skeins each of three colorways:

• #6008 Red (Color A)
• #6002 Aran (Color B)
• #6016 Dark Green (Color C)

The three-color palette of red, aran, and dark green gives the finished blanket square a classic, festive character well suited to its stocking project context. As an aran weight yarn, Caron® United™ works up quickly on an appropriately sized crochet hook, making it possible to complete this generously sized 36-inch square in a reasonable timeframe. The specific hook size is referenced in the full PDF pattern.

Gauge

Achieving the correct gauge is important for hitting the target finished size of approximately 36 inches [91.5 cm] square. The pattern specifies a gauge of 4 blocks and 8 rows to 6 inches [15 cm]