The Pilson Blanket, a modern patchwork crochet baby blanket
Modern meets sweet in the Pilson Blanket, a new FREE crochet baby blanket pattern from TL Yarn Crafts & WeCrochet.
As an auntie 2 times over and a friend to many mommies, I’ve deemed it my mission to always win the baby shower. Make no mistake, I will show up looking fabulous and will gift the best handmade blanket and coordinating toys. I wanted to add another crochet baby blanket design to my no-fail baby shower show stoppers, and that pretty little thing is the Pilson Blanket.
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Find a printer-friendly PDF version of the Pilson Blanket in my Ravelry Shop and on TLYarnCrafts.com. The PDF version includes a full-color 7-page pattern with instructions on how to adjust your Pilson Blanket to 10 sizes.
The Inspiration
Since designing my Sweet Gingham Baby Blanket, I knew I wanted to revisit the patchwork/plaid idea for another crochet baby blanket. I learned a new technique that allows you to join panels as you go in Tunisian crochet. I practiced that technique in my 2019 temperature blanket and adapted it on a smaller scale for the darling Pilson Blanket.
The Perfect Yarn
With so many lovely yarns on the market, I’m always looking for a new-to-me yarn line to try out. I haven’t met a yarn from WeCrochet that I didn’t like, so I felt pretty confident trying out Wool of the Andes Tweed for the Pilson Blanket. This yarn is a blend of Peruvian Highland Wool and Donegal tweed, giving the yarn a rich texture and those sweet little neps.
One of my favorite features of Wool of the Andes Tweed has to be the woodsy color palette. Every shade has a smoky quality that gives me visions of log cabins, hot apple cider, and blazing fireplaces. I went for a very modern mix of pink, yellow, orange, and a deep chocolate brown in the Pilson Blanket. The crochet baby blanket is anchored by a background of a creamy neutral off-white.
When it comes to a classic pattern like the patchwork found in the Pilson Blanket, choosing the right yarn to make that pattern stand out is key. The hint of tweed and the desaturated colors in Wool of the Andes Tweed bring out the best qualities of this design. When picking your own yarns, go for something really special that will be a joy to crochet with and to have close to your skin.
The Design
The Pilson Blanket is constructed in strips of color that are joined as you go. Since you will have no more than 22 loops on your hook at a time, you can make this blanket using a traditional crochet hook – just make sure it doesn’t have an ergonomic design or any adornments. Need a hook? Try this one!
Once all strips are complete, a simple border is added. Two rounds of single crochet in the main color add definition to the blanket, while a third, lacier round brings harmony to the finished crochet baby blanket.
If you’re ready to start your Pilson Blanket, keep scrolling for the free version of the pattern, or pick up a printable PDF copy from TLYarnCrafts.com. The PDF includes alterations for 10 sizes, from Security blanket to King sized!
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Pilson Blanket Details
MATERIALS:
- WeCrochet Wool of the Andes Tweed
- MC – Picket Fence (6 balls)
- A – Olive Heather (2 balls)
- B – Apple Blossom Heather (2 balls)
- C – Farmhouse Heather (2 balls)
- D – Maple Heather (2 balls)
- 6mm crochet hook
- 6.5mm crochet hook
- Scissors
- Tapestry needle
- Blocking supplies
FINISHED SIZE
38″ wide x 42″ long after blocking
GAUGE
15 stitches x 12.5 rows in Tunisian simple stitch = 4″, unblockes
ABBREVIATIONS
Cc = change color
Ch = chain
Lts = Last Tunisian stitch (see Special Stitches)
RetP = Return Pass (see Special Stitches)
Sc = single crochet
Sk = skip
Sl st = slip stitch
St(s) = stitch(es)
Tss = Tunisian simple stitch
Yo = yarn over
SPECIAL STITCHES
Last Tunisian Stitch (Lts): Insert hook under BOTH loops of the last stitch on the forward pass and complete as for Tss.
Return Pass (RetP): Ch 1, *yo, pull through 2 loops; repeat from * until 1 loop remains on the hook.
ADDITIONAL NOTES
- Cut the yarn no longer in use after a color change.
- New to Tunisian crochet? Practice the basics, color changes, and the join as you go method with these tutorial videos.
Pilson Blanket Pattern
Are you more of a visual learner? Make your Pilson Blanket alongside me with this helpful tutorial video:
STRIP 1
ROW 1: With MC and 6.5mm hook, ch 22, pull up a loop in the back bump of the 2nd ch from hook and each remaining ch, RetP. (22 sts)
ROW 2: Tss across row to last st, Lts, RetP.
ROWS 3-17: Repeat Row 2. Cc to B at the end of the last row.
Continue in this manner, repeating Row 2 and changing color after 17 rows according to the chart below.
At the end of the last row, slip stitch bind off loosely and weave in all ends.
STRIP 2
Strip 2 and subsequent strips are added to the blanket using the seamless join-as-you-go method. If you are new to this technique, reference the Pilson Blanket tutorial video linked above.
ROW 1: Insert hook into the back loop AND the 3rd loop of the first stitch from Row 1 of Strip 1 (see image below). Yo with C and pull up a loop, ch 21, pull up a loop in the back bump of the 2nd ch from the hook and each remaining ch, pull up a loop in the same back loop and 3rd loop as the initial join, *yo, pull through 2 loops; repeat from * until 1 loop remains on the hook. (22 sts)
ROW 2: Tss across row, pull up a loop in the back loop AND 3rd loop of the next row on Strip 1, *yo, pull through 2 loops; repeat from * until 1 loop remains on the hook.
Continue in this manner, repeating Row 2 and changing color after 17 rows according to the chart below.
At the end of the last row, slip stitch bind off loosely and weave in all ends.
Repeat the instructions in Strip 2 for Strips 3-6 in the blanket, following the color changes in the chart below.
COLOR CHART
Use the color chart below as a guide for your Pilson Blanket. Follow these color changes exactly to achieve the same look as the original sample. White spaces are worked in MC only.
BORDER
ROUND 1: With MC and 6mm hook with right side facing up, sl st to join in the rightmost stitch along the top edge of the blanket. Ch 1, sc in same st as join, sc in each st along the top edge, *ch 2, rotate to work along the next edge, sc in each st along the edge; repeat from * for the remaining edges, ch 2, sl st in first sc of the round. DO NOT TURN.
ROUND 2: Ch 1, *sc in each st along the edge, (sc, ch 2, sc) in next ch-2 sp; repeat from * for each edge, sc in next sc, sl st in first sc of round. Cc to D, fasten off MC.
ROUND 3: Ch 1, (sc, ch 3, sc) in same st as join, *[sk next st, (sc, ch 3, sc) in next st] to next ch-2 sp, (sc, ch 2, sc) in ch-2 sp; repeat from * for each edge, (sc, ch 3, sc) in next sc, sk next sc, sl st in first sc of round. Fasten off.
FINISHING
Weave in all remaining ends.
Block to finished measurements.
Purchase the Pilson Blanket pattern HERE!
I really hope you enjoyed this pattern for the Pilson Blanket. The sample I showed here is spoken for and I can’t wait to pick some of my favorite colors for my next one. Share your crochet baby blanket with me on Instagram using the hashtags #PilsonBlanket and #TLYCMakers. Then do a little showing off in the TLYCMakers Facebook group.
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