Crochet Blanket: Lemon Peel Stitch and Variegated Yarn

Pretty routinely I get the itch to crochet a blanket. In this case, it was for a crochet blanket with variegated yarn. But whether it is a set of colors that inspire me or a new stitch, or even an old stitch I really like, at least a few times a year, I’m working on a crochet blanket.  And if I’m being completely honest, sometimes I’m working on multiple blankets, because again, I have varied inspirations. 

Working on a blanket gives me a sense of accomplishment. Even if I’m using a stitch I’ve used a hundred times (as was the case on this blanket) there’s a sense of moving towards a goal. A finished project. Yes, I’m one of those people who make lists, and will add something to the list just to mark it off. 

For this blanket I used a favorite stitch — double crochet, single crochet alternating every stitch. I should back up a bit though because that’s not how this blanket actually started. 

Ripping out and starting anew

This blanket actually started as a sampling of stitches.  Every few rows I would incorporate a new stitch — sometimes new to me, other times a tried-and-true fave.

I made it halfway through the blanket and kept noticing the width of the blanket changed. It would dip in on certain rows and angle out on other others. And while it wasn’t terrible, it bothered me. But I kept going such that by the time I hit the halfway mark, I couldn’t take it anymore.

I had worked through 2-3 skeins of yarn and I really liked the sampler look, but I didn’t feel as though I could hand this blanket to someone and feel good about it. I considered a border that might help straighten it up. I also considered blocking it, but I know myself well enough that I haven’t blocked anything is 20 years. So that wasn’t happening.

I made the decision, after much consideration, to tear it all out and start over. Am I the only one who does this?

In re-starting it I decided to do away with the sampler of stitches approach and just go with a simple, no-thought-required stitch to appease my blanket making itch. And that’s where the alternating double crochet, single crochet combo came in. I believe I’ve seen it online referred to as the lemon peel stitch but I was using it before I knew there was a name for it.  I just called it my favorite stitch.

The Lemon Peel Stitch

The pattern is really simple. Chain the width you desire.  In my case, I crochet approximately 95 chains and work a row of single crochets, before starting into the patterned stitch. And then away I go.

Alternating singles and doubles as I sit in the passenger seat on a long drive, as I bask in the sun and breeze on our back patio and deck, or as I sit in my favorite chair with a warm beverage and close out an evening.

The lemon peel stitch does especially well on a crochet blanket with variegated yarn. It just gives a little something special to the blanket.

Details on this Crochet Blanket

Once I reached about 44” in length I knew I wanted a border for this one.  Typically when I use this stitch, a border isn’t necessary, so I usually forgo it.  But this time, I was going all in.

I did 7 simple rows of single crochet around the perimeter which accounted for a 2.5” border. The trickiest part was making sure I had the same count of stitches on each of the long sides. So I had a little bit of adjusting to do there. And I think that reminded me of why I don’t typically do borders.

There’s something enjoyable about just sitting and stitching a simple pattern, knowing it will create a beautiful result.

Did I have anyone in mind for this blanket? Nope. That’s usually how I roll.

If you want an easy pattern to use, here are the supplies and the pattern:

Crochet Blanket {with variegated yarn} Pattern

Yarn – Yarnspirations Caron Chunky Cakes in Mystic Chip

Hook – L

Approximate finished dimensions: 51”L x 44”W

Stitches used:

CH – Chain

SC – Single crochet

DC – Double crochet

The blanket

Chain 95. Turn.

Row 1 – SC in the second chain from hook.  Single crochet across. Turn.

Row 2 – Chain 2, DC in the last SC from the last row. *SC in the next stitch. DC in the next stitch.  Repeat from * across row. Turn.

Whatever stitch you END the row with, you will BEGIN with the OPPOSITE stitch on the next row. For example, if you END with a single crochet, you will turn, chain 2, and BEGIN with a double crochet.

If you END with a double crochet, you will turn, chain 1, and BEGIN with a single crochet.

Keep in mind the beginning chain stitches for each row are dependent on the stitch you will begin that row with.

Once you create the first stitch of a row, you will continue alternating the stitches for the entire row.

Row 3 – Repeat row 2 until desired length of blanket is reached. I worked about 44”, which was about 95 rows plus the beginning row of single crochets.

Border

Border. Do not finish off. For the last row, work SC across to the end. For the corner, (2SC, CH 2, 2SC) all in the corner stitch. Single crochet along the long side of blanket evenly spacing your stitches.  This even spacing will be important. Continue the single crochet border and corners around to beginning.

I did not work the border in separate rounds — meaning when you get all the way around to where you started, you slip stitch, and then chain 1 or 2 and begin the next round — though you could do it that way.  I simply just kept working the border in a continuous round until I had 7 rows on each side.

Final thoughts on a Crochet Blanket with variegated yarn

And there you have it.  A re-worked blanket to satisfy a crocheting itch. What do you think? How do you satisfy your crocheting itches?  I’d love to hear from you so drop a comment below!

Related crochet blankets:

• Crochet on fleece
• Crochet sampler
• Crochet prayer shawls