Hi guys! The Summer Nights Blanket is inspired by those perfect summer evenings when the sun doesn’t set until 9:00 pm; the smell of bonfire is wafting through the air; and you’re curled up with a good book. Crocheters of all levels will love this blanket because the double crochet stitch is soothing to work, and the large crochet hook helps it work up quickly. The loose stitches create a light and airy blanket that is perfect for the warmer weather, while the triangle stripes add tons of visual interest. Did I mention that the colour combinations for this arrow striped blanket are endless? I hope you have fun getting creative with colour. Continue scrolling down for the free pattern.
The Evolution of the Summer Nights Blanket
This blanket started out as a shawl that I set aside a few years ago because I didn’t know how to type up a written pattern. During the quarantine, I came across this shawl while I was sorting through my yarn and half-finished projects. I loved the triangle stripes and contrasting colours, but I didn’t need another shawl. So I set to work on transforming this shawl into a blanket. Using a large crochet hook, I was able to finish crocheting this piece in 4 days, and I’ve been cuddling with it ever since.
Pin this Pattern for Later – Here!
Materials:
- *7.0 mm crochet hook
- *Yarn Needle
- Scissors
- *Steamer or Iron with Steam Setting
Yardage:
- Colour A: 1000 yds (3 Skeins)
- Colour B: 240 yds (1 Skein)
- Colour C: 225 yds (1 Skein)
- Colour D: 225 yds (1 Skein)
- Colour E: 225 yds (1 Skein)
- Total Yardage: 1915 yds / 1751 m of any Medium 4 Worsted / Aran Weight yarn
Yarn Choice for the Summer Nights Blanket:
This is the specific yarn that I used for my blanket, but you can use ANY medium 4 worsted / aran weight yarn of your choosing!
- A: Bernat Premium Weight 4 Medium (100% Acrylic, 360 yd / 329 m, 7 oz / 198 g) – Navy
- B: I Love this Yarn Solids Weight 4 Medium (100% Acrylic, 355 yd / 325 m, 198 g / 7 oz) – Mixed Berry
- C: I Love this Yarn Solids Weight 4 Medium (100% Acrylic, 355 yd / 325 m, 198 g / 7 oz) – Periwinkle
- D: Loops and Threads Impeccable Weight 4 Medium (100% Acrylic, 285 yd / 265 m, 127.5 g / 4.5 oz) – Teal
- E: Loops and Threads Impeccable Weight 4 Medium (100% Acrylic, 285 yd / 265 m, 127.5 g / 4.5 oz) – Gold
*Continue scrolling down for the free version on the blog with ads.*
You can purchase an INEXPENSIVE Ad-free Printable PDF of this pattern on Etsy HERE or Ravelry HERE! This 12 page PDF includes the complete pattern, photo tutorials, and step-by-step pictures, so you can follow along on paper, highlight and make notes.
Abbreviations:
- Ch – chain
- St(s) – stitch(es)
- Sl st – slip stitch
- Sc – single crochet
- Dc – double crochet
- Dc2tog – double crochet 2 stitches together
- Dc3tog – double crochet 3 stitches together
- [ ] – repeat instructions inside brackets
- Rs – right side
- Ws – wrong side
- Rnd – round
Gauge Swatch (4” x 4”):
The final swatch should measure 4” x 4” unblocked. The beginning ch 2 does not count as a st.
- Ch 13
- Row 1: Dc in third ch from hook, and in each ch across. Turn. (11 dc)
- Rows 2 – 6: Ch 2, dc in each st across. Turn. (11 dc)
Pattern Measurements:
- Width: 43” (without border), 45” (with border)
- Length: 70” (without border), 72” (with border)
Customizing the Size of Your Summer Nights Blanket:
- Width: To customize the width of the blanket, continue to repeat Row 3 until satisfied with the width; then proceed to the instructions for Row 24.
- Length: To customize the length of the blanket, continue repeating Row 24 until satisfied with the length; then proceed to the instructions for Row 79.
Blanket Diagram Construction:
I’ve included a diagram of each stage of the Summer Nights blanket below, so that you are not surprised by the shape of your blanket as you work through the pattern. Instructions will be provided to show you how to increase and decrease.
1. Each panel starts out as a small triangle, that increases along the three sides shown below (center, bottom left, and bottom right).
2. When the base of the triangle (width of the rectangular panel) reaches 43″, the width will no longer increase, but the length (height of triangle) will continue to increase.
3. Once the height of the triangle (from base to tip) measures 70″, the length of the blanket will no longer increase.
4. We will start to decrease along both sides of the triangle, until we make a rectangle.
Colour Chart for the Summer Nights Blanket:
This blanket is divided into 6 sections. There are a total of 5 coloured arrow stripe sections, before ending the blanket with the main colour (section 6). Please refer to the colour chart, to keep track of colour changes throughout the blanket.
Pattern:
Notes:
- A colour chart is provided above to show you when to change colour throughout the blanket.
- The beginning chain of each row does NOT count as a stitch.
- Odd numbered rows are considered the Rs of the blanket, while even numbered rows are considered the Ws of the blanket.
- Blocking your blanket before adding a border is essential for this piece.
- A border is added after the blocking process.
Ch 4 and join last ch to first ch with a sl st (this creates a small circle).
Row 1 (Rs): Ch 2, (4 dc, ch 2, 4 dc) in the center of the small circle. Turn. <4 dc on each side of ch-2 sp>
Row 2 (Ws): Ch 2, 3 dc in first st, dc in next 4 sts, (dc, ch 2, dc) in ch-2 sp, dc in next 4 sts, 3 dc in last st of row. Turn. <7 dc on each side of ch-2 sp>
Row 3 (Rs): Ch 2, 3 dc in first st; dc in each st across until ch-2 sp; (dc, ch 2, dc) in center ch-2 sp; dc in each st across until 1 st remains; 3 dc in last st of row. Turn. <10 dc on each side of ch-2 sp>
Rows 4 – 23: Repeat Row 3. Each row increases by 3 sts on each side of ch-2 sp. (St Count at the End of Row 23: 70 dc on each side of center ch-2 sp triangle) )
*The width of the blanket should measure 43″, so the width will no longer be increasing. If you wish to make your blanket wider, continue repeating Row 3 until you are satisfied with the width of your blanket; then proceed to Row 24 instructions.
Row 24: Ch 2, dc2tog over first 2 sts, dc in each st until ch-2 sp; (dc, ch 2, dc) in ch-2 sp; dc in each st across until 2 sts remain; dc2tog over last 2 sts. Turn. <70 dc on each side of ch-2 sp>
Rows 25 – 78: Repeat Row 24.
*The length of the blanket will no longer increase. If you wish to make your blanket longer, continue repeating Row 24 until you are satisfied with the length of your blanket; then proceed to Row 79 instructions.
Right Side of Center Ch-2 Sp:
Row 79: Ch 2, dc2tog, dc in each st across until 3 sts remain before the ch-2 sp; dc3tog. Turn. <67 dc on left side of ch-2 sp>
Row 80: Ch 2, dc3tog, dc in each st across until 2 sts remain; dc2tog. Turn. <64 dc on left side of ch-2 sp>
Rows 81 – 100: Repeat Right Side Rows 79 – 80. Each row decreases by 3 stitches. (St Count End of Row 100: 4 dc on right side of center ch-2 sp)
Row 101: Ch 2, dc2tog 2 times. Fasten off!
Left Side of Center Ch-2 Sp:
Row 79: Insert hook into the first st after the center ch-2 sp. Ch 2, dc3tog over first 3 sts, dc in each st across until 2 sts remain; dc2tog. Turn. <67 dc on right side of ch-2 sp>
Row 80: Ch 2, dc2tog, dc in each st across until 3 sts remain; dc3tog. Turn. <64 dc on right side of ch-2 sp>
Rows 81 – 100: Repeat Left Side Rows 79 – 80. Each row decreases by 3 sts. (St Count End of Row 100: 4 dc on left side of center ch-2 sp)
Row 101: Ch 2, dc2tog 2 times. Fasten off and weave in ends!
Block your Work (Do NOT Skip this Step):
Blocking your work is usually optional, but it is essential for this piece. Blocking your work is done by wetting or steaming your crochet piece to allow the stitches to relax, stretch out, and lie flat.
Pin and Steamer/Iron Method: Lay the blanket flat or vertically (depending on how your steamer works) and place straight pins along each side to straighten it and hold it in place. Move the steamer/iron over the blanket, making sure that it is at least 3 inches away from the piece, so the yarn does not heat up and melt. Let the blanket fully dry before removing the pins.
Pin and Spray Method: If you don’t have a steamer or iron, you can use straight pins to stretch and straighten out your work, before lightly spraying it with water (spray bottle). Allow the piece to dry overnight or wait 24 hours before unpinning it.
Adding a Border to the Summer Nights Blanket:
I felt like the Summer Nights blanket needed a border to keep the edges of the blanket straight and secure, so while a border is optional, I highly recommend adding it to your blanket.
The border will be worked along the outside edges of your blanket. Make sure that your blanket is facing the right side (RS) before you start your border.
The border will be a moss stitch/linen stitch border. This means that we will be single crocheting in a stitch/row (along the outside of the blanket), chaining 1, skipping a stitch, and working a single crochet into the next stitch. Here is a great video tutorial for the moss stitch border by Blossom Crochet. Keep in mind that a single crochet (US term) is called a double crochet in the UK.
Border Pattern:
*To make the border even, don’t place the sc sts too close OR too far away from each other. The first row of the border sets the tone for the remaining rows. Try to be consistent with where you are placing the sc sts.
Round 1:
With Colour A, fasten on in center ch-2 sp at the top of the blanket.
- Ch 1, (sc, ch 1) in ch-2 sp; [sk 1 st/row, (sc, ch 1) in next st/row] until the corner of the blanket.
- *(Sc, ch 2, sc, ch 1) in corner of the blanket; [sk 1 st/ row, (sc, ch 1) in next st / row] until next corner. Repeat from * around the blanket until you reach the first st of the Rnd.
Join the last st to the first st with a sl st to close the rnd. Do not turn.
Rounds 2 – 4:
Ch 1, sc in first ch-1 sp, *[ch 1, sc in next ch-1 sp] to corner ch-2 sp, (sc, ch 2, sc) in corner ch-2 sp; repeat from * around until you reach first st. To join, sl st into the first st of the rnd. Do not turn.
Fasten off and weave in ends.
End Notes:
Congratulations! You’ve made your first Summer Nights blanket. I hope that you enjoyed making this as much as I did. If you loved this pattern, please share it, so that others can make it too!
Check out some more fun and budget-friendly crochet patterns on the blog.
Disclaimer: You are welcome to sell items that you’ve made from this pattern; however, you are not allowed to use my pictures or sell my pattern as your own (Copyright @ ThisPixieCreates).
Questions?
If you have any trouble throughout the pattern and need some clarification, please feel free to send me a message through the “Contact” section of this website. I would be more than happy to help!
Thank you guys so much for following along. I can’t wait to see what you create!
Love, Dayna
Instagram: @thispixiecreates
