A modern, crochet blanket – The Moon Shadow Crochet Blanket – is a free pattern here on the blog. I share lots of extra details below, or if you only want the free pattern scroll down!
If you would prefer to buy an inexpensive, ad-free, large print, printable PDF pattern get one HERE.
The Moon Shadow Blanket is also part of the discounted Crochet Blankets Pattern Bundle that you can buy HERE.
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Inspiration & Design
You know that feeling when you absolutely HAVE to make something? Even though it wasn’t what you planned to make next, an idea comes to you and you have to find a pattern or make it yourself?
This was me after watching an episode of How to Get Away With Murder a few weeks ago. I saw a grey, woven look blanket with cream fringe on a character’s sofa. So I immediately wrote in my notebook – make a grey, woven look blanket with cream fringe!
So, off to Google and Pinterest to search for “crochet stitch that looks like it’s woven”. I found the herringbone double crochet stitch and knew right away that it was perfect. Although it looks tricky, it’s just a repeat of a double crochet stitch but with a little added twist.
Beginner Friendly
This modern, stylish blanket throw pattern is perfect for beginners. Like the Glass Pebble Scarf, it’s a one stitch repeat for the entire blanket.
Mindless Crochet
This is a really great project to complete while binge-watching your favourite TV program. Just like the Twilight Haze Blanket, the stitch pattern is easy and repetitive. Although this is a throw size blanket, with the chunky yarn, the blanket grows quicker than you would think.
The Yarn
I used the affordable, acrylic / wool mix yarn Stylecraft Life Chunky in the colour Grey with Cream for the tassel fringe.
This yarn is machine washable and comes in twelve different colours. Look at these modern but classic shades. I can definitely see me using this yarn again for another project. I love the shades Charcoal and Rose!
The pattern includes some substitute yarn recommendations or you could use yarnsub.com to help you find an alternative.
Pin this modern crochet blanket for later!
Pattern – Modern Crochet Blanket
A cosy night in isn’t complete unless you’re snuggled under a big, soft blanket!
This simple, modern blanket is crocheted using one simple stitch – the herringbone double crochet. When this stitch is repeated it gives a beautiful woven-look to the fabric.
The project uses a chunky yarn that stitches up quickly without creating a blanket that is too heavy or bulky. The yarn chosen for this project is inexpensive and a classic, good quality acrylic / wool mix.
Perfect for beginners or if you are looking for an easy and modern project.
MATERIALS:
- Stylecraft Life Chunky – 75% Premium Acrylic / 25% Wool
Bulky 5 (US) / Chunky (UK)
3.5oz / 100g, 162yds / 148m
13 balls in Grey
Amount of grey yarn used 45.5oz / 1,300g, 2,106yds / 1,924m
1 ball in Cream
Amount of cream yarn used 2.8oz / 80g, 130yds / 119m
- Size 7mm crochet hook – my favourite hook brand
- Tapestry needle – I use this so I don’t lose them!
- Measuring tape – I have one like this
- Scissors – I have a pretty pair like these
- Blocking mats (optional) – these make blocking easy
YARN SUBSTITUTIONS:
Hayfield Chunky With Wool
James C. Brett Chunky With Merino
King Cole Big Value Poplar Chunky
SIZE:
Blanket size – throw (one size)
GAUGE:
Working in stitch pattern with 7mm hook, after washing and blocking swatch:
10 stitches, 6.5 rows to 4″ / 10cm
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS:
52in / 132cm wide
64in / 162cm long
SKILL LEVEL:
Level 1 / Basic
PATTERN NOTES:
I chose to stitch into the bottom bump of the foundation chain.
Starting chains do not count as stitches.
An issue with the herringbone double crochet is that there can be a large gap between the edge and first stitch. This is due to the fact that the stitches have a natural slant to them. To minimise this we do not use turning chains in this pattern, instead we work a ch 1 at the beginning of each row (this does not count as a stitch).
Another issue with the herringbone double crochet is that the edges will not be completely straight. The ch 1, instead of the usual ch 3 for double crochet, minimises this as does blocking the finished blanket. However, I find the slightly scalloped edging to be a lovely design feature!
ABBREVIATIONS (US TERMS):
Ch – chain
HBdc – herringbone double crochet (see Special Stitches below)
St – stitch
Yo – yarn over
< > – stitch count
SPECIAL STITCHES:
Herringbone double crochet (HBdc) yo, insert hook in st, yo and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), slip second st on hook over first st (2 loops on hook), yo and draw through 1 loop on hook (2 loops on hook), yo and draw through 2 remaining loops on hook.
PATTERN:
(US Terms)
SETUP Ch 130 (129 st + 1 turning ch) in grey.
ROW 1 HBdc in 2nd ch from hook, hbdc in each ch across, turn. <129>
ROW 2 Ch 1, hbdc in first st, hbdc in each st across, turn. <129>
Repeat row two 102 times more (104 rows in total), or until the blanket measures desired length.
FINISHING Weave in ends and block.
TASSELS Cut 260 strands of yarn, each 18in / 46cm long.
The tassels are made of two strands of yarn, 130 tassels are attached to the blanket – 65 each end.
- Take two strands of yarn and fold in half.
- Insert your crochet hook through the first chain stitch at the end of the blanket, from back of work to front.
- Now place the loop of the folded yarn over your hook, grab and pull the loop through the chain stitch to the back of the blanket.
- As you pull the loop through try to keep the ends of the strand even.
- Once the loop is far enough through, pass the ends of the strand through the loop. Pull the ends gently to make a tassel.
- Then pull the loop tighter to make your tassel snug and secure.
Skip a chain stitch and add another tassel. Keep repeating across both ends.
Trim fringe until it is even.
Linda Wagner says
Hi Anne- I love this weave look. I have a lot of medium 4 weight yarn that I would like to use for this blanket. What adjustments & hook size should I make to get this same size? Thank-you & happy crocheting! Linda
onlyasbrave says
Hi Linda,
It’s such a pretty stitch isn’t it.
I suggest you crochet a gauge swatch and do a little maths to work this out. I really don’t think there’s a short cut given the difference in yarn weight.
I would start with using the recommended hook size on the yarn label and see if you like how the herringbone double crochet stitch looks when you make your swatch.
From there I’d measure your swatch, work out your stitches and rows per inch and multiply by the measurements in the pattern (52″ wide and 62″ long).
Let me know if you need further help with swatching if it’s not something you’re familiar with.
I hope this helps!
Anne x
Lynne says
How can I get a PRINTED copy of Cinder Rose and Moon Shadow patterns?
Your patterns are wonderful!
Thank you.
onlyasbrave says
Hi Lynne,
I’m so glad you like the patterns! That’s really lovely to hear.
I have inexpensive, ad-free, large print, printable PDF patterns for sale in my Etsy shop.
Links to the patterns are at the beginning of the blog post or if it is easier my shop link is:
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/OnlyAsBrave
Unfortunately I don’t offer a free printed copy but you are welcome to copy and paste from the blog into Word, etc.
I hope this helps!
Anne x
Linda Wagner says
Thanks for your reply.. I’ll do as you suggested.
Karen says
Hi
Love this pattern, could you please tell me which part of the stitch you crocheted into please? Back looks / front loop?
onlyasbrave says
Hi Karen,
So happy that you love this pattern!
The stitches are made under both loops. So just the normal, basic way of making crochet stitches!
Happy crocheting!
Anne x
Karen says
Thank you so much x
Linda Lawhorn says
Do you ever do it where a person could watch how you do the stitches? I am more of a hands on training kind of girl! Sincerely Linda Lawhorn
onlyasbrave says
Hi Linda,
Unfortunately I don’t have the equipment or the time to make video tutorials just now.
It is something I am thinking about for the future though!
If you Google or search on YouTube for “herringbone double crochet stitch” you’ll find other makers have already posted videos that should help you.
Happy crocheting!
Anne x
Lori W. says
Beautiful blanket!! Thank you so much for sharing!!
😉
onlyasbrave says
Hi Lori,
You’re very welcome!
Thank you for the lovely comment.
Happy crocheting!
Anne x
Becca says
Hello! Do the finished dimensions for the moon shadow blanket (52”w by 64”L) include the length of the tassels on the end or no? I’d like to make this a bit bigger and trying to figure out how much more yarn I’ll need. With the tassels being around 8in on either end, that’s a big difference in size and how much yarn I’ll need for the main of the blanket. Thanks!
onlyasbrave says
Hi Becca,
How lovely to hear you’re planning to make this blanket.
The finished measurements refer to the blanket only, they do not include the tassels.
Happy crocheting!
Anne x
Ellie says
I am loving making this blanket so far!
I’m almost near the end and a newbie for crochet – what does it mean by ‘block’?
Thanks so much for the pattern!
onlyasbrave says
Hi Ellie,
I’m so happy to hear you’re loving the blanket pattern!
Here is a link to a great blog post about blocking:
https://doradoes.co.uk/2020/02/22/blocking-explained-when-and-how-to-block-crochet-projects/
I hope it helps.
Happy crocheting!
Anne x
Lila Jerger says
Hi There! Thanks so much for this pattern.
Is there a problem with using a 6.5mm hook instead? I’m assuming it would be smaller and potentially use more yarn in order to reach the original measurements?
onlyasbrave says
Hi Lila,
Using a different size hook might make a different to how big or small the finished blanket is but it all depends on your gauge.
If you make a little gauge swatch first you can check how you like the look of the stitches and see how different it might be compared to the pattern.
Happy crocheting!
Anne x
Hayley adcock says
Hi for the tassels am I to cut the chunky yarn in to the lengths and then pull apart the yarn to get the “strands” thank you
onlyasbrave says
Hi Hayley,
No, I didn’t pull apart the cream yarn to get the strands for this blanket.
But if that’s something you’ve done before or you want to see how it looks, doing a little test to see how it works might be fun!
Happy crocheting!
Anne x