Crochet Tonal Blanket
Our Crochet Tonal Blanket is the kind of piece we love best: graphic, simpler-to-make-than-it-looks, and totally intriguing.
A sister to our original knit Tonal Blanket, this crocheted version is made up of just single and double crochets that form a tiny checked pattern. The learning curve is the opposite of steep, and before you can say “ombré,” you’ll have a gorgeous spectrum of color coming off your hook!
Made in our gorgeous Season Alpaca, 100% baby alpaca soft enough for a brand new baby, and designed in two color palettes: from the warm and toasty color spectrum shown here or a cool and serene range of blues.
Sized for cribs as well as couches, this timeless beauty is the kind you will pass on from one generation to the next, just like grandma did her granny square version!
Designed for Purl Soho by Jake Canton.
Update: New Colors
October 25, 2019
Our gorgeous new palette of Season Alpaca demands new Tonal Blankets, still tonal, still soft and cozy, and still beautiful! Pick up the required skeins in this great-outdoors Cool palette or in our toasty Warm spectrum. Also choose a Crib or Throw size, and use whatever you pick for the crochet or knit version… So many options but impossible to go wrong. Read all about the updated versions here!
Materials
Our Tonal Blanket requires 10 skeins total for the Crib Size blanket. Add 5 more skeins of the Main Color to make the Throw Size…
- Warm Version
- Main Color (MC): 5 (10) skeins of Purl Soho’s Season Alpaca, 100% baby alpaca, in Heirloom White
- Color A: 1 skein of Season Alpaca in Peony Pink
- Color B: 1 skein of Season Alpaca in Honey Pink
- Color C: 1 skein of Season Alpaca in Pink Taupe
- Color D: 1 skein of Season Alpaca in Baby Fawn
- Color E: 1 skein of Season Alpaca in Burnt Sienna
- Cool Version
- Main Color (MC): 5 skeins of Purl Soho’s Season Alpaca, 100% baby alpaca, in Heirloom White
- Color A: 1 skein of Season Alpaca in Dove Gray
- Color B: 1 skein of Season Alpaca in Lavender Moon
- Color C: 1 skein of Season Alpaca in Trout Brown
- Color D: 1 skein of Season Alpaca in Ebbtide Blue
- Color E: 1 skein of Season Alpaca in Stillwater Blue
You’ll also need…
- A size G crochet hook
- Two removable stitch markers
Gauge
7 bundles of 3 double crochets and 8 double crochet rows = 4 inches
Size
Crib Size (Throw Size)
Finished Dimensions: 28 inches wide x 40 inches long (42 inches wide x 54 inches long)
Note
When switching between the Main Color and each Contrast Color, make sure the Contrast Color is at the wrong side of the work and the Main Color is at the right side.
Pattern
With Main Color (MC), make a Foundation Single Crochet Row of 149 (221) crochets.
Set-Up Row 1 (right side): Chain (ch) 3 (counts as 1 double crochet [dc]), skip first single crochet (sc), make 1 dc into each sc to end of row, place removable stitch marker in final stitch to keep it secure. [149 (221) crochets]
Set-Up Row 2 (keeping right side facing you): With Color A, 1 sc into first space (between ch 3 and first dc), *ch 2, skip next 2 spaces, 1 sc into next space, repeat from * to end of row, place removable stitch marker in final stitch. Turn work.
NOTE: For Set-Up Row 2, the “space” is located between the previous row’s double crochets.
Row 1 (wrong side): Remove stitch marker from MC stitch, with MC [see Note], ch 3, *3 dc into ch 2 space, repeat from * to last sc, 1 dc into space between final sc and ch 3, place removable stitch marker in final stitch.
NOTE: For the remainder of the pattern, the “space” is below the previous row’s chain 2.
Row 2 (keeping wrong side facing you): Remove stitch marker from Color A stitch, with Color A, ch 1, 1 sc into space between ch 3 and first dc, *ch 2, 1 sc into next space between dc bundles, repeat from * to last space, 1 sc into space between final dc bundle and final dc, place removable stitch marker in final stitch. Turn work.
Row 3 (right side): Remove stitch marker from MC stitch, with MC, ch 3, *3 dc into ch 2 space, repeat from * to last sc, 1 dc into space between final sc and ch 3, place removable stitch marker in final stitch.
Row 4 (keeping right side facing you): Remove stitch marker from Color A stitch, with Color A, ch 1, 1 sc into space between ch 3 and first dc, *ch 2, 1 sc into next space between dc bundles, repeat from * to last space, 1 sc into space between final dc bundle and final dc, place removable stitch marker in final stitch. Turn work.
Repeat Rows 1-4 eight (11) times, ending last repeat with Row 3; or until blanket measures 8 (11) inches from edge, ending with Row 3.
Cut Color A.
**Join Color B and work Row 4.
With MC and Color B, repeat Rows 1-4 eight (11) times, ending last repeat with Row 3; or until blanket measures 8 (11) inches from Color A section, ending with Row 3.
Cut Color B.
Repeat from ** for Colors C-E.
Final Row (wrong side): With MC, 1 sc into each dc to end of row.
Cut yarn and pull tail through final sc.
Weave in ends and block if desired.
PRINT
I really like this blanket, but I’d like it in something other than alpaca. Do you have a suggestion for another tonal bundle that might work?
Hi Deb,
Thanks for writing in! We got just the same question on the knit version of this lovely blanket! Our Cotton Pure would be lovely used for this blanket and it is machine washable cold, tumble dry low. You will need the same number of skeins of each color!
While we only have bundles in Season Alpaca for this blanket, we are happy to recommend color combinations! I would think Sea Pink, Rose Bark, Pink Sand, Teacake and Icy Pink with Egret White and the main color or Stream Blue, Whale Blue, White Caps Blue, Icicle Blue and Pale Lilac with Egret White as the main color.
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
Thank you! Are the number of skeins the same if we do the cotton?
Hi Megan,
Thanks for the question! To use Cotton Pure you will need the same number of skeins of each color!
Best,
Cassy
Hi: Can you please recommend Cotton Pure colors that are similar to the original warm tone bundle (apricot like hues)? I think you’ve redone the colors since this original comment post. Also, to confirm the number of skeins for a throw, it would be 10 skeins of the main color, and a skein each of 5 contrast colors? Thank you!
Hi May,
Thanks for reaching out! Some of the colors that were in the original post have been discontinued and that is why we updated the pattern with new colors! Unfortunately, we don’t have quite the same colors in Cotton Pure either but I do have a beautiful pallet to recommend. For the main color Heirloom White and then Peach Peony, Beach Rose, Pink Allium, Rosy Red and Tomato Orange for the contrasting colors.
And yes, for the trow size you will need 5 skeins of the main color and 1 skein of each contrasting color (5 skeins total.)
I hope this helps!
All the best,
Gianna
Thank you for making a crocheted version! ?
I would love to male this, but what is the stitch multiple? I would like to make a blanket size but there are only crib & throw sizes. Thanks.
Hi Carolina,
Thanks for writing in! You can certainly make this blanket larger! The stitch pattern will work on any multiple of 3 plus 2. Once you know how wide you would like your blanket you can multiply the stitches per inch (5.25 if you are working to gauge) by how many inches wide you would like your finished blanket, round to the nearest multiple of 3, add two stitches, and work that many Foundation Single Crochets.
I hope that answers your question!
Julianna
I would also like to increase the size. It would be helpful to know how much of each of the secondary colours were used for the throw size (in yards or metres), so I know if I would need to buy 2 of each of them or if 1 is enough.
Hi Lorna,
Thanks for reaching out! We used about 80 yards of each contrast color, but recommend having 100 yards of each for the blanket as written due to possible differences in gauge.
I hope that helps!
Julianna
Thank you, thank you, thank you for finally posting something with crochet! This is stunning, as are all your patterns. I know you do primarily knitting, so I so appreciate the crocheted version of this!
Hello,
Lovely pattern, but could you please explain to me why the foundation row is all DC but the first set up row requires us to put DC into SC from the previous row? There is no SC in the foundation row…
I’ve read this three times now and I think the DC and SC were swapped?
Hi Elaine,
Thanks for writing in! If you look just above the instructions for the Set-Up Rows, you will see that they are worked into a Foundation Single Crochet Row which begins the blanket. The Foundation Single Crochet is a really neat stitch that creates your starting chain and first row of single crochets simultaneously. We have created a tutorial for this stitch, which can be found here. The Double Crochets in the following Set-Up Rows will be worked into the Single Crochets that are part of the foundation row.
I hope that answers your question!
Julianna
Just a question when I says “repeat rows 1-4 11 Times” does that mean there is 11 rows of color A or 22? Since rows 1-4 have 2 rows of color A, just trying to figure how many rows of color A in total before changing colors. Hope that makes sense.
Hello Katie,
Thank you for reaching out! You will do a total of 21 color A rows. This is because you end with Row 3 in your last repeat, so the last repeat will be Row 1 (MC) Row 2 (Color A) Row 3 (MC).
I hope this makes sense and let me know if I can clarify anything for you!
Happy Crafting,
Marilla
I’m trying to read the pattern and I don’t understand the row after set up row 2, it indicates to work from the wrong side, I believe the previous row is also from the wrong side. I can’t go back up to verify this, but this is my confusion. Hope I’m making sense.
I just figured out the pattern ?
Very clever. I just adore the richness of the colors and the way it drapes beautifully. Can hardly wait to get started on this throw.
Hi Gwen,
I just posted an explanation, but it looks like you got there before me! Thank you for the kind words and have fun crocheting!
Julianna
Hi Gwen,
Thanks for reaching out! I think I can clarify this! Both Set-Up Rows 1 and 2 are done from the right side of the blanket. After you complete Set-Up Row 1, instead of turning your work, you will go back to the beginning of the row, attach Color A, and work Set-Up Row 2 with the right side of the work still facing you. After completing this row, you will turn your work to the wrong side to begin Row 1 of the pattern.
I hope this helps! If you have any more questions please let us know!
Julianna
How can I make this in a smaller size… baby pram blanket?
Can you please suggest the stitch adjustment?
Hi Hilary,
Thanks for writing in! You can certainly make this blanket smaller! The stitch pattern will work on any multiple of 3 plus 2. Once you know how wide you would like your blanket you can multiply the stitches per inch (5.25 if you are working to gauge) by how many inches wide you would like your finished blanket, round to the nearest multiple of 3, add two stitches, and work that many Foundation Single Crochets.
I hope that answers your question!
Julianna
I love this blanket, my husband has been wanting me to make a throw…he loves the rust, earth tone colors. Do you think this pattern would be OK in gentle giant, or would the pattern be lost in the thickness of the yarn? If you think it would look good, how much yarn would I need? Can you recommend a heavier yarn than the alpaca? Thank you!
Hi Carol,
Thanks for the kind words! I think this stitch pattern would look stunning in a jumbo yarn like Gentle Giant! I would recommend sizing up to at least a Q hook – we used a hook one size larger than we normally recommend for our Season Alpaca for this blanket, but since everyone’s gauge is different and you will be significantly changing the yarn weight, it would be a good idea to do a swatch with both a Q and an S hook to see which fabric you prefer.
It is hard to say exactly how much yardage you will need when making such a drastic yarn substitution. An average crocheted throw in super bulky yarn will take about 900 yards, so to be on the safe side you should get 15 skeins of Gentle Giant in your main color and at least 7 skeins of contrast colors, divided between however many colors you select. This estimate does include a few extra skeins, but you can exchange any yarn you don’t use for store credit as long as it hasn’t been wound.
This stitch pattern would work well in just about any of our heavier weight yarns but you will need to do a gauge swatch to determine the right hook size and how many Foundation Single Crochets to begin with. I hope that helps! Let us know how it turns out if you go with the Gentle Giant!
Julianna
I have made most of your crocheted projects and I love them! Like the others, I get very excited when you post a new one. Thank you!
A request: a more complicated/intricate stitch sequence — it’s tiresome to do an entire blanket with just sc or dc 🙂
Hi Lisa,
Thank you so much for the kind words! I hear you that sometimes you just need a challenge! I will pass this along to the design team to consider for future projects.
Thank you for your input!
Julianna
At the end of row one it indicates to chain 3 and then add stitch marker. At the beginning of row 3 it says to chain 3 again. Does that mean it supposed to be a chain 6 before I begin double crocheting?
Never mind. I figured it out. I was reading it wrong :). Beautiful blanket! Can’t wait to be done with it
Could you give directions on how to make this larger than throw-sized? Perhaps twin sized or something like 70 in x 80 in?
Hello Jess,
Thank you for reaching out! The stitch pattern will work on any multiple of 3 plus 2. This means you can multiply the stitches per inch (5.25 if you are working to gauge) by how many inches wide you would like your finished blanket, round to the nearest multiple of 3, add two stitches, and work that many Foundation Single Crochets. To get a width of 70″ you will need to make a Foundation Single Crochet Row of 368 crochets.
I hope this helps and let us know if you have any further questions!
Warmly,
Marilla
Am loving crocheting this blanket, thank you so much for such a lovely look. I am confused about the length of the colours and overall length of blanket. I have tried to work this out but either way I approach it doesn’t make sense to me. 1) The blanket length size is listed as 54 inches and there are 5 colours which means each colour should be approximately 11 inches however the pattern states that with each colour Rows 1-4 should be repeated 11 times or until the blanket measures 8 inches from the previous colour, by my calculations 8inches x 5 colours is 40 inches in length yet the blanket is listed as 54 inches long. 2) Rows 1-4 measure approximately 1.5 inches by my gauge and 11 times that is 16 inches per colour. 16 inches x 5 colours = 80 inches . Am I reading this incorrectly as I can’t work out what I should be doing? Again many thanks for the pattern and I appreciate your assistance with this.
cheers, Meaghan
Hi Meaghan,
Thank you so much for pointing this out to us – we did forget to include the length of each section for the throw size! The pattern now reads:
Repeat Rows 1-4 eight (11) times, ending last repeat with Row 3; or until blanket measures 8 (11) inches from edge, ending with Row 3.
If your row gauge is not matching up to ours, I would recommend measuring to 11 inches for each section rather than going by the number of repeats listed in the pattern.
Best of luck and happy crocheting!
Julianna
What hook size would you recommend if I wanted to use worsted weight for this blanket?
Hi Samantha,
Thanks for reaching out! I would suggest crocheting a gauge swatch using a US I or J hook to see which you prefer with a worsted weight yarn in this stitch.
Happy crocheting!
Julianna
Hi, I am on Row 1 after Set up rows. I seem to have two double crochets. I counted 149 (crib size) doubles. Was I supposed to count the chain 3 as one of the 149? I was so excited that I understood the set up, but now it’s not working out?
Help!
Maria
Hi Maria,
Thanks for reaching out! On Set-Up Row 1, you will be counting the chain 3 as the first double crochet and skipping the first stitch for a total of 149 stitches; however, on subsequent rows, the turning chain does not count as a stitch.
I hope that clears things up!
Julianna
I am confused, so after the FSC, for setup row1, you do not chain 3 and turn to start the setup row 1, if I am understanding, you cut the yarn, then start the setup row 1 from the beginning, where the FSC was started…is that correct
Hello Sandy,
Thank you for reaching out! After your Foundation Row your set up row 1 is “Chain (ch) 3 (counts as 1 double crochet [dc]), skip first single crochet (sc), make 1 dc into each sc to end of row, place removable stitch marker in final stitch to keep it secure. [149 (221) crochets]”
However, you set up row 2 you do not turn your work and start from where your FSC was started with Color A, not cutting your yarn in either row.
I hope this makes sense and let us know if you have any further questions!
-Marilla
Hi – This is my first crochet project (though I’ve been a knitter for 15+ years) and I’m really enjoying working through the pattern. I have a quick question on yarn choice. I went to my LYS for a cotton yarn and the best option was Wool and the Gang’s Shiny Happy Cotton. Do you think this yarn has too much stitch definition to work for this pattern? Thank you!
Hello Erin,
Thank you for reaching out! This yarn will work great in terms of stitch definition, though I believe Shiny Happy Cotton is thicker than Season Alpaca so you may need to adjust your hook size. I would reccomend knitting up a gauge swatch before jumping in.
Keep us in the loop!
-Marilla
I’m late to the game but enjoying this pattern. My edges with the colors carried up don’t look great. What kind of border would you recommend? Thanks!
Hi Elaine,
Thanks for reaching out! I think a few rows of single or half-double crochet would tidy up the edges nicely, or you could add an attached i-cord around the outside of the blanket!
Happy knitting!
Julianna
Hi! Wondering what you would think of doing this in the Quarry yarn; also, if I did the blanket in all one color, does it matter? I get that there wouldn’t be any tonality, but it still might be pretty nonetheless? Thanks!
Hi Quinn,
Thanks for writing in! I think this blanket would be just lovely in Quarry, though I would recommend crocheting a swatch to determine what size hook to use and how many stitches to start with. I don’t, however, think I would recommend using all one color, as the contrast color rows add very little texture so they would probably get lost if they were worked in the same color. You could certainly try it, however, and see what you think! Another option would be to choose two similar colors, such as Slate and Granite, for a tone-on-tone effect that would add some subtle dimension to the stitch.
I hope that helps!
Julianna
I have 6 skeins of Dove Gray Season Alpaca left over from a project and I thought I’d used it as the main color in this tonal blanket. Can you please help me select complementary colors.? I’m hoping to bring some greens into the mix.
Thanks!
Jane
PS I knit the tonal blanket in the beige tones (love it!) and now my husband wants a blanket of his own, so I want to try this crocheted version.
Hi Jane
Thanks for writing in! The other colors of Season Alpaca that would look great with the Dove Gray and bring in green would be Winter Sage, Reef Green, Fresh Pickle, and Frond Green. For the 5th color you could repeat one of these, or try Heirloom White. I hope this helps and am so glad you enjoyed the knit version and are trying the crochet version now!
Best
Jessica
Love this pattern. Made for my great nephew in greys/blues of Pure Cotton. Wish I could post a picture.
Hi Susan,
Thanks for reaching out! I am so thrilled to hear you like this pattern! We would absolutely love to see your work! You can email us a photo to customerservice@purlsoho.com or tag us on Instagram at our @purlsohobusyhands account, or us the hashtag #purlsohobusyhands
Happy knitting!
Gianna
Hello there! I can’t begin to describe my delight with this blanket. I am nearly done, last few rows and I have slowed down, just like wanting a great novel not to end. The crochet tonal pattern is absolutely perfect. The Season Alpaca is so amazing to work with, a pleasure to create this throw with such beautiful yarn. I made the green/blue, it is gorgeous. I was hesitant at first as it was pricey, I say go for it, the piece you will create will be a treasure. This is a gift for my brother. I will add some pictures when I am finished. Thank you for this amazing experience, I highly recommend this pattern and materials.
I have some questions. –
Purl Soho has so many suggestions as to weaving in the ends. Admittedly it is not a strong skill of mine. Can you suggest which one/ones work best with this particular crocheted throw? It has worked up so perfectly I want the finish to be perfect too.
-The throw is very even and the edges are straight, instructions state, “block if desired”. I don’t think I need to block it, but is there a downside to not doing so?
The yarn is ‘hand wash cold’ I want to give my brother instructions. Can the throw be dry cleaned? I just can’t picture him hand washing the throw.
Thank you so much for all you offer all of us here. I truly appreciate it.
Take care, Karen
Hi Karen,
Thanks for writing in and for your kind words! I am thrilled to hear that you have enjoyed this pattern and love the finished blanket!
To answer your questions:
1, I would recommend checking out our Weaving in Your Ends tutorial, even though it is for knitting the techniques are very similar! For this blanket rather than weaving in the purl bumps, it’s probably good to alternate between different stitches. Fortunately, this pattern isn’t very lacy and open so it should be easy to find spots to weave!
2, Blocking is a great way to finish a project to make sure all of the stitches are even, but it is certainly not necessary! For Season Alpaca it can be beneficial to block since alpaca is such a soft fiber, it tends to grow and stretch a bit over time and blocking can help set the fibers in place.
Lastly, we do recommend hand washing and using our Sweater Soap to clean our Season Alpaca, however it seems the general consensus is that dry cleaning is probably safe and wouldn’t damage the throw or fibers. I believe it would be fine for your brother to dry clean the throw but I wouldn’t recommend doing it very often, only when necessary to prolong the life!
If he is interested in hand washing the trow I would recommend directing him to our How To Hand Wash A Sweater tutorial, it is an excellent resource to use for care of any knit items!
I hope this helps and please let me know if you have any more questions!
All the best,
Gianna