68 TLC Designs

68 TLC Designs Crochet Blanket by Tricia Crow

Project Overview

68 TLC Designs is an intermediate-level crochet blanket pattern created by designer Tricia Crow. This finished throw measures 46 x 56 inches, making it an ideal size for a cozy lap blanket or decorative throw for furniture. The project uses a charted design that combines basic single crochet stitches with decorative bobble stitch accents to create visual texture and interest throughout the piece.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a rectangular crochet blanket with a structured, geometric design created through a combination of single crochet and bobble stitch techniques. The blanket features a chart-based construction method that allows crafters to follow a visual pattern guide, making it accessible for intermediate-level crocheters who are comfortable reading charts and working with multiple stitch types.

Techniques Used

• Chart Reading: The pattern uses a square-by-square chart system where each square represents one stitch. Crafters must read the chart from right to left on even rows and work from the bottom of the chart toward the top, a standard technique in crochet design.
• Bobble Stitch Placement: Bobble stitches are strategically placed throughout the design and are worked into the back of the fabric, creating a subtle dimensional effect without overwhelming the overall aesthetic.
• Foundation Chain: The blanket begins with a foundation chain of 172 stitches, which establishes the width of the piece at 171 stitches across.
• Edging: Once the main charted section is complete, single crochet is worked evenly around the entire perimeter of the blanket, with three single crochets placed in each corner to maintain proper shaping and finished edges.

Stitches Used

• Single Crochet (sc): The foundational stitch used throughout the blanket, forming the base of most rows and the entire edging.
• Bobble Stitch: A decorative stitch created by working multiple yarn overs and loops within the same stitch, then drawing the final yarn over through all loops on the hook simultaneously. This creates a textured, dimensional knot-like appearance on the fabric surface.
• Slip Stitch: Used to join the edging rounds and finish the blanket.
• Chain Stitch (ch): Used for the foundation chain and to begin each row throughout the pattern.

Construction Details

The blanket is constructed over 231 total rows. The pattern begins with a foundation chain of 172 stitches, then works single crochet in the second chain from the hook and in each remaining chain to establish 171 stitches across. Rows 2 and 3 are worked entirely in single crochet to create a stable base. Rows 4 through 228 follow the provided chart, where blank squares indicate single crochet stitches and black squares indicate bobble stitches. The bobble stitches are worked into the back of the fabric, creating a subtle textural element. Rows 229 through 231 return to solid single crochet stitches, providing a balanced finish to the top edge. Each row begins with a chain stitch, and the total stitch count remains consistent at 171 stitches across every row throughout the pattern.

Materials

This blanket is designed to be worked with Impeccable yarn, an aran-weight yarn requiring approximately 3,900 yards to complete the entire project. A size G crochet hook is used throughout the pattern, which is the standard hook size for aran-weight yarn and provides the appropriate fabric density for this blanket design.

Skill Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for crocheters who have mastered basic stitches and are comfortable reading chart-based patterns. The combination of single crochet and bobble stitch techniques, along with the requirement to read charts directionally, makes this project ideal for crafters looking to expand their skills beyond beginner-level projects.