Bar Stitch Crochet Blanket
Create a show-stopping, stylish throw blanket with the crochet bar stitch technique! This modern crochet pattern is easy to follow, and you’ll be able to impress your friends and family with a stunning, handmade blanket in no time.
Gather Your Supplies.
Before you start your crochet project, it’s important to make sure you have the right supplies. You’ll need a skein of yarn in your chosen color and weight, a crochet hook size appropriate for working with the type of yarn you’ve selected, and scissors. Be sure to select a high quality yarn for this project – the softer and more durable the fiber, the better your entire finished product will be!
Make sure you’ve got the right size crochet hook too – the size of your project will depend on the stitches you create, and the size of your hook will determine how tightly or loosely you make them. Different types of yarn require different hook sizes, so double check the label before beginning your project to get the perfect texture and look!
Learn the Bar Stitch Basics.
The first step in creating your crochet blanket with the bar stitch is mastering the foundations of this popular technique. As its name implies, the bar stitch creates a series of vertical shaped bars made up of multiple stitches. It also requires you to change direction halfway through a row—creating a unique texture that’s perfect for modern home décor. Begin by practising the double crochet bar stitch before proceeding with the project.
Chain a Foundation Chain.
To begin your bar stitch blanket, chain a foundation of multiples of four plus one. This will give you the number of stitches and rows you need to achieve a perfect square. Once you’ve chained the desired length, turn your work and begin creating the first row. Start by making two double crochets in the fourth chain from the hook and then two double crochet in each chain across. When you reach the end, chain three to serve as your turning chain and turn your work for the start of row two.
Continue this pattern until you’ve completed your desired number of rows. To end off your bar stitch blanket, complete a row of single crochet with two single crochets in each double crochet across. This will create a neat border and will also help to stabilize the edges of the project. Once your bar stitch blanket is complete, weave in any loose ends, block it, and you have yourself a perfect square blanket ready to adorn any couch or wrap up someone special!
Crochet the Right Side Rows.
Make the second row (and all other right side rows) by making two double crochet stitches into the space between the first two double crochet from the previous row. This is known as the bar stitch because it creates a row of bars. Continue across, making two double crochets into each space between, and when you reach the end chain three to turn your work. Then repeat this pattern of alternating between left side rows and right side rows until you have achieved the desired size for your blanket.
On the left side rows, chain two to turn your work and then make one double crochet into each space between the bars from the previous row. These are referred to as half double crochets and they help create texture in your project. Make sure that the double crochet from the previous row is not counted when making a half double crochet – they should always be worked into the spaces of other stitches. In order to keep your counting consistent it’s important to know when you’re working a right side row and a left side row so you can continue across until you finish your blanket.
Fasten Off, Weave in Ends and Block/Steam Finish to Smoothen Out the Work!
When you are all finished with your blanket, the next step is to fasten off! Cut the yarn at the end of your needle, leaving a tail of several inches. Use this tail and tapestry needle to weave in loose ends along the edge and across where any changes of color have been done. To make sure your stitch remains even and neat, block or steam-finish the entire project and use an iron if needed. This will help to smoothen out the fabric for a beautiful finish!
Doing a steam blocking or pressing on your blanket project is important to ensure that the stitches will be stretched nicely and evenly across the work. It’s also recommended to wet block or steam finish the project after weaving in the ends for a better looking finish. To do this, you can use either an iron filled with water or a damp cloth over your blanket. Alternatively, you can place the work between two pieces of thick fabric, such as linen towels, along with a warm/hot damp towel while pressing around it gently. By fastening off, weaving in ends and blocking/steam-finishing your crochet bar stitch blanket properly, it’ll look neat and uniform in no time!
