Petite Cables Crochet Blanket
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Yarn for this project was provided by Yarnspirations.
Many people mistakenly think that you can only make cables with knitting, but the truth is you can crochet cables too! The basic idea behind crochet cables is that you “twist” the fabric by working some stitches in front of, or behind, other stitches. This blanket is a great way to learn the technique because it only requires you to “twist” two stitches at a time. That’s why I called these stitches “petite” cables! They’re little twisted stitches that give that cable-style look.
This blog post contains the pattern for a lapghan blanket, written without abbreviations. This pattern is available in other sizes as a PDF file download.
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- PDF file with this pattern, written with standard crochet abbreviations, for the following sizes: Stroller (Crib, Baby, Lap, Throw) (Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King).
- PDF file with a crochet symbol diagram.
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Choosing Blanket Yarn
For this blanket, I used Red Heart With Love yarn. This is the same yarn that I used in the Essential Ribbing Blanket. It’s a great all-around acrylic yarn. For this blanket I decided to go with a soft blue color. However, if you take a look at the community gallery you can see what it looks like in orange and other colors. Some pattern testers even changed color midway. It looks so neat!
This Blanket Was a Hat First
I first came up with this stitch pattern when I was designing this hat. The hat is actually crocheted as a flat rectangle and then seamed into a hat shape. While I was working on making the hat, I fell in love with the stitch pattern. It felt so rich and warm. I knew it needed to become a blanket too.
Coming in February 2022: To view a tutorial on how to work the petite cables, visit the Petite Cables Stitch Tutorial.
Petite Cables Crochet Blanket Pattern
This pattern is for a lapghan size blanket. For other sizes purchase the Pattern Pack
SKILL LEVEL
Basic
SKILLS USED
This pattern uses the following crochet skills and techniques:
Basic stitches: chain, double crochet, treble crochet
Post stitches: front post stitches, back post stitches
Crossed stitches
Working in rows
This pattern uses US crochet terminology.
MEASUREMENTS
Lap Size
Width: 40 inches
Length: 44.25 inches
YARN
Worsted weight yarn: 2270 yds
Sample shown in Red Heart With Love in #1805 Bluebell
HOOKS
US size I/9 [5.5mm] crochet hook or size need to obtain gauge
NOTIONS
Yarn needle, scissors
GAUGE
8 stitches = 2 inches
8 rows = 3. 5 inches
To make a gauge swatch, chain 42 and follow the pattern until your swatch is at least 6 inches long, then measure.
UNDERSTANDING THE STITCH PATTERN
The first row is a row of double crochet stitches. Row 2 alternates between working 2 regular double crochet stitches and 2 back post double crochet stitches.
On Row 3, we work the crossed stitches that form a cable. The first double crochet of the row is just an edge stitch. The petite cable is worked over the next 6 stitches (a group of 2 post stitches, a group of 2 regular double crochet, and another group of 2 post stitches). First, work a front post double crochet around the first post stitch. This forms a raised bar or border on the side of the petite cable. Next, skip the next 3 stitches (1 post stitch and 2 regular double crochet), and front post treble crochet around the next stitch (the first post stitch of the next group of post stitches). This is worked as a treble because the stitch has to be able to reach all the way across the skipped stitches. Now, you will work in the stitches you just skipped. Double crochet in each of the skipped regular double crochet stitches. It’s important, when you make these double crochet, to work behind the front post treble crochet. This way the front post treble crochet appears to be stretched across and in front of the regular double crochet stitches. Finally, to complete the cable, work a front post treble around that first skipped stitch (the second post stitch of the first post stitch group). Make sure to work this stitch in front of the last 3 stitches you made. Work a front post double crochet around the next post stitch to make the raised bar on the other side of the petite cable. Double crochet in each of the next 2 double crochet. Then, work the petite cable section again. Work in this way across the row. You will end with one regular double crochet in the last stitch.
Row 4 is much simpler than Row 3. Just work a double crochet into each regular double crochet, and work a back post double crochet around each post stitch. This way you create the groups of post stitches and regular double crochet so that you can make more cables on the next row.
PATTERN NOTES
The stitch count is the same throughout the pattern. When you work a post stitch around a stitch, do NOT work into the top of the stitch you worked around.
The chain-2 at the start of a row does not count as a stitch.
SPECIAL STITCHES
Front Post double crochet = yarn over, insert hook from front to back and then to front again around post of indicated stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, [yarn over and pull through 2 loops on hook] 2 times.
View a tutorial video for the front post double crochet.
Back Post double crochet = yarn over, insert hook from back to front and then to back again around post of indicated stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, [yarn over and pull through 2 loops on hook] 2 times.
View a tutorial video for the back post double crochet.
Front Post treble crochet = yarn over twice, insert hook from front to back and then to front again around post of indicated stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, [yarn over and draw through 2 loops on hook] 3 times.
CROCHET PATTERN
Chain 162
Row 1 (Right Side): Double crochet in the 4th chain from the hook (3 skipped chains count as first double crochet), double crochet in each remaining stitch across, turn. 160 stitches
Row 2: Chain 2, double crochet in first stitch, [Back Post double crochet around each of next 2 stitches, double crochet in each of next 2 stitches] across to last 3 stitches, Back Post double crochet around each of next 2 stitches, double crochet in top of the chain-3, turn.
Row 3: Chain 2, double crochet in first stitch, [Front Post double crochet around next stitch, skip next 3 stitches, Front Post treble crochet around next stitch, working behind the stitch just made double crochet in 2nd and 3rd skipped stitch, working in front of the previous Front Post treble crochet, Front Post treble crochet around first skipped stitch, Front Post double crochet around next stitch, double crochet in next 2 stitches] across to last 6 stitches, Front Post double crochet around next stitch, skip next 3 stitches, Front Post treble crochet around next stitch, working behind the stitch just made double crochet in 2nd and 3rd skipped stitch, working in front of the previous Front Post treble crochet, Front Post treble crochet around first skipped stitch, Front Post double crochet around next stitch, double crochet in last stitch, turn. 20 petite cables
Row 4: Chain 2, double crochet in first stitch, [Back Post double crochet around each of next 2 stitches, double crochet in each of next 2 stitches] across to last 3 stitches, Back Post double crochet around each of next 2 stitches, double crochet in last stitch, turn.
Rep Rows 3 and 4 an additional 48 times for a total of 100 rows, or until blanket is nearly the desired length, ending with a repeat of Row 4.
Next Row: Chain 2, double crochet in first stitch, [Front Post double crochet around each of next 2 stitches, double crochet in each of next 2 stitches] across to last 3 stitches, Front Post double crochet around each of next 2 stitches, double crochet in last stitch. Fasten off.
Finishing
Weave in ends. Use with love.
Don’t forget to share photos of your blanket square! On Instagram tag @crochetblanketswithheart or use #blanketswithheart . You can also email photos to heart@blanketswithheart.com so we can add your photo to our Gallery.
If you liked this pattern, you may also like
- our article on how to wash a crochet blanket
- other crochet blanket patterns with textured stitch patterns