Desertscape Crochet Blanket – Road Runner (Part 7)
Inside – A Desertscape Blanket Series Pattern. Learn how to crochet the Road Runner Crochet Pattern with this free tutorial.
Would the Desertscape Blanket truly be a High Desert Yarn pattern without the Slanted Puff Stitch? Nope. So, Part 7 features this signature HDY stitch. Keep reading for this section’s desert inspiration, and for the free Road Runner crochet pattern.
Inspiration for the Road Runner Crochet Pattern
Honestly, the stitch comes before the name in this section. The Slanted Puff Stitch is one of my all time favorite crochet stitches. Like, it’s a challenge to NOT include it in new crochet designs.
Let’s rewind to Fall 2022 for a little more back story. Originally, I thought the Desertscape Blanket would feature fan favorite patterns over the years. Since crocheters love the Brioche Bun Scarf and Arvensis Pot Holder, those stitch patterns would make it in this blanket. Add a little Wave Catcher Can Cozy and Sonora Plant Pot Cozy, and there’s a start to a signature HDY blanket!
The Road Runner Section is an ode to the Brioche Bun patterns. But, I added a row of HDC in the 3rd Loop to make this section evenly textured. Another personal favorite. 💁♀️ After I designed the stitch pattern, I needed a name. It didn’t look like any landscape feature of the desert, or a type of plant. But it reminds me of a road runner zooming across the desert in search of his next treasure.
Ready to stitch up the Desertscape Blanket? Scroll down for the free pattern, or purchase the Desertscape Blanket eBook in my Etsy Shop or Ravelry Store.
Yarn + Substitutes
Paintbox Yarns are my all time favorite budget yarn. The Desertscape Blanket uses the Simply Aran in Champagne White and Pine. Their acrylic yarns are soft, plush, and never split while I crochet. Plus, a big reason I keep coming back to Paintbox Yarns is the color palette. It’s to dye for, and the colors on the screen are reliable in person.
Shop Paintbox Yarns Simply Aran here.
If you want to use yarn from your LYS (local yarn store), or your stash, then I recommend staying with a mostly acrylic yarn. You’ll get the same results as I did while you work on your blanket.
Desertscape Blanket CAL Info
The Desertscape Blanket is a new, free crochet pattern on the High Desert Yarn Blog. We’ll explore textured stitches and Intarsia crochet charts that feature all things majestic in the desert. A new section will be released each Monday starting on April 10, 2023.
If you’d like email reminders when each section is released, you can sign up here.
The CAL is taking place in the HDY Handmade Community on Facebook. We’ll share our WIP pictures, and support each other during the crochet process. I’ll be available in the Facebook Group and through email to answer any questions.
Join the HDY Handmade Community here.
If this is the first you’re hearing of the Desertscape Blanket CAL – Welcome!! I’m thrilled to have you join us. Everyone in the HDY Handmade Community on Facebook is working through the project at their own pace.
If you need to start with Part 1, then click here for the Golden Barrel Cactus pattern.
If you need to start at the very beginning, you can read through the Desertscape Blanket CAL Information page. It gives you all the details about the whole blanket pattern, and help you deep dive into meeting the right gauge.
Click here to read through all of the Desertscape Blanket information.
Pattern Instructions
NOTE ABOUT THIS FREE CROCHET PATTERN :
Thank you for choosing this free pattern as part of your crochet journey! It’s an honor for you to be here, browsing the High Desert Yarn Blog. This pattern is 100% free for you to crochet from, but please, do not screenshot, or copy+paste this pattern. However, work directly from this webpage. The ad revenue from this website allows me to offer free crochet patterns. If you do not like the scrolling, or ads, then you may purchase the ad-free PDF in my Etsy Shop or Ravelry Store. Thank you for your cooperation. Happy creating! -Joanna (Owner + Creative)
Materials
- Yarn – Worsted Weight/category 4
- I used Paintbox Yarns Simply Aran in Champagne White and Pine.
- Substitutes : Any other worsted/category 4 yarn will work
- Crochet Hook – H/8 (5.00mm) or correct hook to meet gauge
- Scissors
- Tapestry Needle
Notes
- CH 1 at the end of a row DOES NOT count as a stitch.
- This pattern is worked in turning rows.
- Row 1 of the Road Runner pattern is Row 103 of the whole blanket.
Gauge + Finished Size
Gauge for the whole Desertscape Blanket is based off of the Intarsia Crochet sections. It’s important that you work up the practice swatch on the Information Page BEFORE starting the Desertscape Blanket. If you need help meeting gauge, please send an email to Joanna at hello@highdesertyarn.com
The height of this section will meet approximately 5″.
Stitch Abbreviations
American (US) terms used throughout.
CH(S) – chain(s)
ST(S) – stitch(es)
HDC – half double crochet
PUFF – puff stitch
3rd Loop – crochet in the 3rd loop of the HDC
SK – skip
Special Stitches
Puff Stitch (PUFF)
- How to Work a Puff Stitch
- YO, insert hook into ST. YO, and pull up loop. (3 loops on hook) YO, insert hook into same ST. YO, and pull up loop. (5 loops on hook) YO, insert hook into same ST. YO, and pull up loop. (7 loops on hook) YO and pull through ALL loops on hook.
- How to Make a SLANTED Puff Stitch
- Skip the next stitch, and place a HDC in the stitch after the skipped stitch. Then, work a PUFF stitch into the stitch you skipped. This causes the PUFF stitch to slant to the left.
- Click here for a Video Tutorial for the Road Runner Section.
Written Intructions
Row 1: HDC in each ST across. CH 1. Turn. (200 STS)
Row 2: HDC in 1st ST. HDC 3rd loop in each ST until 1 ST remains. HDC in last ST. CH 1. Turn. (200 STS)
Row 3: HDC in 1st ST. [SK ST. HDC in next ST. PUFF into SK ST.] Repeat […] until 1 ST remains. HDC in last ST. CH 1. Turn. (200 STS)
Row 4: HDC in 1st ST. [SK ST. HDC in next ST. PUFF into SK ST.] Repeat […] until 1 ST remains. HDC in last ST. CH 1. Turn. (200 STS)
Rows 5 – 16: Repeat Rows 1 – 4 three times.
Copyright Policy
You are free to use this crochet pattern to make and sell the final product, but do not republish or distribute this pattern in any way. DO NOT claim it as your own in part or in whole. Please give credit to High Desert Yarn, as the designer, in your listings, on your blog, or social media platforms. All images are property of High Desert Yarn. Do not use any of these images as your own.
Ready for the next section?
It’ll be released on May 29, 2023! So, what can you do in the meantime?
- Signup for email reminders to never miss a new section – click here
- Share your progress to the HDY Handmade Community Group – click here
High Desert Yarn is made possible by YOUR support. Thank you for reading this blog post, and helping build High Desert Yarn. Happy Creating, Joanna
