Inside – Every home needs a little touch of cozy – the Skipping Pebbles Crochet Blanket gives any space the right amount of comfort. Keep reading to learn more about this free crochet pattern.
The Story of Skipping Pebbles Crochet Blanket
When I think of this name, Skipping Pebbles, I think of the little creek in Chickasaw National Park. Chickasaw NP was my refuge while living in Oklahoma. If that little patch of wild didn’t exist, I’m not sure how I would have spent my time in Oklahoma. Probably taking my chickens for a walk.
Chickasaw NP doesn’t hold the grandness of the national park jewels, like Yosemite, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon. Instead, it stands as the best playground for everyday people. You don’t a fancy backpack or trekking poles to hike these trails. Just your feet, and desire to put one foot in front of the other.
These woods with its creeks, ponds, lakes would be the safest habitat for Mr. & Mrs. Mallard to raise their ducklings. It was the perfect place to raise my little ducklings. Flat, dirt trails wandering through leafy green trees. Endless pebbles to ker-plunk into the babbling creek. The scene is every bit idyllic and real all at once.
The Skipping Pebbles Crochet Blanket to captures the rugged, whimsy of these pebble-like adventures with my ducklings.
Design Elements of the Skipping Pebbles Crochet Blanket
At my parent’s house there is a pea green china cabinet with glass doors that hold my family’s history in crystal pitchers, silver platters, and fancy china dishes. A few days before Easter, my mom pulls out the floral dinnerware, wipes each piece spotless and sets the table around a fresh bouquet of flowers.
A crystal vase holds yellow daffodils; the sun streams through the window which cascades rainbow shadows around the place settings. Porcelain bunnies in blue + white illustrations hide behind butter dishes, salt + pepper shakers, and crystal water goblets. Silver forks, spoons, and knives frame the china plates decorated with pastel flowers ready for a feast.
The scene is a perfect mix of classy vintage and whimsy.
With my childhood memories fresh in my mind, I designed this blanket from that mix of classy vintage and whimsy. The name, Skipping Pebbles, came after this pattern was finished. So, what characteristics did I choose for this blanket?
Featured Stitches in the Skipping Pebbles Crochet Blanket
Three Main Elements
- Chevron / Zig-zag foundation for classy aesthetic
- Granny Stitch builds the vintage appeal
- Pebble Stitch adds texture for a cottage vibe
For a classy vintage blanket, the Granny Stitch is a MUST. The grouping of 3-Double Crochets instantly converts a crochet piece to vintage + classic in the best way. Currently, in 2024, we (as crocheters) are noticing a bit of a “viral” or “comeback” of crochet as a past time. People, especially the younger generations, revel in the peace and sense of accomplish that comes with crocheting.
The beginning of the blanket starts with the Granny Stitch – a great introductory stitch for beginners. However, this pattern is recommended for intermediate crocheters. Combining the granny stitch with a chevron (or zig-zag) base gives an experienced beginner the ability to bump up to intermediate. This is an excellent crochet pattern to flex your crochet skills if you’re a confident beginner ready to jump into the next level.
Pebble Stitch is the Star of this Blanket
Skipping Pebbles Crochet Blanket gets its name not only from creekside adventures, but from the Pebble Stitch. Disclaimer : I am obsessed with all things Puff Stitch. Most of the crochet patterns at High Desert Yarn include the Puff Stitch (sorry, not sorry). So, when we chose the Pebble Stitch as the featured stitch for the Cottage Chic Collection, my inner artist squealed with joy.
The Pebble Stitch starts with the first row of all Single Crochet. Then, the second row is alternating Single Crochets + Puff Stitches. Repeat the first two rows as long as you like to create the Pebble Stitch. The Skipping Pebbles Crochet Blanket only features four rows total of the Pebble Stitch to make these rows stand out among the Granny Stitch sections.
Don’t you love that texture?!
Details of this Whimsical Vintage Blanket
Materials
- Worsted (category 4) weight yarn
- Paintbox Yarns Aran (201yds/100g), 100% Acrylic
- You will need 5 colors to create this blanket, and 3 skeins of each color for the Throw Size.
- These are the colors I used from Paintbox Yarns Aran.
- Duck Egg Blue (235)
- Ballet Pink (252)
- Blush Pink (253)
- Dolphin Blue (236)
- Raspberry Pink (243)
- These are the colors I used from Paintbox Yarns Aran.
- Crochet Hook – J (6.00mm) or crochet hook to meet gauge
- Tapestry Needle
- Scissors
Finished Sizes
This free crochet pattern includes ONLY the Throw Size. The premium PDF pattern includes all four blanket sizes, and the instructions to create a custom size. You may purchase the PDF here in my Etsy Shop or Ravelry Store.
- Crib
- Width – 28”
- Length – 36”
- Baby
- Width – 42”
- Length – 52”
- Throw (free crochet pattern)
- Width – 49”
- Length – 60”
- Oversized Throw
- Width – 63”
- Length – 72”
Experience Level
- Intermediate – You need to know how to Single Crochet, Double Crochet, and Puff Stitch before starting this pattern.
- Also, it is helpful if you have experience with crocheting a chevron / zig-zag blanket. My biggest tip is to count carefully, and double check your stitch placement is accurate.
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)
Notes
- You need to know how to Single Crochet, Double Crochet, and Puff Stitch before starting this pattern.
- DO NOT substitute the foundation single crochet (fsc) for the beginning chain row. The Granny Stitch will not look as polished with the fsc.
- Ch 5 at the beginning of Row 1 COUNTS as 1 st + turning chain.
- Ch 2 and ch 3 at the beginning of a row COUNTS as a stitch.
- The 2 chs on the “peak” of the chevron COUNT as two (2) stitches.
- The last st of each row is placed in the top of the turning chain from the previous row.
- This pattern is worked in turning rows.
- Work the gauge swatch prior to starting this blanket pattern for the most accurate measurements.
- Color changes – The sample blanket uses five (5) colors and cycles through each color once before starting over. Each color change occurs when the stitch pattern changes.
- Example
- Rows 1-4 (Granny Stitch) = mc
- Rows 5-8 (Pebble Stitch) = cc1
- Rows 9-12 (Granny Stitch) = cc2
- Rows 13-16 (Pebble Stitch) = cc3
- Rows 17-20 (Granny Stitch) = cc4
- Repeat the color changes starting with Row 1 until you reach the end of your blanket size.
Stitch Abbreviations
US crochet terms used throughout.
- ch(s) – chain(s)
- sc – single crochet
- dc – double crochet
- puff – puff stitch
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- rep – repeat
- yo – yarn over
- mc – main color
- cc1 – contrasting color 1
- cc2 – contrasting color 2
- cc3 – contrasting color 3
- cc4 – contrasting color 4
Special Stitches
The Skipping Pebbles Blanket features two stitch patterns – the Granny Stitch and the Pebble Stitch. The Granny Stitch is a classic stitch composed of 3-dc groups. We’ll work four (4) rows of this stitch before working on the Pebble Stitch.
The Pebble Stitch is an advanced beginner crochet stitch. This stitch consists of alternating rows of single crochet with the puff, sc combination. We’ll work four (4) rows of the Pebble Stitch, and then start another Granny Stitch section.
How to Crochet the Puff Stitch:
- Yo and insert your hook into the next st.
- Yo and pull up one loop. (3 loops on hook)
- Yo and insert your hook into the same stitch.
- Yo and pull up one loop. (5 loops on hook)
- Yo and insert your hook into the same stitch.
- Yo and pull up one loop. (7 loops on hook)
- Yo and pull through all the loops on the hook.
- The Puff Stitch is complete.
Gauge
- 12 dc x 7 rows = 4 inches
- Gauge is measured before blocking.
- Row gauge is measured parallel to the “peaks” of the chevron.
- Stitch gauge is measured parallel to the dc row.
Gauge Swatch Pattern
In mc, ch 53.
Row 1 : In 6th ch from the hook, * 3dc in the same ch, (sk 2 chs, 3dc in next ch) 3 times, ch 2, 3dc in next ch, (sk 2 chs, 3dc in next ch) 3 times, sk 5 chs, rep from * until 3 chs remain, sk 2 chs, dc in last ch, turn. (54 sts)
Row 2 : Ch 3, sk first 3-dc group, * (3dc between the next 2 3-dc groups) 3 times, (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in the ch-2 space, (3dc between the next 2 3-dc groups) 3 times, sk 2 3-dc groups, rep from * until 1 3-dc group remains, sk 3 sts, dc in the top of the turning ch, turn. (54 sts)
Rows 3-4 : Rep row 2, change color to cc1 after row 4.
Row 5 : Ch 2, sk 2 sts, *sc in 11 sts, (sc, ch 2, sc) in the ch-2 sp, sc in 11 sts, sk 2 sts, rep from * until 2 sts remain, sc in turning ch, turn. (54 sts)
Row 6 : Ch 2, sk 2 sts, *sc in next st, (puff st, sc) 5 times, (sc, ch 2, sc) in the ch-2 space, sc in next st, (puff st, sc) 5 times, sk 2 sts, rep from * until 2 sts remain, sc in turning ch, turn. (54 sts)
Rows 7-8 : Rep rows 5 – 6, change color to cc2 after row 8.
Row 9 : Ch 3, sk 3 sts, *3dc in next st, (sk 2 sts, 3dc in next st) 2 times, skip 3 sts, (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in the ch-2 sp, skip 3 sts, 3dc in next st, (sk 2 sts, 3dc) 2 times, sk 4 sts, rep from * until 3 sts remain, dc in the turning ch. Fasten off. (54 sts)
Pattern Instructions
Sizes are written as follows Crib (Baby, Throw, Oversized Throw).
In mc, ch 178.
Row 1 : In 6th ch from the hook, * 3dc in the same ch, (sk 2 chs, 3dc in next ch) 3 times, ch 2, 3dc in next ch, (sk 2 chs, 3dc in next ch) 3 times, sk 5 chs, rep from * until 3chs remain, dc in last ch, turn. (184 sts)
Row 2 : Ch 3, sk first 3-dc group,* (3dc between the next 2 3-dc groups) 3 times, (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in the ch-2 space, (3dc between the next 2 3-dc groups) 3 times, sk 2 3-dc groups, rep from * until 1 3-dc group remains, dc in the top of the turning ch, turn. (184 sts)
Rows 3-4 : Rep row 2, change color to cc1 after row 4.
Row 5 : Ch 2, sk 2 sts, *sc in 11 sts, (sc, ch 2, sc) in the ch-2 sp, sc in 11 sts, sk 2 sts, rep from * until 2 sts remain, sc in turning ch, turn. (184 sts)
Row 6 : Ch 2, sk 2 sts, *sc in next st, (puff st, sc) 5 times, (sc, ch 2, sc) in the ch-2 space, sc in next st, (puff st, sc) 5 times, sk 2 sts, rep from * until 2 sts remain, sc in turning ch, turn. (184 sts)
Rows 7-8 : Rep rows 5 – 6, change color to cc2 after row 8.
Row 9 : Ch 3, sk 3 sts, *3dc in next st, (sk 2 sts, 3dc in next st) 2 times, skip 3 sts, (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in the ch-2 sp, skip 3 sts, 3dc in next st, (sk 2 sts, 3dc) 2 times, sk 4 sts, rep from * until 3 sts remain, dc in the turning ch, turn. (184 sts)
Rows 10-12 : Rep row 2, change color to cc3 after row 12
Rows 13-16 : Rep rows 5-8, change color to cc4 after row 16
Rows 17-20 : Rep rows 9-12, change color to mc after row 20
Repeat rows 1-20 until Row 100.
When your blanket is long enough, then fasten off the yarn and weave in all ends. Block your blanket if desired, and snuggle until your heart’s content!
Featured in the Cottage Chic Collection
The Spring ’24 edition of the Crochet Capsule is the Cottage Chic Collection. Dreamy stone cottages with blooming flowers hugging the exterior on a warm, sunny day inspires this collection of crochet patterns. We (the designers) wanted to capture the sense of home, belonging, and coziness in the same way that Spring brings new life and hope.
The Cottage Chic Collection Includes…
- The Pippa Pebble Cardigan by Two Brothers Blankets
- The Skipping Stones Sweater by Sunflower Cottage Crochet
- The Stony Creek Shawl by Ambassador Crochet
- The Skipping Pebbles Blanket by High Desert Yarn
Each crochet patterns features the Pebble Stitch to unify the designs. We hope that by using the same stitch, you will master it as you work through the patterns.
Purchase your copy of the
Cottage Chic Collection Here
More Crochet Blankets You May Like
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
