Lavender Mint Diagonal Box Stitch Crochet Blanket Free Pattern

Lavender Mint Diagonal Box Stitch Crochet Blanket

Introduction

This blanket is for anyone who wants a bold, graphic throw without juggling five colours or complicated charts. Worked in just two shades — soft lavender and cool mint — it uses a simple two-row repeat to build a diagonal, chevron-like texture that looks far more intricate than it is. The fabric is dense and squishy, with raised double crochet blocks separated by little ch-2 windows that catch the light. At 40 x 50 inches it's the perfect lap or sofa blanket, and the alternating four-row colour bands keep the work engaging from the first row to the last.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Worsted weight (Category 4), acrylic or cotton blend. Lavender (A): 900 yards. Mint (B): 900 yards.
• Hook: 5.5 mm (US I-9), or the size needed to match gauge.
• Notions: Tapestry needle for weaving in ends, scissors, a stitch marker (optional, for the first stitch of each row), and a tape measure.
• Finished size: 40 inches wide x 50 inches long.

Abbreviations

• ch — chain: yarn over and pull through the loop on your hook.
• dc — double crochet: yarn over, insert hook in stitch, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through 2 loops twice.
• sc — single crochet: insert hook in stitch, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through both loops.
• sk — skip: miss the stated number of stitches without working into them.
• sl st — slip stitch: insert hook, yarn over and pull through both the stitch and the loop on your hook.
• RS — right side: the front, public face of the blanket.
• rep — repeat: work the bracketed or starred section again as instructed.

Gauge

14 stitches and 8 rows = 4 inches in the diagonal box stitch pattern. Work a small swatch and measure a 4-inch section in the middle of the fabric; if you have more stitches than 14, go up a hook size, and if you have fewer, go down.

Tips Before You Start

• Count your blocks, not your stitches. Each row should contain 20 blocks of 5 dc separated by ch-2 spaces. If you lose your place, count the ch-2 windows — there should be 19 of them across the row.
• Change colour at the end of a row. Finish the last stitch of the fourth row of a colour, then pull the new colour through the final loop before turning. This keeps the colour bands crisp.
• Keep your ch-2 spaces loose. The diagonal effect depends on those little windows staying open; tight chains make the blocks bunch together.
• Work the first and last 3 dc of every row firmly. These edge stitches hold the blanket's straight sides, so give them a gentle tug as you go.

Step-by-Step Instructions

The blanket is worked flat in rows. Each block is 7 stitches wide and 4 rows tall, and the blocks are offset every 4 rows to create the diagonal look. Colour changes happen every 4 rows.

Main Blanket

Set-up: With A, ch 140.

Row 1 (RS): Dc in 4th ch from hook (counts as first dc), dc in next 2 ch, *ch 2, sk 2 ch, dc in next 5 ch; rep from * to last 3 ch, dc in last 3 ch. Turn. (20 blocks)

Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in next 2 dc, *ch 2, sk 2 ch, dc in next 5 dc; rep from * to last 3 dc, dc in last 3 dc. Turn. (20 blocks)

Row 3: Ch 3, dc in next 2 dc, *dc in next 2 ch, ch 2, sk 2 dc, dc in next 3 dc; rep from * to last 3 dc, dc in last 3 dc. Turn. (20 blocks)

Row 4: Ch 3, dc in next 2 dc, *dc in next 2 ch, ch 2, sk 2 dc, dc in next 3 dc; rep from * to last 3 dc, dc in last 3 dc. Turn. (20 blocks)

Colour change: Change to B.

Rows 5-8: Rep Rows 1-4. (20 blocks per row)

Colour change: Change to A.

Rows 9-12: Rep Rows 1-4. (20 blocks per row)

Continue: Alternate colours every 4 rows, repeating Rows 1-4 and maintaining the pattern, until the piece measures 50 inches, ending with a B (mint) section. Fasten off.

Edging

Round 1: With RS facing, join B with sc in any corner, sc evenly around the entire blanket, working 3 sc in each corner. Join with sl st to first sc.

Round 2: Ch 1, sc in each sc around, working 3 sc in each corner. Join with sl st. Fasten off.

Assembly and Finishing

This blanket is worked in one piece, so there is no seaming to do. Weave in all ends on the wrong side, threading each tail through several stitches in its own colour band so it disappears into the fabric. Block the blanket lightly: mist it with water, pat it flat to 40 x 50 inches, and let it dry completely — this opens up the ch-2 windows and evens out the edges. Give the mint border a final gentle press with your hands.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Change the palette: Swap lavender and mint for any two contrasting worsted shades — cream and denim, or blush and charcoal — to suit your room.
• Make it bigger: Add multiples of 7 chains to the starting chain (each extra 7 chains adds one block) to widen the blanket, and keep working rows until you reach your desired length.
• Add a third colour: Work the colour bands in a three-shade rotation (A, B, C) every 4 rows for a softer, striped diagonal effect.