The Aspen Throw

When it’s chilly outside, there’s nothing better than being wrapped up in a thick blanket that has some weight to it so you can really feel the warmth. I am the type of person that is surrounded by at least one (but probably two) blankets at any time while in the cooler seasons. This easy half double crochet blanket is perfect to cuddle up in while watching your favorite show or reading a good book.

This pattern has been updated on September 29, 2022.

This image shows the half double crochet blanket pattern sample completed. The image includes two photos. The photo on the left shows a woman holding the blanket draped over her arms and the image on the right shows the blanket draped over a blanket ladder.

The Aspen Throw Blanket

Spoiler alert: I LOVE this crochet throw blanket. Half double crochets are easily my favorite of the basic stitches because of their smooth repetitive motion.

It’s no secret that big blankets can get a little boring, though, especially if they don’t have a ton of intricate details or stitch switching. I wanted to design a crochet throw blanket that was both easy and interesting into work and look at.

This crochet throw blanket boasts a modern, diagonal ribbing and beautiful fringe that looks great draped over a couch and is equally as cuddly to wrap up in.

This means that this easy half double crochet blanket is worked corner to corner, beginning with only 3 stitches and increasing up to size. Once at the desired size, we decrease until we reach only one stitch.

So, while this half double crochet blanket is technically an easy and quick make, it also keeps you on your toes a bit! You’ll find satisfaction in watching your triangle beginning grow, watching it slowly become a rectangle and finally, the most satisfying part, decreasing to the end.

The coziest yarn for this easy half double crochet blanket is…

Red Heart Hygge!

I normally don’t use yarn that is “fluffy”. I find yarns like this to usually split, catch and just be a pain to frog (if/when frogging is needed). I couldn’t help myself with Red Heart Hygge, though. I shopped for yarn for this easy half double crochet blanket for ages and finally noticed Red Heart Hygge sitting on the shelf. It was so soft and luxurious that I couldn’t just let it sit there on the shelf alone, you know? Haha.

I knew I wanted this crochet throw blanket to be as comfy, cozy and luxurious as possible using simple stitches. I took the plunge and moved forward with Hygge.

I was surprised to find that I had no issues at all working with this yarn. Trust me when I say I frogged this yarn quite a bit designing this crochet throw blanket pattern and I had basically no issues. I found it quite smooth and easy to work with and definitely felt nice in the hands during the work.

I found it to be perfect for this half double crochet blanket pattern but, of course, you can use any bulky weight yarn you prefer to! The blanket will still be as comfy and cozy and still be a fun and interesting crochet blanket pattern to follow.

The PDF version of this pattern includes the full written pattern, so you can cross off rows as you work!
If you’d like a copy of the PDF, you can grab one on either my Ravelry or my Etsy shop by clicking the buttons below.

This image shows the easy crochet blanket pattern sample draped over a blanket ladder.

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Where to Get this Half Double Crochet Blanket Pattern

The Aspen Throw Blanket is free in this blog post. Scroll down to view the free version!

However, if you’d like a more robust pattern with detailed graphics to help visualize the construction and a table for each part that includes the row to repeat and stitch count for each row, I recommend you purchase the PDF pattern. The PDF pattern is printer friendly and has all the information you need! You can purchase the PDF pattern for this half double crochet blanket on my Etsy or Ravelry by clicking the corresponding button below.

SKILL LEVEL

Easy/Medium to Advanced Beginner – This half double crochet blanket pattern heavily relies on the usage of half double crochets, of course! This means that you should be familiar and comfortable with half double crochets.

Crocheters looking to follow this crochet blanket pattern should also be comfortable working in the Back Loop Only, increasing (putting multiple stitches into 1 stitch) and decreasing (like the hdc2tg). The two decreases, hdc2tog and hdc3tog are explained in detail below.

YARN REQUIREMENTS

Bulky (5) weight yarn of your choice.

Yarn Used: Red Heart Hygge in Pearl – Approx 52 oz or 1,380 yards (6 and ½ skeins) including fringe.

Any bulky (5) weight yarn you prefer would do well with this blanket.

Fringe: The fringe on the blanket used approximately 2 oz of yarn, which I included in the yarn usage above.

TOOLS

6 mm hook
Scissors
Tapestry Needle
Stitch Markers, if you prefer them.

GAUGE

12 hdc stitches in back loop only  x 9 rows = Approximately 4 inches x 4 inches

FINISHED SIZE

Approximately 50 inches long x 42 inches wide (without fringe)

ABBREVIATIONS

In US terms;

  • Ch – Chain
  • Hdc – Half double crochet
  • Hdcblo – Half double crochet in back loop only
  • Blo – Back loop only
  • St(s) – Stitch(es)
  • Hdc2tog – Half double crochet 2 together (decrease 2 stitches to 1 stitch)
  • Hdc3tog – Half double crochet 3 together (decrease 3 stitches to 1 stitch)

Half Double Crochet 2 Together

The Half Double Crochet 2 Together (or hdc2tog) is a half double crochet decrease that decreases 2 stitches into 1 stitch.

To hdc2tog, you will: yarn over, insert your hook into the first indicated stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop. Yarn over again, insert hook into the next stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop. 5 loops on hook. Yarn over and pull through all loops on hook.

In this pattern, you will always work this decrease into the Back Loops Only (blo) of the stitches.

Half Double Crochet 3 Together

The Half Double Crochet 3 Together (or hdc3tog) is a half double crochet decrease that decreases 3 stitches into 1 stitch.

To hdc3tog, you will: yarn over, insert your hook into the first indicated stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop. Yarn over again, insert hook into the next stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop. Yarn over again, insert hook into the next stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop. 7 loops on hook. Yarn over and pull through all loops on hook.

In this pattern, you will always work this decrease into the Back Loops Only (blo) of the stitches.

Back Loop Only

Working into the back loop only (or blo) is what creates the beautiful ribbing on this blanket. 

The tops of crochet stitches are made up of 2 loops. The front loop, which is nearest to you and the back loop, which is furthest from you. When creating “standard” stitches, we place our hook under both of the loops.

To work in the back loop only, we insert our hook only under the back loop (the loop furthest from you).

NOTES

  • Chain 2 at the beginning of the row does not count as a stitch. Always start your row in the first stitch.
  • This pattern calls for usage of a Magic Circle. Please see “Special Stitch – Magic Circle”.
  • Every row except the first row is worked entirely in the back loop only.
  • This blanket is worked “corner to corner”, which helps to create the diagonal ribbing. This means that we begin the work in a corner and increase or decrease to create the rectangle shape of the blanket, instead of working on one long chain.
  • This pattern is broken down into Parts 1, 2 and 3. Part 1 creates the width of the blanket, Part 2 creates the height of the blanket and Part 3 finishes the blanket.
  • If you prefer a square blanket and not a rectangle, you can skip Part 2.
  • The rows switch how many stitches they are increased or decreased by. This is necessary to ensure the blanket has 90 degree right angles. 
  • You can change the size of the blanket very easily. Please see “Changing Size” instructions on the next page.
  • There are graphics in this pattern to help visualize the construction process. 
  • Stitch counts are referenced at the end of each row in parentheses and bold italics (#).

CHANGING SIZE

If you prefer to change the size of this half double crochet blanket, you absolutely can and you can do so very easily. You will simply need to work more or less repeats of the instructed rows for each part. Work less rows if you want a smaller blanket and work more rows if you want a bigger blanket.

If you’d like to change the width, simply repeat the rows listed in Part 1 until the blanket is your desired width.

If you’d like to change the height, repeat the rows listed in Part 2 until the blanket is your desired height.

Then, work Part 3 as instructed. Part 3 will have as many rows as your Part 1, so make sure to keep track of how many rows you worked in Part 1.

Make sure that you stop repeating rows on the same row repeat as the pattern instructs so that the pattern and its required math work out properly.

Additionally, keep in mind that your stitch count WILL be different than the pattern states if you change the amount of times you repeat the row. I would suggest keeping track of your stitch count.

And, of course, if you decide to change the size, your yarn usage will be different than the usage listed in this pattern.

This image is a close up of the half double crochet blanket pattern sample. A woman has the blanket draped over her knees and she is holding a coffee cup. You can see the details of the ribbing in the blanket.

Half Double Crochet Blanket Pattern

Part 1 – Creating the Blanket Width

Part 1 creates a right triangle by beginning in a “corner” and increasing both the first and last stitch of each row.

Row 1 – In Magic Circle, place 3 hdc. Pull tail tight. (3)

Row 2 – Ch 2 (does not count as a stitch here or throughout), turn. Place 2 hdcblo in 1st stitch, 1 hdcblo in 2nd st, and 2 hdcblo in 3rd st. (5)

Row 3 – Ch 2, turn. Place 3 hdcblo in 1st stitch, 1 hdcblo each of the next 3 sts, and 3 hdcblo in 5th st. (9)

Row 4 – Ch 2, turn. Place 2 hdcblo in 1st st, 1 hdcblo in each st until 1 st remains, 2 hdcblo in last st. (11)

Row 5 – Ch 2, turn. Place 3 hdcblo in 1st st, 1 hdcblo in each st until 1 st remains, 3 hdcblo in last st. (15)

For Rows 6 through 56, repeat Rows 4 and 5 in sequence. This means that Row 6 will be a repeat of Row 4 and Row 7 will be a repeat of Row 5.  Row 56 will be a repeat of Row 4. You should have 167 stitches at the end of Row 56. Row 4 repeats increase the work by 2 sts. Row 5 repeats increase the work by 4 sts.

Part 2 – Creating the Blanket Height

Part 2 creates the height of the blanket. 

The stitch count does NOT increase but we do have to work increases on one side and decreases on the other side to ensure the work continues to go straight up and keeps the diagonal ribbing. 

*If you prefer a square blanket instead of a rectangle, skip Part 2 (Rows 57 through 67).

Row 57 – Ch 2, turn. Hdc3tog in blo of first 3 sts, 1 hdcblo in each st until 1 st remains, 3 hdcblo in last st. (167)

Row 58 – Ch 2, turn. 2 hdcblo in first st, 1 hdcblo in each st until 2 sts remain, hdc2tog in blo of 2 remaining sts. (167)

For Rows 59 through 67, repeat rows 57 and 58 in sequence. This means Row 59 will be a repeat of Row 57 and Row 60 will be a repeat of Row 58. Row 67 will be a repeat of Row 57. You should have 167 stitches at the end of Row 67.

The stitch count will NOT increase in this Part.

Part 3 – Finishing the Blanket

Part 3 finishes filling out the blanket. With Parts 1 and 2 completed, you should now have a shape that looks like a rectangle with one corner cut off.

*If you are creating a square blanket, start following the pattern again here.

Row 68 – Ch 2, turn. Hdc2tog in blo of first 2 sts, 1 hdcblo in each st until 2 sts remain, hdc2tog in blo of 2 remaining sts. (165)

Row 69 – Ch 2, turn. Hdc3tog in blo of first 3 sts, 1 hdcblo in each st until 3 sts remain, hdc3tog in blo of 3 remaining sts. (161)

For Rows 70 through 122, repeat Rows 68 and 69 in sequence. This means that Row 70 will be a repeat of Row 68 and Row 71 will be a repeat of Row 69.  Row 122 will be a repeat of Row 68. You should have 3 stitches remaining at the end of Row 122. Row 68 repeats decrease the work by 2 sts. Row 69 repeats decrease the work by 4 sts.

Row 123 – Ch 2, turn. In blo, hdc3tog the 3 stitches of the row. (1)

Cut yarn and  weave all ends. The main blanket is complete!

This image is a work in progress photo of the half double crochet blanket pattern.

I opted not to put a border on this half double crochet blanket because I like the look of the raw edge as it looks more organic and natural. For this reason, I have not written into the pattern how to put a border on. If you prefer to put a border on, do that now.

You can find an excellent tutorial on how to put a border on a crochet blanket on Dream A Little Bigger.

FRINGE

Adding Fringe
If you’d like to add fringe, decide how long you want your fringe and how many strands of yarn will go in each stitch.

My fringe is 4 inches long and I placed 2 strands of yarn per stitch.

Cut several strands of yarn 2x the length you’d like for your fringe. Fold the yarn in half so you have a loop, use your hook to pull the loop through the side of the stitch on the row and pull the tails through this loop.

Pull the tails to tighten. Repeat as many times as necessary along the short ends of your blanket. Once your fringe is on, you’re all done!

Once your fringe is complete, you’re all set to huddle under your new half double crochet blanket, relax and binge watch some Netflix. You deserve it!

This image shows the blanket laid out on a bed. A woman is laying on the blanket reading a book.

I hope you love the Aspen Blanket as much as I do. I love how this easy half double crochet blanket works up and it’s added personality with the diagonal ribbing and fringe. I hope you stay warm and cozy this winter.


This image is a Pinterest Pin for this blog post.

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Shannon | Designer & Editor

Shannon helps crocheters find their next project and build their skills with in depth tutorials and crochet patterns on her blog, theloopholefox.com.

With more than a decade of crochet experience, Shannon knows that understanding why we do something matters just as much as how we do it. She teaches new techniques and crochet stitches in depth so you can crochet with confidence.

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