Millie Blanket Stitch – Tranquility CAL Part 3

If you’re looking for a unique crochet stitch pattern for blankets, you’ve come to the right place! The Millie Blanket Strip features beautiful texture in the form of cluster stitches and open spaces.

This unique crochet stitch pattern is Part 3 of the Tranquility Blanket CAL co-hosted by myself and my good friend Agat of Made by Gootie.

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About this Unique Crochet Stitch Pattern

This unique crochet stitch pattern is Part 3 of the Tranquility Blanket CAL (crochet-a-long).

This pattern includes cluster stitches made from extended half double crochet 3 together (ehdc3tog) stitches that, when worked in a certain way, become a cluster instead of a decrease. This gives this stitch pattern a beautiful but subtle texture.

Of course, the pattern also includes open areas of chain spaces to bring some light drape.

The most difficult part of this unique crochet stitch pattern is making sure you place your stitches in the right place. Even this isn’t too difficult as long as you pay close attention to what the pattern is telling you to do and use the photo tutorials provided in this blog post. 🙂

I originally came up with this unique stitch pattern in 2022 for our Harmony Throw Blanket CAL but decided not to use it at the time. Since then, it’s been used for other crochet patterns like my Millie Hanging Baskets and Millie Throw Blanket.

Where to Get Part 3 of the Tranquility Blanket Pattern

This unique crochet stitch pattern is a free pattern in this blog post. Scroll down to view the free version.

Because this pattern is a part of the Tranquility Blanket CAL, the PDF version of the pattern is only available in the Tranquility Blanket CAL eBook.

What makes the Tranquility Blanket eBook so great?

The Tranquility Blanket eBook is jam packed with patterns, notes, resources and everything you need to crochet your blanket and this unique crochet stitch pattern with confidence.

The eBook features:

• A thoughtful format with all the different patterns in the same layout, font, etc.
• Detailed yarn requirements so you can plan your colors accordingly.
• Construction information for both sizes.
• A resource library of tutorials
• Photo tutorials for special stitches
• Photo tutorials for patterns
• Links to video tutorials (when available)
• Detailed instructions for the border

Overall, this eBook is an absolute steal!

Gauge

16 hdc x 12 rows = 4 inches x 4 inches.

Gauge shouldn’t be massively important as this pattern was designed to follow the gauge of the other parts.

Note: I am a tight crocheter, so my tension is usually tighter than others. Learn more about gauge and what this means here.

Size(s)

As designed for the Tranquility Blanket CAL:

Lapghan: 5 inches tall and 40 inches wide.
Throw: 5 inches tall and 50 inches wide.

Abbreviations (US TERMS)

• Ch – Chain
• Hdc – Half Double Crochet
• Dc – Double Crochet
• Ehdc3tog – Extended Half Double Crochet 3 Together (see special stitch)
• Ch 1 “eye” – Created by chaining 1 after creating Ehdc3tog. (see special technique Ch 1 “eye”)
• Sk – Skip
• St(s) – Stitch(es)
• Spc – Space
• RS – Right Side
• WS – Wrong Side
• […] – Repeats are listed within brackets.
• (…) – Stitch counts are listed at the end of the row in parenthesis and bold italics.

Notes

• This pattern was designed as a part of the Tranquility Blanket CAL. This means that there will be no chains to start as this pattern assumes you will be starting this part on top of the previous part of the CAL.
• This pattern includes both sizes (Lapghan and Throw) in one set of instructions. Follow the instructions as listed for the size you are making. The stitch count is broken down per size.
  • For example, in Rows 2 and 4 you will see “[ 156 sts Lapghan (192 sts Throw) ] ”. This means for a Lapghan you will have 156 stitches and for a Throw you will have 192 stitches.
  • Rows 1 and 3 break down the stitch count for you. For example: “[ 156 sts Lapghan – 2 dc, 77 Ehdc3tog, 77 ch 1 “eye”s  (192 sts Throw – 2 dc, 95 Ehdc3tog, 95 ch 1 “eye”s) ]”
• Chain 2 to begin a row does not count as a stitch. This means you will place your first stitch of the row in the very first stitch.
• You will very likely learn a new stitch with this pattern. Please review the special stitch photo tutorials.
• Please be sure to read over all descriptions for special techniques and special stitches BEFORE starting this pattern.
• Stitch multiple: The stitch multiple of this pattern is any multiple of 2 stitches as long as the stitch count is higher than 6 stitches + 2 turning chains.

Special Stitch – Extended Half Double Crochet 3 Together (ehdc3tog)

The ehdc3tog makes 3 stitches (Pic 1 below) into 1 stitch. In this pattern, this stitch is used as a cluster and, when accompanied by a chain 1 and starting in previous stitch, won’t decrease the stitch count.

To work an ehdc3tog, you will: Yarn over, insert hook into indicated stitch, yarn over and pull a loop through (Pic 2, black arrow). 3 loops on hook. Yarn over, pull through the first loop on hook ONLY (Pic 3, white arrow). 3 loops on hook. Yarn over and insert hook into the NEXT stitch, yarn over and pull a loop through (Pic 4, black arrow). 5 loops on hook. Yarn over and pull through the first loop on hook ONLY (Pic 5, white arrow). 5 loops on hook. Yarn over and insert hook into the NEXT stitch, yarn over and pull a loop through (Pic 6, black arrow). 7 loops on hook. Yarn over and pull through the first loop on hook ONLY (Pic 7, white arrow). 7 loops on hook. Yarn over and pull through all 7 loops (Pic 8, white arrow). Ehdc3tog Complete (Pic 9)!

Check out my Extended Half Double Crochet Tutorial, which includes step by step photos for decreases like the ehdc3tog, for expanded step by step instructions, if desired.

Special Technique – Starting in Previous Stitch

To ensure the stitch count does not decrease, we will start the next Ehdc3tog “in the previous stitch”. What this means is to use the same stitch where your previous stitch ended to begin your next Ehdc3tog.

• In Pic 1, I have 1 completed Ehdc3tog. This stitch started in the “previous stitch” which is the same stitch as the dc was placed in. The 3 “legs” of the stitch are highlighted with an upside down yellow W. A black arrow points to the last stitch we worked into while making the Ehdc3tog. This is the “Previous stitch”. 
• In Pic 2, the Ehdc3tog is not highlighted and the black arrow still points to the “previous stitch”. This is where we insert our hook to begin the next Ehdc3tog.
• Pic 3 shows a yarn over and the hook is positioned to go into the same stitch as the last leg of the previous Ehdc3tog.
• Pic 4 shows the first yarn over, pull through, yarn over pull through 1 loop completed. This image shows it both with and without highlights. In the bottom half, the last leg of the previous Ehdc3tog is highlighted yellow. The first leg of our second Ehdc3tog is highlighted pink. You can see they go into the same stitch.
• Pic 5 shows the second Ehdc3tog completed both with and without highlights. In the bottom half, the first Ehdc3tog is highlighted with a yellow upside down W and the second is highlighted with a pink upside down W. 

Special Technique – Ch 1 “Eye”

After all Ehdc3tog stitches , we chain 1 as instructed. 

This chain 1 secures all of the loops we have gathered to create the stitch so that they aren’t able to slide around. This is referred to as the Ch 1 “Eye” in the pattern. This is important for the pattern. This chain 1 and “starting in the previous stitch” is what keeps our work from decreasing.

In the image to the above, I have created an Ehdc3tog and I have chained 1. An arrow points to the chain 1. This chain 1 has secured all of the 7 loops of the Ehdc3tog.

We will work into these chain 1 spaces (“eye”s) on the next row. When we turn our work, we can see the Ehdc3tog’s leaning toward the right (to the left, if you’re left handed) like little waves.

The image above shows the wrong side facing as if we are going to work the next row (Row 2) and arrows point downward to these Chain 1 “Eye”s. On the right, the chain 1 “eye” is highlighted in yellow and the 7 loops of the Ehdc3tog in white. The top of the Ehdc3tog is highlighted red.

You will work into the yellow highlighted chain 1 when instructed to. This chain 1 should not be difficult to insert your hook into because 7 loops are holding it open so that they are easy to work into.

Millie Unique Crochet Stitch Pattern – Part 3 of the Tranquility Blanket CAL

If you have not read all of the notes for this crochet shell stitch pattern, please go read them now before starting.

This pattern assumes you are following along with the Tranquility Blanket CAL. Therefore, there are no starting chains. If you’d prefer to make your own blanket using this stitch pattern, chain 158 (or 194) and place your first dc of Row 1 in the 3rd ch from hook.

With right side of blanket facing, join yarn in first stitch.

Row 1 (RS) – Ch 2 (does not count as a stitch here or throughout), turn. 1 dc in first st. [ Ehdc3tog starting in previous st, ch 1 ] (Pics 1, 2 & 3). Repeat inside brackets across the row until 1 st remains (Pics 4 & 5). 1 dc in last st (Pic 6). [156 sts Lapghan – 2 dc, 77 Ehdc3tog, 77 ch 1 “eye”s  (192 sts Throw – 2 dc, 95 Ehdc3tog, 95 ch 1 “eye”s)]

Row 2 (WS) – Ch 2, turn. 1 hdc in first st (Pic 1). [ 2 hdc in ch 1 “eye”, sk ehdc3tog ] (Pic 2, finished in Pic 3). Repeat inside brackets until 1 st remains (Pic 4). 1 hdc in last st (Pic 5).  [156 sts Lapghan (192 sts Throw)]

Row 3 (RS) – Ch 2, turn. 1 dc in first st. [ 1 dc in each of the next 2 sts (Pic 1 & 2), ch 2, sk 2 sts (Pic 3) ]. Repeat inside brackets until 3 sts remain (Pic 4). 1 dc in each of the 3 remaining sts (Pic 5). [156 sts Lapghan – 80 dc, 38 ch 2 spcs (192 sts Throw – 98 dc, 47 ch 2 spcs)]

Row 4 (WS) – Ch 2, turn. 1 hdc first st. [ 1 hdc in each of the next 2 sts (Pic 1), 2 hdc in ch 2 spc (Pic 2) ]. Repeat inside brackets until 3 sts remain (Pics 3 & 4). 1 hdc in each of the remaining 3 sts (Pic 5). [156 sts Lapghan (192 sts Throw)]

Row 5 through 8 – Repeat Rows 1,  2, 3 and 4

Rows 9 and 10 – Repeat Rows 1 and 2

Change color and continue working the transition rows as instructed on the main Tranquility Blanket CAL post. Then, move on to Part 4 when it is released on October 24, 2024.

Love this unique stitch pattern and want to make something else, too?

You can!

My Millie Hanging Baskets are a fantastic addition to any home and use a similar stitch structure, though not exactly the same.

My Millie Throw Blanket is an expanded version of this pattern, which will guide you through making an entire blanket using this unique stitch pattern. It is not exactly the same as what you’ll find here and is expanded with more stitches, like the extended half double crochet, to provide even more drape in a full size.

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Find More Crochet Blanket Patterns:

The Aspen Throw Blanket
The Friendship Blanket CAL (2021)
Harmony Throw Blanket CAL (2022)
2023 Crochet Temperature Blanket
Serenity Throw Blanket CAL (2023)
The Casey Throw Blanket