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Retro Illusion Baby Blanket

May 18, 2017 By Corina 7 Comments

If you're up for the challenge of multiple yarn changes, read on. This pattern is great for using up all your oddball yarns and adding a unique-looking blanket to your stash. Scroll down for the free pattern, or get the ad-free printable PDF pattern here.

Retro Illusions Baby Blanket - Free Crochet Pattern by Stitch11

This Retro Illusion Baby Blanket is so fun to crochet, and this pattern makes it so much easier. 

The original version of this crochet pattern called the Optical Illusion Baby Blanket used individual skeins of different colors of yarn leading to LOTS of color changes and ends to weave in.

The colors in this blanket may make it seems like it's hard to crochet but let me help you breakdown the skills that you need to complete these types of patterns. In my Crochet (& Knit) Essential Skills class I go over techniques like how to make granny squares, changing colors, weaving in ends and so much more. This collection of 72 crochet (& knit) videos will teach you everything you need to know. Check it out free for 2 days here.

This revamped version uses a multicolored yarn to make the color changes happen with ease. 

The entire process of making this blanket was exciting. The color changes are different and unique with each square, preventing me from getting jaded.

If you enjoy projects that are done in pieces and seamed together, you may really enjoy my Crochet Anything with Hexagons class. Hexagons look complicated but the technique is really pretty easy and once you understand it, you can use hexagons to make all kinds of projects including blankets similar to this one our my favorite amigurumi animals!

Get the ad-free printable PDF pattern here

Skill Level: Easy 

Materials: 

Yarn: 700 yds self-striping, worsted weight yarn 

Hook: US size I/9 (5.5mm) crochet hook or size needed to match gauge 

Notions: 

– Yarn Needle

– Scissors

Pattern uses US crochet terms 

ABBREVIATIONSDESCRIPTION
chChain
dcDouble crochet
dtrDouble treble crochet
hdcHalf double crochet
rndRound
RSRight side(s)
scSingle crochet
skSkip
sl stSlip stitch
trTreble crochet
trtrTreble treble crochet

Size: 32” x 25”. 

Special Stitch: 

Gauge: 

Each square measures 7” x 7”.

Special Stitch: 

Picot: Ch 3, sl st in first ch. When working the next row, make sure picots are pushed to the RS of the square. Picots are not included in the stitch counts.

Retro Illusions Baby Blanket - Free Crochet Pattern by Stitch11

Get the ad-free printable PDF pattern here

Pattern

Make a magic circle 

Rnd 1: Ch 3 (counts as dc throughout), (2 dc, picot) in circle, [3 dc, picot] 3 times in circle, tighten circle, join with sl st to first st. (12 dc) 

Work in back loops only for rnds 2-6. 

Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in first st, (hdc, dc, picot, dc, hdc) in next st, sc in next st, sk next picot and push it to the front, [sc in next st, (hdc, dc, picot, dc, hdc) in next st, sc in next st, sk next picot and push it to the front] 3 times, join with sl st to first st. (8 sc, 8 hdc, 8 dc) 

Sk first st, sl st in each of next 2 sts, sk next picot and push it to the front, sl st in next st. 

Rnd 3: Ch 1, sc in first dc, hdc in next hdc, (dc, tr, picot) in next sc, (tr, dc) in next sc, hdc in next hdc, sc in next dc, sk next picot and push it to the front, [sc in next dc, hdc in next hdc, (dc, tr, picot) in next sc, (tr, dc) in next sc, hdc in next hdc, sc in next dc, sk next picot and push it to the front] 3 times, join with sl st to first st. (8 sc, 8 hdc, 8 dc, 8 tr) 

Setup for next rnd: Sk first st, sl st in each of next 3 sts, sk next picot and push it to the front, sl st in next st. 

Rnd 4: Ch 1, sc in first tr, hdc in next dc, dc in next hdc, (tr, dtr, picot) in next sc, (dtr, tr) in next sc, dc in next hdc, hdc in next dc, sc in next tr, sk next picot and push it to the front, [sc in next tr, hdc in next dc, dc in next hdc, (tr, dtr, picot) in next sc, (dtr, tr) in next sc, dc in next hdc, hdc in next dc, sc in next tr, sk next picot and push it to the front] 3 times, join with sl st to first st. (8 sc, 8 hdc, 8 dc, 8 tr, 8 dtr) 

Setup for next rnd: Sk first st, sl st in each of next 4 sts, sk next picot and push it to the front, sl st in next st. 

Rnd 5: Ch 1, sc in first dtr, hdc in next tr, dc in next dc, tr in next hdc, (dtr, trtr, picot) in next sc, (trtr, dtr) in next sc, tr in next hdc, dc in next dc, hdc in next tr, sc in next dtr, sk next picot and push it to the front, [sc in next dtr, hdc in next tr, dc in next dc, tr in next hdc, (dtr, trtr, picot) in next sc, (trtr, dtr) in next sc, tr in next hdc, dc in next dc, hdc in next tr, sc in next dtr, sk next picot and push it to the front] 3 times, join with sl st to first st. (8 sc, 8 hdc, 8 dc, 8 tr, 8 dtr, 8 trtr) 

Setup for next rnd: Sk first st, sl st in each of next 5 sts, sk next picot and push it to the front, sl st in next st. 

Rnd 6: Ch 1, sc in first trtr, hdc in next dtr, dc in next tr, dc in next dc, tr in next hdc, (dtr, 2 trtr) in next sc, ch 2, (2 trtr, dtr) in next sc, tr in next hdc, dc in next dc, dc in next tr, hdc in next dtr, sc in next trtr, sk next picot and push it to the front, [sc in next trtr, hdc in next dtr, dc in next tr, dc in next dc, tr in next hdc, (dtr, 2 trtr) in next sc, ch 2, (2 trtr, dtr) in next sc, tr in next hdc, dc in next dc, dc in next tr, hdc in next dtr, sc in next trtr, sk next picot and push it to the front] 3 times, join with sl st to first st. (8 sc, 8 hdc, 16 dc, 8 tr, 8 dtr, 16 trtr, 4 ch-2 sps) 

Work in both loops as normal for rnd 7 and Borders.

 

Rnd 7: Ch 1, [sc in each st across to next ch-2 sp, (hdc, dc, tr, dc, hdc) in ch-2 sp] 4 times, sc in each remaining st across, join with sl st to first st. (64 sc, 8 hdc, 8 dc, 4 tr) 

Do not fasten off. 

Square Border 

Sl st in next st, ch 1, sc in same st, [ch 3, sk next 2 sts, sc in next st] twice, ch 3, sk next 2 sts, (sc, ch 3, sc) in next tr (corner), *[ch 3, sk next 2 sts, sc in next st] 6 times, ch 3, sk next 2 sts, (sc, ch 3, sc) in next tr (corner), repeat from * twice more, [ch 3, sk next 2 sts, sc in next st] 3 times, ch 3, sk last 3 sts, join with sl st to first st. (32 sc, 32 ch-3 sps) 

Assembly: 

Lay 2 squares side by side, with right sides up. 

Join yarn with sl st in any corner ch-3 sp on first square. 

Ch 2, sl st in matching corner sp on 2nd square. 

[Ch 2, sl st in next ch-3 sp on first square, ch 2, sl st in next ch-3 sp on second square] across. Without breaking the yarn, continue in this manner across 3 more pairs of squares to make the first vertical seam. Fasten off. 

Repeat this process to join the remaining 4 squares with the second vertical seam. Work the horizontal seams between squares in the same way. When you get to the corners where the seams overlap, slip stitch into the same slip stitches that you made when working the vertical seams. 

Blanket Border: 

Join yarn with sl st in any non-corner ch-3 sp around edge of blanket. 

Rnd 1: Ch 1, 3 sc in same ch-3 sp, [(sk all sc, 3 sc in each ch-3 sp and 3 sc in each seam) across to corner ch-3 sp, (sc, ch-2, sc) in corner ch-3 sp] 4 times, sk all sc, 3 sc in each ch-3 sp across, join with sl st to first st. (416 sc, 8 ch-2 sps) 

Rnd 2: Ch 3 (counts as dc), [dc in each sc across to ch-2 sp, (dc, ch 2, dc) in ch-2 sp] 4 times, dc in each remaining sc, join with sl st to first st. (424 dc, 8 ch-2 sps) 

Rnd 3: Ch 3 (counts as dc), [dc in each dc, across to ch-2 sp, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp] 4 times, dc in each remaining dc, join with sl st to first st. (440 dc, 8 ch-2 sps) 

Rnd 4: Ch 1, [sc in each dc across to ch-2 sp, 3 sc in ch-2 sp] 4 times, sc in each remaining dc, join with sl st to first st. (464 sc) 

Fasten off; weave in all ends.

Get the ad-free printable PDF pattern here

If you enjoyed these great stitch patterns and looking to add a new repertoire of stitches to your knowledge base, check out the Ultimate Crochet Stitch Library.

king leo - stitch11 - redheart retro stripes- Illusion Baby Blanket
Square Photo -Retro Illusions Baby Blanket - Free Crochet Pattern by Stitch11 Red Heart Super Saver Retro Stripes

Looking for more great crochet projects, check out our other great patterns here: 30+ Easy Crochet Baby Blanket Patterns, 30+ Dinosaur Crochet Patterns

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Filed Under: Free Patterns, Grannys

Comments

  1. Beth Grindle says

    February 23, 2019 at 9:54 am

    I have been looking for a challenging Baby Blanket pattern. I will let you know how it goes in a couple of weeks.

    Reply
  2. Sharon says

    June 14, 2019 at 6:25 pm

    I wish this wasn’t too pretty to be a boy’s blanket!!!

    Reply
    • Grandma says

      May 8, 2022 at 11:15 am

      1. make it in red and black and say they are explosions, not flowers
      2. colors & flowers & butterflies don’t make people gay

      Reply
      • Sabrina says

        October 7, 2022 at 1:15 pm

        well said!

        Reply
    • Lindsay says

      May 8, 2022 at 6:09 pm

      Just use a different colored yarn 🙂

      Reply
    • Sabrina says

      October 7, 2022 at 1:14 pm

      all colors are for all people.

      Reply
  3. STEPHANIE POWELL says

    June 15, 2019 at 11:26 am

    Can I print out this pattern. It’s beautiful!

    Reply

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