Wrap yourself in holiday cheer with a handmade throw that brings festive sweetness right to your living room. Featuring bold diagonal stripes in classic Christmas red and snowy white, this cozy blanket is worked corner-to-corner for a satisfying project that grows quickly. A solid red border neatly frames the piece, giving it a polished heirloom look.
Candy Cane Stripe Crochet Christmas Blanket Free Pattern
Quick Facts
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Finished size: 50 inches wide by 60 inches long (127 cm by 152 cm)
- Yarn: Worsted weight (Medium / #4) in Red and White
- Hook: 5.5 mm (US I/9)
- Stitches used: ch, sl st, sc, dc, c2c box (3 dc per block)
- Time to make: Approximately 30 to 40 hours
What Makes This Striped Crochet Throw Special
Working corner-to-corner (C2C) means you start in one corner, increase until you reach the desired blanket width, and then decrease symmetrically to the opposite corner. This technique naturally creates diagonal stripes when you change yarn colors every few blocks. The rich texture comes from the classic block stitch clusters, which create a dense, squishy fabric ideal for holiday snuggling. A simple single crochet border in solid red wraps the entire perimeter for a clean finish.
Skill Level
- Familiarity with Corner-to-Corner (C2C) crochet
- Ability to change colors smoothly mid-row
- Experience working neat borders around textured edges
- Comfortable working with multiple skeins or bobins simultaneously
Don’t worry if you are new to C2C; the repeating block structure makes it easy to memorize once you get started!
Finished Measurements
| Dimension | Inches | Centimeters |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 50 in | 127 cm |
| Length | 60 in | 152 cm |
Materials You Will Need
| Color | Yarn Type | Weight | Skeins | Yards | Meters |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red | Worsted / Acrylic | Medium (#4) | 6 | 2100 yd | 1920 m |
| White | Worsted / Acrylic | Medium (#4) | 5 | 1750 yd | 1600 m |
- Crochet Hook: 5.5 mm (US I/9)
- Notions: Yarn needle for weaving in ends, locking stitch markers, sharp scissors
Yarn Suggestions
| Yarn Line | Skein Yardage | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lion Brand Heartland | 251 yd / 142 g | Soft sheen, wonderful drape |
| Caron One Pound | 812 yd / 454 g | Economical, durable, machine washable |
| Red Heart Super Saver | 364 yd / 198 g | Classic holiday shades, highly durable |
Gauge
- 5 C2C blocks by 5 C2C blocks = 4 inches by 4 inches (10 cm by 10 cm) using a 5.5 mm hook.
Abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Definition |
|---|---|
| ch | chain |
| sl st | slip stitch |
| sc | single crochet |
| dc | double crochet |
| RS | right side |
| WS | wrong side |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
| sp(s) | space(s) |
| C2C | corner-to-corner |
| inc | increase |
| dec | decrease |
UK: sc = dc, hdc = htr, dc = tr.
Special Stitches Explained
- C2C Block: Work (ch 3, 3 dc) into the designated chain-3 space.
- C2C Increase Row: At the beginning of a row, ch 6, work 1 dc in 4th ch from hook and next 2 chs, then work (sl st, ch 3, 3 dc) into the next ch-3 sp of the previous row.
- C2C Decrease Row: Instead of adding a block at the edge, slip stitch across the top of the last block made, then work (ch 3, 3 dc) in the next ch-3 sp as normal.
Pattern Instructions
Pattern Notes
- The blanket is worked diagonally from corner to corner.
- Stripe sequence: 5 rows of Red, 3 rows of White, 5 rows of Red, 3 rows of White, repeating across the body.
- Carry yarn loosely across the back when switching colors, or cut and weave in ends for each stripe block.
Section 1: Blanket Body
Row 1 (RS): With Red, ch 6, 1 dc in 4th ch from hook and next 2 chs, (sl st, ch 3, 3 dc) in same ch-3 sp from previous construction (or foundation). (1 block)
Row 2 (WS): Ch 6, 1 dc in 4th ch from hook and next 2 chs, (sl st, ch 3, 3 dc) in next ch-3 sp across to end. (2 blocks)
Rows 3 to 35: Continue increasing by 1 block each row following the C2C increase method, maintaining the stripe sequence (5 rows Red, 3 rows White). (35 blocks at widest edge)
Rows 36 to 70: Begin decreasing. Sl st across the top of the last block made on the previous row, then work across, ending with a sl st in the final turning chain space. Decrease by 1 block each row until 1 block remains. (1 block)
Fasten off Red and weave in all ends.
Section 2: Border
Join solid Red yarn in any corner chain-3 space of the blanket body.
Rnd 1: Working around the entire outer edge of the blanket, work 3 sc in each corner space, and evenly space sc stitches down the side row-ends and top/bottom edges (approximately 2 sc per C2C block edge). Join with a sl st to first sc. (490 sc)
Rnds 2 to 3: Ch 1, sc in each st around, working 3 sc in each corner st. Join with a sl st to first sc. (502 sc on Rnd 3)
Fasten off and weave in all ends securely.
Size Customization Tips
- Each C2C block adds about 0.8 inches to the width and height. To make your blanket larger, simply continue the increase rows past Row 35 until you reach your desired diagonal width before starting the decrease rows.
Care Instructions
Machine wash gentle in cold water with like colors. Tumble dry on low heat or lay flat to dry. Do not bleach or iron.
FAQ
Can I use different yarn weights?
Yes, but changing the yarn weight will alter your hook size, gauge, and final blanket dimensions. Adjust your starting rows accordingly.
How do I manage multiple yarn colors without tangling?
When working diagonal stripes, use separate small yarn bobbins or butterflies for each color block to prevent the yarn strands from twisting together.
Is this blanket suitable for a baby?
Absolutely! If making a baby blanket, reduce the peak row count to 20 blocks using lightweight or DK yarn and a smaller hook.