Crochet was huge in the 60s and 70s, and we have so many beautiful vintage patterns from those eras. But part of me wanted something a little more modern, not so much “my grandma’s crochet”, but still gave me that good old fashion feel. That is why I came up with this design for this free crochet pattern I called my retro check blanket!
The bold colors mixed with the classic checker pattern is *chef’s kiss*! Not only that, but the design of this pattern, UGH!! … to die for! I am one of those who crochet over my ends while I am working up a pattern and I kid you not, even with all these color changes you see, the only actual weaving of ends I did was … 2! & that is only because I forgot to crochet over 1 of them! So in reality, I could have only had to weave in only 1 end. Now that is the type of project that keeps me coming back for more.
I also love how each time I crochet this retro check crochet blanket, I can mix up the colors and create something totally new! I used bold vibrant colors for my first one, and then for the next I went with pastels for a retro check crochet baby blanket.
Blankets make great gifts for baby showers, family, and friends. They are also great to donate to local charities and shelters, or hospitals. They also are great to keep at home 🙂
This free crochet pattern measures for a standard throw size blanket (or a kid/toddler size blanket). I also have included steps on how to make it baby size, or a totally custom size! The trick to changing the sizing is really in the size of the squares you make. I’ll go over all of this in the free pattern below!
Even if you have never made a crochet blanket before, you will be able to create this one! Working on a larger project, such as blankets, can be intimidating since crochet does take some time. I really enjoy the process of blankets because once you have the pattern down, it really is a mindless activity that I can set down and pick back up easily. It also keeps me busy for the week before I am back scrolling on Pinterest looking for another pattern!
You may sell the finished product as long as I am credited for the pattern. Do not copy and publish this pattern as your own.
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Measurements
This free retro check crochet blanket pattern will create a throw size blanket with a variation for a baby blanket size. Depending on your gauge, yarn, and hook size, it may come out slightly bigger or smaller. However, this will not affect the integrity of the pattern or your blanket. So do not stress!
Materials
- worsted weight, or size 4 yarn in 7 colors. Below are the colors I used for my Retro Check Blanket
- “Fire Red” I Love This Yarn
- “Desert Glaze” I Love This Yarn
- “Yellow” I Love This Yarn
- “Keylime” I Love This Yarn
- “Royal” I Love This Yarn (I actually used Red Heart “Blue” for mine but I linked I Love This Yarn so you can keep the brands the same if that is important to you!)
- “Mixed Berry” I Love This Yarn
- “Hot Orchid” I Love This Yarn
- 5.5 mm hook
- tapestry needle to weave in the ends
- scissors to cut your yarn
Abbreviations
Sl st = Slip Stitch
Ch = Chain
Sc = Single crochet
Hdc = Half double crochet
Pattern Notes
- This pattern uses US crochet terms
- This free pattern will include a colored grid and an empty grid that you can print and label/color over with your own colors if you have a different palette than mine.
- if you’re using a different yarn or hook, you might need to adjust your amount of rows per color to give yourself perfect squares. To do this, crochet your rows until you can fold the square over diagonally on itself and have it match perfectly with no overlay. Then count your rows & write it down so you can repeat that same pattern throughout your blanket.
- The number in parentheses () at the end of each row represent stitch count.
- The ch 2 at the beginning of each row does not count as a stitch
- You will crochet vertical columns starting from the bottom up. Then after you finish all columns, you will join them together, and finish with a border.
- I recommend crocheting over your ends as you go! If you do this, you will only have 1 or 2 ends to weave in at the end. A total game changer!
Let’s get started!
Chart
If you are using the same color palette as me, you can use this colored chart! You will start at the bottom of each vertical column and work up.
If you are choosing a different palette, use this blank chart below! There are 7 symbols to signify each color of your yarn, so no matter which colors you choose, you will get that same retro check pattern! You can print out this image and color on it as another way to keep track of your colors.
Pattern – Throw Size
Row 1: Ch 15, hdc in 3rd ch from hook, and all the way to the end. (13)
Row 2-9: Ch 2, turn. Hdc in each stitch. (13)
Row 10: Ch 2, turn. Hdc in each stitch. While finishing your last hdc, change colors by taking your next color as your last “yarn over and pull through loops” of your hdc stitch. (13)
Row 11-20: Ch 2, turn. Hdc in each stitch (13). I recommend to crochet over your ends! On row 20, change colors as you finish your last hdc stitch.
Row 21-30: Ch 2, turn. Hdc in each stitch (13). On row 30, change colors as you finish your last hdc stitch.
Row 31-40: Ch 2, turn. Hdc in each stitch (13). On row 40, change colors as you finish your last hdc stitch.
Row 41-50: Ch 2, turn. Hdc in each stitch (13). On row 50, change colors as you finish your last hdc stitch.
Row 51-60: Ch 2, turn. Hdc in each stitch (13). On row 60, change colors as you finish your last hdc stitch.
Row 61-70: Ch 2, turn. Hdc in each stitch (13). On row 70, change colors as you finish your last hdc stitch.
Row 71-80: Ch 2, turn. Hdc in each stitch (13). On row 80, change colors as you finish your last hdc stitch.
Row 81-90: Ch 2, turn. Hdc in each stitch (13). On row 90, change colors as you finish your last hdc stitch.
Row 91-100: Ch 2, turn. Hdc in each stitch (13). On row 100, change colors as you finish your last hdc stitch.
Row 101-110: Ch 2, turn. Hdc in each stitch (13). On row 110, change colors as you finish your last hdc stitch.
Row 111-120: Ch 2, turn. Hdc in each stitch (13). At the end of row 120, cut and tie off yarn.
Repeat Rows 1-120 eleven more times to finish your vertical columns. When you are done – move on to the Connecting Your Columns step.
Baby Blanket Sized Pattern
Row 1: Ch 10, hdc in 3rd ch from hook, and all the way to the end. (8)
Row 2-5: Ch 2, turn. Hdc in each stitch. (8)
Row 6: Ch 2, turn. Hdc in each stitch. While finishing your last hdc, change colors by taking your next color as your last “yarn over and pull through loops” of your hdc stitch. (8)
Row 7-12: Ch 2, turn. Hdc in each stitch (8). I recommend to crochet over your ends! On row 12, change colors as you finish your last hdc stitch.
Row 13-18: Ch 2, turn. Hdc in each stitch (8). On row 18, change colors as you finish your last hdc stitch.
Row 19-24: Ch 2, turn. Hdc in each stitch (8). On row 24, change colors as you finish your last hdc stitch.
Row 25-30: Ch 2, turn. Hdc in each stitch (8). On row 30, change colors as you finish your last hdc stitch.
Row 31-36: Ch 2, turn. Hdc in each stitch (8). On row 36, change colors as you finish your last hdc stitch.
Row 37-42: Ch 2, turn. Hdc in each stitch (8). On row 42, change colors as you finish your last hdc stitch.
Row 43-48: Ch 2, turn. Hdc in each stitch (8). On row 48, change colors as you finish your last hdc stitch.
Row 49-54: Ch 2, turn. Hdc in each stitch (8). On row 54, change colors as you finish your last hdc stitch.
Row 55-60: Ch 2, turn. Hdc in each stitch (8). On row 60, change colors as you finish your last hdc stitch.
Row 61-66: Ch 2, turn. Hdc in each stitch (8). On row 13, change colors as you finish your last hdc stitch.
Row 67-72: Ch 2, turn. Hdc in each stitch (8). At the end of row 72, cut and tie off yarn.
Repeat Rows 1-72 eleven more times to finish your vertical columns.
Connecting Your Columns
There are so many different ways you can connect your columns, and you are welcome to use whichever method you prefer! I joined mine by taking my tapestry needle and doing a whip stitch.
First, layout all of your columns in their correct order, so that the checkerboard layout is in the right sequence.
Take your yarn color or choice and measure out the length of your vertical columns x 1.5. So your yarn should be able to stretch the length of your column and back halfway.
Thread the yarn onto your tapestry needle.
Take your first 2 vertical columns and lay one on the other, right sides facing each other.
Starting at the bottom squares, insert your needle through the first st of each square.
Pull through, and then insert your needle through the same stitch again to make sure it is nice and secure. Pull through, and then insert your needle into the 2nd stitch of each square.
Continue down the line by inserting your needle into each stitch or ch 2 space at the end of each row, and make sure to pull it nice and tight! Your squares should line up with each other perfectly. Sew through the last stitch twice to make sure the end is nice and secure just as you did in the beginning. Fasten off and cut yarn.
Repeat this for each column, making sure that the right sides are facing each other and that you are grabbing the correct vertical column that is next in your sequence.
Border
Now that your blanket is connected, you will add a sc border. The checkerboard pattern has a lot going on so I think the simple border is all that it needs. I recommend to crochet over your ends while you’re working your border!
Row 1: Connect your yarn color of choice into the corner on your blanket. Sc 3 into the same stitch. *Sc in each st until you reach the next corner. Sc 3 into the corner stitch. Rep from *3 more times until you reach your first st. Sl st into your first stitch. Fasten off and cut yarn. Weave in ends.
…and you’re done!
I would LOVE to see your creation! If you crochet this Retro Check Blanket, please tag or DM @woolymamacrochet on Instagram so I can like & share!
If you have any questions or need help, PLEASE send me a message.
Thank you & Happy Crocheting!! <3