The Second Look Crochet Throw Blanket features a simple one-row repeat of double crochet and front post half double crochet stitches. Made with lightweight #3 yarn, this textured blanket has beautiful vertical columns that bring the shifting colors of variegated yarn together. The result is a cozy, colorful blanket with a wonderfully rhythmic stitch pattern.
Sometimes a yarn just needs the right stitch to show you what it can become. When I first opened this Mandala yarn cake in the Groot colorway, I wasn’t sure about the combination of colors at all. But after pairing it with this simple one-row repeat, everything changed. The vertical texture brought the colors together in a way I hadn’t expected. Suddenly, this yarn was worth a second look!
This blanket is a reminder that sometimes the right stitch can transform how we see a color combination. What began as a yarn I wasn’t sure I liked became a textured blanket whose colors and stitches work together beautifully.
Why You’ll Love This Crochet Blanket
- Easy One-Row Repeat: Once you get comfortable with the stitch pattern, you’ll repeat the same row throughout the blanket. It’s a relaxing project to work on while watching television or enjoying a quiet afternoon.
- Beautiful Vertical Texture: Front post half double crochet stitches create raised columns that add dimension and interest to the fabric.
- Perfect for Variegated Yarn: The textured stitches help bring together the changing shades of self-striping or variegated yarn, creating a colorful design without complicated colorwork.
- Nine Blanket Sizes: Choose from a small baby blanket to a generous king-size blanket to suit your needs.
- No Border Required: The blanket is finished without an added border, allowing the textured rows and changing colors to remain the focus.
- Beginner-Friendly Stitch Combination: If you’re comfortable with basic crochet stitches and ready to try front post stitches, this is a wonderful project for building your skills.
About the Second Look Stitch Pattern
The Second Look Crochet Blanket uses a combination of double crochet and front post half double crochet stitches to create vertical columns of raised texture. The pattern begins with a foundation row of half double crochet and double crochet stitches.
Front post half double crochet stitches are worked around the posts of stitches in the row below rather than into the tops of the stitches. This brings the stitches forward, creating a raised texture that stands out against the flatter double crochet sections.
The simple stitch combination works especially well with variegated yarn. Rather than adding complicated stitchwork or frequent color changes, the yarn does much of the visual work while the textured columns give the blanket a sense of rhythm and structure.
Once you understand the repeat, you’ll find it easy to settle into a comfortable crocheting rhythm.
Yarn for the Second Look Crochet Blanket
For the sample shown, I used Lion Brand Mandala yarn in the Groot colorway. This lightweight #3 yarn features a beautiful mix of changing colors that work together with the textured stitch pattern.
Self-striping and variegated yarns are wonderful choices for this blanket because the color changes add visual interest without requiring you to change yarn colors manually. The vertical columns of texture help balance the different shades and create a cohesive finished design.
You can also experiment with other colorways or try a solid color for a more subtle, texture-focused look. Keep in mind that changing the yarn weight will affect the finished dimensions, drape, and amount of yarn needed. If you choose a different yarn, make a gauge swatch before beginning so you can adjust your hook or starting chain as needed.
Blanket Construction
The Second Look Crochet Blanket is worked flat in rows, beginning with a foundation chain. The first row establishes the stitch pattern, and the remaining rows follow a simple repeat.
The blanket is worked in alternating sections of double crochet and front post half double crochet stitches. These sections create the distinctive vertical columns that give the finished fabric its texture.
There is no separate border to crochet. Once you reach your desired length, weave in the yarn tails, and your blanket is ready to use or give as a handmade gift.
Choose Your Blanket Size
This pattern includes nine sizes, ranging from a small baby blanket to a king-size blanket. Whether you’re making a cozy blanket for a little one, a throw for the sofa, or a larger blanket for a bed, you can choose the size that best suits your project.
The pattern includes starting chain counts and approximate row counts for each size. If you’d like to customize the dimensions, you can adjust the width by using a starting chain that follows the required stitch multiple and adjust the length by working more or fewer rows.
Because individual tension and yarn characteristics can affect the finished dimensions, check your gauge and measure your work as you go.
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Directions: Second Look Crochet Throw Blanket
Skill Level
Confident Beginner
Gauge
Approximately 12 stitches and 8 rows = 4 x 4 inches in pattern.
Sizes
- Baby Blanket: 32 X 32 inches
- Small Blanket: 38 X 40 inches
- Medium Throw (shown): 44 X 52 inches
- Large Throw: 50 X 60 inches
- X-Large Throw: 56 X 70 inches
- Twin Blanket: 68 X 80 inches
- Full Blanket: 80 X 90 inches
- Queen Blanket: 92 X 100 inches
- King Blanket: 104 X 100 inches
To change the size, Work your starting chain using a multiple of 20 + 1 until you reach your desired width. Change the length by increasing or decreasing the rows.
Materials
Lion Brand Yarns Mandala #3 lightweight yarn. Each yarn cake contains 590 yards. This yarn is 100% acrylic. Machine wash on cold and tumble dry on low.
Yarn Color: Groot
- Baby Blanket: Total of 1,050 yards, 2 yarn cakes.
- Small Blanket: Total of 1,560 yards, 3 yarn cakes.
- Medium Throw (shown): Total of 2,340 yards, 4 yarn cakes.
- Large Throw: Total of 3,175 yards, 6 yarn cakes.
- X-Large Throw: Total of 4,015 yards, 7 yarn cakes.
- Twin Blanket: Total of 5,570 yards, 10 yarn cakes.
- Full Blanket: Total of 7,370 yards, 13 yarn cakes.
- Queen Blanket: Total of 9,415 yards, 16 yarn cakes.
- King Blanket: Total of 10,640 yards, 19 yarn cakes.
Size I Crochet Hook 5.5mm
Yarn Needle
Scissors
Stitch Marker
Measuring Tape
If you are not able to find the yarn locally, you can purchase it online. Savings Center – Pattern Princess
Abbreviations
- CH = Chain
- DC = Double Crochet
- FPHDC = Front Post Half Double Crochet
- HDC = Half Double Crochet
- SK = Skip
- SP = Space
- ST = Stitch
- STs = Stitches
- [ ] = Repeat Between
Pattern Notes
Written in US terms.
There is no designated right or wrong side to this blanket. The finished fabric looks similar on both sides.
Links for Video Tutorials for the blanket are located after the written pattern.
Helpful Tips for Crocheting This Blanket
- Check Your Gauge: Make a gauge swatch before beginning, especially if you’re making a larger blanket. Small differences in tension can add up over many rows.
- Use a Stitch Marker if Needed: If you’re new to front post stitches, a stitch marker can help you keep track of the beginning or end of a row.
- Keep Track of Your Rows: Since the pattern uses a one-row repeat, a simple row counter can help you keep your place and reach your desired blanket length.
- Watch Your Stitch Placement: Front post half double crochet stitches are worked around the post of the stitch below, not into the top loops. Correct placement is what creates the raised columns.
- Measure as You Go: Lay your blanket flat periodically to check the width and length. This is especially helpful when working with color-changing yarn.
- Make It Your Own: Try another variegated colorway or a solid shade to see how the stitch texture changes the overall appearance.
Crochet Stitches
Chain Stitch (CH)
Begin the chain stitch by making a slip knot on the crochet hook. Leave about a 5-inch tail on the yarn. This will be woven in later.
Next snug up the yarn loop that is on the crochet hook; while it should be firm, it should also be loose enough to slide on the hook with ease.
Keeping the loop on the hook, insert the hook in the stitch, wrap the yarn over the crochet hook from back to front. Draw the yarn through the loop. (The first chain stitch is complete).
Double Crochet Stitch (DC)
Yarn over, insert the hook through both loops and pull up a loop. Next, yarn over and pull through two loops on the hook. Lastly, yarn over again and pull through the last two loops on the hook.
Front Post Half Double Crochet (FPHDC)
Front post stitches are raised crochet stitches on the surface of the fabric facing you.
Yarn over, insert the hook from front to back between the posts of the first and second double crochet of the row below. Then insert the hook from the back to the front between the posts of the second and third stitches. (The hook should now be positioned horizontally behind the double crochet that you are working around).
Yarn over, pull the yarn around the post of the stitch. There should now be 3 loops on the hook. Yarn over, pull the yarn through the loops on the hook.
Half Double Crochet (HDC)
Yarn over, insert the hook through both loops of the next stitch and pull up a loop. Yarn over and pull through all three loops on the hook. For height, this stitch is between the single crochet and double crochet.
Begin Pattern
Start with a Slip Knot. Place the slip knot on your crochet hook.
Begin Chain Stitches
Start with a chain using a stitch multiple of 20 + 1.
- Baby Blanket: 101 Chain Stitches.
- Small Blanket: 121 Chain Stitches.
- Medium Throw (shown): 141 Chain Stitches.
- Large Throw: 161 Chain Stitches.
- X-Large Throw: 181 Chain Stitches.
- Twin Blanket: 221 Chain Stitches.
- Full Blanket: 261 Chain Stitches.
- Queen Blanket: 301 Chain Stitches.
- King Blanket: 341 Chain Stitches.
Row 1
1 HDC in the 2nd CH from the hook. 1 HDC in the next 9 STs. (total of 10 HDC). Next, 1 DC in the next 10 STs. [1 HDC in the next 10 STs, 1 DC in the next 10 STs]. Repeat across between [ ]. Turn
Row 2
CH 1 (Doesn’t count as a ST). SK the first DC, work 2 FPHDC around the post of the next DC. [SK the next ST, work 2 FPHDC around the post of the next DC]. Repeat between [ ] 3 more times. (you should have a total of 10 FPHDC). Work 1 DC in each ST over the next set of 10 STs. [(SK 1, work 2 FPHDC around the post of the next DC). Repeat between ( ) 4 more times for a total of 10 FPHDC. Work 1 DC in each ST over the next set of 10 STs]. Repeat across between [ ]. Turn
Rows 3 and Beyond
Repeat row 2
- Baby Blanket: 70 Rows.
- Small Blanket: 88 Rows.
- Medium Throw (shown): 115 Rows.
- Large Throw: 133 Rows.
- X-Large Throw: 155 Rows.
- Twin Blanket: 177 Rows.
- Full Blanket: 199 Rows.
- Queen Blanket: 221 Rows.
- King Blanket: 221 Rows.
Finishing
Use the tapestry needle to weave in the yarn tails on the back side of the work. I like to weave back and forth 3 to 5 times. Cut off the excess yarn.
Video Tutorials for the Second Look Crochet Blanket
Would you like to see the stitch pattern in action? Follow along with the step-by-step video tutorials for the Second Look Crochet Blanket.
Both right-hand and left-hand crochet tutorials are available to help you follow the stitch placement, learn the front post half double crochet technique, and work through the repeating row with confidence.
You can find Victoria crocheting, quilting, and creating recipes. She has cooked in restaurants for over 20 years, including many larger parties. She learned to crochet when she was just 11 years old and has been crocheting ever since; over 50 years now. Over 40 years ago, she loved her first class in sewing and continues to hone her skills in quilting. Many have enjoyed the handmade gifts over the years. In her professional career, she has worked in management in a wide variety of businesses including higher education as a dean of a division. All the while attending college part-time to achieve her doctorate in higher education with an emphasis in e-learning.
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