Textured Band Blanket: Single Crochet, Half-Double Herringbone, Moss & Bead Stitch

Designer note: This blanket is built as horizontal bands that showcase four textures: single crochet (sc), half-double herringbone (hdh), moss (linen) stitch, and a small puff/bead stitch. Worked in worsted/aran weight yarn for a comforting drape. Customize width by using any multiple of 2 + 1 for the starting chain (see "Sizes" below for sample counts).

Materials

• Yarn: Medium/Worsted (US 4) / Aran: 100 g (3.5 oz) = approx. 218 yd / 200 m (sample used solids that block nicely)
• Yarn requirements (estimate): Baby 30” x 36”: ~800 yd / 732 m (~4 x 100 g skeins); Lap 36” x 48”: ~1,200 yd / 1,097 m (~6 x 100 g skeins); Throw 50” x 60”: ~2,000 yd / 1,829 m (~10 x 100 g skeins). Adjust for tension, color changes and border.
• Hook: Recommended US H/8 (5.0 mm); alternates: US G/6 (4.0 mm) for firmer fabric or US I/9 (5.5 mm) for looser drape.
• Hook conversions (approx): US H/8 = Metric 5.0 mm = UK (old) 6; US G/6 = Metric 4.0 mm = UK (old) 7; US I/9 = Metric 5.5 mm = UK (old) 5.
• Notions: tapestry needle, stitch marker, scissors, blocking tools (pins/mat).

Gauge

12 sc x 14 rows = 4” (10 cm) using 5.0 mm hook in single crochet. Gauge will differ by stitch: hdh and moss may sit more open; check a swatch and adjust hook size for desired drape and final measurements.

Finished sizes (approx)

• Baby: 30” x 36” (76 x 91 cm)
• Lap: 36” x 48” (91 x 122 cm)
• Throw: 50” x 60” (127 x 152 cm)

Abbreviations (US terms)

• ch = chain
• sc = single crochet
• hdh = half-double herringbone (see stitch glossary)
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• sp = space
• [] = repeat instructions between brackets
• yo = yarn over

Stitch glossary / technique

Single crochet (sc)

Insert hook in next st, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through both loops on hook.

Half-Double Herringbone (hdh)

This is a half-double crochet variant that leaves one loop on the hook to produce a slanted, elongated fabric.

Row action (US terms): yo, insert hook into stitch, yo and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), yo and pull through the first two loops only (leaving 2 loops? leaving 2? note: this produces the herringbone texture by pulling through two loops instead of all three in regular hdc). For clarity follow the step: yo, insert, yo pull up loop, yo pull through the first two loops on hook. Continue across; finish row with a final yo and pull through remaining loops as needed per row end.

Moss stitch (linen stitch)

Worked over an odd number of foundation chains. Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, *ch1, skip 1 ch, sc in next ch* repeat across, end with sc in final ch. Turn. Row 2+: ch1, turn, sc in first ch-1 space (the ch-1 sp from previous row), *ch1, sc in next sc* across. Repeat rows 2+ for moss texture.

Bead / puff stitch (small puff bead)

Creates little raised "beads." Insert hook into next st, yo and pull up a loop to approx 2/3 hook height; repeat two more times in same stitch (total 3 loops pulled up). You will have multiple loops on the hook. Yo and pull through all loops on the hook to close the puff; ch1 to secure the bead (ch1 after each puff). Treat puff as one st when working next stitches.

Pattern structure (banded blanket)

The blanket is worked in a long foundation chain (multiple of 2 + 1) and then worked in rows. You will make repeating horizontal bands: sc band, hdh band, moss band, bead band. Repeat the band sequence until desired height is reached. The sample layout below is for the throw; scale row counts to your desired height.

Sample band sequence (Throw shown)

• Border row (single crochet) - 1 row
• SC band - 10 rows
• HDH band - 12 rows
• Moss band - 20 rows
• Bead band - 6 rows (bead row every other row)
• Repeat bands until approx 60” height then finish with border rows

Starting chain

Make a foundation chain that is a multiple of 2 + 1, plus 1 extra for turning if you prefer. Sample counts:

• Baby: ch 81 (multiple of 2 + 1)
• Lap: ch 101
• Throw: ch 141

Adjust counts to reach preferred width; measure your gauge swatch to calculate chains needed: (desired width in inches / gauge stitches per 4”) * (stitches per 4”) etc. Because each stitch yields different width, check width after making a small swatch in the stitch you will start with (sc or moss).

Pattern (row-by-row outline)

Work in rows. Each row begins with a turning chain as appropriate for the stitch you are about to work: sc: ch1, hdh: ch2, moss: ch1, bead rows: ch1. When switching stitch types at band boundaries, work the turning chain for the new stitch and treat the last row of the previous band as usual. Use a stitch marker in the first stitch of the row to keep edges neat.

Border (foundation)

1. Ch your chosen starting chain (multiple of 2 + 1). Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn.
2. Work 1 more row of sc evenly across. (This creates a neat base edge.)

SC band

1. Rows 1-10: ch1, turn, sc in each st across. (10 rows for the sample - adjust to taste.)

HDH band (half-double herringbone)

1. Row 1: ch2, turn, hdh in each st across (see stitch glossary). At the end of the row, finish neatly and keep tension even.
2. Rows 2-12: repeat Row 1 (12 rows total for the sample band). The hdh band compresses slightly; check height and adjust row count if needed.

Moss band

1. Row 1: ch1, turn, sc in 2nd st from hook, *ch1, skip next st, sc in next st* across, ending with sc in final st.
2. Rows 2-20: ch1, turn, sc in first ch-1 space, *ch1, sc in next sc* repeat across. 20 rows for sample band. For a more dense linen texture, add extra rows.

Bead band (puff/bead)

1. Row 1: ch1, turn, sc across as base row for bead placement.
2. Row 2 (bead row): ch1, turn, *sc in next st, make bead/puff in next st (see glossary), ch1, sc in next st* repeat across, ending sc in final st. Your bead puffs will sit in alternating positions; the ch1 between puffs makes them stand out.
3. Row 3: ch1, turn, sc across to even fabric. Repeat bead row every other row for the band height (sample does three bead rows separated by sc rows = 6 total rows in band).

Repeat bands

Repeat the band sequence (SC - HDH - MOSS - BEAD) until you reach the desired blanket height, ending with the SC band and then a final sc border.

Finishing border

1. After your final band, work 2 rows of sc evenly across the row to create a neat edge. Then work single crochet evenly around the entire blanket: 1 sc along each side edge and 3 sc in each corner. Work 2 rounds for a clean frame; adjust for width preference.
2. Weave in ends with a tapestry needle. Block lightly to even stitches if using natural fibers.

Sizing tips & modifications

• To make stripes of different heights, vary the number of rows per band. Keep the band sequence order if you want the same rhythm, or mix band order for a different look.
• If your herringbone band pulls in, reduce its row count slightly or use a slightly larger hook for that band only.
• Swatching: Make 10 cm x 10 cm (4” x 4”) swatches in sc and in hdh and moss to see how each stitch behaves; use these to calculate precise starting chain for your exact gauge.

Abbreviated pattern for quick reference

Ch multiple of 2 + 1 to desired width. Work 2 rows sc. Repeat the following band sequence until desired height: SC band (10 rows sc) -> HDH band (12 rows hdh) -> MOSS band (20 rows linen/moss) -> BEAD band (6 rows, with bead every other row). End with SC band and 2 rounds sc border. Weave ends and block.

Troubleshooting

• Edges curving up? Try one size larger hook for the band causing pulling, or tighten edges by working the first and last stitch of each row with a slightly firmer tension.
• Beads not popping? Increase the number of loops in the puff (e.g., 4 loops instead of 3) or reduce the ch1 spacer to ch \u00bd-length by using a smaller loop height (tighter ch1) so beads sit snugly.

Notes

All stitch counts in rows assume even number repeat and will work with any starting chain that is multiple of 2 + 1. Use a life-size swatch to refine starting chain and adjust band rows for your desired height. Colors: swapping yarn colors between bands is an easy way to show texture; carry yarn neatly or fasten off between bands for clean stripes.

Pattern support and pattern purchase notes: For questions or pattern support, visit https://purljam.verde.uk or email team@verde.uk. Share your finished projects with our community on social: #purljam.

Copyright: Pattern by PurlJam (Verde.uk). For personal use only; do not reproduce for sale or mass distribution without permission.

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