purlJam

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# Sunshine & Sea Baby Blanket
### A Striped Baby Blanket in Fingering Weight

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## Description

This sweet baby blanket features bold horizontal stripes in five cheerful colors — sunny yellow, dark navy blue, soft light blue, cool teal, and warm coral. The stripes are all the same width but worked at varying heights using different crochet stitches, creating a playful textured rhythm that's still perfectly easy to make. Worked flat in simple rows, this is an ideal project for a beginner who wants a beautiful, heirloom-quality result.

**Finished Size:** Approximately 30 × 36 inches (76 × 91.5 cm)

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## Materials

| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| **Yarn A** | Yellow — Super Fine / Fingering Weight (CYCA #1) |
| **Yarn B** | Dark Blue — Super Fine / Fingering Weight (CYCA #1) |
| **Yarn C** | Light Blue — Super Fine / Fingering Weight (CYCA #1) |
| **Yarn D** | Teal — Super Fine / Fingering Weight (CYCA #1) |
| **Yarn E** | Coral — Super Fine / Fingering Weight (CYCA #1) |
| **Hook** | 2 mm (no US letter equivalent; sometimes listed as US 4 steel) |
| **Notions** | Tapestry needle, scissors, stitch markers (optional) |

**Yardage Estimates:**
- Yarn A (Yellow): approximately 350 yards (320 m)
- Yarn B (Dark Blue): approximately 280 yards (256 m)
- Yarn C (Light Blue): approximately 210 yards (192 m)
- Yarn D (Teal): approximately 280 yards (256 m)
- Yarn E (Coral): approximately 350 yards (320 m)
- **Total:** approximately 1,470 yards (1,344 m)

> **Tip:** Yardage is based on the pattern as written. If you extend the blanket length, purchase extra yarn in each color proportionally. A fingering weight yarn with approximately 400–450 yards per 100 g skein works perfectly here.

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## Gauge

**28 sc = 4 inches (10 cm)**
**32 sc rows = 4 inches (10 cm)**

*Gauge is measured in single crochet on a flat swatch, blocked.*

> **Why gauge matters here:** At 2 mm with fingering weight, gauge is firm and consistent, but always swatch before beginning. A difference of even 1–2 stitches per 4 inches will change the finished width noticeably over 210 stitches.

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## Abbreviations

| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ch | chain |
| sc | single crochet |
| hdc | half double crochet |
| dc | double crochet |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
| beg | beginning |
| rep | repeat |
| RS | right side |
| WS | wrong side |
| YO | yarn over |
| sk | skip |

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## Special Stitches

No special stitches are used in this pattern. Only sc, hdc, and dc are required.

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## Pattern Notes

1. **Turning chains do NOT count as stitches** throughout this pattern. Always work into the first stitch at the base of your turning chain.
2. **Turning chain heights by stitch type:**
   - sc rows: ch 1, turn
   - hdc rows: ch 2, turn
   - dc rows: ch 3, turn
3. **Stitch count** remains **210 stitches** throughout every row of the blanket. Stitch counts are confirmed in parentheses at the end of each stripe section.
4. **Color changes:** Change to the new color on the final yarn over of the last stitch in the row *before* the new color begins. This keeps the first stitch of each new stripe clean.
   - *How to change color:* On the last stitch of the current row, complete the stitch until 2 loops remain on the hook. Drop the old color, pick up the new color, and pull through both loops to complete the stitch. Turn and begin the new row with the new color.
5. **Carrying yarn vs. cutting:** Because stripes are worked in blocks of several rows, **cut yarn** at each color change and weave in ends for the neatest result. Leave a 6-inch tail for weaving.
6. **Right side:** The foundation chain edge is the bottom of the blanket. Row 1 is the RS.
7. **Blocking:** Wet blocking or steam blocking is highly recommended for fingering weight. It evens out stitches and opens up the fabric beautifully.

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## Stripe Sequence & Stitch Guide

The blanket is built from repeating units. Each **Full Stripe Repeat** consists of 5 stripes (one in each color), each stripe worked at a different height. The stripe sequence and stitch type are:

| Stripe | Color | Stitch | Number of Rows | Approx. Height |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | **A — Yellow** | sc | 8 rows | ~1 inch (2.5 cm) |
| 2 | **B — Dark Blue** | hdc | 6 rows | ~1 inch (2.5 cm) |
| 3 | **C — Light Blue** | dc | 4 rows | ~1 inch (2.5 cm) |
| 4 | **D — Teal** | hdc | 6 rows | ~1 inch (2.5 cm) |
| 5 | **E — Coral** | sc | 8 rows | ~1 inch (2.5 cm) |

> **One full 5-stripe repeat = 32 rows ≈ 4 inches (10 cm)**
> **9 full repeats = 288 rows ≈ 36 inches (91.5 cm)**

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## Instructions

### Foundation Chain

Using **Yarn A (Yellow)**, ch **211**.

> **Note:** The foundation chain is 211 chains. Row 1 will be worked into the 2nd chain from the hook, consuming 210 chains and creating 210 stitches.

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### Row 1 (RS — Yarn A, Yellow):

Ch 1 (does NOT count as st). Sc in the 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn.
**(210 sc)**

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### Stripe 1 — Yarn A (Yellow) — Single Crochet — 8 Rows

**Rows 1–8:** Ch 1 (does not count as st), turn. Sc in each st across. Turn.
**(210 sc) each row**

> At the end of Row 8, change to Yarn B (Dark Blue) on the final yarn over of the last sc. Cut Yarn A, leaving a 6-inch tail.

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### Stripe 2 — Yarn B (Dark Blue) — Half Double Crochet — 6 Rows

**Rows 9–14:** Ch 2 (does not count as st), turn. Hdc in each st across. Turn.
**(210 hdc) each row**

> At the end of Row 14, change to Yarn C (Light Blue). Cut Yarn B.

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### Stripe 3 — Yarn C (Light Blue) — Double Crochet — 4 Rows

**Rows 15–18:** Ch 3 (does not count as st), turn. Dc in each st across. Turn.
**(210 dc) each row**

> At the end of Row 18, change to Yarn D (Teal). Cut Yarn C.

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### Stripe 4 — Yarn D (Teal) — Half Double Crochet — 6 Rows

**Rows 19–24:** Ch 2 (does not count as st), turn. Hdc in each st across. Turn.
**(210 hdc) each row**

> At the end of Row 24, change to Yarn E (Coral). Cut Yarn D.

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### Stripe 5 — Yarn E (Coral) — Single Crochet — 8 Rows

**Rows 25–32:** Ch 1 (does not count as st), turn. Sc in each st across. Turn.
**(210 sc) each row**

> At the end of Row 32, change to Yarn A (Yellow). Cut Yarn E.

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### ★ This completes **1 full stripe repeat (32 rows ≈ 4 inches).**

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### Continuing the Pattern

**Repeat the full stripe sequence (Stripes 1–5) a total of 9 times.**

That is:
- **Repeat 1:** Rows 1–32
- **Repeat 2:** Rows 33–64
- **Repeat 3:** Rows 65–96
- **Repeat 4:** Rows 97–128
- **Repeat 5:** Rows 129–160
- **Repeat 6:** Rows 161–192
- **Repeat 7:** Rows 193–224
- **Repeat 8:** Rows 225–256
- **Repeat 9:** Rows 257–288

**Total rows: 288**
**Total length: approximately 36 inches (91.5 cm)**

> **To adjust length:** Each full repeat adds approximately 4 inches (10 cm). Add or remove full repeats to customize the length. For a larger lap blanket, work 10–11 repeats. For a shorter stroller blanket, work 7–8 repeats.

**(210 stitches throughout all 288 rows)**

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## Finishing

### Step 1 — Fasten Off
After completing Row 288 (the last row of the final Stripe 5 / Coral stripe), fasten off and cut yarn, leaving a 6-inch tail.

### Step 2 — Weave In Ends
Using a tapestry needle, weave in all yarn ends securely on the WS of the blanket. Weave each tail in at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) in two different directions to secure. Trim excess.

> **Tip:** With fingering weight yarn, ends are fine. Weave them along a horizontal row of stitches rather than vertically through stripes to keep them invisible on the RS.

### Step 3 — Border (Optional but Recommended)
A simple single crochet border neatens the edges and gives the blanket a polished look.

**With Yarn A (Yellow) or any color of your choice:**

Join yarn with a slip stitch to any corner stitch.

**Corner:** Work 3 sc into each corner st throughout.

**Along top and bottom edges:** Sc evenly across, working 1 sc per foundation chain or per end stitch. *(210 sc)*

**Along side edges:** Sc evenly along row ends. Work approximately 1 sc per sc-row end, 1 sc per hdc-row end, and 1 sc per dc-row end. Adjust as needed so the border lies flat without puckering or ruffling.

Work 1–3 rounds of sc border as desired. Fasten off and weave in ends.

### Step 4 — Blocking
Wet block the finished blanket:
1. Submerge in cool water and gently squeeze (do not wring).
2. Roll in a clean towel to remove excess water.
3. Lay flat on a blocking mat or clean surface.
4. Pin to dimensions: 30 inches wide × 36 inches long (76 × 91.5 cm).
5. Allow to dry completely before unpinning (12–24 hours depending on humidity).

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## Schematic

```
← 30 inches (76 cm) →

┌─────────────────────────────┐  ↑
│  STRIPE 5: Coral (sc)       │  │
│  STRIPE 4: Teal (hdc)       │  │
│  STRIPE 3: Light Blue (dc)  │  36
│  STRIPE 2: Dark Blue (hdc)  │  inches
│  STRIPE 1: Yellow (sc)      │  │
│   × 9 full repeats          │  │
│                             │  ↓
└─────────────────────────────┘
     Foundation Chain Edge
```

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## Quick Reference Card

| Stripe | Color | Stitch | Rows | Ch to Turn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yellow | sc | 8 | ch 1 |
| 2 | Dark Blue | hdc | 6 | ch 2 |
| 3 | Light Blue | dc | 4 | ch 3 |
| 4 | Teal | hdc | 6 | ch 2 |
| 5 | Coral | sc | 8 | ch 1 |
| **Total** | — | — | **32 rows/repeat** | — |
| **× 9 repeats** | — | — | **288 rows total** | — |

**Stitch count every row: 210 sts**

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## Skill Level

🟢 **Easy** — Requires knowledge of chain, single crochet, half double crochet, and double crochet only. No shaping, increases, or decreases.

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*Pattern © [Your Name / Studio Name]. This pattern is for personal use. Please do not redistribute or sell this pattern without permission. Items made from this pattern may be sold; please credit the designer.*

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