purlJam

# The Ghost with the Most: Beetlejuice Textured Panel Blanket

**Difficulty Level**: Intermediate
**Terminology**: US Crochet Terms
**Finished Size**: 50 inches × 60 inches (127 cm × 152 cm)

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### I. MATERIALS
*   **Yarn**: Worsted Weight (Category 4)
    *   Color A (White): 800 yards
    *   Color B (Black): 900 yards
    *   Color C (Lime Green): 250 yards
    *   Color D (Purple): 300 yards
*   **Hook**: 5.5 mm (US I/9) or size needed to obtain gauge.
*   **Notions**: Stitch markers, yarn needle, 120x300 graph paper (optional for center panel).

### II. GAUGE
*   16 sc = 4 inches (10 cm)
*   20 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in sc.
*   *Note: Measure your swatch in the sc graph section to ensure the image does not become elongated.*

### III. STITCH GUIDE
*   **Pop (Popcorn Stitch)**: Work 5 dc in indicated st. Drop loop from hook, insert hook into first dc of the 5-dc group, pull dropped loop through.
*   **Bpsc (Back Post Single Crochet)**: Insert hook from back to front to back around the post of the indicated stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
*   **Flat Braid Join**: A decorative method of joining panels using interlocking chains.

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### IV. LAYOUT & CONSTRUCTION
The blanket is worked in three vertical panels.
1.  **Panel 1 (Left - Textured)**: 40 stitches wide.
2.  **Panel 2 (Center - Graph)**: 120 stitches wide.
3.  **Panel 3 (Right - Textured)**: 40 stitches wide.
[Math Validation: 40 + 120 + 40 = 200 sts total width.]

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### V. PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS

#### PANEL 1 & 3: THE SANDWORM TEXTURE (Make 2)
*With Color B (Black)*
**Foundation**: Ch 41.
**Row 1 (RS)**: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across. Turn. (40 sc)
**Row 2 (WS)**: Ch 1, sc across. Turn.
**Row 3**: Ch 1, *sc 4, Pop in next st; repeat from * across to last 5 sts, sc 5. Turn.
**Row 4**: Ch 1, sc across.
**Rows 5-6**: Repeat Rows 1-2 with Color A (White).
**Row 7**: Ch 1, *sc 2, Pop in next st, sc 2; repeat from * across. Turn.
**Row 8**: Ch 1, sc across.
**Repeat Rows 1-8** until panel measures 60 inches. Fasten off.

#### PANEL 2: THE BEETLEJUICE MOTIF
*Utilizing Tapestry Crochet. Carry unused colors along the top of the stitches (floats).*
**Foundation**: With Color B, Ch 121.
**Row 1**: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across. Turn. (120 sc)
**Rows 2-20 (Bottom Border)**: Work in 2-row stripes of Color B and Color A (Black/White suit pattern).

**Rows 21-280 (The Image)**: 
Follow the color changes for the Beetlejuice Portrait. 
*   **Background**: Color D (Purple).
*   **Suit**: Alternating 2 rows Color A, 2 rows Color B.
*   **Face**: Color A (White).
*   **Hair**: Color C (Lime Green).
*   *Technical Tip: To maintain the "Intermediate" level, simplify the face to a silhouette or high-contrast graphic style.*

**Rows 281-300**: Repeat 2-row stripes of Color B and Color A. Fasten off.

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### VI. JOINING
1.  Lay panels side-by-side: Panel 1 | Panel 2 | Panel 3.
2.  **Flat Braid Join (Color B)**: 
    *   Working between Panel 1 and 2: Join yarn to the corner of Panel 1. *Ch 3, drop loop, insert hook into corresponding st of Panel 2, pull loop through, ch 1, sk 1 st on Panel 1, sc in next st.* 
    *   Repeat length of blanket.
3.  Repeat for joining Panel 2 and 3.

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### VII. BORDER
**Round 1**: With Color C (Lime Green), sc evenly around entire blanket, working 3 sc in each corner. 
**Round 2**: With Color B, *sc 1, ch 1, sk 1 (Moss Stitch)* around.
**Round 3**: With Color B, Crab Stitch (Reverse Single Crochet) in each ch-1 sp and sc around for a corded, "Tim Burton-esque" finish.

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### VIII. FINISHING & QUALITY CONTROL
1.  **Weave in Ends**: Use a yarn needle to secure tapestry floats and panel joins.
2.  **Blocking (ESSENTIAL)**: 
    *   Since this is an **Advanced Textured** pattern, the popcorns and the tapestry section will have different tensions. 
    *   **Steam Block**: Pin the blanket to a 50"x60" rectangle on blocking mats. Use a steamer or iron (hovering 1 inch above) to relax the fibers. Do not press the iron onto the popcorn stitches or they will lose their 3D effect.
3.  **Verification**: 
    *   Check that the vertical stripes in Panel 2 align with the texture shifts in Panels 1 & 3. 
    *   Total stitch count at the widest point: 200 sts + joining chains (~6 sts) = approx 206 sts.

[End of Pattern]