I love the look of Entrelac, but let’s be honest, it’s not the quickest thing to knit up, and, for a beginner knitter, all of the turning can be a little intimidating. That’s just another reason why I fell in love with Tunisian Crochet. This blanket works up in a third of the time, is so easy to make, and looks just as great as its knit counterpart. The pattern for the top follows below, and you can find instructions for backing and binding it here: A Knitted and Quilted Baby Blanket. I have just one small, yet very important, note before you get started. Please be mindful of your tension! It is extremely easy to end up with a very wonky blanket!
Questions and comments are always welcome! If you’re new to Tunisian Crochet, check out my previous two posts. They contain links and tutorials for all of the basic stitches you will need for this project.
Tunisian Crochet – I’m Bringing It Back
Tunisian Crochet – Cabled Scarf
Also, this project was partly inspired by the cover project on the Winter issue of Crochet Magazine. Check it out for more creative ideas!
Enjoy!
Nikki, In Stitches
Added Later: This pattern is now available as a PDF! Click here for a printer friendly version: Tunisian Crochet Entrelac Baby Blanket.
Materials:
Plymouth Baby Bunny Yarn in White – 500 yards
Plymouth Baby Bunny Yarn in Blue – 500 yards
Size 10Tunisian Crochet Hook
Notes:
1. For this pattern only, Return Pass is worked in the following way: *Yo, draw through 2 loops, rep from * across.
2. To bind off: Insert hook from front to back between 2 strands of vertical bar as if to knit, yo, pull up a loop. Yo, and draw through both loops on hook.
3. To pick up loops of bind-off row: Insert hook through both loops of bind-off chain, yo, pull up a loop.
4. To M1 (make one stitch): Insert hook in space between next 2 vertical bars, yo, pull up a loop
Directions:
With white, chain 74 loosely.
Starting Tier (12 Base Triangles):
Row 1: Insert hook in second ch from hook (next ch for successive triangles), yo, pull up a loop. (2 loops on hook) RetP.
Row 2: M1, TKS in next vertical bar. Insert hook in next ch and pull up a loop. (4 loops on hook) RetP.
Row 3: TKS in next 2 vertical bars, M1 between last vertical bar and selvedge edge of last row. Insert hook in next ch, pull up a loop. (5 loops on hook) RetP.
Row 4: TKS in next 3 vertical bars, M1 between last vertical bar and selvedge edge of last row. Insert hook in next ch, pull up a loop. (6 loops on hook) RetP.
Row 5: TKS in next 4 vertical bars, M1 between last vertical bar and selvedge edge of last row. Insert hook in next ch, pull up a loop. (7 loops on hook) RetP.
Row 6: TKS in next 5 vertical bars, M1 between last vertical bar and selvedge edge of last row. Insert hook in next ch, pull up a loop. (8 loops on hook) RetP.
Row 7: BO 6 stitches. Sl st in same ch as last stitch from last row. (One triangle complete.)
Repeat Rows 1 – 7 11 more times, to give 12 base triangles total. For last triangle, sl st in last free chain. Fasten off.
Tier A (1 Right-Edge Triangle, 11 Squares, 1 Left-Edge Triangle):
Using blue yarn, join in bottom corner of first base triangle made (or in last edge stitch of previous right-edge triangle for successive tiers).
Right-Edge Triangle:
Row 1: Ch 2, pull up a loop in 2nd ch from hook and in edge of first row of last tier. (3 loops on hook) RetP.
Row 2: M1, TKS in next vertical bar and in edge of 2nd row of last tier. (4 loops on hook) RetP.
Row 3: M1, TKS in next 2 vertical bars and in edge of 3rd row of last tier. (5 loops on hook) RetP.
Row 4: M1, TKS in next 3 vertical bars and in edge of 4th row of last tier. (6 loops on hook) RetP.
Row 5: M1, TKS in next 4 vertical bars and in edge of 5th row of last tier. (7 loops on hook) RetP.
Row 6: M1, TKS in next 5 vertical bars and in edge of 6th row of last tier. (8 loops on hook) RetP.
Row 7: BO 6 stitches. Sl st in next stitch from last tier.
Square:
Row 1: Pick up 7 stitches along edge of previous tier. (8 loops on hook) RetP.
Rows 2 – 6: TKS in next 6 vertical bars and in edge of next row of last tier. (8 loops on hook) RetP.
Row 7: BO 6 stitches. Sl st in next stitch from last tier.
Repeat Rows 1 – 7 of the square 10 more times, to give 11 squares total.
Left-Edge Triangle:
Row 1: Pick up 7 stitches long edge of previous tier. (8 loops on hook) RetP.
Row 2: TKS across. (7 loops on hook) RetP.
Row 3: TKS across. (6 loops on hook) RetP.
Row 4: TKS across. (5 loops on hook) RetP.
Row 5: TKS across. (4 loops on hook) RetP.
Row 6: TKS across. (3 loops on hook) RetP.
Row 7: BO 1 stitch. Fasten off.
Tier B (12 Squares):
Using white yarn, join in first stitch of last tier and work 12 squares as for Tier A.
Repeat Tiers A, then B, 8 times more, then Tier A one more time.
Finishing Tier (12 Finishing Triangles):
With white yarn, join in first stitch of last tier.
Row 1: Pick up 7 stitches long edge of previous tier. (8 loops on hook) RetP.
Row 2: Skip next vertical bar, TKS in next 5 vertical bars and in edge of next row of last tier. (7 loops on hook) RetP.
Row 3: Skip next vertical bar, TKS in next 4 vertical bars and in edge of next row of last tier. (6 loops on hook) RetP.
Row 4: Skip next vertical bar, TKS in next 3 vertical bars and in edge of next row of last tier. (5 loops on hook) RetP.
Row 5: Skip next vertical bar, TKS in next 2 vertical bars and in edge of next row of last tier. (4 loops on hook) RetP.
Row 6: Skip next vertical bar, TKS in next vertical bar and in edge of next row of last tier. (3 loops on hook) RetP.
Row 7: Skip next vertical bar, sl st in next stitch of last tier. (One triangle complete.)
Repeat Rows 1 – 7 11 times more, to give 12 finishing triangles total. Fasten off.
Block.
Weave in all loose ends.
Abbreviations:
yo…yarn over
RetP…Return Pass
ch…chain
sl st…slip stitch
bo…bind off
M1…Make one
TKS…Tunisian Knit Stitch
Possibly Related Posts from Nikki, In Stitches:
Tunisian Crochet – Cabled Scarf
A Knitted and Quilted Baby Blanket
You Asked For It (Knitted Entrelac Baby Blanket)
Yes! This is just the kind of project I needed – squares I can take on the go and in a stitch I know how to do! Since I don’t have a baby in mind I’ll be doing this in multiple bright colors to be unisex.
Thanks Nikki! 🙂
Rose,
I’ve done the back and bind my blankets thing before, and I’ve done Entrelac before, but putting both of those together with Tunisian Crochet…a match made in heaven! You are so right…this is THE perfect “To Go” project!
Nikki
Absolutely beautiful blanket!
Hello,
I like your blog. Could I please feature the Tunisian Crochet – Entrelac Style Baby Blanket on my blog. I would post a photo with a link back to your blog.
Thanks,
Yvonne
http://www.thesemagicalyears.blogspot.com
Hi! Beautiful blanket. I’d love to make one for my sister in law but I’m confused about row 2. Am I supposed to turn my work after row 1?
Kristine,
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog! I’m so happy you are trying the crocheted blanket. Have you done Tunisian Style crochet before? There is no turning. After you do each row, you do what’s called a Return Pass. It’s really easy. Take a look at these video tutorials. They aren’t mine, but I used them as references when I was first starting out.
http://www.thecrochetside.com/video-tutorials/tunisian-crochet-cast-on-and-simple-stitch/
http://www.thecrochetside.com/video-tutorials/tunisian-crochet-knit-stitch/
http://www.thecrochetside.com/video-tutorials/tunisian-crochet-purl-stitch/
If you have questions after watching them, just let me know. I’d be happy to help!
Send pics of your finished blanket!
Nikki
Nikki,
Thanks for getting back to me so soon. I’ve done Tunisian crochet before but I still can’t seem to understand how to work the pattern. I must be missing something. Here’s how I’m understanding it. In row 1 I only pull a loop from one chain right? Then I do the return pass by pulling that loop through the two loops on my hook. Is that it for row 1?That’s about as far as I get before I’m lost. 🙁 I usually do well with patterns (I’ve been crocheting since I was little) but I can’t seem to get this one. You don’t have any pics of the work in progress do you? I just love this blanket and want so much to understand what I’m doing. Sorry for all the questions. Any help at all you could provide would be greatly appreciated!
I am having the same issue as some of the previous posts. I am pretty good at reading patterns, but the way I am understanding it is similar to Kristine above. Am I supposed to make a foundation row 1st before attempting Row 1. and is Row 1 really only pulling up one loop and doing a return pass after only one loop? or am I supposed to repeat til the end of the row (i.e. 70 some times?) I really like the look of this blanket and want to make it, but I’m just confused.
Hi Maggie!
The first “row” is really a series of rows, return passes, etc., that creates a long string of triangles across that first length that you chained. Then you’ll build a row of squares all the way across. Then another row of squares. And keep going with these rows of squares, until you’ve reached the end, then finish with another row of triangles. I know it sounds confusing. This is definitely one of those patterns where just jumping in and trying it, is easier than trying to visualize it. If you have specific questions once you get started that you don’t see answered here, feel free to email me!!
thanks for the pattern and directions
I love the Blanket an want to make one but i am left handed.. Do you have a pattern for left handed people? Thank you and God Bless
I am just learning how to do tunisian crochet and I love your pattern. I was looking for an alternative to the knitting one that is very similar to yours. So I love the idea. I can’t figure out what you mean in starting with row 3, you say “up” after inserting your hook in the next chain. Does that mean to pull your hook up to the top of your work? Plus I cannot figure out how to work the pattern so that the design is going in the same direction. HELP?
Did you ever figure out how to do this pattern?
I’ve known about tunisian crochet for probably decades; I remember trying it in the 70s, but I’m finding much more concerning it this time around.
I noticed you suggested a size 10 Tunisian Crochet Hook, which I don’t know about. Most of the ones I’ve seen use a letter designation, i.e., “J”. Is this a 10mm size or something?
Thanks for any clarification –
Nancy in TX
Thank you so much for this pattern, Nikki. I just started to crochet recently and really wanted to try to do an entrelac blanket but I’ve been having trouble understanding the instructions in my book.
For the beginning of this pattern, after ch 74 and before starting on Row 1, do you first do a ‘foundation row’ like you would for the tunisian simple stitch (i.e. draw up loops all the way across the chain and then return by drawing up 2 loops every time until 1 loop remains on the hook) ?
Thank you!!
Hi Nikki,
I love this pattern and would love to link to it on our site. If this is something you’d be interested in, let me know at jlitz AT primecp DOT com. Thanks!
Hello Nikki,
I was wondering…I was tying to figure out how I would do bigger squares. Can you tell me how to figure that out? Thanks..
Michelle, you can absolutely make the squares bigger! Decide how many more stitches wide you’d like each base triangle in the starting tier. Multiply that number by 12 (there are 12 triangles in that tier) and add that onto the number of chains you start with. Then, as you’re making each triangle (and as you move through the next tiers, remember that you’re going to repeat the rows an extra few times, and have more loops on your hook. If you decide on how big you’d like to make the squares, let me know. I can help you rework the pattern!
I want to make this pattern for my grand-daughter’s bed. She is almost two and in a child’s side bed. Can you help me edit the pattern? I am wanting to use a worsted weight yarn. Thank you for any help you can offer.
Cheryl! I’m so happy you’re going to make this blanket!
It’s been a long time since I’ve worked this up, but if my memory is correct, each square is worked over 6 stitches. So you should be able to add any multiple of 6 to your first row of chains, and be ok. Does that make sense?
Let us know how it goes!
Medium weight yarn is that 8 ply or DK?
Debra,
I typically have used a “4” on the weight scale, which is where most “medium” weight yarns fall. An 8 ply or DK yarn might be a little too light, but still usable. You’ll just have to maybe adjust your hook size!
thank you so much, great directions, building from bottom square and left square, easy…. But how do I join to the square at my right?
I think I figured it out….looks okay anyway
Pamela,
You attach your next color just with a slip stitch. Sometimes it takes a few tries to figure out exactly where to put it. As long as you’re consistent, you should be fine!
Let me know how it’s going!
well that makes a huge difference! Apparently I was sc at the ends and it looked terrible!
I must confess, I’m not exactly following your pattern, but the directions in it are a big help. I’m a newbie at this, but an ambitious idiot/designer/artist, I’m not happy if it’s remotely easy “:”%()!
It.s my own color pattern, with entrelac in a basket weave around sc center squares.
Thanks to your tip, it’s finally looking right, so thank you very much!
Pamela,
This is a tough one for a lot of people, but one thing that has I’ve learned from teaching this, is as long as you’re consistent, you’re fine. Plus, it’s good that the “tricky stitches” are at the beginning of the row. At least with this pattern, if you don’t like how things are looking, you don’t have much to pull out and then try again!
I wonder about a question that was asked but I didn’t see a response to it.
For the beginning of this pattern, after ch 74 and before starting on Row 1, do you first do a ‘foundation row’ like you would for the tunisian simple stitch (i.e. draw up loops all the way across the chain and then return by drawing up 2 loops every time until 1 loop remains on the hook) ?
Is the question. I can usually read directions well but with this one I am confused. I like the look of this blanket but am trying to figure out when you change colors. Also Row 1, is that for just the first stitch or do you do it all the way across?
Also could you do a youtube video for us? I find those easy to follow and I did but the one I was following didn’t seem to be how yours would look.
Is there a mathematical thing where I can adjust the beginning chain to modify this pattern into the width of a scarf and not blanket?
Dana! YES!
I want to say it’s any multiple of 6, plus 2 extra chains.
With that, you should be able to keep the construction of the actual triangles and squares exactly the same!
GOOD MORNING:
I’M NEW TO ENTRLAC. I LEARNED IT LAST NIGHT..AND AM ECSTATIC ABOUT IT.. BUT I FIND THE INSTRUCTIONS ARE QUITE COMPLEX.
IF THE SQUARE IS 5 ROWS HIGH, DO YOU CHAIN 25?
THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP.
I’M ALSO LOOKING FOR AN ENTRELAC PONCHO..BUT W/POINTS TO THE FRONT AND BACK ONLY..
MAKES ME LOOK THINNER..LOL
ALL AROUND WILL MAKE LOOK ROUND…LOL
TY,
TINA
Tina,
I’m so happy you love the look of Entrelac as much as I do!
Every pattern is different, and you really just want to make sure all of your squares (or rectangles) are going to fit nicely together. The number of stitches you chain depends on how many squares you want going across your blanket. In this pattern, I believe each of the 12 base triangles uses 6 stitches across, and there are two extra chains at the start that are used only that first time to get things going, giving you a total of 74.
You can absolutely recreate a basic poncho in Entrelac! If you just want to make one from a basic rectangle, you’d just have to figure out how many chains you would need going across and you could use this exact pattern! Like I said, each bast triangle needs 6 chain stitches, plus those two extra to start!
Hello,
I’m really interested in making this blanket. One of my cousins is giving birth this month! How big does the blanket come to?
Thanks,
Stacey
I can’t remember exactly, Stacey, but with the binding, it’s probably the perfect size to cover a little one in a car seat or stroller. I’d say it’s between 30″ and 36″ wide, and probably about 24″ high if my memory is correct!
I started this patten last night. I’m up to the 10th triangle in the base triangles and don’t have enough chains left to finish 12 triangles. I went back and counted to make sure I had chained 74 chain stitches and found the correct amount.
In a previous comment you replied to you said:
“Decide how many more stitches wide you’d like each base triangle in the starting tier. Multiply that number by 12 (there are 12 triangles in that tier) and add that onto the number of chains you start with.”
Using that math (12 x 7) it came out to 84 chain stitches instead of 74. Is this correct? Should there really be 84 chains?
Thanks so much!
Amanda,
That was for someone that was looking to increase the size of each triangle, not actually how many triangles there were.
I’m wondering if you’re missing a chain somewhere…maybe between each triangle?
I am enjoying making this blanket and am about 2 thirds done. Reading the end of the pattern it says block but I’m not quite sure what I do when I get to that bit
Lynda,
Everyone has preferred methods of blocking their finished pieces. Some people like to place a towel over their work and then give it a quick press. Some people like to square it up while damp, and let it dry in place. It really depends on what yarn you are using. In the end, for this project at least, it’s just a way to “square up” your work and get it into shape before moving on to the backing and binding!
I know how to do Tunisian crochet. I have done row 1. when I try to start row 2 I don’t understand if i’m doing squares or triangles. if i’m doing triangles am I starting with a chain and how do I attach this to row 1? row 2 is very confusing. if you don’t figure out row 2 you can’t finish this blanket
Hi Becky!
The first “row” is really a series of rows, return passes, etc., that creates a long string of triangles across that first length that you chained. Then you’ll build a row of squares all the way across. Then another row of squares. And keep going with these rows of squares, until you’ve reached the end, then finish with another row of triangles. Does this help???
I have been reading the pattern and you talk about a chain. after I’ve done row 2 what do I do with this chain. I have never been so confused with Tunisian entrelac crochet before
I love this pattern. I love the way the triangles keep everything straight and flat. I learned entrelac without the triangles and hated the way the corners curl up. I’ve experimented with making triangles of my own and just wasn’t coming out quite right.
I modified a bit for my project- shortened the starting chain so there’s less squares/triangles per tier and then just repeat the pattern to make it scarf length. I’m using one color so I started turning the work at the end of a tier so the next tier starts at the same corner the last one ended. Finished project will look different but your pattern was a huge help in learning! Thank you so much!