Free Crochet Checkerboard Crochet Blanket Pattern Tutorial

Make a Classic Checkerboard Crochet Blanket with contrasting colors to add some texture and style to your handmade home decor! This Free Crochet Pattern has a full Step-by-Step Video Tutorial alongside the written detailed instructions in this blog post. Get creative picking out different colors to create this crocheted block motif for a timeless look! Read more about this checkered pattern below or scroll down to the free pattern, happy crocheting!

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Pattern Description 

The Checkerboard Picnic Blanket is designated as an Intermediate Skill Level Pattern written in US Terminology that is perfect to make any size blanket.

Since this Checkerboard Crochet Blanket Pattern is made using individual squares you don’t have to worry about making color changes like you would with checkerboard patterns that use corner-to-corner stitches to create a checkerboard crochet stitch.

This afghan pattern uses the Almond Ridge Stitch, one of my favorites! It is an easy stitch but I would recommend to use stitch markers if this is your first time creating this textures crochet stitch as you may loose the slip stitches at the end of the rows.

I would also recommend working in the back bump of your chain stitches when starting your square for a cleaner more finished edge that will easier to work your border into.

You can easily adjust the size of your blanket by making more or less squares if you want a size different than the three I have designed.

Each skein of heartland will make two crochet squares, however, two skeins of heartland can get you an extra square for a total of 5. 

So each square uses approximately 100 yards of yarn, keep that in mind when working with skeins of yarn from your stash. 

I have so many other crochet projects that use the Almond Ridge Stitch like the Modern Retro Throw, Fern Cropped Cardi and Almond Stitch Blanket.

Choosing Colors

When picking colors for this blanket crochet pattern your options are endless. You can have fun mixing and matching for a perfect blend of style to add to your living space. 

You can choose to go with high-contrast shades of yarn for a real wow factor or go more subtle with neutrals. 

I chose contrasting neutrals because I was inspired by wooden gameboards. By choosing wood tone colors and the texture of the almond stitch I was able to create the effect of woodgrain!

You can choose any color pallet and this checkered throw blanket will look amazing! 

This would even be wonderful as a scrap yarn project to use multiple colors left over from some balls of yarn and not just be a two color crochet blanket. 

Yarn Substitutes

• Vanna’s Choice
• Color Theory

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Materials

• 5.50 mm Crochet Hook
• 4 (5, 6) Skeins of Heartland in Acadia [136-098U] – Color A
• 4 (5, 6) Skeins of Heartland in Mammoth Cave [136-125P] – Color B
• #4 Worsted Weight Yarn
  1000 (1255, 1500) Yards – Color A
• #4 Worsted Weight Yarn –
  1000 (1255, 1500 Yards – Color A

Gauge

• Each Square is 8 by 8 inches.

Sizing 

• Baby (Throw,Picnic) – (46 x 40, 56 x 48, 64 x 48) inches 

Stitch Descriptions and Abbreviations

• Chain Stitch – ch
• Slip Stitch– sl st 
• Stitch(es) – st(s) 
• HalfDouble Crochet – hdc
• Back Loop Only – blo
• Right Side – RS
• Stacked Single Crochet Stitch – STsc – insert your hook into the designated stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops, insert your hook into the second vertical bar on the stitch you just created, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull though all loops.

Pattern Notes

• Baby (Throw,Picnic) – (46 x 40, 56 x 48, 64 x 48) inches 
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• * Designates a repeat.
• After Row 1 all following Rows are worked in the Back Loop Only (blo) to create the ridges.
• For cleaner edges you may work the first and last stitches of each row in both loops.
• Color A – Make 15 (21, 24) Squares
• Color B – Make 15 (21, 24) Squares
• Baby – 6 Rows by 5 Columns
• Throw – 7 Rows by 6 Columns
• Picnic – 8 Rows by 6 Columns

Crochet Square Motif

Chain 29
Row 1 – Sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sl st 3, *hdc 4, sl st 4, repeat from * to end. [28 stitches]
Note: Use the back bump of your chain for a more finished edge.
Note: If you start with 4 sl sts on on a row you will end with 4 sl sts on that row, similarly, if you start with 4 hdc (STsc/3hdc) on a row you will also end with 4 hdc on that row.
Row 2 – Turn, STsc in first st, hdc 3 blo, sl st 4 in blo, * hdc 4 blo, sl st 4 in blo, repeat from * until 4 sts remain, hdc 4 in blo. 
Row 3 – Turn, STsc in first st, hdc 3 blo, sl st 4 in blo, * hdc 4 blo, sl st 4 in blo, repeat from * until 4 sts remain, hdc 4 in blo.
Row 4 – Turn, *sl st 4 in blo, hdc 4 blo, repeat from * until 4 sts remain, sl st 4 in blo.
Row 5 – Turn, *sl st 4 in blo, hdc 4 blo, repeat from * until 4 sts remain, sl st 4 in blo.
Rows 7 to 25 – Repeat Rows 2 – 5
Row 26 & Square Trim – Turn, STsc in first st, hdc 3 blo, sl st 4 in blo, * hdc 4 blo, sl st 4 in blo, repeat from * until 4 sts remain, hdc 4 in blo, ch 1, turn square clockwise keeping RS facing, sc 28 evenly down row ends on the side of your work, place 3 sc in last st to create a corner, turn square clockwise, sc 28 across in starting chain, place 3 sc in last st to create a corner, turn square clockwise, sc 28 evenly down row ends, place 3 sc in last st to create a corner, turn square clockwise, sc 28 across in Row 25 sts, place 2 sc in last st, sl st to join beginning of trim round, finish off.

Assembly

Assemble your squares in a checkerboard pattern using your preferred seaming method. I used the mattress stitch, full tutorial available on the Life and Yarn YouTube Channel.