This Arcade Treads Blanket crochet pattern is made in an array of exciting neon colors in geometric stripes, perfect for anyone but especially toddlers and teens.
“Arcade Treads Blanket” free crochet pattern by Kim Guzman © Oct. 2023. All right reserved.
Technique: Regular Crochet.
Skill Level: Easy.
Crochet Pattern At A Glance
Arcade Treads Blanket Crochet Pattern
Designer: Kim Guzman © 2022-23. All rights reserved.When est. crochet time is over 24 hours, each 24 hours will automatically adjust to a day.
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Yarn
- Stylecraft “Special DK”, 100% acrylic, 322 yds/295m per 3.5 oz/100g per skein: 4 skeins of color Proper Purple (1200 yds used), 1 skein of color Turquoise (247 yds used), 1 skein each of colors Jaffa, Bright Green, Fiesta and Citron (180 yds of each used)
Other Materials
- Suggested Crochet Hook Size H-8 (5mm) or hook needed to meet gauge
- Yarn Needle for weaving ends
Instructions
- The first row is a simple row of single crochet. You can make it with a regular chain or you can use a foundation single crochet, if you prefer.
- After the second row, the repeat is worked on the next 3-10 rows.
- The 3-10 rows are repeated with 4 different colors.
- These rows are repeated twice more.
- Once the crocheting is finished, your project is complete after weaving in the loose ends.
This is a free crochet pattern and the written instructions are below. If you prefer a printable download, a PDF is also available for purchase.
Please remember that, even though this blanket shows a 26 hour completion time, it doesn’t mean “one day”. This is the actual crochet time, but the how-to card used here automatically adjusts to one day and two hours.
My Crochet Pattern Notes
I’ve purposely displayed this throw blanket so the rows are shown vertically instead of the way they are created, horizontally. I just love the look of the “tire treads” going in this direction.
I previously made the Treads Scarf Crochet Pattern and, at the time, I wanted to make a crochet blanket pattern in the same style. I was finally able to find the time to do that and it’s just as gorgeous as I had imagined.
I’ve stitched up this blanket in more of a throw size. It’s not huge, by any means. It would make a great toddler blanket. Pre-teens and teens will love the colors. Make it into a full blanket size by using a size 4 worsted/aran weight yarn or adjusting the number of stitches with the stitch multiples provided.
Colorwork Technique
The technique I’ve used for the color changing pattern is using a long stitch, dropped below. It’s the same technique I used when working on the Reversible Ripple Afghans book for Annie’s Attic. You can see it and my other books on the Kim Guzman About Page.
Color Substitution
This crochet blanket would look great substituting a self-striping for the complementary colors too. Definitely a project that makes the mind wander to even more great things.
I’ve used a lot of colors in this and there’s no reason why you couldn’t use fewer colors. Even two colors will work well. Use your imagination and make something that you will love!
I’m already thinking about using the same colors in more muted tones. Or, maybe something with Fall colors. Or, what about Beach colors? The mind boggles at the possibilities.
Use the yardage used information for each skein so you can plan ahead of your color choices.
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Finished Size
42″ wide, 42″ long.
Yarn
Stylecraft “Special DK”, 100% acrylic, 322 yds/295m per 3.5 oz/100g per skein: 4 skeins of color Proper Purple (1200 yds used), 1 skein of color Turquoise (247 yds used), 1 skein each of colors Jaffa, Bright Green, Fiesta and Citron (180 yds of each used).
“Special Double Knit” is classified as a DK weight (size 3) yarn and is currently available in 100 shades.
Available at LoveCrafts (aff link). If you’re in the US, look up at the top right to switch to US Dollars. I’ve purchased from them for years and love the selection.
Other Materials
Suggested Crochet Hook Size H-8 (5mm) or hook needed to meet gauge.
Yarn Needle for weaving ends.
Special Stitches
For ease, you make the double treble in the skipped stitch from three rows below. The skipped stitch makes it easy to see where you place the double treble.
The empty stitch is worked in the same color as the one you’re currently using for the double treble itself. You skip over the entire section of the secondary color.
Insert hook under the top two loops of the skipped stitches, just like you do normally, but bring the hook back into the front of the work before yarning over to complete the stitch.
The goal is to use the skipped stitch but not to wrap the double treble around the work itself. It’s very simple, but it takes a little practice at first.
Other Abbreviations
This crochet blanket pattern is written in US crochet terminology.
ch=chain; dc=double crochet; dtr=double treble crochet; rep=repeat; sc=single crochet; sk=skip; st(s)=stitch(es).
*A dtr has 3 yarn overs to start.
All numbers after the colon at the end of an instruction are stitch counts. Use the stitch count to check your work.
Gauge
Working in stitch pattern, 17 stitches for 12 rows measures approximately 4″ x 4″.
Stitch Multiple
To change the length of the row, make your initial chain any multiple of 4, then add 9.
How To Change Colors
For this blanket pattern, when you need to make a color change, it’s always on the last stitch of that row. On the last stitch, you complete the stitch until you have two loops on your hook, then yarn over and pull through the new color.
Cut Off Yarn After Color Change
I am certainly someone who likes to avoid the number of strands to weave in later. But, I’m recommending to cut off after each color change for this project.
If you carry up the colors along the side edge, it leaves a strand of yarn along the side. This isn’t a problem when you’re making a border, even if it’s just a simple one round border. You just crochet over it so that it’s buried within the stitches.
I really like the look of stripes being carried all the way out to the edge, without being cut off by a border. When I’m working on stripes like this, I like a clean stripe. If you prefer a border, it’s easy to add anything you like. As always, it’s completely up to you.
Free Crochet Pattern Instructions
Note: If you prefer Foundation Single Crochet, make 182 (or one stitch less than the initial chain if you’re using the stitch multiples). Cut off yarn after each color change.
Row 1: With Proper Purple, ch 183, sc in second ch from hook and in each remaining ch, turn: 182 sc.
Row 2: Ch 2 (counts as first dc here and throughout), sk first sc, dc in each sc across, changing to Turquoise on last dc, turn: 182 dc.
Row 3: With Turquoise, ch 1, sc in first dc and next 4 dc, *ch 1, sk 1 dc, sc in next 3 dc, rep from * to last 3 dc, ch 1, sk 1 dc, sc in last 2 dc, turn.
Note: For this throw, you won’t be working into the chain-1 spaces. You work directly into the chain itself.
Row 4: Ch 2, sk first sc, dc in next sc, *dc in CHAIN above the skipped dc, dc in next 3 sc, rep from * last 2 sc, dc in last 2 sc, changing to Proper Purple on last dc, turn: 182 dc.
Row 5: With Proper Purple, ch 1, sc in first 2 dc, *in third row below, dtr in skipped dc (reach forward a little bit) (see Special Stitches above), sk next dc in current row, sc in next 3 dc, rep from * to last 2 dc, sc in last 2 dc, turn.
Row 6: Ch 2, sk first sc, *dc in each st across, changing to Turquoise on last dc, turn: 182 dc.
Row 7: With Turquoise, ch 1, sc in first 2 dc, *ch 1, sk 1 dc, sc in next 3 dc, rep from * to last 2 dc, sc in last 2 dc, turn.
Row 8: Ch 2, sk first sc, dc in next sc, *dc in next 3 sc, dc in CHAIN above the skipped dc, rep from * last 2 sc, dc in last 2 sc, changing to Proper Purple on last dc, turn: 182 dc.
Row 9: With Proper Purple, ch 1, sc in first 2 dc, *sc in next 3 dc, in third row below, dtr in skipped dc (reach back a little), sk next dc in current row, rep from * to last 2 dc, sc in last 2 dc, turn.
Row 10: Ch 2, sk first sc, *dc in each st across, changing to Jaffa on last dc, turn: 182 dc.
Rows 11-18: Rep rows 3-10, using Jaffa instead of Turquoise.
Rows 19-26: Rep rows 3-10, using Bright Green instead of Turquoise.
Rows 27-34: Rep rows 3-10, using Fiesta instead of Turquoise.
Rows 35-42: Rep rows 3-10, using Citron instead of Turquoise.
Rows 43- 122: Rep rows 3-42 twice.
Rows 123-130: Rep rows 3-10, using Turquoise. Fasten off after final row.
Finishing
Weave in all ends securely.
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