Learn to make this beautiful Tunisian Baby Blanket in an adorable Striped Hearts pattern. Just two Caron Big Cakes is all you will need.
The stripes are formed with a self-striping yarn, but you’ll be able to make more defined stripes, if you prefer.
“Striped Hearts Baby Blanket” free Tunisian crochet pattern by Kim Guzman © Jan. 2023. All rights reserved.
Technique: Tunisian crochet.
Skill Level: Easy.
Crochet Pattern At A Glance
Tunisian Baby Blanket | Striped Hearts
Designer: Kim Guzman © 2022-24. All rights reserved.Rate the Pattern
Yarn
- Caron “Big Cakes”, 100% acrylic, 10.5 oz/ 300g, 603 yds/551m per skein: 2 cakes of colorway Boysenberry, approx. 1000 yards used.
Other Materials
- Suggested Tunisian Crochet Hook Size K-10 1/2 (6.5mm) extending cord optional
- Yarn Needle for weaving ends
Instructions
- Row 1: Work Foundation.
- Rows 2-8: Establish built in border.
- Rows 9-22: Establish Heart motifs.
- Rows 23-99: Repeat established motifs.
- Rows 100-106: Mirror the beginning built in border.
- Row 107: Work slip stitch bind off. Fasten off.
Full Free Crochet Pattern Below
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.
My Crochet Pattern Notes
This pattern is a great pattern if you are already crocheting but you’ve never tried Tunisian crochet. You need only learn the foundation row, two Tunisian crochet stitches and how to do the closing row.
This baby blanket is worked in one piece. It’s framed with raised stitches on the top, bottom and sides. The same raised stitches are used to form the hearts. When you stop crocheting, it’s finished. There is no extra trim or border since it’s built in.
I have specifically designed this so that you can make your own stripes with some solid yarns. Or, you could even make the entire blanket in one solid color. I’ve also provided the multiple so you could make a larger afghan.
This pattern would be great for any gifts from Valentine’s Day to a wedding gift, and everything in between. Hearts are the most loved motif for crafters.
I used similar colors when I designed this Summer Mist Throw, available for free at Yarnspirations. This yarn is Caron One Pound and the colors look readily available.
Why Does Tunisian Crochet Curl?
The curling in Tunisian crochet is completely normal. When doing some of the Tunisian crochet stitches, the bulk of the stitch is in the back of the work. This pulls it to the front, making it curl.
It’s so close to knitting that, like knitting, you need to plan ahead for the curling in order to counteract it.
For this Tunisian baby blanket, I’ve started with a Tunisian Reverse Stitch for several rows. The reverse stitch puts the bulk of the stitch on the opposite side of the work. It counteracts the normal curling.
Whatever you do, don’t give up on Tunisian crochet because of the curling. We wouldn’t normally give up on knitting because of the curl even though knitting curls like mad. You just need to find ways to combat it, which turns out to be pretty easy to do. I promise. This pattern introduces one such method.
How To Keep Tunisian Crochet From Curling
You usually start off with a hook larger than you think you’ll need. I like to use at least two sizes larger than I would normally use with my chosen yarn.
The next method I use here is using a stitch that counters the curl of other stitches. Tunisian Reverse Stitch goes a long way to tackling the curl. It acts in the same way that Garter Stitch combats curling in knitting.
Introducing Tunisian Reverse Stitch
Way back in 1998, I introduced three books using Tunisian Reverse Stitch. At the time, no one knew what it was. I had thought I was doing something else. But, when no one at the publishing company had ever seen it, I knew I had to figure out what it was.
- Annie’s Attic, Afghan Stitch Afghans, March 2002
- Annie’s Attic, Tunisian Baby Afghans, June 2001
- Annie’s Attic, Tunisian Sampler Afghan, April 2001
I had developed all of these afghans with an unknown stitch! How fun is that? I had to research for a year, buying lots of vintage books, until I found a book with this stitch in it. I believe it was dated 1908, maybe 1904. That’s where I found it called Tunisian Reverse Stitch.
So, when you see this stitch used so frequently in Tunisian crochet patterns in more modern times, just think back to a time when no one even knew about it!
After I wrote the patterns for these three books with Annie’s Attic, I began seeing the stitch pop up everywhere since it works quite well for helping with Tunisian curl. I don’t know what we ever did without it.
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Finished Size
32″ x 32″
Yarn
Caron “Big Cakes”, 100% acrylic, 10.5 oz/ 300g, 603 yds/551m per skein: 2 cakes of colorway Boysenberry, approx. 1000 yards used. Three regular Caron “Cakes” should be sufficient for completion.
Caron “Big Cakes” is classified as a medium aran weight (size 4) yarn.
This yarn is a large manufacturing put-up of Caron Cakes. If you are unable to find Big Cakes, you can use Caron Cakes, or try it in a solid color or stripes of your own choice of colors.
Other Materials
Suggested Tunisian Crochet Hook Size K-10 1/2 (6.5mm), or size needed to meet gauge, extending cord optional.
Yarn Needle for weaving ends.
This blanket is fairly small and should easily fit on a standard 13″ or 14″ length Tunisian crochet hook. It may be more comfortable with a smaller hook and an extension cord. I’ve used a Denise Interchangeable Hook.
Gauge
In stitch pattern, 13 stitches for 13 rows measures 4″ x 4″.
Special Stitches
Foundation: For best results, turn the chain over and work into the back horizontal bar to pull up loops. Chain the number indicated, insert hook in second chain, yarn over, pull loop through (2 loops now on hook), *insert hook in next chain, yarn over, pull loop through, keep loop on hook, repeat from * across, ending with the same number of loops on the hook as the starting chain. Right-Handed Video | Left-Handed Video
Tunisian Reverse Stitch (trs): With hook behind work, insert hook from side to side (right to left if you’re right handed and left to right if your left handed) under back vertical bar, always keeping hook to back of work, yarn over, pull loop through, keeping loop on hook. Right-Handed Video | Left-Handed Video
Tunisian Knit Stitch (tks): Insert hook, from front of work to back of work, between the front and back vertical bars of the same stitch, yarn over, pull loop through, keeping loop on hook. Right-Handed Video | Left-Handed Video
Last Stitch of a Row: The last stitch of each row is worked into the outer 2 vertical bars. It’s basically a knit stitch with an extra loop. You don’t want to work under only one vertical bar since it will cause the loop to stretch too much. Working under both loops makes a nice, clean, sturdy edge. Right-Handed Video | Left-Handed Video
Other Abbreviations
This crochet pattern is written in US crochet terminology.
ch=chain; lp(s)=loop(s); rep=repeat; sk=skip; st(s)=stitch(es); yo=yarn over.
Please see the chart below for an overall look at the pattern.
Stitch Multiple
If you would like to change the width of this blanket, you’ll need any multiple of 12, then add 23.
Free Crochet Pattern Instructions
Note: Every row is closed with a typical Tunisian crochet closing as follows: Ch 1, [yo, pull through 2 lps on hook] across. 1 lp remains on hook which counts for the first st of the next row.
Row 1: Ch 107, work Foundation (see Special Stitches above), close (see Note above for closing instructions).
Rows 2-5: Sk first vertical bar, trs (see Special Stitches above) to last st, work last stitch (see Special Stitches above), close. The stitch count is 107 lps on hook here and throughout.
Rows 6-8: Sk first vertical bar, 4 trs, tks (see Special Stitches above) to last 5 sts, 4 trs, work last stitch, close.
Row 9: Sk first vertical bar, 4 trs, 6 tks, 1 trs, [11 tks, 1 trs] 7 times, 6 tks, 4 trs, work last stitch, close.
Row 10: Sk first vertical bar, 4 trs, 5 tks, 3 trs, [9 tks, 3 trs] 7 times, 5 tks, 4 trs, work last stitch, close.
Row 11: Sk first vertical bar, 4 trs, 4 tks, 5 trs, [7 tks, 5 trs] 7 times, 4 tks, 4 trs, work last stitch, close.
Rows 12-13: Sk first vertical bar, 4 trs, 3 tks, 7 trs, [5 tks, 7 trs] 7 times, 3 tks, 4 trs, work last stitch, close.
Row 14: Sk first vertical bar, 4 trs, 3 tks, 3 trs, 1 tks, 3 trs, [5 tks, 3 trs, 1 tks, 3 trs] 7 times, 3 tks, 4 trs, work last stitch, close.
Row 15: Sk first vertical bar, 4 trs, 4 tks, 1 trs, 3 tks, 1 trs, [7 tks, 1 trs, 3 tks, 1 trs] 7 times, 4 tks, 4 trs, work last stitch, close.
Row 16: Sk first vertical bar, 4 trs, 12 tks, 1 trs, [11 tks, 1 trs] 6 times, 12 tks, 4 trs, work last stitch, close.
Row 17: Sk first vertical bar, 4 trs, 11 tks, 3 trs, [9 tks, 3 trs] 6 times, 11 tks, 4 trs, work last stitch, close.
Row 18: Sk first vertical bar, 4 trs, 10 tks, 5 trs, [7 tks, 5 trs] 6 times, 10 tks, 4 trs, work last stitch, close.
Rows 19-20: Sk first vertical bar, 4 trs, 9 tks, 7 trs, [5 tks, 7 trs] 6 times, 9 tks, 4 trs, work last stitch, close.
Row 21: Sk first vertical bar, 4 trs, 9 tks, 3 trs, 1 tks, 3 trs, [5 tks, 3 trs, 1 tks, 3 trs] 6 times, 9 tks, 4 trs, work last stitch, close.
Row 22: Sk first vertical bar, 4 trs, 10 tks, 1 trs, 3 tks, 1 trs, [7 tks, 1 trs, 3 tks, 1 trs] 6 times, 10 tks, 4 trs, work last stitch, close.
Rows 23-92: Rep rows 9-22.
Rows 93-99: Rep rows 9-15.
Rows 100-103: Sk first vertical bar, 4 trs, tks to last 5 sts, 4 trs, work last stitch, close.
Rows 104-106: Sk first vertical bar, trs to last st, work last stitch, close.
Row 107: Work slip stitch in back vertical bar as for Tunisian Reverse Stitch across. (A slip stitch is made by inserting hook in vertical bar indicated, yarn over, pull through and pull through the loop on hook.) Fasten off.
Finishing
Weave in all ends securely.
Chart
Although the written instructions are provided, sometimes it helps to see a chart in order to get the overall view.
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All the patterns at Make It Crochet are free. Since many of you have asked how to help with the costs of running a site like this, I’ve made all the patterns into print-ready PDFs and the cost is about the same as a cup of coffee. Every little bit helps.
TERMS: To my fellow crafters, you have my permission to use my patterns to make and sell your projects* anywhere you like. You cannot use my images to sell your projects, though. You must take photos of your own work. All patterns have been tested but mistakes can happen. If you find a mistake, please let me know. Everything at MakeItCrochet.com is protected by copyright to Kim Guzman. Other than the permissions previously given, no one other than Kim Guzman has permission to: reproduce, copy, publish or distribute this pattern, its parts or photos in any way or form, including, but not limited to, translations into foreign languages & video production.
*Not intended to be blanket permission for mass production.
Susan M Torres says
I started making this n blanket and have a question. For stitches 6-8 instructions are : 4 try, tks to last 5 stitches then 4 try work last stitch.
my question is how many tks? one? or four? thank you
Kim Guzman says
I’m not sure of your question so I’m going to expand a little and see if this helps.
Rows 6-8: Sk first vertical bar, 4 trs, tks (see Special Stitches above) to last 5 sts, 4 trs, work last stitch, close.
Sk first vertical bar, then 4 trs = 5 loops now on hook
tks to last 5 st = 97 tks, 102 loops now on hook
4 trs, then work the last st = 5 more sts, 107 loops now on hook
Kerry says
while beautiful I wish you would show us where the hearts are so all can better understand. I would love to do this for a friend but without a video this would become irritating.
sorry
Kim Guzman says
Even if I were able to provide a video, it would be terribly long and nearly useless due to its length for each repeat. For anyone who wants things to be more brief (because the written instructions are also fairly long and easy to get confused), I suggest using the chart provided. The pattern is only two stitches and very easy. Reverse stitch for the black boxes and Knit stitch for the white boxes. I hope this helps!
Mable F. says
Hi, Kim! I’ve loved your patterns since we were members of crochetlist on Yahoo Groups years ago! I’m so glad to have found your site.
Kim Guzman says
Thank you! I’m glad you found the new website. 🙂
Georgina Kettle-Gundry says
I have appreciated all your detailed written explanations at the beginning and the very clear pattern writing. Your chart is an added bonus that is very welcome. I’m slowly progressing and very much enjoying it. Thank you from a grateful Brit.
Kim Guzman says
Great! I’m glad it’s working out for you. It’s such a beautiful blanket. Thank you for writing!