Harlequin stitch
This is one of my favorite basic stitch patterns. It's easy, quick to work up, and the thickness is suitable for nice blankets. It's a good stash-buster pattern; you can use as many colors as you want.
I like using worsted weight yarn and a G or H size hook for most of my projects, so that's what the recommended count and size is based on.
stitch count: multiple of 6 + 2
For my blanket, I chained 212 (210 +2). It measures about 53" wide without a border.
pattern:
- Chain your desired amount of stitches. Sc in the 2nd ch from the hook. Sc in each ch across. Ch1, turn.
- Sc in first sc. *Skip two st, in next sc: 3dc, ch1, 3dc. Skip two st, sc in next sc.* Repeat from * to * across. You should end with a sc in the last st. Fasten off.
- Attach new color with a sl st onto your hook. Turn work. In the last sc worked, do a standing dc. in next 3 dc, dc3tog. Ch 7. You're going to be working in the 'valleys' of the previous row. *In the next valley, dc6tog, skipping the sc in the middle. Ch 7.* Repeat from * to * across, until you get to the last half valley. in the next 3 dc, dc3tog. Dc in the last sc. Ch3 (acts as a dc), turn.
- On this row you'll be making the peaks of the pattern. 3dc in top of dc3tog of previous row. Sc in ch1 sp of row 2. *In middle of next dc6tog: 3dc, ch1, 3dc. Sc in next ch1 sp of previous row.* Repeat from * to * until the last dc3tog. 3dc in last dc3tog. Dc in last dc. Fasten off.
- Attach new color with a sl st onto your hook. In last dc made, do a standing sc. ch 3. You'll be working in the valleys again. *Dc6tog in next 6dc, skipping sc of previous row. Ch 7.* Repeat from * to * across, ending with another 6dctog. Ch 3, sc in last st (top of ch3 from row 3). Ch1, turn.
- Sc in first sc. *In middle of next dc6tog: 3dc, ch1, 3dc. Sc in ch1 sp of row 4.* Repeat from * to * across, ending with a sc in last sc.
- Repeat rows 3-6 for desired length. You can end with row 3 to give your project a flat top. This will make a border easier to do.