We've all seen them, those oversize throw blankets. They're staged perfectly at the foot of a bed or over an armchair in the most sought after interior design magazines and I pine for the textured look & cuddly softness they would provide. Unfortunately, they tend to be hard to find or over-priced; so, us creative folk, we turn to make them for ourselves.

However, many of the arm-knitting instructions that may be an all-the-rage solution for DIY are done using only simple purl or knit stitches and with long roving spools - often leaving you in a tangled mess with sore arms. I wanted something with more texture, and in a format & material I could more easily obtain.

This blanket uses "Mega Bulky" (category 6) yarn found at any craft or supply store (I found my stash of 20 in a discount store) and a size Q (16mm) crochet hook. I also have some crochet basic experience and if you do too, this project might be the perfect opportunity to expand your skills with a new technique - Cabling!

Step 1: Basic Info & Supplies Used

The finished blanket measures approximately 42" x 54" and would drape slightly over each side of a twin sized bed, extend down the full length of a chaise, or span easily between an armchair and ottoman. The bed in photo is a full size and the finish blanket has been folded under for perspective of the cabling stitches.

Each step will give simple abbreviated instructions then explain in full detail with photos.

Abbreviations used include:

Ch - Chain stitch

Dc - Double Crochet

St(s) - Stich(es)

FpDc - Front Post Double Crochet

HDc - Half Double Crochet

BpDc - Back Post Double Crochet

FpTr - Front Post Treble Crochet

For challenging spots, videos have been added between steps to further explain the intermediate stitches basic crocheters may not be as familiar with.

These include a front post double crochet in the first section of the first repeating row and key cabling steps.

Supplies:

-Size Q or 16mm crochet hook

-14-20 balls of category 6 "Super Bulky" yarn - I used Bernat Mega Bulky

(I found my stash of 20 balls from a discount store, Each ball had only ~64 yards, which works up very fast and fluxuated slightly from ball to ball. Once the pattern gets going I got about 3 rows out of each ball, which means I used 16 balls on the blanket and 2 for the boarder. & 2 extra to be safe)

-Task light

-Yarn scissors

-Stitch markers (not needed for the pattern, but nice to have to hold or mark your work when taking breaks)

-measuring tape

- Size K or 6.5mm crochet hook (I used a smaller gauge hook for weaving ends with super bulky yarn)

References:

Mikey at TheCrochetCrowd.com has an excellent video that guided my own understanding of the cabling technique. From this introduction to cabling, I was able to create this unique pattern. I highly recommend Mikey's website, blog, & tutorial videos should you need any additional insight.

Step 2: Foundation Chains and Base Row

Abbreviated:

Ch 55. Dc into 3rd Ch from the hook & into each chain across. Ch 2 & Turn. (54 Dc inc. 2ch)

Explanation:

Start by chaining 55 stitches; these should be loose, but not over exaggerated, just slip them easily off the hook without tension.

Turn your chain & double crochet into the third chain. Double crochet across the chain, you should have 53 double crochet stitches, plus two vertical chains at the start which count as a double crochet for a total of 54.

Chain two and turn your work.

Step 3: 1 of 4 Repeating Rows

Abbreviated:

Skip the first stitch *Dc into next 2 sts, FpDc 2sts, Dc 2sts. Skip 3 sts, fpTr into each of the next 3 sts. Return to skipped stitches & FpTr into each of the 3 skipped sts, FpDc into next 3 sts. Repeat starting at * 2 more times. Dc into next 2 Sts. FpDc 2 sts, Dc 2 Sts. Dc into turning chain. Chain 1 & turn work.

Explanation:

Start with a double crochet in the 2nd stitch from the turning chain, double crochet again in the following stitch.

Next, Front-post double crochet in the next 2 double crochet stitches from the previous row. Double crochet in the next 2 stitches. You should now have 6 stitches completed. Two double crochet, two front post double crochet, and two more double crochet.

The first cable stitch series now begins:

Skip the next three stitches. Front Post Treble crochet in the 4th stitch, 5th stitch, and 6th stitch. (1st set of 3) Then, return to the three skipped stitches. Front Post Treble crochet in each of the three stitches (2nd set of 3) - this forces your stitches to cross over the 1st set, creating the cabling affect. Front Post Double crochet in next three stitches (3rd Set of 3). This completes the cable section - totaling 9 stitches.

Repeat from beginning two more times, completing a total of three cable sections.

Finish the row with the following sequence: Double crochet in the next two stitches, front-post double crochet in the next 2 double crochet stitches from the previous row and Double crochet in the next 2 stitches. Double crochet in the top of the turning chain, chain one & turn your work.

Step 4: 2 of 4 Repeating Rows

Abbreviated:

*HDc 2, BpDc 2, HDc 2, BpDc into next 9 sts (all three sections of three - the complete cable section). Repeat from * twice. HDc 2, BpDc 2, HDc 2 & HDc in turning chain. Chain 2 & turn.

Explanation:

Half double crochet in first two double crochet stitches.

Back Post Double Crochet in the next two double crochet posts (this keeps the dimensional feature prominent).

Half double crochet next two double crochet stitches.

Next, back post double crochet stitches across the entire cabling section - 9 back post double crochet stitches. This helps the stitches cross over each other & remain a prominent feature - BUT, be sure to count! Follow each section of three to ensure no stitches are missed. "Follow the line" across, and use the back post double crochet stitches to help the cabling affect take place.

Repeat from the start twice then half double crochet in the next two double crochet stitches, Back Post Double Crochet in the next two double crochet posts, Half double crochet next two double crochet stitches. Finish the row with one more half double crochet in the turning chain and chain two. Turn the work.

Step 5: 3 of 4 Repeating Rows

Abbreviated:

Skip the first stitch *Dc into next 2 sts, FpDc 2sts, Dc 2sts. FpDc into next 3 sts, Skip 3 sts, fpTr into each of the next 3 sts. Return to skipped stitches & FpTr into each of the 3 skipped sts. Repeat starting at * 2 more times. Dc into next 2 Sts. FpDc 2 sts, Dc 2 Sts. Dc into turning chain. Chain 1 & turn work.

Explanation:

Start with a double crochet in the 2nd stitch from the turning chain, double crochet again in the following stitch. Next, Front-post double crochet in the next 2 double crochet stitches from the previous row. Double crochet in the next 2 stitches. You should now have 6 stitches completed. Two double crochet, two front post double crochet, and two more double crochet.

The second cable stitch series now begins: Front Post Double crochet in next three stitches (1st Set of 3). Skip the next three stitches. Front Post Treble crochet in the 7th stitch, 8th stitch, and 9th stitch. (2nd set of 3) Then, return to the three skipped stitches. Front Post Treble crochet in each of the three stitches (3rd set of 3) - this forces your stitches to cross over the 2nd set, completing the cabling affect. Repeat from beginning two more times, completing a total of three cable sections.

Step 6: 4 of 4 Repeating Rows

Abbreviation:

*HDc 2, BpDc 2, HDc 2, BpDc into next 9 sts (all three sections of three - the complete cable section). Repeat from * twice. HDc 2, BpDc 2, HDc 2 & HDc in turning chain. Chain 2 & turn.

Explanation: (Very similar to step 2 of 4, only difference is where to pay attention and be sure to count your stitches, particularly while performing the back post double crochets across the cabling sections)

Half double crochet in first two double crochet stitches. Back Post Double Crochet in the next two double crochet posts (this keeps the dimensional feature prominent). Half double crochet next two double crochet stitches.

Next, back post double crochet stitches across the entire cabling section - 9 back post double crochet stitches.

This helps the stitches cross over each other & remain a prominent feature - BUT, be sure to count! Follow each section of three to ensure no stitches are missed. "Follow the line" across, and use the back post double crochet stitches to help the cabling affect take place.

Step 7: Repetition & Finishing

Repeat the repeating rows 1-4 eleven more times for a total of 12 cabling sections - 48 rows plus the foundation row of double crochet for a total of 49 rows. Add a border of double crochet around the entire work. Be sure to crochet three double crochet in each corner to prevent buckling. Finish off & weave all ends.

Step 8: (optional) Arrangement & Placement

Optionally, if creating for yourself, place the blanket with accessories such as a teddy bear, complementary pillows, or in my case - add a puppy ;-)

My dog Tobey just couldn't resist the snuggly soft texture of the cables while I was finishing the photo set-up for this instructable. I bet your dog, cat, bunny, or furry creature can't either! Enjoy :-)