The “River Run” Checkered Blanket Crochet Pattern is so much fun to make with color changing yarn! It’s a fairly simple pattern that’s meditative and trendy.

See the free pattern below or grab the ad-free, printable version for purchase on Etsy HERE or the kit from Lion Brand Yarn HERE.

The checker crochet stitch pattern is something I have wanted to try for years, so it was really cool to finally get to it. And actually, all the checkered things are so in style right now that my daughter was even excited about this one!

My biggest hesitation on crocheting plaid or checkers is that I didn’t want to have to mess with color changes on every row, or every other row. I was hopeful that using a color changing yarn would elimate the need to cut and weave in a bunch of yarns, and it did!

I will say, you do need some patience with the plaid or checker crochet stitch. It’s slow going but worth it.

This beautiful blanket is made with a light weight yarn, so the blanket can be for anyone – baby to adult. It also takes longer to work up than many of the blankets I make with chunky yarn, obviously lol!

It’s named the River Run because of the pretty blues and greens in this colorway. However, there are so many colors to choose from and you can have a lot of fun customizing your blanket.

Okay, let’s hop to this pattern!

Remember that you can purchase the ad-free, printable pattern from Etsy HERE or check out the free pattern below. 🙂

Description:

Crochet this pretty blanket featuring the popular checker pattern without having to cut yarn to make any color changes! This light weight blanket features modern stitching with a variety of color options and it works up easily with beloved Mandala yarn. The checkered stitch pattern continues to be on trend, making this a perfect blanket for anyone – kids to adults. Choose your favorite colorway and have fun!

Materials:

3 skeins Lion Brand Yarn Mandala Baby #3 Light Weight in Echo Caves 590 yds and 150 g/skein

Pattern uses approximately 430 g

US size H 5.0 mm crochet hook

Scissors

Tapestry needle to weave in ends

Size (approximate):

36” X 42” inches

Size can be adjusted and customized. See the “Pattern Notes” for more details.

Gauge:

Approximately 15 dc stitches and 13 rows of pattern in 4” x 4” .

Pattern Notes:

This blanket is crocheted from the bottom up using the gorgeous crochet plaid stitch.

Important: Consider practicing on a small swatch before beginning the blanket. Simply chain a multiple of 6 (12 for example) and work the pattern as written. See photos of an example swatch at the end of the pattern for additional help.

Size Adjustments: To adjust the width of your blanket, you will want to start with a longer or shorter chain using a multiple of 6 stitches. To make your blanket longer or shorter, you’ll simply crochet more or fewer rows until your desired length is reached. Keep yarn needs in mind if you adjust the size of your blanket.

By using the color changing Mandala yarn you will not have to make color changes throughout this pattern. Simply work through each skein of yarn.

You will not have to cut your yarn to make color changes throughout this pattern. Simply change colors each row, working with the three skeins of yarn (one skein at a time for each row), and carry your yarn up the side of the work.

Have fun!

Abbreviations (US) & Skills:

ch – chain

st – stitch

sc – single crochet

dc – double crochet

sl st – slip stitch

River Run Checkered Blanket Crochet Pattern

•Note that after Row 1 you will be working into the row below, not the previous row. See the swatch photo at the end of the pattern for more assistance.

Important – Read before beginning: Change color/skein every row, carrying the yarn up the side of your work as to not cut the yarn. For example, crochet a row with one skein starting with a pale color tone, then crochet another row with another skein using a darker color tone, and finally a different color with the third skein. Work through the three skeins of yarn, crocheting with just one strand at a time, changing colors/skein every row. You certainly could cut the yarn and pick up the new color to make your color changes if you prefer, but you would have to weave in a lot of ends.

The key for creating the pixelated color is to not use the same colors at the same time. Each row should contrast. You may cut the yarn if needed and wind it up to save for later if you need to get to a color in the skein that contrasts.

Little checkers crochet stitch — Note how the colors are carried up the side of the work. Simply work across a row, pick up your yarn from another skein and work back. Repeat!

*Pick up new skein at the end of each row (no need to cut the yarn, simply carry it up the sides)

Ch 138

Row 1 Dc in 5^th ch from hook, dc in next ch. *Ch 3, skip 3 ch sts, dc in next 3 ch sts*, repeat from * to * across. Ch 4 (counts as a ch 3 and ch 1), turn.

Row 2 Skip 3 dc sts, dc in each of the skipped 3 ch sts below, *Ch 3, sk 3 dc, dc in each of skipped ch 3 sts below*, repeat from * to * across to last 3 sts, ch 3, sk 3 sts, sl st in last st of row. Ch 3 (counts as 1^st dc of next row), turn.

Row 3 Dc in next 2 dc sts below, *Ch 3, sk 3 dc, dc into each of the next 3 skipped dc sts below*, repeat from * to * across to end. Ch 4, turn.

Row 4 *Skip 3 dc sts, dc in each of 3 skipped dc sts below, ch 3*, repeat from * to * across to last 3 sts, ch 3, sk 3 sts, sl st in last st of row. Ch 3 (counts as 1^st dc st of next row), turn.

Repeat rows 3 & 4 until you’ve reached the indicated length (or your desired length).

Final Row (ending with a Row 4) Dc in next 2 sts, *sc in next 3 sts, dc in each of next 3 skipped sts across to end. Tie off, weave in ends.