Bespoke Bliss Blanket: A Crochet Scrap Afghan

If you can have a love affair with a crochet scrap afghan, this is it! Quite possibly the most joy you’ll ever have on your hook. Meet the Bespoke Bliss Blanket.

This afghan takes mindless crochet to a whole new level and she’s a stunner with so many options.

Let me explain.

There’s nothing I love more than a completely mindless crochet project. You know the kind I mean.

That project that you can pick up and work a few stitches, put it down and come back to it hours, days or even months later and not skip a beat. The same kind of project that can crochet you through life: scary movies with your favorite person, a kid’s soccer game or a long wait at a doctor’s office.

She’s also the kind of project that is very versatile and I love that too.

Go completely scrappy, changing up your colors in some planned event every few rows or just let the color changes happen. Do a 2 tone look with one color for the double crochet rows and another for the single crochet and chain row. Or pick a variegated or swirl cake like I did for a truly mindless adventure.

Size it up for a larger blanket or down for a baby afghan. And once you make this pattern you will totally want to try every variation because it is just so darn fun to crochet.

Bespoke Bliss Scrap Afghan

So what’s with the name ‘Bespoke Bliss Blanket’ anyway? I’m so glad you asked!

If you’ve been with me for a bit you might know that back in 2018 I started a tradition of a scrap afghan design as one year changes to the next. I started this just as we were preparing to move into our house in the country with the Onward and Upward Scrap Afghan.

The next year I was smitten with my stash of purple yarn and went all in with the Happy Lark Scrap Blanket. That blanket tutorial is a simple stitch repeat too with so many color choices.

Then we went through the crazy winter of shut down and getting back out in the world. So we ended that unusual year with the Wistful Wave Crochet Blanket in 2 colorways.. a scrappy one and a planned Caron Cake version.

In 2021 the Bloom Anyway Granny Square Blanket combined my favorite Sunburst Granny Square with a gorgeous join and border. She was a beauty and my daughter-in-law, the lucky recipient, still adores it!

And then last year, we went on a crochet adventure with the Hills and the Hollows afghan featuring the classic crochet granny square pattern in a chevron formation.

This year I’m introducing my favorite crochet afghan ever: The Bespoke Bliss Blanket!

As for the meaning… let’s start out with the word ‘Bespoke’ which might just be my favorite word of the year. The word ‘Bespoke’ originally referred to clothing (like a suit) that was ordered and custom made to a customer’s specifications. In recent years it is used to convey all things artisanal vs prefabricated. In other words, something custom, created with intention and artistic.

I wanted this year’s afghan to express the joy we feel in crocheting something beautiful. And the name ‘Bespoke Bliss Blanket’ suggests a personalized, unique creation (bespoke) while also conveying the cozy and joyful nature of a crochet scrap afghan (bliss). It adds a touch of adventure to the traditional concept of a blanket, making it both special and exciting.

Once you crochet the Bespoke Bliss Blanket you may never want to crochet another afghan. It’s that good.

Scrap Afghan Basics

The Bespoke Bliss Blanket uses the Block Stitch which is a super simple 2 row repeat. In the first row, you work single crochet stitches and chains to create spaces. The 2nd row is worked entirely in double crochet stitches into the spaces. The single crochet stitches in the alternating row are placed between sets of 3 double crochets, giving the vibe of a cluster or block of stitches.

That’s it! So easy!

I love that this Block Stitch pattern is so versatile. It’s easy to make wider or narrower by changing up the number of stitches. It is a 3+1 multiple which means you use your gauge and desired width and then make sure that number is divisible by 3 and then you add 1.

The same stitch pattern can be used in a number of different color combinations:

• All in 1 color, using a solid or striping yarn
• In two colors working the double crochet rows in one color and rest in another. This look can vary a great deal depending upon the color contrasts of yarn you choose
• In multiple colors using scrap yarns. You can work blocks of rows in one color. Or you can use a solid color (like white, gray or black) for the single crochet-chain row throughout and change colors for every double crochet row.

The possibilities are truly endless here!

I was enamored with the Caron Cinnamon Swirl Cakes and picked 5 colorways that transitioned the rainbow from dark and moody blues and purples to sunset hues of gold, orange and pinks. I used the following colors in order: Bay, Twilight Surf, Beach Towel, Maitai and Hibiscus. If you wanted to add a 6th color, Springtime would be a great choice.

Bespoke Bliss Blanket

Here is what you will need:

• US H 8/5.00 mm crochet hook (these are my absolute favorite hooks I recommend to everyone!)
• Worsted weight yarn.  Pattern is adjustable for other weight yarns, but it is best to be consistent (use all one type of yarn). My lap afghan sized blanket features Caron Cinnamon Swirl Cakes in the following colors (in order): Bay, Twilight Surf, Beach Towel, Maitai, Hibiscus
• Tapestry needle and scissors

Gauge:

Gauge is not important in this pattern.  You may use other weights of yarn.  Adjust hook size to fit your needs.  With the yarn and hook size given, my gauge is about 15 double crochet stitches to 4 inches.  

Resources and crochet tutorials you may find helpful in following this pattern: Crochet Abbreviations, US to UK Crochet Conversion Chart.  Find links to stitches and basic crochet skills on the “Tutorial” menu: Getting Started will show basic stitches such as the slip stitch, single crochet, double crochet stitch and chain stitch used in many patterns and Crochet Stitch Dictionary shows our growing collection of crochet stitch tutorials.

Crochet Abbreviations:

• ch = chain
• dc = double crochet
• sc = single crochet

Finished Bespoke Bliss Crochet Blanket Size

Size will vary dependent on yarn weight used and desired size. I worked a lap afghan with 5 Caron Cinnamon Swirl Cakes and my finished blanket measures 47″ wide by 53″ tall.

Resources and tutorials you may find helpful in following this pattern: Crochet Abbreviations, US to UK Crochet Conversion Chart.  Find links to stitches on the “Tutorial” menu: Getting Started will show basic stitches such as chain stitch, single crochet and slip stitch used in this pattern and Crochet Stitch Dictionary shows our growing collection of crochet stitch tutorials.

Crochet Block Stitch Afghan:

Chain 175 (or a multiple of 3 + 1 more stitch for preferred width) 

R1:  sc in 2^nd ch from hook, sc in next ch, *ch 2, skip next 2 ch, sc in next ch, repeat from * across, ending with a sc in the last ch.  Turn.

R2:  ch 3 (counts as 1^st st), 3 dc in each ch-2 space across, ending with one dc in the last sc of row.  Turn

The double crochets just worked are meant to be viewed in groups (or clusters) of 3 stitches.  In the next row, when you are directed to work a sc in the next space, this “space” refers to the space before the next 3-dc block of stitches.  So insert your hook in the space before the next double crochet group (between stitches) and work your single crochet stitch:

R3:  ch 1 and sc in 1^st st, sc in next space, *ch 2, skip next 3 dc, sc in next space.  Repeat from * around.  Sc in the last st of the row.

Repeat rows 2 and 3 until afghan is 53 inches or desired length, ending with row 3. 

Weaving in Ends

Weave in ends.  If making a scrap afghan with multi color rows, there will be a lot of ends so you might want to do this every so often so it’s less of a task at the end of the afghan.

Finishing and Options

Because of the nature of my rainbow transitioning striping yarn, I did not work a border on this afghan.  However, you could add a single crochet border.  Simply single crochet evenly around the blanket, working 3 sc in each corner.  Fasten off and weave in any remaining ends.

Free Printable Version of this Crochet Blanket

Want a free printable of this pattern? You’re in luck! All my annual scrap afghan patterns are in my crochet vault along with a lot of other bits of goodness like a crochet journal and stitch dictionary. To get yours, sign up for my email list on the form below!

I love seeing your finished projects!  If you enjoyed making The Hills and The Hollows Chevron Crochet Blanket,  I’d love to see yours on Instagram, be sure to tag me @crochet365knittoo.  If you are on Facebook, stop over to the Crochet 365 Knit Too Facebook page or pop over to the Crochet365KnitToo Club and share a photo!  I’d love to see your work!