Crochet the Birch Forest Blanket

Crochet the Birch Forest Blanket

The Birch Forest Blanket is a FREE crochet blanket pattern here on the blog. I originally designed my Birch Blanket pattern in 2021 using Stroll Tweed yarn from WeCrochet. This yarn has since discontinued almost all the colors that I used to create that blanket. In addition, I crocheted each color in individual blocks and the Birch trunks had to be manually color changed from black and white, making the trunks a bit tedious (even though it really was worth it in the end). I have looked and looked for possible replacements to replicate this blanket, but haven't had any success. The next idea was to revise it to a worsted weight version. I felt that doing this would provide a lot more yarn options. Finally, after several years of waiting for the perfect yarn to show up, I came across Premier Yarns! 

 

Here are the revisions I made: 

  • I am now using six background colors instead of five. 
  • I am no longer crocheting individual squares of colors for the background and seaming them together. They are now crocheted in color block style panels. 
  • The birch trunks no longer require you to change colors every few stitches to achieve the birch trunk markings. Premier Yarns Anti-Pilling Everyday Worsted Painterly yarn does all the color changing for you. While it may not be the traditional black and white markings of the tree, the colors still mark up the trunk much in the same way and you never have to switch colors. This makes crocheting the birch trunks super stress free! 
  • The only seaming you now have to do involves slip stitching your panels together. Previously you had to whip stitch all the squares together and whip stitch those squares to the long birch trunks. Slip stitching goes MUCH faster! 

 

Copyright Disclosure: This pattern is for your own personal use. No unauthorized reproduction, in whole or in part (i.e. copying and pasting this pattern into your own document, altering this pattern in any way and calling it your own, etc.), or distribution of this pattern or content (i.e. sharing this pattern in its whole form on your own blog) is allowed. You can use this blog post in blog round-ups. I give permission to sell your items made from this pattern. Please credit “While They Dream” in your listings. The pattern and all photos are the property of While They Dream. You are welcome to share my patterns across all social media forms as long as you link back to my blog directly.

Finished blanket measures approximately 51 inches x 54 inches (127 cm x 135 cm) 

Color block panels measure 7 inches (18 cm) wide and approximately 12 rows should measure 4 inches (10cm). Each color block measures approximately 9 inches (23 cm) before you switch to your next color.  

Birch trunks measure 4 inches (10 cm) wide and 12 rows of HDC should also measure 4 inches (10 cm). 

 

Supplies Needed

Colors Used and Yardage: 2 balls or 2.3oz/65g (120yds/110m) of the following colors –
1. Color A – Chinchilla
2. Color B – Caramel 
3. Color C – Mustard 
4. Color D – Rust 
5. Color E – Walnut 
6. Color F – Spruce 
As well as 6 balls of “Flannel”16.3oz/462g (832 yards/761m) for the Birch Trunks

Stitch Abbreviations

  • Ch – Chain
  • DC – Double Crochet
  • HDC – Half Double Crochet
  • SC – Single Crochet
  • Sk – Skip
  • St(s) – Stitch(es)
  • Slst – Slip Stitch 

 

PDF Patterns:
  • You can find the PDF Pattern HERE on my website. 
  • Grab it on Etsy HERE
  • Add it to your Ravelry Favorites HERE

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P A T T E R N

Color Block Panels should follow the chart below (beginning with Color A in the bottom left corner). Each “Birch Trunk” will be placed between each color block panel (i.e. first trunk will be placed between column 1 and 2, second trunk will be placed between column 2 and 3, and so on, for a total of four birch trunks). 

Setup: Ch 24; in the 2nd chain from the hook, SC and DC into the same stitch. *Skip the next stitch. SC and DC into the next stitch.* Repeat until you have 2 sts left. Skip the next stitch. Sc into the last st. Ch 1, turn. (23 sts) 

Row 1: SC and DC into the first stitch. *Skip the next stitch. SC and DC into the next stitch.* Repeat until you have 2 sts left. Skip the next stitch. SC into the last st. Ch 1, turn. (23 sts) 

Repeat Row 1 for a total of 28 rows. Switch colors during your last SC for every new color block and repeat Row 1 for 28 rows in each new color.  

Finishing Row for Color Block 6: Ch 1, Slst in each stitch across. Weave in ends. (Note: this will help give your last row a smoother finish). 

 

B I R C H   T R U N K S

Setup: Ch 15; in the 2nd chain from the hook, HDC into each stitch across. Ch 1, turn. (14 sts) 

Row 1: HDC in each stitch across. (14 sts) 

Repeat Row 1 until you have 168 rows.  

(Note: you do not need a slip stitch row to end these trunks; these are perfectly straight on their own). 

 

A S S E M B L Y

I like to assemble as I complete each panel, but you can wait until the end if 
you prefer. You will have plenty of yarn left to use for all assembly. I use the 
Flannel birch trunk color for all my seaming.  

To assemble your panels:

  • You will want to put your right sides together (hint: the tail from my initial starting chain is always in my bottom left corner when I am on my right side).  
  • Use locking stitch markers to pin your panels together all the way down. I do this by placing stitch markers every 28 rows on my birch trunks to line up with where the color changes on the color block panels. You ONLY want to slip stitch 28 HDC rows per color block or your panels are going to get wonky. I also liked to use small binder clips (you could use clothespins too) in addition to my stitch markers to make sure everything was lining up perfectly as I went.  
  • Create a slip stitch on your hook.
  • Remove your hook from the slip stitch. 
  • Insert your hook through the two panels at your top edge and pull your slip stitch through both panels. 
  • Now you will slip stitch both sides together all the way down. This can take a little bit of practice (I had to pull my work out a few times before I got my tension right). Be careful not to slip stitch too tightly. Check your tension every now and then when you first get started by flipping your piece over and checking the right side of your work. 
  • Fasten off at the end and weave in your ends. 

 

Want to make your blanket in a different color scheme using Painterly for your trunks? Here are two different color schemes you could use!  

Painterly Color Name: 2119-03 Fireside 
Anti-Pilling Everyday Worsted Color Pairings: 
100-93 Grape Jam 
100-74 Clay 
100-69 Deep Teal 
100-79 Fawn 
100-35 Cappucino 
100-89 Peach Blossom 

Painterly Color Name: 2119-06 Preppy 
Anti-Pilling Everyday Worsted Color Pairings: 
100-24 Steel 
100-67 Admiral Blue 
100-28 Mustard 
100-74 Clay 
100-93 Grape Jam 
100-91 Lake

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