If you like classic motifs for home decor or know someone who would enjoy this style for their nursery, you can now use this free Nordic star Tunisian crochet motif to make beautiful baby blankets or pillows for yourself or your loved ones.
This design was originally inspired by embroidery motifs found on pillows created by talented artisans from the region I come from, in the South of Transylvania.
The motif itself is universal, though, having been used for centuries in weaving and embroidery, more currently in quilting and knitting.
I wanted to create a baby blanket for a family member, to reflect the region we both grew up in. The original is more complex and uses red embroidery thread on natural colored linen fabric, but I simplified the motifs so they work well with the Tunisian crochet stitches.
You can use the pattern repeat to make many types of objects, not just baby blankets. I hope you enjoy it!
Contents
About the pattern
This is a beginner-friendly Tunisian crochet baby blanket pattern with a lattice of stylized flowers, also known as Nordic stars.
A non-curling honeycomb border is included in the pattern and worked at the same time as the blanket.
You can replace it with a border of reverse stitches.
The project looks best when worked in a single color of yarn, allowing the raised stitches to show off the pattern on the smooth background.
Measurements
When meeting gauge and working all rows in the pattern, the blanket measures 62 cm or 24.5″ across the top and 85 cm or 33.5″ in length.
For a wider blanket, add multiples of 29 stitches to the starting chain and increase the pattern repeat counts by 1.
For a longer blanket, make more pattern repeats.
Gauge
If you want to work to the provided size, make a gauge swatch by following these instructions.
Row 1. Ch 25, pick up 25 loops in the back bumps of the chains, R (26 loops)
Row 2. 24 Tss, Ls, R (26 loops)
Repeat Row 2 another 24 times for a total of 26 rows.
Block the swatch by washing it and laying it flat to dry.
Measure a 10 by 10 cm (4″ by 4″) square in the middle of the swatch and count the stitches and rows.
16 stitches and 18 rows should measure 10 by 10 cm (4″ by 4″).
If you get fewer stitches and rows, go down a hook size (0.5 mm), if available, and make another swatch.
If you get more stitches and rows, go up a hook size (0.5 mm), if available, and make another swatch.
Repeat the swatching process until you reach the recommended gauge. Make a note of the hook size used.
Skill level
Beginner. You will use 4 stitches on every row, the most fundamental ones in Tunisian crochet.
Notions
- Yarn – 350 g or 910 meters of size 3 baby acrylic yarn at about 260 meters per 100 grams;
- Hook -Tunisian crochet hook with cable or straight, 6 mm or hook size that gets you gauge;
- Tapestry needle, scissors, tape measure;
- Stitch markers;
- Tools for blocking (iron with steam or other steamer), blocking mats and pins.
Sample made in Himalaya Everyday Bambus yarn, 80% acrylic, 20% bamboo, with 260 meters per 100 g, color 236-28.
Observations
This is a Tunisian crochet pattern worked flat. You always work on the right side of the fabric.
Repeats are shown in [square brackets].
Add more repeats to the foundation row if you want to increase the width.
Stitch makers are useful for keeping track of pattern repeats.
At the end of the first row, loop counts are shown, including the first and last loop, before starting the return pass. The loop counts are the same for all rows.
Schematic
The following is the schematic of the blanket, shown in landscape orientation.
PDF pattern
If you’d like to get the PDF version of this pattern, find it below.
Abbreviations
- BO – Bind off;
- Ch – Chain;
- Ls – Last stitch: insert hook behind the two vertical bars at the end of the row, YO and pull up a loop;
- R – Regular return pass: Ch 1, Rep [YO and pull through 2 loops on hook] until 1 loop is left;
- Rep – Repeat;
- Sk – Skip;
- Sl St(s) – Slip stitch(es);
- St(s) – Stitch(es);
- Tps – Tunisian purl stitch: YU, insert the hook under the vertical bar of the next St, YO and pull up a loop;
- Tss – Tunisian simple stitch: insert the hook under the vertical bar of the next St, YO and pull up a loop;
- Tks – Tunisian knit stitch: insert the hook between the two vertical bars of the next St, YO and pull up a loop
- Trs – Tunisian reverse stitch: insert the hook from the back to the work, in front of the back vertical bar of the next St, YO and pull up a loop;
- YO – Yarn over;
- YU – Yarn under: bring the yarn under and to the front of the hook.
Video tutorials
The video tutorials below are great for beginners and show you everything you need to know to get started. They are both for right handed and left handed makers.
Click on a video to watch it bigger on Youtube.
Foundation row
Tunisian simple stitch
Tunisian purl stitch
Tunisian knit stitch
Tunisian reverse stitch
Weaving in ends
Instructions for a Nordic star Tunisian crochet blanket
Start with a slip knot on the Tunisian crochet hook.
Bottom honeycomb edge
Foundation row. Ch 108, pick up 108 loops in the back bumps of the chains, R — 109 loops
Row 1. Rep [1 Tss, 1 Tps] 53 times, 1 Tss, Ls, R — 109 loops
The loop count is the same for every subsequent row.
Row 2. Rep [1 Tps, 1 Tss] 53 times, 1 Tps, Ls, R
Rows 3-10. Repeat Rows 1-2 another 4 times.
Textured pattern
times.
Row 11. Rep [1 Tss, 1 Tps] 5 times, Rep [2 Trs, 25 Tks, 2 Trs] 3 times, Rep [1 Tps, 1 Tss] 5 times, Ls, R
Row 12. Rep [1 Tps, 1 Tss] 5 times, Rep [2 Trs, 25 Tks, 2 Trs] 3 times, Rep [1 Tss, 1 Tps] 5 times, Ls, R
Row 13. Rep [1 Tss, 1 Tps] 5 times, Rep [2 Tks, 2 Trs, 21 Tks, 2 Trs, 2 Tks] 3 times, Rep [1 Tps, 1 Tss] 5 times, Ls, R
Row 14. Rep [1 Tps, 1 Tss] 5 times, Rep [2 Tks, 2 Trs, 21 Tks, 2 Trs, 2 Tks] 3 times, Rep [1 Tss, 1 Tps] 5 times, Ls, R
Row 15. Rep [1 Tss, 1 Tps] 5 times, Rep [4 Tks, 2 Trs, 17 Tks, 2 Trs, 4 Tks] 3 times, Rep [1 Tps, 1 Tss] 5 times, Ls, R
Row 16. Rep [1 Tps, 1 Tss] 5 times, Rep [4 Tks, 2 Trs, Rep [5 Tks, 1 Trs] 2 times, 5 Tks, 2 Trs, 4 Tks] 3 times, Rep [1 Tss, 1 Tps] 5 times, Ls, R
Row 17. Rep [1 Tss, 1 Tps] 5 times, Rep [6 Tks, Rep [2 Trs, 3 Tks] 3 times, 2 Trs, 6 Tks] 3 times, Rep [1 Tps, 1 Tss] 5 times, Ls, R
Row 18. Rep [1 Tps, 1 Tss] 5 times, Rep [6 Tks, 2 Trs, 3 Tks, 3 Trs, 1 Tks, 3 Trs, 3 Tks, 2 Trs, 6 Tks] 3 times, Rep [1 Tss, 1 Tps] 5 times, Ls, R
Row 19. Rep [1 Tss, 1 Tps] 5 times, Rep [8 Tks, 2 Trs, Rep [1 Tks, 3 Trs] 2 times, 1 Tks, 2 Trs, 8 Tks] 3 times, Rep [1 Tps, 1 Tss] 5 times, Ls, R
Row 20. Rep [1 Tps, 1 Tss] 5 times, Rep [8 Tks, 2 Trs, Rep [1 Tks, 3 Trs] 2 times, 1 Tks, 2 Trs, 8 Tks] 3 times, Rep [1 Tss, 1 Tps] 5 times, Ls, R
Row 21. Rep [1 Tss, 1 Tps] 5 times, Rep [10 Tks, 4 Trs, 1 Tks, 4 Trs, 10 Tks] 3 times, Rep [1 Tps, 1 Tss] 5 times, Ls, R
Row 22. Rep [1 Tps, 1 Tss] 5 times, Rep [5 Tks, 6 Trs, Rep [1 Tks, 2 Trs] 2 times, 1 Tks, 6 Trs, 5 Tks] 3 times, Rep [1 Tss, 1 Tps] 5 times, Ls, R
Row 23. Rep [1 Tss, 1 Tps] 5 times, Rep [6 Tks, 6 Trs, Rep [1 Tks, 1 Trs] 2 times, 1 Tks, 6 Trs, 6 Tks] 3 times, Rep [1 Tps, 1 Tss] 5 times, Ls, R
Row 24. Rep [1 Tps, 1 Tss] 5 times, Rep [7 Tks, 6 Trs, 1 Tks, 1 Trs, 1 Tks, 6 Trs, 7 Tks] 3 times, Rep [1 Tss, 1 Tps] 5 times, Ls, R
Row 25. Rep [1 Tss, 1 Tps] 5 times, Rep [13 Tks, 3 Trs, 13 Tks] 3 times, Rep [1 Tps, 1 Tss] 5 times, Ls, R
Row 26. Rep [1 Tps, 1 Tss] 5 times, Rep [7 Tks, 6 Trs, 1 Tks, 1 Trs, 1 Tks, 6 Trs, 7 Tks] 3 times, Rep [1 Tss, 1 Tps] 5 times, Ls, R
Row 27. Rep [1 Tss, 1 Tps] 5 times, Rep [6 Tks, 6 Trs, Rep [1 Tks, 1 Trs] 2 times, 1 Tks, 6 Trs, 6 Tks] 3 times, Rep [1 Tps, 1 Tss] 5 times, Ls, R
Row 28. Rep [1 Tps, 1 Tss] 5 times, Rep [5 Tks, 6 Trs, Rep [1 Tks, 2 Trs] 2 times, 1 Tks, 6 Trs, 5 Tks] 3 times, Rep [1 Tss, 1 Tps] 5 times, Ls, R
Row 29. Rep [1 Tss, 1 Tps] 5 times, Rep [10 Tks, 4 Trs, 1 Tks, 4 Trs, 10 Tks] 3 times, Rep [1 Tps, 1 Tss] 5 times, Ls, R
Row 30. Rep [1 Tps, 1 Tss] 5 times, Rep [8 Tks, 2 Trs, Rep [1 Tks, 3 Trs] 2 times, 1 Tks, 2 Trs, 8 Tks] 3 times, Rep [1 Tss, 1 Tps] 5 times, Ls, R
Row 31. Rep [1 Tss, 1 Tps] 5 times, Rep [8 Tks, 2 Trs, Rep [1 Tks, 3 Trs] 2 times, 1 Tks, 2 Trs, 8 Tks] 3 times, Rep [1 Tps, 1 Tss] 5 times, Ls, R
Row 32. Rep [1 Tps, 1 Tss] 5 times, Rep [6 Tks, 2 Trs, 3 Tks, 3 Trs, 1 Tks, 3 Trs, 3 Tks, 2 Trs, 6 Tks] 3 times, Rep [1 Tss, 1 Tps] 5 times, Ls, R
Row 33. Rep [1 Tss, 1 Tps] 5 times, Rep [6 Tks, Rep [2 Trs, 3 Tks] 3 times, 2 Trs, 6 Tks] 3 times, Rep [1 Tps, 1 Tss] 5 times, Ls, R
Row 34. Rep [1 Tps, 1 Tss] 5 times, Rep [4 Tks, 2 Trs, Rep [5 Tks, 1 Trs] 2 times, 5 Tks, 2 Trs, 4 Tks] 3 times, Rep [1 Tss, 1 Tps] 5 times, Ls, R
Row 35. Rep [1 Tss, 1 Tps] 5 times, Rep [4 Tks, 2 Trs, 17 Tks, 2 Trs, 4 Tks] 3 times, Rep [1 Tps, 1 Tss] 5 times, Ls, R
Row 36. Rep [1 Tps, 1 Tss] 5 times, Rep [2 Tks, 2 Trs, 21 Tks, 2 Trs, 2 Tks] 3 times, Rep [1 Tss, 1 Tps] 5 times, Ls, R
Row 37. Rep [1 Tss, 1 Tps] 5 times, Rep [2 Tks, 2 Trs, 21 Tks, 2 Trs, 2 Tks] 3 times, Rep [1 Tps, 1 Tss] 5 times, Ls, R
Row 38. Rep [1 Tps, 1 Tss] 5 times, Rep [2 Trs, 25 Tks, 2 Trs] 3 times, Rep [1 Tss, 1 Tps] 5 times, Ls, R
Row 39. Rep [1 Tss, 1 Tps] 5 times, Rep [2 Trs, 25 Tks, 2 Trs] 3 times, Rep [1 Tps, 1 Tss] 5 times, Ls, R
For a longer blanket, repeat Rows 11-39 more times.
Top honeycomb edge
Row 1. Rep [1 Tps, 1 Tss] 53 times, 1 Tps, Ls, R
Row 2. Rep [1 Tss, 1 Tps] 53 times, 1 Tss, Ls, R
Rows 3-10. Repeat Rows 1-2 another 4 times.
Bind off in pattern, using slip stitches.
Weave in the ends and block the blanket in a rectangular shape.
Chart
How to use the charts
This pattern can be made by following along with the instructions, following the chart, or both at the same time.
Each row of symbols in the chart is independent of the previous row.
You read each row of the chart as if reading a row of instructions.
Repeat the highlighted pattern (inside the thick orange border) 3 times horizontally and 5 times vertically.
Start working from the bottom and reading each row from right to left, even if you are left handed.
The return pass rows are represented on the chart with the symbol R. First stitches are not represented on the chart.
Legend
Chart
Final remarks
If you enjoyed this pattern, here are more Tunisian crochet baby blanket patterns on the blog you might like:
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Thanks for being here and your continued support!
Hugs,
Andrea
