All of my blanket designs begin the same way—with a brainstorming session and a good stitch book. I especially love vintage crochet books, but really, any stitch guide excites me. I enjoy learning the foundational stitches of crochet and ensuring I use the correct, or at least the most commonly recognized, names for them.
While flipping through several books, I noticed a beautiful stitch consistently referred to as the Even Berry Stitch. Since that name appeared repeatedly, I’m sticking with it for this project: the Crochet Even Berry Stitch Blanket.
About the Stitch
The Even Berry Stitch is a simple variation of the double crochet two-together cluster. Here’s how to make one berry:
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Yarn over (YO), insert your hook into the designated stitch or space, YO again, and pull up a loop.
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YO and pull through one loop only.
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YO, insert your hook into the same stitch or space, YO again, and pull up another loop.
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YO and pull through all five loops on the hook.
That’s one completed berry stitch!
Some patterns suggest adding a chain stitch after each berry to “close” it. I don’t include that step in this pattern, but if you prefer that look, feel free to add it.
The word “Even” comes from the way the berries are stacked neatly on top of each other throughout the design.
Materials
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Yarn: Bernat Roving (80% acrylic, 20% wool; 100g/3.5 oz, 109m/120 yds)
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4 skeins in Rice Paper
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1 skein each in Quartz Pink, Low Tide, Squashed, and Putty
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Hook: Size N/10.0 mm
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Notions: Tapestry needle, scissors
Finished Size
Approximately 32 in x 36 in
Stitches Used
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Single Crochet (SC): Insert hook, YO, pull up a loop, YO, pull through both loops.
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Berry Stitch:
YO, insert hook into stitch, YO, pull up a loop,
YO, pull through one loop,
YO, insert hook into same stitch, YO, pull up a loop,
YO, pull through all five loops on the hook.
Pattern
Foundation:
With Rice Paper, chain 70 (or any even number if adjusting the blanket size).
Row 1 – Mesh Stitch
In the 2nd chain from the hook:
SC, CH 1, skip 1 chain, SC into the next chain.
Repeat across. You should end with a SC in the last stitch.
Tip: If your stitch count is off, double-check that you chained an even number and followed the pattern correctly.
Chain 1 and turn.
Row 2 – Mesh Stitch
SC into the first SC, CH 1, skip the chain space, SC into the next SC.
Continue across the row.
Before finishing the last SC, change color to Putty by pulling through with the new color.
CH 1 and turn.
Row 3 – Mesh Stitch (Putty)
Continue the mesh stitch pattern across the row.
End with a SC, CH 1, and turn.
Row 4 – Berry Stitch (Putty)
SC into the first SC, then alternate berry stitch into the chain space and SC into the next SC across.
Finish with a SC into the last stitch.
Change color back to Rice Paper before completing the final SC. CH 1 and turn.
Rows 5–6: Mesh stitch in Rice Paper
Row 7: Mesh stitch in Squashed
Row 8: Berry stitch in Squashed
Rows 9–10: Mesh stitch in Rice Paper
Row 11: Mesh stitch in Quartz Pink
Row 12: Berry stitch in Quartz Pink
Rows 13–14: Mesh stitch in Rice Paper
Row 15: Mesh stitch in Low Tide
Row 16: Berry stitch in Low Tide
Rows 17–64: Continue mesh stitch using Rice Paper
Change to Low Tide
Rows 65 to End: Repeat rows 1–16 in reverse color order:
Start with Low Tide, then Quartz Pink, Squashed, and end with Putty.
In case you are a visual learner, and need more help with the stitch, I have a video clip you can watch:
Download Crochet Even Berry Stitch Blanket Pattern PDF
Finishing
Fasten off, weave in all ends, and block your blanket however you prefer.
My personal go-to? I lay it flat, mist it with water, and gently shape it by hand. If needed, I’ll give it a full soak and block it out properly—especially if it’s been tossed around a lot while I was working on it.
Final Tip
Keep an eye on your tension—especially during the long mesh sections. The berries tend to add bulk near the beginning, and it’s easy to tighten up without realizing. If your blanket starts to pull in slightly, don’t worry. Blocking should fix it right up.