Pebble Weave Blanket – A Lemon Peel Square Throw
Introduction
This pattern brings a modern twist to a timeless stitch, combining a pebble-like texture with subtle pops of colour. Using the lemon peel stitch, you’ll create 25 squares in five contrasting shades, each set against stripes of a soft cream main colour. The result is a fresh, vibrant design that highlights both the stitch detail and the interplay of colours.
It’s an ideal project for crocheters who enjoy working in smaller, manageable pieces before assembling them into a larger design. A simple lemon peel border ties the entire piece together beautifully.
Purchase an Ad- free PDF Version of this Pattern
An ad-free PDF version (digital download) of this pattern is available to buy now from Ravelry. This PDF is 20 pages long and has step-by-step progress photos (on pages 1-15) like the free version on this blog page, it also includes just the written pattern (on pages 16-20) with minimal photos and diagrams for those who do not want lots of photos to print out.
Crochet Skills Required
- A simple pattern using chains, UK treble, double and half treble crochet stitches.
- Knowledge of basic crochet stitches, techniques and terminology is assumed.
- Using a magic ring to start the square (although not essential for the pattern).
- Sewing squares together using a whip stitch.
Abbreviations
This pattern is written in UK terms.
- beg-ch – beginning chain
- ch – chain
- dc – double crochet
- htr – half treble crochet
- Lemon peel stitch – [1dc, 1tr] repeat, work a dc in a tr and a tr in a dc in subsequent rows/rounds
- MC – Main colour
- RS – right side
- sp(s) – space(s)
- ss – slip stitch
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- tr – treble crochet
- […] – repeat pattern stated number of times
- (…) – instructions worked into the same st/sp
- WS – wrong side
UK/US Conversion
UK term | US term | Description |
|---|---|---|
Treble Crochet (tr) | Double Crochet (dc) | Yarn over hook. Insert hook into stitch, yarn over hook, pull through stitch (3 loops on hook), yarn over hook, pull through two loops (2 loops on hook), yarn over pull through remaining two loops to leave 1 loop on the hook |
Half Treble Crochet (htr) | Half Double Crochet (hdc) | Yarn over hook. Insert hook into stitch, yarn over hook, pull through stitch (3 loops on hook), yarn over hook, pull through remaining three loops to leave 1 loop on the hook |
Double Crochet (dc) | Single Crochet (sc) | Insert hook into stitch, yarn over hook, pull through stitch (2 loops on hook), yarn over hook, pull through remaining two loops to leave 1 loop on the hook |
Slip Stitch (ss) | Slip Stitch (ss) | Insert hook into stitch, yarn over hook, pull through stitch and through loop |
Materials
Yarn
Double knit yarn in 6 colours:
- Main colour (MC) = 1770m
- 5 contrast colours (A-E) = 295m each
- Total of 3245m.
The sample used Stylecraft Special DK 100% Acrylic in the following colours:
- Cream (MC): 1770m/600g
- Mocha (A): 295m/100g
- Sage (B): 295m/100g
- Magenta (C): 295m/100g
- Duck Egg (D): 295m/100g
- Shrimp (E): 295m/100g
Hook
4mm crochet hook or size needed to achieve gauge.
Other items
Tape measure, scissors, tapestry needle, stitch markers (if required).
Gauge
1 square made as per pattern with 15 rounds = 23cm/9in square (unblocked).
Gauge is not critical, but it may affect yarn quantities and finished size.
Finished Size
Approximately 120cm × 120cm (47in × 47in). This includes a border of approximately 2cm around the blanket.
Video tutorials
Video tutorials are available for the following:
Video Tutorial: How to Crochet a Lemon Peel Square
Pattern Overview
The Pebble Weave Blanket is made up of 25 individual squares, made using the lemon peel stitch, which are sewn together and finally finished with a simple lemon peel border.
The 25 squares are made with a main colour (MC) and a contrast colour. There are 5 contrast colours (A-E) and you need to make 5 squares of each.
- Square 1 = Mocha (A) & Cream (MC) x 5
- Square 2 = Sage (B) & Cream (MC) x 5
- Square 3 = Magenta (C) & Cream (MC) x 5
- Square 4 = Duck Egg (D) & Cream (MC) x 5
- Square 5 = Shrimp (E) & Cream (MC) x 5
Each Square is crocheted in 15 rounds:
- Rounds 1 to 4 – contrast colour
- Rounds 5 & 6 – MC
- Rounds 7 & 8 – contrast colour
- Rounds 9 & 10 – MC
- Rounds 11 & 12 – contrast colour
- Rounds 13 to 15 – MC
About the Lemon Peel Stitch
The lemon peel stitch is a wonderfully textured crochet stitch. Traditionally, it is worked in rows, creating a dense fabric with minimal gaps and a delightfully pebbled surface. In this pattern, the lemon peel stitch has been adapted to work in the round rather than in rows, allowing you to create beautifully textured squares.
Lemon peel stitch is created by alternating UK double crochet (dc) and UK treble crochet (tr) stitches. On subsequent rows this alternation is repeated by working a dc into the top of a tr, and a tr into the top of a dc. Each square follows the same principle of alternating dc and tr, but with increases at the corners to create the square shape.
This consistent alternating of dc and tr ensures the stitches nestle into each other, producing the subtle raised-and-dipped texture that makes the lemon peel stitch so distinctive.
Pattern Notes
- This is a photo-heavy version of the Pebble Weave Blanket pattern with progress photos.
- Please read through the notes and pattern before starting.
- This pattern uses a magic ring, but it is not essential to the pattern. An alternative is suggested.
- This pattern suggests that you turn the work over after each round – this helps to keep the square even.
- Instead of closing each round by working the corner chains and then working a slip stitch in the first stitch of the round, this pattern works a UK half treble crochet into the first stitch. This means that the loop is perfectly in the centre of the corner, so that you can turn and start the next round without needing to slip stitch into the corner.
- The UK half treble crochet stitch closing the round counts as a chain-2 corner space.
- This pattern uses UK terminology.
Pattern for the Squares
Foundation With contrast colour yarn, make a magic ring (alternatively, ch4, join with a ss in first ch to form a ring).
Round 1 (RS) Ch3 (counts as first tr); 2tr in ring, [ch2, 3tr] 3 times. Close the magic ring. Close the round by working 1htr in the top of beg-ch3 (Fig 1).
Stitch count: 4 groups of 3tr and 4 ch-2 corner sps.
Round 2 (WS) Turn the work over. Ch1 (does not count as a st); 1dc in same ch-2 corner sp, [1tr in first st, 1dc in next, 1tr in next, (1dc, ch2, 1dc) in ch-2 corner sp] 3 times; 1tr in next st, 1dc in next, 1tr in next, 1dc in the ch-2 corner sp; 1htr in the first dc of the round (Fig 2).
Stitch count: 5 sts across each side and ch-2 in each corner.
Round 3 (RS) Turn. Ch1 (does not count as a st); 1dc in same ch-2 corner sp; [work along to the next corner by alternating 1tr (in a dc of the previous round) and 1dc (in a tr of the previous round); (1dc, ch2, 1dc) in ch-2 corner sp] 3 times; work along to the next corner by alternating 1tr (in a dc) and 1dc (in a tr); 1dc in ch-2 corner sp; 1htr in the first dc of the round (Fig 3).
Stitch count: 7 sts across each side and ch-2 in each corner.
Round 4 (WS) Turn. Ch1 (does not count as a st); 1dc in same ch-2 corner sp; [work along to the next corner by alternating 1tr (in a dc) and 1dc (in a tr); (1dc, ch2, 1dc) in ch-2 corner sp] 3 times; work along to the next corner by alternating 1tr (in a dc) and 1dc (in a tr); 1dc in ch-2 corner sp; 1htr in the first dc of the round. Fasten off contrast colour (Fig 4).
Stitch count: 9 sts across each side and ch-2 in each corner.
Round 5 (RS) Turn. With yarn MC, join in any ch-2 corner sp. Ch1 (does not count as a st); 1dc in same ch-2 corner sp; [work along to the next corner by alternating 1tr (in a dc) and 1dc (in a tr); (1dc, ch2, 1dc) in ch-2 corner sp] 3 times; work along to the next corner by alternating 1tr (in a dc) and 1dc (in a tr); 1dc in ch-2 corner sp; 1htr in the first dc of the round (Fig 5).
Stitch count: 11 sts across each side and ch-2 in each corner.
Round 6 (WS) Turn. Ch1 (does not count as a st); 1dc in same ch-2 corner sp; [work along to the next corner by alternating 1tr (in a dc) and 1dc (in a tr); (1dc, ch2, 1dc) in ch-2 corner sp] 3 times; work along to the next corner by alternating 1tr (in a dc) and 1dc (in a tr); 1dc in ch-2 corner sp; 1htr in the first dc of the round. Fasten off yarn MC (Fig 6).
Stitch count: 13 sts across each side and ch-2 in each corner.
Round 7 (RS) Turn. With contrast colour, join in any ch-2 corner sp. Ch1 (does not count as a st); 1dc in same ch-2 corner sp; [work along to the next corner by alternating 1tr (in a dc) and 1dc (in a tr); (1dc, ch2, 1dc) in ch-2 corner sp] 3 times; work along to the next corner by alternating 1tr (in a dc) and 1dc (in a tr); 1dc in ch-2 corner sp; 1htr in the first dc of the round (Fig 7).
Stitch count: 15 sts across each side and ch-2 in each corner.
Round 8 (WS) Turn. Ch1 (does not count as a st); 1dc in same ch-2 corner sp; [work along to the next corner by alternating 1tr (in a dc) and 1dc (in a tr); (1dc, ch2, 1dc) in ch-2 corner sp] 3 times; work along to the next corner by alternating 1tr (in a dc) and 1dc (in a tr); 1dc in ch-2 corner sp; 1htr in the first dc of the round. Fasten off contrast colour (Fig 8).
Stitch count: 17 sts across each side and ch-2 in each corner.
Round 9 (RS) With yarn MC, repeat Round 5.
Stitch count: 19 sts across each side and ch-2 in each corner.
Round 10 (WS) Repeat Round 6. Fasten off yarn MC (Fig 9).
Stitch count: 21 sts across each side and ch-2 in each corner.
Round 11 (RS) With contrast colour, repeat Round 7.
Stitch count: 23sts across each side and ch-2 in each corner.
Round 12 (WS) Repeat Round 8. Fasten off contrast colour (Fig 10).
Stitch count: 25 sts across each side and ch-2 in each corner.
Round 13 (RS) With yarn MC, repeat Round 5.
Stitch count: 27 sts across each side and ch-2 in each corner.
Round 14 (WS) Repeat Round 6, DO NOT fasten off. Turn.
Stitch count: 29 sts across each side and ch-2 in each corner.
Round 15 (RS) Continue with MC and repeat Round 6. Fasten off yarn MC (Fig 11).
Stitch count: 31 sts across each side and ch-2 in each corner.
Weave in all the ends.
Arrangement of the Squares
Arrange the squares in a 5 × 5 formation in the arrangement shown below.
Joining the Squares
Sew the squares together with a whip stitch. This method creates a flat, flexible seam with a subtle ridge formed by the front loops.
- Place two squares together with the WS facing each other (RS facing out) (Fig 12).
- Line up the stitches carefully so the edges match.
- Using a tapestry needle and a length of MC yarn, sew the squares together with a whip stitch, working in the back loop of each square (the loops closest to the inside where the squares meet) (Fig 13).
- Work methodically, joining squares according to the arrangement above.
- Secure ends and fasten off.
Fig 12. Wrong side facing Fig 13. Sew through back loops
Border
The border is worked in the main colour (MC) (cream in the example) and consists of 4 rounds.
First a round of double crochet (the Border Foundation Round) to even out the edges and stitches. This works especially well to tidy up the joins between squares.
Rounds 2-4 (lemon peel stitch) are all worked in the lemon peel stitch for a unified, all-over look. This makes the blanket cohesive and seamless.
You can work multiple rounds to make it as wide as you like.
Border Instructions
Border Foundation Round (dc) (WS) With WS of the blanket facing, attach MC yarn in any ch-2 corner sp. Ch1 (does not count as a st), 1dc in same ch-2 corner sp (Fig 14).
Work 1dc in each stitch along the first square until you reach the ch-2 corner sp of the first square (Fig 15).
Work 1dc in the ch-2 corner sp of the first square. The location of this is shown by the needle in Fig 16.
Work 1dc into the whip stitch join between squares. The location of this is shown by the needle in Fig 17.
Work 1dc in the ch-2 corner sp of the next square. The location of this is shown by the needle in Fig 18.
Continue to work along the rest of the side of the blanket in the same way.In the ch-2 corner sp of the blanket work (1dc, ch2, 1dc). Repeat around the blanket in the same way. When reaching the corner where the round was started work 1dc in the ch-2 corner sp. Work 1htr in the first dc of the round to close the round (Fig 19).
Stitch count: 169 sts across each side and ch-2 in each corner.
Border Round 2 (lemon peel) (RS)
Turn. Ch1 (does not count as a st), 1dc in same ch-2 corner sp. Work across the first side alternating 1tr and 1dc. Work (1dc, ch2, 1dc) in the ch-2 corner sp.
Work around the remaining sides in the same way. In the ch-2 corner where the round was started work 1dc. Work 1htr in the first dc of the round to close the round (Fig 20).
Stitch count: 171 sts across each side and ch-2 in each corner.
Border Round 3 (lemon peel) (WS)
Repeat as for Border Round 2 – noting that the tr sts are worked in a dc and the dc sts are worked in a tr along the sides of the blanket (Fig 21).
Stitch count: 173 sts across each side and ch-2 in each corner.
Border Round 4 (lemon peel) (RS)
Repeat as for Border Round 2 – noting that the tr sts are worked in a dc and the dc sts are worked in a tr along the sides of the blanket. Fasten off (Fig 22).
Stitch count: 175 sts across each side and ch-2 in each corner.
If you want a wider border, repeat Border Rounds 3 & 4 until you have the desired width.
Weave in all of the ends.
