I know joining crocheted blocks together isn’t the most popular part of creating projects, but joining these eras blocks will be relatively painless and will come together much quicker than you may expect.
I chose a neutral variegated yarn for joining in a colorway that would compliment such various-colored blocks without trying to steal the show. A solid-colored neutral would work just as well. Choosing a plain, solid white or black could work as well, but not if you made your blocks in solid-colored yarns, since two eras use those colors already.
Before you get started, know that you can choose your own adventure and make the border with either a double crochet or a single crochet. The double will make an already long blanket even longer but I think it looks a little nicer. The single will still look nice and help keep the blanket shorter.
This blanket is definitely extra long! That can be an advantage though, if you want to snuggle with someone or if you want it to drape over the end of your bed. You can also omit the optional 11th album block to keep it shorter.
Now go grab your hook & yarn and let’s get to this final part to finish your Eras Blanket! Don’t forget to share your finished blankets in our Eras Crochet Along Facebook group! I absolutely enjoy seeing all of your different versions and yarn choices!
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Hey, Kids! Joining Is Fun! (Mattress Stitch Join Version)
Difficulty
Beginner
Materials
(Click the product links below to find your materials!)
- 3 – 10.5 oz Skein #6 Bernat Blanket Yarn in Beach Foam or Almond
- OR 3 each – 7 oz Skein #4 Big Twist Value both in Cream and in Soft Gray
Tools
- 8.00mm Crochet Hook AND 9.00mm Crochet Hook
- Scissors
- Steel Yarn Needle
- Stitch Markers
Measurements
The finished project will be an extra large, narrow, twin-sized blanket. The finished measurements will vary greatly depending on the measurements of your specific finished block sizes, tension, and yarn used. My final blanket measures 51″ x 85″ using blanket yarn and a double crochet for joining and the border.
Gauge
9 double crochets or single crochets = 4 inches
2 rows of slip stitches, 1 row of double crochets, and the joining mattress stitch = 1.5 inches
Block Prep
(These instructions will place Block 1 at the top, closest to your head.)
Find the top front of each of the 11 blocks and mark them with a stitch marker or clip.
Some block fronts will be obvious like with the birds, hearts, and alpine stitches. Others may not be as obvious. If both sides look the same, choose the sides you like the best to face towards you. You should be able determine if a block edge is right side up or upside down by looking at the stitches. Hint: The base of most stitches are looped around the previous row’s stitches.
Sea Green Block 1 Only:
Rotate the block upside down, right side facing you. You should see your stitch marker on the bottom edge, facing you.
With a 9.00 mm hook
Row 1: Starting at the top right, slip stitch once in that 1st stitch and each stitch across. (108 stitches) Turn.
Tip: A simple way to join this new yarn color to your block is to use a floating slip stitch. Make a basic slip stitch loop like you would if you were going to make chain stitches. Then put your hook through that loop, insert the hook into the desired stitch on the blanket and then make your 1st slip stitch like the yarn has been attached the whole time. Floating stitches are super handy!
Switch to an 8.00 mm hook
Row 2: Chain 3. (Counts as a stitch.) Double crochet into the next stitch, and each stitch across. (108 double crochets)
Cut & tie off but don’t weave in the ends yet.
Note: We learned from the Crimson Block 4 that slip stitches pull tighter, and that’s why I used two different hook sizes.
Golden Yellow Block 2:
Start with the block right side up and facing you. The stitch marker should be on the top edge, facing you.
With a 9.00 mm hook
Row 1: Starting at the top right corner, slip stitch once in that 1st stitch and each stitch across. (108 stitches)
Cut & tie off but don’t weave in the ends yet.
Now rotate that same block so the bottom edge is facing up, the right side still facing you.
With a 9.00 mm hook
Row 1: Starting at the right corner, slip stitch once in that 1st stitch and each stitch across. (108 stitches)
Turn.
Switch to a 8.00 mm hook
Row 2: Chain 3. (Counts as a stitch.) Double crochet into the next stitch and each stitch across. (108 double crochets)
Cut & tie off but don’t weave in the ends yet.
Repeat the Block 2 instructions for Blocks 3 – 10.
Each of these 9 blocks will have 1 row of slip stitches across the top of the block then a row of slip stitches and a row of double crochets along the bottom of the block.
Milky White Block 11:
With a 9.00 mm hook
Row 1: Starting at the top right, slip stitch once in that 1st stitch and each stitch across. (108 stitches)
Cut & tie off but don’t weave in the ends yet.
Joining the Blocks with the Mattress Stitch
I used the mattress stitch to join this blanket. You’re welcome to use an alternate joining stitch if you prefer.
Step 1: Cut an 84 inch length of yarn.
(I multiply the length of the blocks that will be joined by 1.75 to make sure I have enough yarn to join the entire length.)
Step 2: Thread the yarn needle with your yarn.
Step 3: Lay Blocks 1 and 2 side-by-side so that the bottom edge of Block 1 touches the top edge of Block 2.
Step 4: Find the 1st slip stitch from the top of Block 2 and insert the threaded needle up through the bottom and out of the top of that 1st stitch. Pull all but 6-10 inches of the yarn through. Temporarily secure that tail to the block with either a clip or tie it somewhere with a simple knot. This will keep the tail from getting pulled out as you proceed.
Step 5: Find the top of the 1st double crochet stitch from Block 1. Insert the needle up through the bottom and out of the top of that 1st stitch. Hold both sides together and pull the yarn taught and it’ll bring both sides together.
Step 6: Go back and forth with the same “in through the bottom and out through the top,” method, alternating right and left between blocks with all 108 stitches across.
Note: This is where being meticulous about having 108 stitches on each block makes your life easier.
Step 7: At the end of this join, cut and tie off the tail. Make sure to actually knot this one so the join doesn’t come undone. Weave in all the tails now that there are more stiches to hide them.
Step 8: Go back to the start of this join and unclip/ untie that tail and tie that off with a knot as well. Weave in all the tails now that there are more stiches to hide them.
Repeat with the remaining 9 blocks.
Note: I highly recommend weaving in the ends as you join each block instead of waiting until they’re all joined together. You will thank yourself later!
Blanket Border
With the right side of the blanket facing you, rotate the blanket so the bottom edge is facing up. Find the 3rd stitch from the end in the top right corner. Why the 3rd and not the 1st? Because the 1st stitch will end up being a corner and it’s better to build up the stitch rounds outside of corner stitches.
With a 9.00 mm hook
Round 1: Place a floating slip stitch into that 3rd stitch and each stitch across.
In the last stitch of that top edge, add 2 more slip stitches.
Rotate the blanket to the right and add 13 to 15 slip stitches along the side of Block 1 and then 3 slip stitches along the side of the joined section. Repeat adding 13 to 15 slip stitches for the block sides and 4 for the joined section sides until the last row of that side edge.
Add 3 slip stitches into final stitch to form a corner.
Rotate the blanket to the right and add slip stiches into each stitch across.
Add 2 extra slip stitches into the last stitch to form a corner.
Continue adding slip stitches along this 4th side of the blanket. 13 to 15 stitches along the edges of the blocks and 3 slip stitches along the edges of the joined areas.
Make sure the last stitch of that last edge has 3 slip stitches, rotate the blanket to the right, then add add a slip stitch to the very last stitch.
Join the last and 1st stitches with a slip stitch and chain 3.
Switch to an 8.00mm hook
Round 2: The chain 3 counts as a stitch. Double crochet in the next stitch and each stitch across.
Add 3 double crochets to the center corner stitch.
Continue adding double crochets to each slip stitch around the entire blanket. Make sure to add 3 double crochets to the remaining 3 center corner stitches.
Join the last double crochet to the first double crochet with a slip stitch. Chain 1.
Round 3: Single crochet in the next stitch and each stitch across and around the entire blanket. Add 3 single crochets to all four center corner stitches.
Join the last stitch to the first stitch with a slip stitch.
Cut, tie off, and weave in both remaining ends.
So how did your joining party go? I would love to say I got it right on the first try but that would be totally false. The truth is, I completely joined and un-joined this blanket multiple times to find just the right combo of stitches.
Some stitches were too wide and would make it ripple, like the half double crochet. Plus, since the blanket is already so long, I had to scrap my original plan of making the joined areas and border 2 inches wide. I didn’t think adding on that last block for the new album would throw off the proportions so much, but it really did.
So, getting these joining instructions out took far longer than anticipated because I had to take it apart and rejoin it so many times.
If I were to start this project over again, I would just embrace that it will be a giant blanket and add another 12 count of stitches to each block to make it a bit wider. Those who made this blanket with worsted weight yarn likely won’t have as much of a size issue.
All of that being said, I absolutely love the final Eras Blanket! There’s more than enough room for a snuggle buddy and I’m a huge fan of being able to fold blankets under my feet and over my shoulders.
Thank you for crocheting along with me for these 10 months! I hope you enjoy your blankets, too.
Have You Seen the Other Eras Crochet Along Blocks?
Sea Green Era: Just Another Pattern to Burn
Golden Era: Romeo, Take Me Somewhere We Can Buy Some Yarn
Amethyst Era: You Are the Best Hook That’s Ever Been Mine
Crimson Era: Frog the Patriarchy Keychain on the Ground
Sky Blue Era: I Could Show You Incredible Skeins
Ebony Era: They Said I Stitched Something Bad
Rosy Pink Era: I’d Marry You With Magic Rings
Slate Gray Era: Please Crochet Me in the Trees
Burnt Orange Era: Every Woven End Was a Work of Art
Twilight Blue Era: So Make the Friendship Blankets
Milky White Era: Lights, Camera, Stitch Smile
The Anthology: Hey, Kids! Joining Is Fun! ⇦ You Are Here
Thanks for stopping by!
Please let me know if you have any questions or need help with your block!
See you next month!
– Marie
