Valley Yarns Dawn to Dusk Blanket Crochet Pattern

Valley Yarns Dawn to Dusk - Crochet Blanket Throw

Project Overview

The Valley Yarns Dawn to Dusk is an advanced beginner crochet blanket throw designed by Sarah Teague. This cozy throw measures approximately 36 inches by 40 inches and features a thoughtfully constructed design using 90 individual hexagons in a reimagined colorway celebrating Valley Yarns' 50th Anniversary. The blanket combines colorful geometric shapes with accessible crochet techniques, making it an ideal project for crafters looking to expand their skills beyond basic patterns while still maintaining achievable construction methods.

What Is Being Made

This project creates a finished throw blanket composed of 90 separate hexagonal motifs that are individually crocheted and then seamed together. The hexagon-based construction allows for a modular approach to blanket making, where each hexagon can be worked independently before assembly. The finished blanket provides warmth and visual interest through its multi-colored hexagonal patchwork design, making it suitable for draping over furniture, using during relaxation activities, or enjoying while reading or watching television.

Construction Techniques

The Dawn to Dusk blanket employs several key crochet techniques that define its construction:

• Modular Hexagon Construction: Each of the 90 hexagons is worked as an independent unit, allowing crafters to complete one hexagon at a time before moving to the next. This modular approach breaks down the larger project into manageable sections.
• Seaming: Once all hexagons are completed, they are joined together using a tapestry needle. This seaming technique creates the final blanket structure by connecting the individual hexagon units.
• Worked Flat: Each hexagon is crocheted in flat rows rather than in the round, with specific shaping techniques applied to create the hexagonal form.
• Striped Colorwork: The design features intentional color combinations where each hexagon uses two different colors in a strategic pattern. The colorway system ensures that each color is combined with every other color twice throughout the 90 hexagons, creating visual variety and balanced color distribution across the finished blanket.
• Shaped Decreases and Increases: The hexagon shape is achieved through decreases worked on right-side rows and increases worked on wrong-side rows, providing the necessary shaping to form the geometric hexagonal structure.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

The Dawn to Dusk pattern utilizes fundamental crochet stitches combined in a structured approach:

• Single Crochet (Sc): The primary stitch used throughout the hexagon construction, providing a dense, stable fabric.
• Single Crochet Increase (Sc-inc): Used on wrong-side rows to add stitches and create the expanding portions of the hexagon shape.
• Slip Stitch (Sl St): Used for joining and structural purposes within the hexagon pattern.
• Slip Stitch Decrease (Sl St Dec): Applied on right-side rows to decrease stitches and create the shaping necessary for the hexagonal form.
• Chain (Ch): Used as needed for pattern construction and transitions.

The pattern notes that each hexagon is created by crocheting one parallelogram with strategic decreases on right-side rows and increases on wrong-side rows to provide proper shaping. When working certain rows, crafters work into both the ends of previous rows and into slip stitch rows, creating a cohesive hexagonal structure.

Yarn and Materials

The Dawn to Dusk pattern calls for Valley Yarns Northampton, a 100% wool yarn available in two distinct colorways. Each colorway requires 10 different colors, with one ball (100 grams / 247 yards) of each color needed to complete the project.

Colorway A features: Nebula Heather, Denim Heather, Stonewashed Heather, Natural, Light Grey, Medium Grey, Dark Grey, Lilac Heather, Raspberry Heather, and Twilight Heather.

Colorway B features: Black, Dark Grey, Medium Grey, Light Grey, Natural, Gold, Stonewashed Heather, Blue Jean, Denim Heather, and Dark Navy.

The recommended crochet hook is US size H (5mm), or the size needed to achieve proper gauge. Additional materials include a tapestry needle for seaming the hexagons together. The gauge for each completed hexagon is