Long double crochet

I begin to think that I know entirely too many people who are expecting children or grandchildren! I finished yet another baby blanket and currently have two more waiting in the wings. My good pal Christina is expecting her first granddaughter and I wanted to commemorate this very special occasion with a blankie.  I created a light and airy blanket using a single skein of yarn for each row, alternating colors with solid pink and a variegated pink/yellow/blue/green.

The pattern I used was composed of two rows of three double crochets with a chain stitch separating each grouping.  Here's the pattern instructions:

Start: Ch multiple of 3 + 2 more

Row 1: dc in 3rd ch from hook and in next ch, ch 1. *Sk one ch, [dc in next ch] 3 times, ch.** Rep from * to ** across. Turn.

Row 2:  ch 2 to form first dc, then [dc on top of next dc] twice. *ch one and skip ch one space below. [dc on top of next dc] 3 times.** Rep from * to ** across. Change yarn color and turn.

Note: to work long double crochet (Ldc) YO, insert hook in ch 1 sp, one row below next ch 1 sp, YO and pull up a loop even with last st made, (YO and draw through 2 loops on hook) twice.

 Row 3: Ch 3 (counts as dc + ch1), *dc on top of 3rd dc below, Ldc in ch 1 space below, dc on top of next dc. ch 1.** Rep from * to ** across.

Row 4:  Ch 3, *[dc in next dc] 3 times, ch 1.**  Rep from * to ** across. Change yarn color and turn.

So you should begin to see a pattern emerging at this point.  You simply follow the steps 1-4 repeatedly till the desired size is reached.  For an edging I did dc all the way around once.

Hope you enjoy the blankie Chris!