The Isla Throw - A Tunisian Crochet Blanket Pattern

What do you get when you mix tiny cluster stitches with gorgeous roving yarn? The Isla throw - a fun and easy-to-make Tunisian crochet throw pattern.

You can purchase a printable PDF of this pattern at our shop here or Etsy here.

I recently bought some new patio furniture for our deck out back. I bought this set and I love it so much.

We've been in our current house for a year and have only had camping chairs set up.

After convincing my husband there was plenty of room for both his beloved zero gravity chair and some pretty patio furniture, I set out to find the perfect set for that space.

We now have a his and hers side. 🙂

And of course, after getting it set up I knew the one thing it needed was a crochet blanket.

I wanted something that screamed summer. It needed to be lightweight, in blue (my favorite color), and small enough to store in the ottoman.

After a bunch of experimenting with different stitches and yarn combos, the Isla throw was born.

Yes, It's Another Self-Striping Blanket Pattern

I know, I know...it might seem like I'm out of control with self-striping yarn crochet patterns and I've accepted the fact that...yes, yes I am.

Exhibit A, B, C, and D.

I have an undeniable strong love affair with this type of yarn and I've made it my mission in life to provide you with as many modern crochet patterns featuring it as I can.

I am trying to mix it up every once and a while like with the Finley Throw (currently my top-selling pattern for summer) and the Drew throw.

The Isla Throw - A Summery Tunisian Crochet Throw Pattern

The Stitches - Tunisian Crochet Cluster Stitch (Also Known as Shell Stitch)

The instant I started experimenting with the Tunisian cluster stitch, I knew I had found a winner.

And then when I mixed it with roving self-striping yarn and a solid color, the blanket came together in no time.

Tunisian Cluster Stitch Video Tutorial

Here's a video tutorial for the Tunisian cluster stitch.

Note: The Cluster Stitch starting chain is a 3 + 2 multiple. For the example, I chained 11.

Tunisian Crochet Cluster Stitch Written and Photo Instructions

For those of you who learn better this way, I've included written and photo instructions. Note that the Return Pass for this stitch is different than a regular Tunisian RetP.

Side note: If you would like this pattern ad-free, you can purchase a printable PDF at our shop here or Etsy here.

Pull up a loop in the first full size chain. Pull up a loop in the top of the next cluster. *Pull up a loop in the next two full size chains, pull up a loop in the top of the next cluster*

Rep from * to * to the last cluster stitch

After pulling up a loop in the last cluster st, pull up a loop in the second to last chain; working the last st as for Lts

Tunisian Cluster Stitch Return Pass:

Chain 2, yarn over pull through 4 loops. *Chain 2, yarn over and pull through 4 loops*
Continue from * to * until you have only 2 loops remaining on your hook
Chain one, yarn over pull through last 2 remaining loops

1.Chain 11, pull up a loop in the second chain from hook and in each chain to the end

2. Cluster Stitch Return Pass

Chain 2, yarn over pull through 4 loops. *Chain 2, yarn over and pull through 4 loops*
Continue from * to * until you have only 2 loops remaining on your hook
Chain one, yarn over pull through last 2 remaining loops

3. pull up a loop in the first full size chain

4. Pull up a loop in the top of the next cluster

5. *Pull up a loop in the next two full size chains, pull up a loop in the top of the next cluster*

6. Repeat from * to * to last cluster stitch

7. After pulling up a loop in the last cluster st, pull up a loop in the second to last chain

8. work the last st as for Lts (Last Tunisian Stitch, meaning the side stitch)

9. Return Pass

Tunisian Cluster Stitch after finishing off with Tunisian slip stitch

The Isla Throw Pattern

NOTES:

Finished size measures 49" wide x 49" long
To change the width, chain a multiple of 3 + 2 for beginning chain
To change the length, simply add more rows
Video tutorial for the Tunisian cluster stitch is HERE
You are not fastening off your yarn when you switch colors. Instead, you are pulling it up the side. And you know what that means?? Less ends to weave in!
You will switch colors after the return pass, when you have 2 loops left on your hook
You'll want to focus on your tension when switching to a new color. Don't pull too tight, but also not too loose. You want your edges to match.
I recommend practicing this stitch on a small swatch before starting the blanket

MATERIALS:

HOOK(S)

7 mm Tunisian crochet hook with cable

6 mm crochet hook for border

YARN

Weight 4 • approx. 810 yds

Lion Brand Ferris Wheel; 3 cakes

Color: Full Moon

Weight 4

Lion Brand Pound of Love, 1 skein

Color: Elephant Grey

NOTIONS

Scissors

Tapestry needle

GAUGE (4 x 4")

5 cluster sts x 10 rows in pattern

ABBREVIATIONS:

ch chain

rep repeat

yo yarn over

FwP Forward pass

RetP Return pass

Lts last Tunisian stitch

st(s) stitch(es)

Pattern Description:

The Isla blanket reminds me of tiny little sea shells found at the beach. It's made in the Tunisian cluster stitch, which is a fun stitch to learn. After you get the hang of it, it's a very meditative stitch, making it an easy project to work on. I used Ferris Wheel in Full Moon which is a long striping sequence of Denim, Sky Blue, and Misty Blue. It's mixed with Elephant Grey, which gives you a beautiful blanket to display in your home or porch.

Color A: Ferris Wheel, Full Moon

Color B: Pound of Love, Elephant Grey

Foundation row with color A ch 188, pull up a loop in the second back bump from hook and in each back bump to the end

Return Pass: (check special stitches for this unique Return Pass); when you have 2 loops left on your hook (this will be after you ch 1), switch to Color B

Row 1 With Color B, pull up a loop in the first full size chain. Pull up a loop in the top of the next cluster. *Pull up a loop in the next two full size chains, pull up a loop in the top of the next cluster*

Rep from * to * to the last cluster stitch

After pulling up a loop in the last cluster st, pull up a loop in the second to last chain; working the last st as for Lts

Return Pass, when you have 2 loops left on your hook (this will be after you ch 1), switch to Color A

Row 2 With Color A, pull up a loop in the first full size chain. Pull up a loop in the top of the next cluster. *Pull up a loop in the next two full size chains, pull up a loop in the top of the next cluster*

Rep from * to * the last cluster stitch

After pulling up a loop in the last cluster st, pull up a loop in the second to last chain; working the last st as for Lts

Return Pass, when you have 2 loops left on your hook (this will be after you ch 1), switch to Color B

Rows 3 and on Repeat rows 1 and 2

End with a Color A row

Finish

Last row sl st in each ch and each cluster stitch across row to bind off, inserting hook as for Lts on the last st. Fasten off color A and B

Border

With Color B, attach yarn in corner, ch 1, 2sc in same space, *sc across to corner, 3sc in corner*; repeat from * to * until you meet up with your first corner, 1 sc in same corner with 2sc; slip stitch to 1st sc. Finish off , weave in ends