Three Colours, One Striking Design: Marlowe Crochet Lap Blanket Pattern

The Marlowe crochet lap blanket pattern combines simple filet blocks and three colours to create an eye-catching geometric design that’s easy to customise to your perfect size.

You might recognise the stitch pattern in my Marlowe Blanket! I first used it in my Marlowe Cardigan, worked in one colour, before giving it a completely different look with splashes of colour in the Marlowe Summer Top.

This time, I wanted to see what would happen when I used the same combination of filet blocks and mesh in a blanket. Working with three colours and changing them in larger sections has created a striking geometric design that looks more intricate than it is to crochet.

I love how differently the same stitch pattern works across all three projects – and Marlowe has now become a little collection without me ever planning it that way!

Ready to crochet your own Marlowe lap blanket? You’ll find the free pattern below, with everything you need to create the geometric design and customise the blanket to suit you.

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Why You’ll Love My Marlowe Blanket

• Simple stitches, satisfying pattern: The combination of filet blocks and open mesh rows creates an easy rhythm to settle into once the pattern is established.
• Colour changes keep it interesting: Three colours are worked in different-sized sections, giving you enough variety to keep the project engaging without constantly changing yarn.
• Easy to make your own: Choose three shades to suit your style, or use the stitch multiple to customise the width and work more or fewer row repeats for the length you need.
• A lightweight layer: The combination of filet blocks, open mesh and DK yarn creates a blanket that feels cosy without being too heavy – just right for draping over your legs on the sofa.

Skill Level

Easy

Marlowe uses basic crochet stitches with simple chain spaces to create the filet and mesh pattern.

Once the first few rows are established, you’ll be repeating the same two row styles throughout the blanket, making it an easy pattern to settle into.

Marlowe Lapghan Size

The finished Marlowe blanket measures approximately 36 inches (91.5 cm) wide x 54 inches (137 cm) long.

I chose a little extra length for this lap blanket so there’s plenty of coverage when you’re relaxing on the sofa, enough to cover your legs comfortably without the blanket becoming as large or heavy as a full-size throw.

How To Customise the Size Of Your Blanket

It’s straightforward to customise the size of Marlowe if you’d prefer a wider or longer blanket.

• Width: Add multiples of 11 to the foundation chain until you reach the width you need.
• Length: To make your blanket shorter, stop after any set of five Row 2 repeats that follows a Row 6 mesh row. To make your blanket longer, continue from Row 113 by working a repeat of Row 6, followed by five repeats of Row 2. Continue this sequence until you reach your desired length. For a neat finish, end after a Row 2 repeat.

The table below gives approximate measurements for some common blanket sizes to use as a guide when customising Marlowe.

Materials

DK (#3) weight yarn:

• Yarn A: approx. 476 yds (435 m)
• Yarn B: approx. 289 yds (264 m)
• Yarn C: approx. 650 yds (594 m)
• 4mm crochet hook
• Scissors
• Yarn needle

I use Clover Amour crochet hooks and embroidery scissors.

Yarn Choices

From my shelf: I used Yarnsmiths Create DK, a 100% acrylic yarn, in Peach (Yarn A), Off White (Yarn B) and Dusky Peach (Yarn C).

I originally bought a varied colour palette with the idea of making a large striped blanket, although I didn’t have a particular stitch pattern or design in mind. Over time, I’ve gradually used the shades for other projects and, with my original colour collection dwindling, I chose these three for Marlowe.

Peach, Off White and Dusky Peach complement each other beautifully, while the contrast between the shades helps the geometric stitch pattern stand out.

After working with cotton and cotton blends for quite a while, I’d also forgotten just how lightweight acrylic can be! For a budget-friendly yarn, Create DK feels lovely and soft too, making it a great choice for a blanket to snuggle under.

You can substitute any DK (#3) yarn for this lap blanket pattern. Gauge isn’t critical, but I still recommend crocheting a swatch to check that you’re happy with the drape and feel of your chosen yarn.

How to Choose Three Colours for Your Blanket

Choosing three colours can sometimes be harder than choosing the yarn!

One simple approach for Marlowe is to choose two colours you love and one neutral to bring them together.

In my blanket, Peach and Dusky Peach are the main colours, with Off White providing contrast between them. You could use the same idea with completely different shades, or choose three colours from the same colour family for a softer, more blended effect.

If you need some inspiration, here are a few three-colour palette ideas:

There’s no need to follow a formula, though! My blanket design is also a lovely opportunity to put three favourite shades together and see how the colour changes transform the stitch pattern.

Gauge

18 double crochet stitches and 9 rows = 4” x 4”/10cm x 10cm

The 9 rows measured for gauge are:

• 5 filet rows worked in the double crochet pattern
• 1 mesh row worked in the treble crochet pattern
• 3 filet rows worked in the double crochet pattern

Gauge isn’t critical for this blanket, but I recommend making a swatch before you begin to check the drape and feel of your chosen yarn.

If your gauge differs from mine, your finished blanket measurements and yarn requirements may also vary. You can use my stitch gauge converter if you’d like help adjusting the width for your gauge.

Stitches and Abbreviations

Stacked Double Crochet (stacked dc): make a single crochet into the first stitch. Insert hook into the left vertical leg of the single crochet just made, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, and pull through two loops.

Stacked Treble Crochet (stacked tr): make a single crochet into the first stitch, *insert hook into the left vertical leg of the single crochet just made, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through two loops, * repeat once more.

• single crochet (sc)
• double crochet (dc)
• treble crochet (tr)
• slip stitch (sl st)

Need a refresher of these stitches? You can find instructions in part one of my stitch library.

For my UK crocheters, the table below is a conversion of basic crochet stitches from US to UK.

These common abbreviations are used in the instructions:

• chain (ch)
• change colour (cc)
• each (ea)
• remaining (rem)
• repeat (rep)
• Right Side (RS)
• Skip (sk)
• space/s (sp/s)
• stitch/es (st/s)
• Wrong Side (WS)

How the Marlowe Crochet Lapghan Pattern is Designed

The geometric filet design is created with blocks of 10 double crochet stitches, separated by chain-1 spaces. Five rows of these filet blocks are worked between the more open mesh rows of treble crochet and chain-1 spaces.

Because the chain spaces stay in the same position through the filet rows, they create the vertical lines you see running through each block. The open mesh rows then break up the solid sections, giving Marlowe its geometric look.

I used three colours for my blanket: Peach (Yarn A), Off White (Yarn B) and Dusky Peach (Yarn C).

Colour Placement

The colours are arranged symmetrically across the length of the blanket. Yarn A and Yarn C are worked in larger sections of three blocks, with a single block of Yarn B between each section.

The colour sequence is:

Yarn C → Yarn B → Yarn A → Yarn B → Yarn C → Yarn B → Yarn A → Yarn B → Yarn C

This keeps Yarn B as the contrast colour throughout, while alternating the two main colours on either side.

The table below shows the exact rows worked in each colour, making it easy to follow the same sequence or substitute your own three-colour palette.

A simple three-round border finishes the blanket.

My Pattern Notes

• Pattern is written in English using US crochet terms.
• Repeated instructions are written between * symbols.
• Stacked double crochet and stacked treble crochet are used instead of turning chains. This makes it easier to maintain the chain-1 space at the beginning of the filet and mesh rows. If you prefer, you can use chain 3 in place of a stacked double crochet and chain 4 in place of a stacked treble crochet. Remember to work the additional chain 1 where instructed and work into the turning chain on the following row.
• Colour changes take place at the last pull through of the final stitch of a row.
• Row 2 and its repeats forms the five rows of the filet block.
• Row 6 and its repeats form the open mesh row of treble crochet and chain-1 spaces.
• Chain 1 at the beginning of the border rounds does not count as a stitch.
• Chain 3 at the beginning of Round 2 of the border counts as a double crochet.
• In Round 1 of the border, the corner stitch is the last stitch of each side of the blanket.
• In Round 2, the corner stitch is the middle single crochet of the three single crochets worked into the corner stitch on Round 1.
• In Round 3, the corner space is the chain-1 space between the two double crochets.
• Weave in ends as you go.
• Yarn amounts are approximate and may vary if you substitute the yarn or your tension differs.

Marlowe Crochet Lap Blanket Instructions (US Crochet Terms)

With a 4mm hook and Yarn C

Ch 148

Row 1 (RS): dc in 4^th ch from hook, dc in ea ch across, turn (146 dc)

Row 2: stacked dc, *ch1, sk 1 st, dc in next 10 sts, * rep to last 2 sts, ch1, sk 1 st, dc in last st, turn (132 dc, 14 ch1-sps)

Row 3 – 5: rep row 2 (stitch counts remain the same)

Row 6: Stacked tr, ch 1, sk 1 st, *tr in next st, ch 1, sk 1 st; rep from * to last st, tr in last st, turn (74 tr, 72 ch1-sps)

Rows 7 – 11: rep row 2

Row 12: rep row 6

Rows 13 – 17: rep row 2

CC to Yarn B

Row 18: rep row 6

Rows 19 – 23: rep row 2

Row 24: rep row 6

CC to Yarn A

Rows 25 – 29: rep row 2

Row 30: rep row 6

Rows 31 – 35: rep row 2

Row 36: rep row 6

Rows 37 – 41: rep row 2

CC to Yarn B

Row 42: rep row 6

Rows 43 – 47: rep row 2

Row 48: rep row 6

CC to Yarn C

Rows 49 – 53: rep row 2

Row 54: rep row 6

Rows 55 – 59: rep row 2

Row 60: rep row 6

Rows 61 – 65: rep row 2

CC to Yarn B

Row 66: rep row 6

Rows 67 – 71: rep row 2

Row 72: rep row 6

CC to Yarn A

Rows 73 – 77: rep row 2

Row 78: rep row 6

Rows 79 – 83: rep row 2

Row 84: rep row 6

Rows 85 – 89: rep row 2

CC to Yarn B

Row 90: rep row 6

Rows 91 – 95: rep row 2

Row 96: rep row 6

CC to Yarn C

Rows 97 – 101: rep row 2

Row 102: rep row 6

Rows 103 – 107: rep row 2

Row 108: rep row 6

Rows 109 – 113: rep row 2

Fasten off

Border

Working on RS

Rejoin Yarn A 2 sts to left of any corner st

Round 1: ch 1, *sc evenly around edges to corner st, 3sc in corner st; rep from * around, join with sl st to first sc

Fasten off

Rejoin Yarn B 2 sts to left of any corner st

Round 2: ch 3, *dc in ea st to corner st, [2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc] in corner st; rep from * around, join with sl st to first dc

Fasten off

Rejoin Yarn A in first st after any corner sp

Round 3: ch 1, *sc in ea st to corner sp, 3sc in corner sp; rep from * around, join with sl st to first sc

Fasten off

Congratulations! You’ve finished your Marlowe lap blanket. Weave in any remaining ends and block to finish.

Copyright Notice

The pattern and photographs of this design are the property of Sharon Goodwin at Jera’s Jamboree.  This pattern and design are subject to copyright and are for personal, non-commercial use only.  You may not share, resell, alter or redistribute this pattern in part or in whole. You may, however, sell any finished items you make.  If you would like to include this pattern in a roundup, you may take one photo and link back to this pattern.

I’d love to know which three colours you choose for your Marlowe Blanket. Whether you use two favourite shades with a neutral, choose three colours from the same family or create something completely different, I hope you enjoy seeing the geometric pattern develop as you crochet. 

Come and share your finished Marlowe in my Jera’s Jamboree Crochet Community on Facebook – I’d love to see how your colour combination turns out!

If you’ve enjoyed making Marlowe, you can find more ideas in my crochet lap blanket patterns roundup, including different stitch styles and constructions. You might also like Twilight Haven for another relaxing lap blanket project, or Mindful Hands if you fancy trying mosaic crochet.

And somehow, without me ever planning it, Marlowe has become a little collection! You can also find this stitch pattern used in two very different ways in my Marlowe Cardigan and Marlowe Summer Top.

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