Braids and Twists Chunky Throw – Free Crochet Pattern

Crochet a chunky throw with braids and twisted cables. This free crochet pattern uses two strands of Bernat blanket yarn to create a squishy, snuggly blanket.

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We have four weddings to go to this year and my husband is a groomsman in two of them. None of them are in Denver and none of them are skippable — it’s all brothers and best friends. It’s gonna be expensive, y’all! I’ve been brainstorming handmade gifts I could make that will save us a little $$$, and I thought about those super chunky knit throws.

Side view of a blue crocheted blanket with cables and braided chains.

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Now, I basically can’t knit to save my life (unless you want an uneven scarf?), but I can crochet the shit out of a blanket! The hubs agreed that throws would be cute presents, so it was settled. Then, basically the same day I decided to crochet some chunky throw blankets, I received an email advertising $5/skein Bernat blanket yarn. The big skeins! 🔥🔥 Um YESSS PLEASE! 🔥🔥

Two balls of Bernat Blanket Yarn ("Baby Teal" color) on a white background.

This was my first project with Bernat blanket yarn, and it’s pretty amazing! If you haven’t used it before, it’s a #6 super bulky yarn that’s made from some sort of extra soft chenille. I used two strands to make an even chunkier crochet throw and it is unbelievably squishy. The Bernat blanket yarn takes a little getting used to — I crocheted slower and had to use my hands more than usual in order to get the chunky yarn over my 25 mm crochet hook. Even with the blanket yarn learning curve, this crochet throw blanket still works up quickly.

The base of the blanket is double crochets, with the addition of twisted cables and braided chains to add texture and interest (and boost the squish-factor). The pattern utilizes back and front post crochets and has a single crochet border. My finished throw is about 46 x 48 inches, but my dog kept rolling on it while I was trying to measure, so it might be slightly larger.

Snag the Braids and Twists Throw Crochet Pattern
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Vertical image of a blue chunky crochet throw blanket with cables and braided chains.

Supplies

  • 6 – 10.5 oz skeins of Bernat blanket or baby blanket yarn (I used baby blanket in “Baby Teal”)
  • 25 mm crochet hook (I bought this set from Amazon – it includes several big hooks as well as tapestry needles and stitch markers)
  • Scissors

Abbreviations

Labeled vertical image with two pictures of a blue crocheted throw - Free Crochet Pattern - Braids + Twists Throw

Chunky Throw Blanket Pattern

Row 1: Using two strands of Bernat blanket yarn ch 49, (BLO) dc in third ch from hook, dc across. (48)

Row 2: ch 2 (counts as dc) and turn. dc 5, fptr 4, dc 6, ch 9 and sl st to the top of the same dc, dc 6, fptr 4, dc 6, ch 9 and sl st to the top of the same dc, dc 6, fptr 4, dc 6. (48)

Hands crocheting a loop for the braided chain portion of the blue chunky throw

For help with the braided chains, check out the video tutorial:

Row 3: ch 2 and turn. dc 5, sk 3 and bpdtr in fourth stitch from hook (A), bpdtr in third skipped stitch (B), bpdtr in second skipped stitch (C), bpdtr in first skipped stitch (D), dc in fourth stitch from hook, dc 11, sk 3 and bpdtr in fourth stitch from hook, bpdtr in third skipped stitch, bpdtr in second skipped stitch, bpdtr in first skipped stitch, dc in fourth stitch from hook, dc 11, sk 3 and bpdtr in fourth stitch from hook, bpdtr in third skipped stitch, bpdtr in second skipped stitch, bpdtr in first skipped stitch, dc in fourth stitch from hook, dc 5. (48)

Labeled image showing four steps to  crochet the twisted cable portion of the blue chunky throw

Need a video for the twisted cables? Watch this!

Row 4: ch 2 and turn. dc 5, fptr 4, dc 6, ch 9 and sl st to the top of the same dc, dc 6, fptr 4, dc 6, ch 9 and sl st to the top of the same dc, dc 6, fptr 4, dc 6. (48)

Row 5: ch 2 and turn. dc 5, bpdc 4, dc 12, bpdc 4, dc 12, bpdc 4, dc 6. (48)

Hands crocheting a blue chunky throw

Row 6: ch 2 and turn. dc 5, fptr 4, dc 6, ch 9 and sl st to the top of the same dc, dc 6, fptr 4, dc 6, ch 9 and sl st to the top of the same dc, dc 6, fptr 4, dc 6. (48)

Hands crocheting a front post treble crochet on the blue chunky throw

Row 7: ch 2 and turn. dc 5, sk 3 and bpdtr in fourth stitch from hook, bpdtr in third skipped stitch, bpdtr in second skipped stitch, bpdtr in first skipped stitch, dc in fourth stitch from hook, dc 11, sk 3 and bpdtr in fourth stitch from hook, bpdtr in third skipped stitch, bpdtr in second skipped stitch, bpdtr in first skipped stitch, dc in fourth stitch from hook, dc 11, sk 3 and bpdtr in fourth stitch from hook, bpdtr in third skipped stitch, bpdtr in second skipped stitch, bpdtr in first skipped stitch, dc in fourth stitch from hook, dc 5. (48)

Row 8: ch 2 and turn. dc 5, fptr 4, dc 6, ch 9 and sl st to the top of the same dc, dc 6, fptr 4, dc 6, ch 9 and sl st to the top of the same dc, dc 6, fptr 4, dc 6. (48)

Rows 9 – 32: Repeat rows 5 – 8. After finishing Row 32, continue to crochet sc border.

Large crochet hook crocheting a single crochet border onto the blue chunky throw

Braids
Beginning with the Row 32 loop, pull each loop over the previous loop (e.g. pull the Row 32 loop over the Row 30 loop) to make a braid. The Row 2 loops will be secured when you crochet the border.

Border
sc around, with three sc in each corner. Use 2 border sc to secure each braid. Trim yarn and weave in ends.

I used my fingers to weave in the ends, but you could also use a large tapestry needle.

Large crochet hook securing the braided chain with the single crochet border

Excellent! You’re done crocheting your chunky throw! Squishy, right? Do you think you’ll keep it for yourself, or give it away as a wedding or baby shower gift?

Chunky blue crochet blanket on a hardwood floor
Chunky blue crochet blanket, folded