Start your summer adventure with this beautiful blanket strip. This free crochet pattern is the first part of the iconic Road Trip Blanket.

The Lehigh Valley is a beautiful corner of Pennsylvania, a living storybook of American history and culture. From the glow of the Moravian Star on South Mountain to the roar of Bethlehem Steel’s industrial might, this region has shaped the spirit of a nation.

Bethlehem, the center of the Lehigh Valley, was founded by Moravian missionaries on Christmas Eve in 1741. Bethlehem is known as the Christmas city and, because of the immense influence of the Moravians, the Moravian Star is the symbol that represents the town.

Easton, where I live, was one of 3 locations where the Declaration of Independence was first read. Residents gathered in Center Square to hear Colonel Robert L. Hooper read those iconic words 4 days after it was signed in Philadelphia.

Because of the Lehigh River and its canal system, the Lehigh Valley became a key player in the Industrial Revolution. The birth of Bethlehem Steel provided materials for major landmarks and helped supply steel for both World Wars.

A little trivia for you: The opening scene of “The Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” (2009) movie was filmed in Bethlehem. Check it out!

It’s possible the only reference you’ve had to the Lehigh Valley is Billy Joel’s song “Allentown”. That’s okay. He captured just one chapter of the Lehigh Valley’s story, and there’s so much more to discover beyond the smokestacks and factory towns he sang about.

The Star Over the Valley Blanket Strip

Design + Construction

What better way to depict the 2 iconic features of the Lehigh Valley than with the wave stitch and the star stitch.

The first half of the Star Over the Valley blanket strip represents the flow of the Lehigh River eastward toward its confluence with the Delaware River, one of the most important waterways in the US.

The wave stitch pattern is created by lengthening and shortening the heights of the stitches across the row. A series of single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet and treble crochet are repeated to create the gentle “waves” of the Lehigh River. 

The wave stitch row is followed by a row of single crochet. Those 2 rows are repeated in a contrasting color to complete the wave section of this blanket strip.

The second half of the Star Over the Valley blanket strip represents the beautiful Moravian star overlooking the Lehigh River. I used the star stitch for this portion.

The star stitch, aka the Daisy or Marguerite Stitch, is a 2-row stitch pattern. In the star stitch row, you’ll pick up a series of loops to create a each starburst. The row of single crochets that follows completes the star.

In this beautiful blanket strip, the Moravian Star sits over the winding Lehigh River and starts your summer adventure with the Road Trip Blanket!

The Yarn

Lion Brand’s Heartland is easily one of my favorite yarns, especially for a cozy blanket. 

• The slight halo gives the yarn a little extra loft while maintaining beautiful stitch definition.
• It’s easy care 100% acrylic, a fiber that’s durable yet soft and comfy.
• It comes it beautiful colors inspired by US national parks.

You may use any worsted weight yarn you like. Choose one that will make your finished blanket comfy cozy and shows off the stitches in this blanket strip.

The Road Trip Blanket free crochet along

Starting Monday, June 16, with the release of the Star Over the Valley blanket strip, the Road Trip Blanket releases over the course of 6 weeks as a free crochet along.

Find out more about how you can be involved by visiting the event post.

The Star Over the Valley blanket strip free pattern starts here

General Information

Yarn

Lion Brand “Heartland” 100% premium acrylic worsted weight (5oz/251yd; 142g/230m)

• Color A – Glacier Bay (70 yds)
• Color B – Acadia (70 yds)
• Color C – Bryce Canyon (95 yds)

All yardages are approximate.

Hook

US size H-8 (5mm) or size needed for gauge

Tools

• Scissors
• Tapestry needle for weaving in ends

Finished Measurement

Approx. 5″ (12.7cm) tall and 50″ (127cm) wide

Gauge

11 sts x Rows 1-8 = approx. 3″

Abbreviations – US crochet terminology

• ch – chain
• dc – double crochet
• hdc – half double crochet
• rep – repeat
• sc – single crochet
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• STsc – See Special Stitches
• tr – treble crochet
• RS – right side
• WS – wrong side
• YO -yarn over
• Beg star st – the 1st star stitch in a row – See Special Stitches
• Star st – the star stitch worked across the row – See Special Stitches

Special Stitches

Stacked single crochet (STsc) – (This stitch is used at the beginning of a row or round to replace the traditional turning ch-3. It has the appearance of a dc.) – Insert hook in the same st as the loop, YO, pull up a loop, YO, pull through 2 loops (bottom sc made), insert hook in the left vertical bar of the bottom sc, YO, pull up a loop, YO, pull through 2 loops (top sc made).

Star Stitches

I have a blog post that talks about and shows star stitch construction. Click here to read it.

Note: In the blog post, it states that a star stitch row is always followed by a row of hdc. In this blanket strip, the star stitch rows are followed by a row of sc instead.

These instructions are specific to the Road Trip Blanket Strip. You may find slight variations in other patterns and tutorials.

Beginning star stitch (This star stitch is the 1st one worked in a star stitch row). Because each star stitch row begins with 2 dc for the blanket strip, this beginning star stitch will be worked into a dc instead of a chain as is customary.

• Insert hook in the horizontal bar in the middle of the dc just made, YO, pull up a loop (2 loops on the hook).
• Insert hook into the same st the dc was worked into, YO, pull up a loop (3 loops on the hook).
• Insert hook into next unworked st, YO, pull up a loop (4 loops on the hook).
• Insert hook into next unworked st, YO, pull up a loop (5 loops on the hook).
• YO, pull through all 5 loops on the hook.
• The ch-1 that follows the star stitch closes it and forms the eye of the star stitch.

Star Stitch

• Insert hook into the ch-1 (eye) just made, YO, pull up a loop (2 loops on hook).
• Insert hook into the leg of the last loop pulled up in previous star stitch, YO, pull up a loop (3 loops on the hook).
• Insert hook into the same st as the last part of the previous st, YO, pull up a loop (4 loops on the hook).
• Insert hook into next unworked st, YO, pull up a loop (5 loops on the hook).
• Insert hook into next unworked st, YO, pull up a loop (6 loops on the hook).
• YO, pull through all 6 loops on the hook.
• The ch-1 that follows the star stitch closes it and forms the eye of the star stitch.

Pattern Notes

1. A ch-1 at the beginning of a row does not count as a stitch.
2. A ch-2 or ch-3 may be substituted for the STsc without altering the construction of the strip. Be sure to work into the turning chain at the end of the row because it counts as a dc.
3. To change colors, work the last stitch before the color change to the last step. Drop the working yarn and finish the stitch with the new color.
4. Do not fasten off in the Wave Section. Instead, carry the yarn up the side of the strip and pick it up when needed next.

Note: Before beginning this blanket strip, be sure you’ve worked the first 2 rows of the blanket. The instructions can be found on the event post here.

Video tutorial for Star Over the Valley

Pattern Instructions

Wave Section

Row 1 (RS): With Color A, ch 1, sc in the same st, hdc in the next 2 sts, dc in the next 2 sts, tr in the next st, dc in the next 2 sts, hdc in the next 2 sts, [sc in the next 3 sts, hdc in the next 2 sts, dc in the next 2 sts, tr in the next st, dc in the next 2 sts, hdc in the next 2 sts] 14 times, sc in the last 2 sts, turn. < 45 sc, 60 hdc, 60 dc, 15 tr >

Row 2 (WS): Ch 1, sc in the same st and in each st across, turn. < 180 sc >

Row 3: With Color B, STsc, dc in the next st, hdc in the next 2 sts,  sc in the next 3 sts, hdc in the next 2 sts, dc in the next 2 sts, [tr in the next st, dc in the next 2 sts, hdc in the next 2 sts, sc in the next 3 sts, hdc in the next 2 sts, dc in the next 2 sts] 14 times, tr in the last st, turn. < 45 sc, 60 hdc, 60 dc, 15 tr >

Row 4: Rep Row 2.

Rows 5-8: Rep Rows 1-4, using the same color combination.

Star Section

Row 9: With Color C, STsc, dc in the next st, beg star st, ch 1, [star stitch, ch 1] across to the last 2 sts, dc in the last 2 sts, turn. < 4 dc, 88 star sts >

Note for Row 10: At the end of the row, it will look as though there are 3 sts remaining after working 2 sc in the final ch. ONLY sc in the last 2 sts of the row.

Row 10: Ch 1, sc in the same st and in the next st, 2 sc in the ch of each star st across to the last 2 sts, sc in the last 2 sts, turn. < 180 sc >

Rows 11-14: Rep Rows 9-10 twice.

Note: Measure the strip after Row 12. If the strip has not reached 5″, continue with Rows 13-14. If it has, you may stop after Row 12.

Proceed to the transition rows. Instructions are on the event post here.