I have received many queries on the the diagonal stitch blanket pattern, so here is a picture tutorial of how to work this stitch. I have used this stitch to make small squares like for the blanket and I have also used it to make baby afgans which is one big square or rectangle so its really versatile.
You will need yarn and crochet needle. The size you choose will determine the weight of your finished blanket. For baby blankets I prefer soft worsted yarn and 4 mm crochet needle which results in fabric that is closely woven with no holes for the baby’s finger to get stuck and is warm.
To start, ch6
DC in starting in 4th ch to end. 
Ch6
Dc starting in 4th chain and in next 2 ch- 1 shell made. 
Flip your work and sl st in the ch 3 space of first shell. Ch3 
Work 3 Dc in ch3 space. 
Ch6
Dc in 4th ch and in next 2ch 
Flip your work and continue the the stitch like the the previous row. 
Continue working, increasing one shell for each row until you have the length you want, for this tutorial I made 5 shells on the side. 
To start the decrease, ch3 
Flip your work and sl st in the ch3 space of the shell 
Ch3 and continue working the stitch like before 
Work to the last ch3 space, you work one less shell than the previous row, in my case 4 shells. Sl st in the ch3 space.
Ch3
Flip your work and sl st in ch3 space and ch3 and continue to making shells like the last row.
Continue working until all the rows are done, sl st in the ch3 space and ch3.
Flip your work and sl st in the ch3 space and bind off.
