Using one strand each of the red, white, and blue, and a size Q (15mm) hook, did the body of the blanket as written, though I don’t believe that I went to 61 sts…think I only went to 57 because I was nearly through those first skeins of yarn.
Once done with the body of the blanket, due to limited yarn left (I knew I should’ve bought 3 of each color--I’m so bad about estimating w/crochet yardage), I just did a simply single crochet border. While photographing it my kids kept laying on it, squishing it in their hands, and even the dog tried to lay on it. :) Don’t worry, I washed it before mailing it.