Reader Question: How Do You Crochet That Blanket?

In recent months, I've made two pretty versions of my simple crocheted blanket: here and here. Aside from colour play, these blankets are pretty much the same. The other day, Cathy from North Carolina sent me the following inquiry regarding this one:

Hi Michele,

Would this blanket be something for a newbie to crochet? I love the idea of using up scraps! Could you share the pattern, please? It turned out beautifully!

Cathy

Thanks so much for the question (and compliment) Cathy! I also consider myself a newbie when it comes to crochet to be honest. Very rarely do I venture beyond the realm of double crochet. As far as I'm concerned, this blanket is the perfect "newbie" crochet project! As best as I can explain it, here is how I made it.

Michele's Stripey Crochet Blanket Pattern:

Except for the beginning chain row, the whole thing is worked in double crochet (dc). In terms of yarn weight, I mostly crocheted the blanket with 2 strands of a variety of fingering weight yarns because that's what I had in my stash. I mixed the yarns in order to achieve an overall neutral tone. By and large, neutral stripes contain some odd number of rows (either 3 rows or 5 rows or 7 rows etc...).  The arrangement of the neutral stripes in terms of width and colour came about organically as the blanket grew. I suggest you go with your gut on that front and let your sensibilities lead you. Between each neutral stripe, I crocheted one burgundy or red row. For the burgundy or red rows, I used 2 strands again: one strand of burgundy or red yarn combined with a second strand of some other neutrally-coloured yarn.

For The Newbie:

Start with a chain. My chain contained 203 chain stitches. The last 3 chain stitches are my "turning" chain stitches.

First row: Skip the first 3 chain stitches and then double-crochet (dc) to the end of the chain. Turn.

Second row: Chain 3, skip the first dc * do 1 dc in next dc, and repeat from * to the end of the row, working the last dc into the third chain of the turning chain. Turn.

Repeat the second row until your blanket is the length you'd like.

Note: The pattern gives sort of a lacy edge by virtue of the extra turning chain stitch. Consequently you will see  little "holes" in your edge. I meant to do that! It is NOT a mistake but part of the master plan.

***

How easy is that? What I like about it is not only its simplicity but also its ease of customization. You could make 100 of these blankets and have them all turn out completely different simply by changing up the colours and varying the stripe widths!

The first version

I hope you enjoy this simple pattern. Send along pictures if you decide to make it. I would absolutely LOVE to have a look-see!

♥M

Some helpful links:

How to Chain Stitch

How to Double-Crochet

Five Little Things

As in, five little things you should probably know about me, but presumably, do not :

Thing 1: Never owned my own cell phone and perhaps never will.
Thing 2: Took up distance running early last year to be able to hunt like those master hunter-gatherers, The Kalahari !Kung, if and when the need arises.
Thing 3: Will most assuredly expire if I don't have a cucumber slice with a sprinkle of pepper on my cracker with cheese.
Thing 4: Whilst brushing my teeth every night before bed, simultaneously do frantic leg raises.
Thing 5: Just completed The Boy's scrappy crochet blanket started during the Christmas holidays. See photos.

Okay, cough it up. What is one thing I should - but probably don't - know about YOU?

♥M

One For The Boy

When he saw the crocheted Christmas blanket I made for my two sweet girls (who share digs far away in the big city), The Boy asked for a similar one of his very own. Since then, I've been slowly obliging him. The work is keeping me busy - and warm - during these long, cold winter evenings.

♥M

A Christmas Crochet Just-In-Time Finish

It's okay if I post it. The sweet recipients don't read this blog. They have no idea I'm talking about them in public behind their backs. They're clueless. And well they should be.

I made this movie-watching-cuddling-up-with-a-good-book-double-crochet-stripey couch-blanket for them. My hope was to make use of yarns I already had in the substantial yarn collection I inherited a few years ago. No purchases allowed. AT ALL.

Happily, I succeeded in my mission. But for that reason, the colour play is a little unconventional. And despite the pre-planning, I also had some serious doubt about whether or not the blanket would come together. At one point, I had to do some major restructuring which involved cutting out, with scissors yes, a series of heinous stripes from the middle. Thankfully, the blanket survived. And so did I.

But I'll explain the surgery in detail a little later. I'm still traumatized by it, I think.

The good news is, it's in one piece. And it is complete. Now I have a handmade gift for my loved ones. I'm happy about that. I hope they will be too.

♥M

P.S. Here's our family's absolute favourite couch-blanket (also crochet) which I made a while back.

Christmas Crochet

Christmas gift in-the-making for a couple of special someones. Shown in black and white here so as not to give it all away...

♥M

Fabric Heart Garland

Tell me the truth... Did you suspect, at any moment, that some sort of heartish garland would materialize upon these pages? Did you know in your heart of hearts that I, like so many others, would fall prey to the ebb and flow of those yearly calendar events around which crafters build their crafts. Of course you did. And you were 100% correct. I've become predictable, haven't I?

Could you perhaps, forgive me just this once? For I sincerely heart this tiny garland. I heart the sweet row of blanket stitches holding together each hearty sandwich of fabric and felt. I heart the play of single crochet and chain stitches entwined around some of their heartish borders. I heart how I've woven this latest garland through my new crochet-edge curtains. Little did you know it, but that was my crafty plan you see, hee hee.

The garland brings a sweet blush of colour to our wintery room.

I heart it very much. I hope you heart it too.

♥M

2012: Year of the Epiphany

Hey there!

Hello stranger!

Happy New Year 2012 and a giant polar bear hug to you!

Do you know that I've just enjoyed the longest break in the history of this blog? Eleven days of silence.  Wow. Seems impossible doesn't it? But no, it's true. I've had a really lovely holiday. It's not quite over yet either. The boys don't go back to school/work until the 9th. But I wanted to check in here. To let you know that I'm still very much alive and alove. And to verify that the interwebs hadn't crumbled to smithereens during my absence.

Yep, nope. They're still here. Still going strong, just as I suspected.



So um... I had a small epiphany during my break don't you know.

Minor Epiphany: I CAN CROCHET. 

I don't know what it is, but sometimes I really lack confidence. Take crocheting for instance. I learned how to crochet sometime in the summer of 2010 just after starting this blog. Since then, I have made this, this, and these, among other things. Yet, for some reason I basically think I blow at it, which I've realized over the last few weeks is a bunch of hooey. I've had it up to here with that kind of negative attitude. Henceforth, I will be working on turning my crochet frown upside down. I CAN CROCHET! And BY GUM you will be seeing more crochet-type projects from me in the coming year!

That said, I'm declaring 2012 my year of the epiphany. I will be keeping my eyes peeled for moments of clarity and ideas that should probably be obvious to me but for some reason haven't managed to penetrate my tiny brain. And then I'll write about them here amongst the many and varied crafts.

Okay then...Well, you have a great evening now. I'll be back soon!

♥M

Note: The above photos are some of the crochet projects I've been playing with over the holidays using some of my yarn scraps. First, I made the lacy square. Secondly, I made some curtains to which I attached a pretty crocheted border, the first attempt of which I rejected. It was a bit much, I felt. The second iteration was just simpler. I like that.

I Can Touch The Sky.

Have you ever had footwear that made you feel feminine yet powerful, like a ballerina maybe, or even Wonder Woman? No. Me neither. Not until now.

This past weekend, I crocheted my very first pair of slippers from a couple balls of thrifted cotton yarn. And guess what? When I slip them on, not only do I feel the estrogen and sheer might coursing through my veins, I can fly like a bird.

You don't believe me do you? That's alright. I'd be skeptical in your shoes as well. But in this new pair of beauties, dagnabbit look at me! I'm SuperMich!!!

See what I mean?

Thank you Lo, my sweet man, for capturing me (or at least part of me - I was just too quick I guess...) on camera levitating, hovering and then flying off in my comfy new crocheted super-slippers. Now my lovely internet friends won't think me completely mad.

Will you?

Note: This turkish slipper pattern comes from Simple Crochet by Erika Knight published by Clarkson Potter © 2003. This book is filled with scrumptious yet accessible patterns that even I can crochet! These slippers are portrayed on the book's cover.

Finish: Crochet Ripple Throw

The story that was the ripple throw is finally over... Sigh... And it's a happy ending.

True, no boy got no girl, no hero rescued no damsel in distress, and no boy got no puppy who saved his life and then died (though I guess that's not really a "happy" ending). No. None of those things happened. The happy ending is just this: there WAS an ending. Just the fact that I finished this project gives me satisfaction. And a sense of accomplishment. And is a little bit magical. I don't know. It just feels good. See, I have issues with long-term crafty commitments. They tend to languish in the corners of my house. And my mind. I know they're there, but I lose interest in them as time passes. I'm more of a get'er done NOW kind of a girl.

But... I did it. Eventually, yes. And I used a lot of scrap yarn in the process. So YAY for me. Woot woot.

Now, here it is in all it's completed glory! Michele's CROCHET RIPPLE THROW!

Can you tell I'm pleased? Well I am! And the universe is pleased too...

Look what it bestowed upon me for all my hard work! Aren't they pretty?

Thank you Universe.

And you, have yourself a beautiful day!

P.S. The throw was made using Lucy's Neat Ripple Pattern available at Attic 24. Thanks Lucy!

In the Making: Crochet Ripple Throw Part 5

The sun, as seen through a crocheted ripple throw...

Have yourself a sunny day!

In the Making: Crochet Ripple Throw Part 4

Today's ripple...

Have a lovely evening!

In the Making: Crochet Ripple Throw Part 2

Just a few photos of the progress I'm making... (I had this much done before)... I think the colours are coming together a bit better now...

It reminds me a little of the 70's... Don't you think? And, yes, I REMEMBER the 70's!

In the Making: Crochet Ripple Throw

Welcome to the start of a new long-term crochet project!

It will, in the fullness of time, be a lovely Lucy-inspired scrappy ripple throw. I love the Lucy version. Oh heck who am I kidding? I love everything that woman makes. And I had to make one of my own since my newly-discovered fondness for crochet blossomed into a full blown addiction. I'm sure I'm not alone in this... Yes, you know who you are...

Here is what I've done as of today. Not sure of the colour scheme just yet but I am hopeful that it will suddenly, at some point, leap from ordinary to wonderful! I must be patient and I must also keep in mind that the yarn is not new. It is the stash-dwelling kind, the remnants of projects, the thrifted variety that comes as it comes.

Enough chit chat. Let's get to the photos!

Have a great day!

Dia's Lucy Bag

My middle child, Dia, graduated from high school yesterday. We are so amazed with this one. As we are with the others. Nevertheless, Dia is special in her clearly unique way. She is brilliant. Bold. Blessed. Beautiful.

Not only is she on her school's honour roll, she is an Ontario scholar, and she received three prestigious awards for her many artistic contributions over the last four years.

On top of that, she was poet laureate at her convocation ceremony and made me, and everyone, laugh, cry, and wonder about what is coming tomorrow. And how we should deal with it today, tonight, now. Her poem entitled "Goodnight" was riveting in its delivery. It was insightful in its content. It was beautiful in its construction. I wish you could have enjoyed it with me.

I am so proud of her. I love her. I hope she knows how much. Among other things, I made her this Lucy bag as a gift. I hope she likes it. I know I do!

Congratulations Dia! You are my pride and joy!

The Boy's Teacher Gift

The boy loves his teacher: Mme Marian. Usually, I (oh lazy one) would just buy a gift certificate at the end of the school year and have him make his own card. This year we decided that this young, amazing, kindergarten teacher needed something with a more personal touch. With that in mind, Lo recorded and compiled a music CD of the boy singing some of the songs he had learned in class this year. He also let the boy invent one of his own. That was... well... quick. The song came out of his little head and mouth fully formed and ready for release! Perfect.

For my part, I used some of my cotton yarn stash and crocheted 2 hot pads for Mme Marian. If you recall, I had started them here with much greater intentions... In the end, this is what I came up with. I wrapped them with one of my toilet paper roll flower brooch/ornaments.

I hope she will like this little gift. Unfortunately, we put it all together at the last minute and I didn't get photos of the CD or the card we made together. Oh well. We live. We learn!

Happy Father's Day Lo!

Okay. I finished... Today. Whew.

So here it is. Lo's Father's Day footstool! (Happy Father's Day Lo. You are wonderful, and I love you with all my heart. x0x.)

Note that the last few days have been somewhat of a nightmare around here. Consequently this project was made even more hastily than originally planned and it is FAR FAR from perfect. I still have so much to learn when it comes to crochet. Like how to sew it all together so that it looks, you know, good. Anyway I mustn't dawdle. Lots more Father's day stuff to do!

Have a great one!

Deadline.

Here is a peak at a new work in progress. It's another crochet project! How many do I have on the go now? Oooooh at least 3 that I know of... Ya, I'm probably addicted. I can't help myself! It's all the colourful yarns, all the textures, all that crazy amazing flickr inspiration! What am I to do, eh?

But this project has a deadline: Sunday!!! It's for Father's Day. Guess who's getting up early, working all day, and working all night until Sunday to get this done? Yep, me. I just hope it all works out cause I've never done this particular thing before and there's not a lot of time for trial and error, if you know what I mean!

Oh well, I can't turn back now... Wish me luck!

In the Making: Part 2 of the Whole

Well, that gift is progressing... Here's another peek... Remember? I let you take a little gander over here but I'm not done yet. There's still more to come...