Month: February 2015

Blog Blanket CAL – square no 1

On By agrarianartisanLeave a comment

Hello and welcome to the first part of the Blog Blanket CAL 2015 – this is the pattern for the first granny style square.

I love this little square, it starts out like a granny square but after the first 2 rounds it changes a  little.

First just a reminder about what I am using: I’m making my blanket in an aran weight yarn and I’m using a 4.5mm hook, but you may choose any yarn you like as long as you use a suitable hook.   My Yarn is DROPS Nepal (65% wool/35% alpaca, 50g/75m per ball) and I used 7 colours in all – Forget-me-not (8783), Red (3620), Goldenrod (2923), Purple Mix (4434), Olive Mix (7238), Medium Blue (6220) and Orange Mix (2920).  I am using 3 balls of each colour but I know I will need more for the border.   My finished blanket will be a little over 1.2m (4ft) square.

So here’s the pattern:

ABBREVIATIONS
The pattern is written in English crochet terms.
St(s) = stitch(es)
Ch = chain
Tr = treble (US dc)
Ss = slip stitch
Sp(s) = space(s)
Ch-sp(s) =chain space

I made each of my squares in the same colour each round, but if you want to change colours then simply join your new colour at the point you do a ss on each new round.   The square below has a different colour each round, to give you a clear idea of how the pattern works (and yes Judy, although this is in pastel shades, this is for you!).

Square no 1
Square no 1

Foundation:  Make a 4ch foundation ch and join into a ring with a ss

Round 1: 5ch (counts as 1tr, 2ch), (3tr, 2ch) 3 times into the ring, 2tr into the ring, join to 3rd st of starting 5ch with a ss.

Round 2: ss into 2ch-sp, (note for this and each subsequent round: this ss is to position the start of the round in the right place) 5ch (counts as 1tr, 2ch), (3tr, 1ch) into the same 2ch-sp, (3tr, 2ch, 3tr, 1ch) into each of the next three 2ch-sps, 2tr into the first 2ch-sp, join to 3rd st of starting 5ch with a ss.

Round 3: ss into 2ch-sp, 5ch (counts as 1tr, 2ch), (2tr, 1ch) into the same 2ch-sp, *miss 1 st, (1tr, 1ch) into the next st, miss 1 st, (1tr, 1ch) into the next 1ch-sp, miss 1 st, (1tr, 1ch) into the next st, miss 1 st**, (2tr, 2ch, 2tr, 1ch) into the next 2ch-sp; repeat from * another 3 times but on the last repeat end at **, 1tr into first 2ch-sp and join to 3rd st of starting 5ch with a ss.

Round 4: ss into 2ch-sp, 5ch (counts as 1tr, 2ch), 2tr into the same 2ch-sp, 1tr into each st and 1ch-sp around, (2tr, 2ch, 2tr) into each 2ch-sp, and work a final 1tr into the first 2ch-sp,  join to 3rd st of starting 5ch with a ss.

Break yarn and fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing or crocheting together later.

You should have 15tr along each side and a 2ch-sp at each corner.

This was my first square:

Drops Nepal square no 1
Drops Nepal square no 1

Using aran weight yarn and a 4.5mm crochet hook, my square came out at 12cm (about 4.5″) square before blocking.  If you were using double knit yarn and a 4mm hook, then your square will be about 10cm (4″).

You may make as many as you like of these but I made a total of 16, 3 in Purple Mix, 1 in Goldenrod, 4 in Olive Mix and 2 each of the other 4 colours.

I hope you enjoy making this motif and I would love to see what you make, so
please join in the discussion and share your progress on my Ravelry forum here.

Next week I will publish the second square in my blanket.

Happy crocheting xx

 

 

 

 

Blog Blanket CAL 2015

On By agrarianartisan1 Comment

Last week I posted a few photos from the Christmas Blanket CAL with a hint of a new CAL to come.   Today I am launching that CAL.

This is the Blog Blanket CAL 2015, and I’m launching it now because I know some people have decided to have a ‘stash down’ for Lent, using yarn in their stash for the whole of Lent.   This blanket is a great stash buster, if you join in you will find that your stash diminishes quickly – freeing up space in your yarn cupboard for when you next go shopping!

So what type of blanket is it?

It’s made of square motifs, variations on the granny square.    If you can make a granny square then you can make this blanket and if you are an experienced crocheter you will find it a quick and relaxing make.  (If you want something challenging, then maybe this isn’t for you.)

There are no complicated stitches – it uses chain, treble (US double crochet) and slip stitch, and for the border maybe a few other stitches like double crochet and half treble.

There are 6 styles of square – each will be published at weekly intervals.  You can use as many of the styles as you like.

I am making mine in one colour per square, but you can use lots of colours if you like.

I will publish 2 types of layout towards the end of the CAL, but you can follow any layout you like and make it as big or small as you like.

I am using aran weight yarn but you can use any yarn provided you use a suitable hook size.

The finished size of mine will be about 1.2m (4ft) square but I haven’t decided what I will be doing for the border yet, so it may be a bit bigger.

This is what I am using:

Yummy yarn!
Yummy yarn!

For the main blanket I am using 21 balls of Drops Nepal, 75% wool/25% alpaca, 50g/75m per ball in 7 different colours.  The border will need more yarn – maybe another 3 balls.

And I am using a 4.5mm crochet hook.

Next week I will publish the first square, I hope this gives you enough time to gather your thoughts and your stash!

Happy crocheting xxx

Zodiac Update

On By agrarianartisanLeave a comment

Just popping by to give you an update on the Zodiac Crochet Blanket Club 2015.  This is February complete:

February
February

I am addicted to this club, and the pattern includes details of all motifs in the design so I can make them in advance of receiving the monthly layout plan.

The club is closed for those who want the whole package, but you can join the pattern only club and buy your own yarn.  Have a look at Amanda’s shop here where she has the crochet blanket and knitted blanket pattern clubs to buy.

 

Happy knitting and crocheting xxx

Christmas CAL 2014…..

On By agrarianartisan1 Comment

Do you remember the Christmas CAL 2014? It was a spontaneous CAL, I did not plan it in advance it just happened. And I enjoyed it so much!

My mind is now turning to blanket CALs again, and I am planning another. But before I share my plans with you I thought it would be good to show you some of the blankets that were made in the last CAL.

Here is Charita’s blanket. I love the subtle blue colour scheme. I love also the flower embellishments!

Charita's blanket
Charita’s blanket

And this is Nona’s blanket. I love the bright zingy colours, and I was astonished to discover this was her first blanket!

Nona's blanket
Nona’s blanket

This is Jen’s blanket. Some lovely soft colours in this one and she made it in only 9 days! Well done Jen!

Jen's blanket
Jen’s blanket

And this one is Vicky’s. She chose lovely autumnal colours.

Vicky's blanket
Vicky’s blanket

And remember I did a very simple edging on my blanket? Well Vicky chose to do something prettier. Here’s her edge.

Vicky's edge
Vicky’s edge

What I love the most about this sort of CAL is, even though we all start with the same design,  the colours, layouts and all types of variations mean no-one has an identical blanket. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing everyone’s progress and final blankets. And I look forward to a similar experience soon!

Thank you Charita, Nona, Jen and Vicky for letting me share your photos.

Happy crocheting xxxx

Share my Valentine

On By agrarianartisan1 Comment

Last weekend I decided it was time for another tidy up in my ‘yarn room’.  I have an addiction to yarn; when I see something I like I tend to buy it even if I have no particular use in mind.  A beautiful skein of 4 ply yarn could make a shawl, so it doesn’t matter if I have no use in mind, as a use will come to me one day, won’t it?!

You can imagine that this addiction means I have a large stash of yarn. However, I am quite organised – I keep a list of what I have on a spreadsheet and I store it all in large plastic tubs in a large cupboard.

When the cupboard starts to strain at the hinges, I know it is time for a tidy up!   Last weekend’s tidy up meant I found about 15 balls of yarn that I do not think I will use.  So I bagged it up and took it to knitgroup to give to any friends who wanted it (in return for a small donation to charity), and the small remaining amount went to the charity shop.  3 balls of yarn that were bagged up came straight out again when I realised they were red aran, and perfect for a little Valentine!  You see even at the point of giving away yarn, I can still find a use for it!

So out came my hook and I made this:

Valentine Heart
Valentine Heart

It’s a simple design, and I thought I’d share it with you.  A little Valentine gift for you.

I used Aran weight yarn and a 5mm hook.  
This is written in English crochet terms:
St = stitch
Ch = chain
Tr = treble (US dc)
Htr = half treble (US hdc)
Dtr = double treble (US tr)
Ss = slip stitch
Sp = space
Ch-sp =chain space

Foundation chain
Make a 4ch foundation ch and join into a ring with a ss.

Round 1 
3ch (counts as 1tr), 2tr in ring, 2ch, (3tr, 1ch) in ring, (3tr, 2ch) in ring, (3tr, 1ch) in ring, ss into 3rd ch from start to join.

Round 2
1ch (does not count as st), (1dc, 1htr) in top of 3ch, (1tr, 2dtr) in next st, (2dtr, 1tr) in next st, 1dc in 2ch-sp, (1tr, 2dtr) in next st, (2dtr, 1tr) in next st, (1htr, 1dc) in next st, 1dc in 1ch-sp, 1dc in each of next 3 sts, (1htr, 1ch, 1htr) in 2ch-sp, 1dc in each of next 3 sts, 1dc in 1ch-sp, ss to 1st dc to join.  Break yarn, fasten off and sew in ends.

Mine came out at 7cm tall by 7cm at the widest point.  And it is destined for bunting.  I also made a larger heart, which will be added to a pattern in due course.

Happy Valentines Day (yes a little early, but you need the time to make some Valentine hearts!) xxx

 

 

Hooking Up! final feature

On By agrarianartisan1 Comment

This is the sixth and last design in the Hooking Up! ebook.   It is the Starry Night Blanket, another design by special permission of the designer Amanda Perkins.   I think it is the perfect first large blanket for a new crocheter.

Starry Night - smaller version
Starry Night – smaller version

Many people make a granny square blanket as their first major blanket project.  I am no different – my first blanket was a granny square design (in shades of blue).   But I have found so much more enjoyment out of making a more unique blanket.    I first saw this design in 2011 and I fell in love with it; it had been many years (too many to confess!) since I had made a blanket and I knew this was the one that would set me on the path of making them again.

The photo is the Starry Night I made; it is a smaller version of the blanket design. Why?  Well, Amanda’s blanket is a lovely shade of blue and uses variegated yarn to highlight the design but I decided I wanted a midnight blue and a sparkly star highlight for mine.  Unfortunately I had difficulty finding the yarn I wanted in the quantity required – but I improvised with the quantity of yarn in the colours available and that is why mine a smaller version.    I love the final effect I achieved, but I also love the original colours.  So it seemed perfect to fit this in the book because I could show you how to make 2 sizes. Those of you who are less confident may wish to go for the smaller size (approx 110cm square), or maybe you just want something a little smaller. The original large design is approx 140cm by 150cm.   So the choice is yours – large or small.

Another reason this is a perfect fit for the book is that it builds on the techniques you will have learnt as you work through the book.  The motif is hexagonal like the Cassia Cowl and joining is the ‘as you go’ method.   And it really does make up quickly once you have made a few motifs.

Amanda is the queen of crochet blankets, she has some beautiful designs in glorious colours.  Quite coincidentally she is running a mystery blanket club this year for a star themed design – Zodiac.   This club is now closed for those who want the complete package of yarn and design, but she has released the design (in monthly instalments) in her Etsy shop.  I will be blogging about my progress on this in another post – meanwhile if you want to learn more have a look in her Etsy shop.

I hope you have enjoyed following the designs in the Hooking Up! ebook. If  you have just learnt to crochet, then I hope it will help you grow your craft and I would love to see what you make.

Happy crocheting xxx

PS Starry Night is also available as a single pattern here.