For the last square I wanted something a little different.
What do you think?
It is made first in rows, then a couple of rounds are added to finish it off. I love the stripes of colour. I made 4 of these to sit in the middle of each edge of the blanket with the stripes running parallel to the edge. Tension can be tricky on this sort of square, so you may need to practice with a few hook sizes before you get the size you need.
You can find the pattern here and join in the discussion here
Next week it’s the final part – the border. And the Big Reveal!
Your patience of the last week is now rewarded, here is number 7:
I love the concept of circles in squares, and there are many such designs available. For this blanket I wanted a circle that was not too big and not too small, it took a lot of swatching but I like the end result. I made mine in 2 colours only, but this would look good if the circle were in 4 colours. In fact, that is what I plan to do in the CAL blanket I am making along with you.
The pattern has been updated to include this new motif, and it runs to 14 pages including patterns, some charts and instructions on joining, together with the suggested layout.
Here are the other 6 motifs included so far:
We’ve had the full granny, filet style, flowers joined into a square, flower on a mesh square, openwork and raised stitches. Only one more motif to go, and that will be different again!
You can find the pattern here and join in the discussion here
First an apology. I didn’t show you my progress on motif no 4, so here it is:
For my CAL blanket I made all 4 of this motif in the teal colour, bringing a bit more depth to the colour scheme. So I now have 25 completed motifs out of 49, just over half done!
What next? Well here is motif no 5:
I call this ‘Flower and Mesh’ and there are 8 needed in the design. With the colours of the sample, I had a great time mixing the flower colours on different backgrounds! Maybe I’ll share a few photos of the completed sample next……..
Motif no 5 has been added to the CAL pattern, which now runs to 11 pages. You can find it here and you can discuss your progress and ask questions here.
I call this ‘Openwork’ and it is quick to hook up. Only 4 of these are needed in the design so, after a mammoth 9 motifs of motif no 3, it should be a welcome relief to complete this week! And if you are following the exact design, then once these 4 are complete you will have done 25 out of 49 motifs – so roughly halfway 🙂
The pattern has been updated to include this motif and the locations in the blanket, it also includes a chart for motif 4 (for those who prefer charts).
If you want to join in the CAL you can find the pattern here and the Ravelry discussion thread here.
This is straight from the hook and unblocked. The next one is blocked and joined into the blanket:
Motif 3
I love this – I called it Four Flowers (for obvious reasons!) and I made 9 of them in random colours to go into the blanket; one in the centre and the other 8 spread out evenly. I have already put hook to yarn and started the first one for the CAL blanket I am making along with you – I’m using the bright colours as flowers and several background colours. I will share photos once they are complete.
If you want to join in the CAL you can find the pattern here and the Ravelry discussion thread here.
Just popping by to give you a quick update on my CAL progress. I have now completed all 4 of the second motif, and all in the same colour: Fern.
Here’s the progress shot:
Motif 2
I now have 12 motifs complete, and all use Fern as the main colour – so the little balls to the right of the basket are all I have left of Fern. Just enough for one more motif – which will be one of Motif 3 and which I plan to put in the centre of the blanket. I am looking forward to Motif 3 – I know what it is and the temptation to start is huge! But I will resist 🙂
Well the big day is over, and you’re probably stuffed full of food and wanting some not too strenuous exercise. So how about tackling square number 2 in the Winter Blanket CAL? Wielding that hook will get you moving and maybe when you’ve done a motif you’ll gain that sense of achievement which will power you up for a Boxing Day walk 🙂 Or maybe you’ll just prefer to lounge on the sofa and make more motifs!
As a reminder about requirements have a re-read of this post.
Now onto motif number 2:
First a reminder of abbreviations:
The pattern is written in English crochet terms.
St = stitch
Ch = chain
Tr = treble (US dc)
Ss = slip stitch
Sp = space
Ch-sp =chain space
MOTIF 2 – AGATHI
I call this motif Agathi. Agathi is a lovely lady called who has a craft shop in Kassiopi, Corfu. The open filet style design is inspired by one of her motifs, but is not as complex.
This motif is best made in one colour throughout.
Motif 2 – Agathi
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), 2tr into the same 2ch-sp, *1tr in next st, 1ch, miss 1 st, 1tr in next st**, (2tr, 2ch, 2tr) in 2ch-sp on the corner; repeat from * another 2 times and then from * to ** once, finish with 1tr in the first 2ch-sp and join to 3rd ch from start with a ss.
Round 3: ss into 2ch-sp, 5ch (counts as 1tr, 2ch), 2tr into the same 2ch-sp, *1tr in each of next 3 sts, 1ch, miss 1ch-sp, 1tr in each of next 3 sts**, (2tr, 2ch, 2tr) into the next 2ch-sp; repeat from * another 2 times, then from * to ** once, finish with 1tr into first 2ch-sp, 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 in each of next 5 sts, 1ch, miss 1ch-sp, 1tr in each of next 5 sts**, (2tr, 2ch, 2tr) into the next 2ch-sp; repeat from * another 2 times, then from * to ** once, finish with 1tr into first 2ch-sp, join to 3rd st of starting 5ch with a ss.
Round 5: ss into 2ch-sp, 5ch (counts as 1tr, 2ch), 1tr into the same 2ch-sp, 1ch, *1tr in each of next 5 sts, 1ch, miss 1 st, 1tr in next st, 1ch, miss 1ch-sp, 1tr in next st, 1ch, miss 1 st, 1tr in each of next 5 sts, 1ch**, (1tr, 2ch, 1tr, 1ch) into the next 2ch-sp; repeat from * another 2 times, then from * to ** once, join to 3rd st of starting 5ch with a ss.
Round 6: ss into 2ch-sp, 5ch (counts as 1tr, 2ch), 1tr into the same 2ch-sp, 1ch, *1tr in next st, 1ch, miss 1ch-sp, 1tr in each of next 3 sts, 1ch, miss 1 st, (1tr in next st, 1ch, miss 1ch-sp) 3 times, 1tr in next st, 1ch, miss 1 st, 1tr in each of next 3 sts, 1ch, miss 1ch-sp, 1tr in next st, 1ch**, (1tr, 2ch, 1tr, 1ch) into the next 2ch-sp; repeat from * another 2 times, then from * to ** once, join to 3rd st of starting 5ch with a ss.
Round 7: ss into 2ch-sp, 5ch (counts as 1tr, 2ch), 1tr into the same 2ch-sp, 1ch, (1tr, 1ch) in each tr along each side (missing all the 1ch-sps and the centre tr of each group of 3tr) and (1tr, 2ch, 1tr, 1ch) in each 2ch-sp on the corner, join to 3rd st of starting 5ch with a ss.
Round 8: 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 of about 3m for sewing or crocheting together later.
You should have 31tr along each side and a 2ch-sp at each corner.
This is where I placed the motifs on my blanket:
Agathi motif is shown as 2
Today the pattern is published on Ravelry here, including a chart for Agathi. The next 6 motifs will be added to this pattern on a weekly basis, with photos and progress updates shown here on the blog.
Of course, you may prefer to use just the 2 motifs I have published here on the blog. So here are a couple of possible layouts you may like to try:
Agathi motif is shown as a cross, solid motifs are shown as shaded squares
There is a discussion thread in my Ravelry group here. Please join in the fun!
If you’ve been following my Ravelry group you will know that I have been making the Zodiac blanket this year. It was a year-long blanket club designed by Amanda Perkins. Each month part of the design is released; this is my blanket in January:
January
I continued adding to the blanket each month until recently when Amanda released all final parts of the pattern, so that I could complete the blanket well before the year-end. And here is the finished blanket (with apologies for the light, it is a dull wet day here today):
Zodiac
You can find all the signs of the zodiac in this blanket if you look carefully 🙂
I am particularly pleased with the border. After weighing my yarn and doing a bit of swatching, I worked out that I had sufficient yarn left to do 4 rounds, one of double crochet and 3 of half trebles using the same colour sequence as the outer edge octagons, so it flows well. Here’s my border:
The edge
This photo also shows the beauty of the crocheted octagons and squares.
If you want a zodiac of your own, then you can find the pattern here. It is a lengthy project but is a work of art and will become an heirloom to love.
Agrarian Artisan 