Tag: free CAL

BBC – the reveal!

On By agrarianartisan2 Comments

Here is my finished blanket:

005

When I photographed it on the bench I realised that I would make a sturdy outdoor blanket, so I expect plenty of use from it this spring.

The final part of the pattern for you is the border I used.  But of course you may use any border you like.

The Edge
The Border

I made the border a couple of weeks ago, in fact I made 3 borders.  At first I tried a simple one, but I didn’t like it.  Then I tried something more substantial, but that looked odd.  So I had to frog it all back twice.  I realised one of the reasons I didn’t like the border was the colours I used – originally blue and orange.    The orange worked well next to the squares but the blue was totally wrong.   So I looked at my remaining yarn scraps, chose some colours I preferred then ordered more yarn – no good trying to make do with what I had.

My border used a just under 4 balls of Drops Nepal (aran weight, 75m per 50g ball) – I used 2 of Goldenrod (yellow), 1 of Orange and 1 of Green.

Here’s the pattern:

ABBREVIATIONS
The pattern 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

Round 1 – using Orange, starting one stitch to the right of a corner, ss in the back loop of each stitch around, join the round with a ss. This gives a nice firm and crisp edge to work the rest of the border from.

Round 2 – again you should start this round one stitch to the right of a corner and ensure you work through the ss from round 1 and the back loop of each square for a good firm finish, *(1htr, 2ch) in this st, (1dtr, 2ch) in next st, then work (1htr, 1ch, miss 1 st) repeated along the side edge to the stitch just before the next corner; repeat from * until end of round, join the round with a ss to the top of your first st, break yarn and fasten off.   NOTE: I had 85 htr and 84 1ch-sps along each side and (2ch-sp, 1dtr, 2ch-sp) in each corner.

Round 3 – using Yellow, work 1htr in each stitch around (counting each htr and ch as a st and working into the ch not the ch-sp), in the corners I worked (1tr, 2ch, 1tr) in the corner dtr st, join the round with a ss, break yarn and fasten off.  (NOTE:  I had 175 sts along each side and a 2ch-sp in each corner, ideally you should have a multiple of 6 sts plus 1 along each side).

Round 4 – using Green, start in the tr just to the right of a 2ch-sp corner, 1dc in tr, *(2tr, 2ch, 2tr) in 2ch-sp, 1dc in next tr, [miss 2 sts, (2tr, 2ch, 2tr) in next st, miss 2 sts, 1dc in next st] repeated to next corner 2ch-sp; repeat from * until end of round, join the round with a ss, break yarn and fasten off.

Round 5 – using Yellow, work (2tr, 2ch, 2tr) in each dc and 1 dc in each 2ch-sp around, join the round with a ss, break yarn and fasten off.  Sew in all loose ends.

I blocked my blanket, taking up the most of the floor space in the spare room for a couple of days!  With the border (which is about 6cm/2.5″), it ended up at about 140cm/55″ square.

I hope you have enjoyed this CAL.  I have enjoyed sharing it with you 🙂

For me, most of the pleasure is in seeing your finished blanket, so please share a photo.

Happy crocheting xxx

 

Blog Blanket CAL – Square no 3

On By agrarianartisanLeave a comment

Today is Friday and that means a new motif!   So here is square no 3:

Number 3
Number 3

First a quick reminder on the abbreviations:
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

And here’s the pattern:

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

Round 1: 5ch (counts as 1tr, 2ch), (1tr, 1ch, 1tr, 2ch) 3 times into the ring, (1tr, 1ch) 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, 1 tr in 1ch-sp, 1 tr in next st, (2tr, 2ch, 2tr) in next 2ch-sp; repeat from * another 2 times, 1tr in next st, 1 tr in 1ch-sp, 1 tr in next st 1tr into first 2ch-sp, join to 3rd st of starting 5ch with a ss.

Round 3: ss into 2ch-sp, 5ch (counts as 1tr, 2ch), 1tr into the same 2ch-sp, 1ch, *(1tr in next st, 1ch, miss 1 st) 4 times; (1tr, 2ch, 1tr, 1ch) in next 2ch-sp; repeat from * another 2 times, (1tr in next st, 1ch, miss 1 st) 4 times, 1tr into the 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 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 15tr along each side and a 2ch-sp at each corner.

I made 16 of these in various colours.

Please keep sharing progress on my Ravelry forum.

Next week there will be a different sort of square….so stay tuned 🙂

Happy crocheting xxx

PS if you love crochet you will love this new online yarn store.   It’s the same company as LoveKnitting with the same excellent service, just more of a focus on all things crochet.

 

 

Blog Blanket CAL 2015

On By agrarianartisanLeave a 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

Christmas CAL

On By agrarianartisan4 Comments

I’ve done all my shopping and only have a few pre-Christmas chores to do before I can relax……..well almost, maybe total relaxation will arrive after the dinner is cooked tomorrow!

When your chores are done, pull up a chair, get yourself a glass of something good (with or without alcohol), have a few nibbles in a dish handy for when you feel peckish and ….put your feet up.

Did I forget something?  Ah, yes – grab your crochet hook and a basket of yarn because I’d love you to join me in this Christmas CAL.  It should be an easy relaxing project, perfectly manageable for this season.

I’m making a lap blanket and here are the details to get you started:

SIZE

The lap blanket I am making will be 7 motifs square – a total of 49 motifs.  The blanket will be about 1m/42in square without border, because I haven’t designed a border yet, and I may have to find some more yarn for that!

YARN

I am using Stylecraft Cotton Classique DK yarn, 100g/184m per ball.  I estimate I’ll need about 10 balls.

HOOK

I am using a 4mm crochet hook (US G/6)

MOTIF/TENSION

The motifs are square and each motif is approx. 15cm/6in square.

ADAPTABILITY

You can use any yarn you like, as long as you use a suitable hook size.  And you can make it to any size you like.  It is a perfect stash buster.

COLOUR SCHEME

I am using 5 colours, and each motif is one colour.  But you could use as many colours as you like and change colour each round if you like.

These are my colours.

Christmas CAL colours
Christmas CAL colours

So here we go:

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

The first motif is based on the standard granny square, so you should be able to tackle this easily.

GRANNY 5 MOTIF (I am making 9, 2 in each in 4 of my chosen colours and 1 in the last colour)

GRANNY 5 MOTIF
GRANNY 5 MOTIF

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), (3tr, 1ch) into the same 2ch-sp,  *(3tr, 1ch) into the next 1ch-sp, (3tr, 2ch, 3tr, 1ch) into the next 2ch-sp; repeat from * another 2 times (3tr, 1ch) into the next 1ch-sp, 2tr into the first 2ch-sp, join to 3rd st of starting 5ch with a ss.

Round 4: ss into 2ch-sp, 5ch (counts as 1tr, 2ch), (3tr, 1ch) into the same 2ch-sp,  *(3tr, 1ch) into each of the next two 1ch-sps, (3tr, 2ch, 3tr, 1ch) into the next 2ch-sp; repeat from * another 2 times (3tr, 1ch) into each of the next two 1ch-sps, 2tr in the first 2ch-sp, join to 3rd st of starting 5ch with a ss.

Round 5: ss into 2ch-sp, 5ch (counts as 1tr, 2ch), (3tr, 1ch) into the same 2ch-sp,  *(3tr, 1ch) into each of the next three 1ch-sps, (3tr, 2ch, 3tr, 1ch) into the next 2ch-sp; repeat from * another 2 times (3tr, 1ch) into each of the next three 1ch-sps, 2tr into the 1st 2ch-sp, join to 3rd st of starting 5ch with a ss.

Round 6: ss into 2ch-sp, 5ch (counts as 1tr, 2ch), 2tr into the same 2ch-sp, 1tr into each tr and 1ch-sp along each side and (2tr, 2ch, 2tr) into each 2ch-sp on the corners, finish with 1tr in the first 2ch-sp and join to 3rd ch from start with a ss.

Break yarn and fasten off, leaving a long tail of about 3m for sewing or crocheting together later.

You should have 23tr along each side and 2ch in each corner of your motif.

I have a discussion thread on my Ravelry Group here.   Please join in and share your progress or, if you prefer, add comments on this blog.

Stay tuned for the next motif pattern, which I aim to publish on Friday…..or is that too soon?

Merry Christmas xx

 

Now for the legal stuff – I designed this, it’s all my own work and is copyright. Please feel free to make as many as you like, but not for commercial purposes, and please credit me with the design. Thank you!