The crochet bug bites!
In July this year I decided I was going to pick up the crochet hook again for the first time in around 25 years and crochet a blanket. Why had it been 25+ years? Well babies, kids, work, life and stuff! I had been inspired by all the gorgeous crochet I was seeing on Instagram. I’d make it big enough to be useful to use on the sofa bed when guests are staying. It needed to be simple and not too complicated since it was my first time in a long time! To help me decide, I posted a few options found on Pinterest on the WOTM Facebook page and sought opinions. Many people liked the one that had the daisy squares and so did I so I decided to go with that one. This is the picture that inspired my blanket.
The search for all the right gear and working out how big to make it
I visited Spotlight and began the search to find wool in the right colours. It wasn’t easy actually, but I ended up doing pretty good! Not an exact match but didn’t need to be. However, though I’d planned to do this project using 8 ply wool, I could only get the right colours in a 12 ply wool. I used 4 Seasons ‘Marvel’ 12 Ply (100% acrylic). On 29 July, I crocheted my first square in at least 25 years (see it HERE on Instagram). I worked out that to cover the surface area of the guest room sofa bed I would need to do 88 squares (11 squares in length and 8 squares across). As I went along I started to feel like I wanted to mix things up a bit and let my creative side out. I decided a blanket of all daisy squares was a bit boring, so introduced 4 alternative squares and did 11 of each of those in addition to 44 daisy squares.
Joining the squares up
To join my squares I used the Flat Slip Stitch method.
Deciding on a border colour and style
Once I’d joined all my squares up I had to decide on a STYLE and COLOUR for my border/edging. I decided against using the beige ‘joining up’ colour again for the border. Instead, I chose the darkest colour in my project which was the dark turquoise. I also decided against the traditional shell edging (I’m such a rebel!) and browsed around on the web till I found one that appealed. I decided on a Cross Back Stitch border – but of course I didn’t do it exactly like the video tutorial said. I did a row of what we call in Australia ‘Half Treble Crochet‘ (instead of her instructed ‘double crochet’), then I did the row of Cross Back stitch (with my corners treated differently to what is said in the video) and then I did another row of ‘Half Treble Crochet’.
…and Voila!
Here is the final product, shown with a little help from my mate Wally the Wombat!
I’m a little sad this project is finished. It’s not perfect. I made a few mistakes along the way but I learnt from them. The crochet bug is back! Now to decide on my next crochet project!
Ciao for now,
Linked up with Kylie Purtell for #IBOT
12 Comments
I still like the idea of learning to crochet but the part of me that doesn’t like instructions is rebelling against me learning it!
Also, I feel like it’d be of more value in a cold climate haha.
I didn’t follow instructions with this blanket. I was a complete rebel! There’s other things you can crochet besides blankets and warm things – like toys and baskets and all sorts of stuff! I find crochet really easy and fast so I kinda love it! π
Min, you got skillz! That blanket is just gorgeous! I love how the colours and how you have mixed up the pattern. What are you going to make next?!
Thank you Sammie! I’m glad you like it. I’m not sure what I’m gonna do next yet. Pouring over Pinterest trying to decide! π
WOW this looks amazing. If I could ever achieve anything remotely like this, I would be mighty impressed with myself. #teamIBOT
Thanks Natalie. It’s easy – you could do it no problem. π
My Nana taught me how to crochet these squares decades ago. Because I am left handed she first had to teach herself how to crochet left handed and then teach me as I was unable to translate her right handed crocheting into me doing it left handed. Unfortunately I don’t think I’d now remember and be able to make such a blanket like you have made. I’d love to relearn this skill! Your blanket looks amazing!
Ingrid
http://www.fabulousandfunlife.blogspot.com.au
Thanks Ingrid! You’d be surprised how quickly it would come back to you. How nice to have been taught by your Nana. I was taught by an aunt when I was a kid. I was surprised how it instantly came back to me after so, so long! I wouldn’t know how to teach a left hander though (guess I could work it out) but I tell you what I have taught a lot of right handers over the last few months! π
The colours are lovely Min. Crocheting is on my list of crafts to try. I have the hook already, so that’s a start!
Glad you like it Jo – thank you! Get started on the crochet. I bet you’ll love it! I’ve taught quite a few people and the hardest part is learning how to hold everything and get the tension right. It doesn’t take long though and you find your way! π
It looks lovely Min and you have inspired me to start with the boho bag. It really is quite relaxing and I enjoy crochet or knitting. Thanks for sharing and inspiring us. π
Thank you Sue! I hope you get much enjoyment out of the creative process of making that boho bag! π x