Easter Egg Blanket

Much to my mother's chagrin, when I went home last summer I went yarn shopping and brought home a truly ridiculous quantity of yarn.  In my defense, I liked the colors and it was on clearance.  Well, the result of all of this was, I started a blanket using three of the colors and managed to use up about fifteen skeins of yarn.  I think of this as my Easter egg blanket.  The stitch used to make this is exactly the same as for the rainbow shell blanket I posted earlier ( http://engineeredcrochet.blogspot.com/2012/03/rainbow-shell-baby-blanket.html), just on a larger scale.  As before, for a picture tutorial on this stitch see my friend Nettie's blog at: http://loveinthestitches.blogspot.com/2010/07/it-is-absolutely-unbelieveable-that-ive.html

The color pattern I used was (1 row of pink, 1 row of yellow, 1 row of blue) repeated, ending with a yellow row.  I did the border in blue.

Here's how to make it:
Chain 179
Row 1: sc in 2nd chain from hook, sk 2, (5 dc in next chain, sk 2, sc, sk 2) across, 3 dc in last ch
Row 2: ch 1, turn, sc in first dc, sk 2, (5 dc in sc, sk 2, sc in middle dc, sk 2) across, 3 dc in last sc
Repeat Row 2 until work reaches desired length.

Border:

Top Row: (counts as one side of Round 1) sc in first two dc, (3 hdc, 3 sc) across, ending with 2 hdc, (2 hdc, 1 sc) in corner.
Round 1: sc around, 3 sc in each corner
Round 2: dc around, 5 dc in each corner
Round 3: sc around, 3 sc in each corner
Round 4: sc around, 3 sc in each corner
Round 5: dc around, 5 dc in each corner


I made this using I Love this Yarn in Banana (yellow), sky blue (blue), and Pizzazz Pink (pink) yarn with a J hook.

In the home stretch: Stitch Twenty-Five

I have finally reached the point of being sick of making baby blankets: it only took twenty-five!  This blanket took me a full week to accomplish, not because it is difficult, tedious, or slow, but because I just didn't want to pick it up.  Instead, I began two full sized blankets, made a shawl, and played around with several other projects.  I did finally complete it, and I like the end result.  I like the grid made up of triangles.  This is a distinctly Aggie baby blanket, which is what I was going for.  The stitch itself is simple, mindless, and easy to do.  The fabric generated is solid and warm like stitches 3 and 17 because of the long dc stitches.  This stitch would be pretty for scarves, afghans, baby blankets, etc.

The color pattern I used was (2 rows of maroon, 1 row of white) repeated, ending with 2 rows of maroon and a maroon border.  

Here's how to make it:
Ch 91 then work stitch until work is square and add a border:
Round 1: sc around, 3 sc in each corner
Round 2: dc around, 5 dc in each corner
Round 3: sc around, 3 sc in each corner
Round 4: (sc, ch 3, sk 1) around, (sc, ch 3, sc in same stitch) at corner

I used Bernat satin yarn in Bordeaux and Snow with a J hook to make this blanket.

Plain and simple: Stitch Twenty-Four

This is a very simple stitch that is very similar to stitch nine.  I despise stitch nine, but this one accomplishes the same look without all of the frustration.  I don't think I will use this stitch again, not because it is bad, but because there are so many other stitches that are good.  It is a very average stitch: it is not particularly fast or slow, nor is it particularly easy or hard.  It has nothing distinctive about it.  This stitch could be used for scarves or afghans or just about anything,   I got bored with it just doing this baby blanket, so I wouldn't use it for something big, but you could.

Anyway, here's how to make it:
Chain 90, then work stitch until work is square.  Add my standard border and you're finished.

Round 1: sc around, 3 sc in each corner
Round 2: dc around, 5 dc in each corner
Round 3: sc around, 3 sc in each corner
Round 4: (sc, ch 3, sk 1) around, (sc, ch 3, sc in same stitch) at corner

I made this using Bernat Baby Peach Blossom and a J hook.

Eating it up: Stitch Twenty-Three

This baby blanket reminds me of the way cake batter looks, when you first start and mix butter and sugar.  This yarn is that color; it looks yummy.  The stitch itself is pretty in an understated way.  The fabric generated is solid and grows rapidly.  I liked this stitch so much, in fact, that I've begun a full sized blanket with it.  This is a simple stitch that is easy to master and easy to fix if you've made a mistake.  It would make a good scarf, even for a guy, because it is so subtle.  Obviously, I think it would make a good blanket, as I've already begun one.  I also think this stitch could make for a good border.


Here's how to make it:

Chain 91, then work the stitch until work is square.  Add the standard border and you're done.
Round 1: sc around, 3 sc in each corner
Round 2: dc around, 5 dc in each corner
Round 3: sc around, 3 sc in each corner
Round 4: (sc, ch 3, sk 1) around, (sc, ch 3, sc in same stitch) at corner

I made this using Lion brand Pound of Love Antique White yarn and a J hook.

Here's a picture of the full sized afghan I've begun out of this stitch.  I'm making it by chaining 179, and using I Love this Yarn Aubergine yarn.

Cozy Shawl

I was intrigued when I saw the pattern for the 'Magnificent Mantle' on ravelry.  I followed the links and got the pattern.  Here's the link: http://crochetkitten.blogspot.com/2010/02/magnificent-mantle.html.  Before starting this project I was trying to decide what yarn to use, so I looked at the completed projects other people had made on ravelry.  Many people ran into problems making this project when they got to the edging.  I decided to try it as written, and ran into issues as well.  It would not lay flat, and there were some mistakes in the pattern.  I therefore decided to just make the lacy edge my own way, and wrote down what I did.  The overall look is similar to the original pattern, and the solid inner portion is identical.  The edging is entirely my own.  The final measurements were 67" x 28".  The instructions look more complicated than they actually are.

Here's how to make it:
Solid Portion (exactly as magnificent mantle):
Ch 3.
Row 1. 3 exsc in 3rd ch from hook. 3 exsc.
Row 2. Ch 2; turn. 2 exsc in 1st exsc, exsc in next exsc, 2 exsc in last exsc. 5 exsc.
Row 3. Ch 2; turn. 2 exsc in 1st exsc, exsc in ea rem exsc across to last exsc, 2 exsc in last exsc. 7 exsc.
Rows 4-48. Rep row 2. 97 exsc.

Lacy Edging:
Row 1: ch 1, (do not turn), 2 sc in corner, (sc, 2sc) across to corner, 3 sc in corner, (sc, 2sc) across to corner, 2 sc in corner
Row 2: ch 3, turn, 2 dc in first sc, (ch 3, sk 3, dc) across to corner (last one before corner, will need to sk 2, not 3)  (dc, ch 3, dc) in corner (ch 3, sk 2, dc) then (ch 3, sk 3, dc) across to corner, 3 dc in corner.  (The dc, should be in the same row, on each side, mirroring each other).
Row 3: ch 3, turn, 2 dc in first sc, (3 dc in ch3 sp, dc in dc) across to corner, 7 dc in corner ch 3 sp, dc, (3 dc in ch3 sp, dc in dc) across to corner, 3 dc in corner
Row 4: ch 3, turn, 2 dc in first sc, (ch 3, sk 3, dc) across to corner (dc, ch 3, dc) in corner, (ch 3, sk 3, dc) across to corner, 3 dc in corner.  (The dc, should be in the same row, on each side, mirroring each other).
Row 5: ch 3, turn, 2 dc in first dc, dc in next 2 dc,  (ch 3, dc in dc) across to corner (ch 3, dc, ch 3) in corner ch 3 sp, dc in dc, (ch 3, dc in dc) across to corner, dc in 2 dc, 3 dc in corner
Row 6: ch 3, turn, 2 dc in first sc,  ch 3, sk 3, dc, (ch 3, dc in dc) across to corner, (dc, ch 3, dc) in corner, (ch 3, dc in dc) across to last 5 dc, (ch 3, sk 3), 3 dc in corner
Rows 7-10: Repeat Rows 5 and 6 twice
Row 11: ch 3, turn, 2 dc in first sc, dc, 4 dc in next dc, sc in dc, (7 dc in dc, sc in dc) across to corner, (7 dc in corner ch 3 sp), sc in dc, (7 dc in dc, sc in dc) across to last 3 dc, 4 dc in dc, dc, 3 dc in corner

Finishing: ch 1, turn, sc across top of triangle, to edge, slip stitch, fasten off, weave in ends.

I made this using Simply Soft Ocean yarn with a J hook.  It took 1 full skein and about a third of another.
Note: exsc = extended single crochet.  All other abbreviations standard US crochet terms.

Moving on: Stitch Twenty-Two

I think there is a mistake in the stitch pattern.  From looking at the pictures, when it says that you should do a long double crochet (ldc) one row below, it really should be two rows below.  Otherwise, the colors don't line up.  This is noticeable in both the two color and three color pictures.  Also, the stitch would not end up looking like medallions if a stretch of chains was left, as it would necessarily be by only going one row below.  In any case, I worked the stitch with the assumption that it should be two rows below.  With that modification, I like this stitch because it is simple to do, and obvious where to do each portion of the stitch.  It is readily apparent where you went wrong if something is actually wrong.  This would make a pretty full sized blanket and I would not be averse to using it for another baby blanket. 

Here's how to make it:
Chain 94, then work stitch until work is square.  Add the standard border and you're done.

Round 1: sc around, 3 sc in each corner
Round 2: dc around, 5 dc in each corner
Round 3: sc around, 3 sc in each corner
Round 4: (sc, ch 3, sk 1) around, (sc, ch 3, sc in same stitch) at corner

I made it using Bernat Baby Coordinates in Tangerine Dream with a J hook.

Keeping it simple: Stitch Twenty-One

This stitch grew on me as I worked it.  It grows quickly because each row has the height of a double crochet, and it is an easy stitch to work.  It is apparent where the special part of the stitch goes, and every row is the same, just shifted to make the pattern.  This is the most masculine crochet stitch I have found.  It is solid, and not frilly at all.  If I were going to make a blanket for a guy, I would probably use this stitch for it.  With the color pattern that I used, it looks like long stitches alternate colors opposite of the way the rest of the work alternates.  It goes yellow, gray, brown, instead of yellow, brown, gray. 

The color pattern I used was (1 row of yellow, 1 row of gray, 1 row of brown) repeated, ending with a yellow row.  I did the border in gray.

Here's how to make this:
Chain 91, then work the stitch until work is square.  Add a border and you're done.
Round 1: sc around, 3 sc in each corner
Round 2: dc around, 5 dc in each corner
Round 3: sc around, 3 sc in each corner
Round 4: (sc, ch 3, sk 1) around, (sc, ch 3, sc in same stitch) at corner

I made this using Bernat Satin yarn in Denim Mist Heather (gray), Banana (yellow), and Sable (brown) and a J hook.

Right back to it: Stitch Twenty

This is the first project I've ever made primarily out of primary colors.  I never realized how very 'boy' the combination is.  I actually had been looking forward to making this blanket for a while.  I picked out the colors for this one several weeks ago and knew it would be pretty.  The stitch did not disappoint, though you do have to pay attention to what you are doing because you change stitches constantly to make the pattern.  The fabric is solid because there are no skipped stitches.  I would use this stitch again but not for a project I want to be mindless.  It's a good project for when you are free to look at the work.  This blanket took longer for me to complete than most because it is not good for when you are watching tv; it works well for when you are at a meeting or talking to someone either in person or on the phone.  This one also took longer for me to complete because I ran out of red yarn and had to decide what to do.  I finally chose to just have it be a rectangle, which works well as a baby blanket for a car seat or a stroller.  The final dimensions of the baby blanket were 34" by 41".

The color pattern I used was (1 row of yellow, 1 row of blue, 1 row of red) repeated, ending with a blue row (because I ran out of red yarn) with a gold border.

Here's how to make it:
Ch 94, then work the stitch until it is square (or you run out of yarn, which happened to me).  Add the normal border and you're done
Round 1: sc around, 3 sc in each corner
Round 2: dc around, 5 dc in each corner
Round 3: sc around, 3 sc in each corner
Round 4: (sc, ch 3, sk 1) around, (sc, ch 3, sc in same stitch) at corner

I made this using Bernat Satin Sport yarn in Warm Yellow (yellow), Marina (blue), Rouge (red), and Taupe (gold) with a J hook.

Rainbow Shell Baby Blanket

Well, I don't have the blanket for stitch 20 finished yet due to a lack of yarn.  I'm clearing out my stash and I ran out of the red yarn that I was using for this blanket.  So, as I figure out how to obtain more or find some other way to finish it, here's something else I made.

I found this yarn on clearance and knew just what to do with it.  This baby blanket is very simple, but it is pretty and fairly solid.  I just used a simple shell stitch to make this.  This stitch is handy because it is easy to tell where to do each part of the stitch and it is actually pretty solid.  There are no large holes in this fabric.  This is an example of a mindless stitch because it is very obvious where to do each part of the stitch.  The only potential problem is doing only 4 dc or doing 6 dc instead of 5 dc.  This issue is easily fixed because the only time you are likely to see it is when you are only one row beyond it.  This mistake is very minor and practically invisible.  Because of the variegated nature of this yarn, a natural striping happened in the blanket, and then, just as naturally, went away. this yarn is very fluffy and has some shine to it.

Here's how to make it:
Chain 95,
Row 1: sc in 2nd chain from the hook.  Skip 2 ch, (5 dc in next chain, sk 2 ch, sc in next chain), across, ending with 3 dc in last chain. Ch 1, turn.
Row 2: sc in first dc, sk 2, (5 dc in sc, sk 2, sc, sk 2) across, ending with 3 dc in last chain. Ch 1, turn.
Repeat Row 2 until work is square.
Last Row: sc in first two dc, (3 hdc, 3 sc) across, ending with 2 hdc.
Border:
Round 1: sc around, 3 sc in each corner
Round 2: dc around, 5 dc in each corner
Round 3: sc around, 3 sc in each corner
Round 4: (sc, ch 3, sk 1) around, (sc, ch 3, sc in same stitch) at corner

My friend Nettie has a great picture tutorial about how to do this stitch on her blog: http://loveinthestitches.blogspot.com/2010/07/it-is-absolutely-unbelieveable-that-ive.html


I made this using Bernat Baby Coordinates Candy Baby yarn with a J hook.

Zipping through: Stitch Nineteen!

I know that black is not typically a baby color, but this is a pretty black mixed with pink and white. I've had it in my stash for over a year and decided it was time to use it.  As to the stitch itself, I like it as it is.  I like that it would be easy to modifyto have longer stretches of the repeated rows.  That would give it a slightly different look, and would allow for different color patterns.  One issue with the stitch is that you have to pay attention to how many repeats you have done; there should only be three.  Several times I started a fourth row and had to pull it out, but that is truly a minor problem.  This stitch would be appropriate for scarves or blankets.

Here's how to make it:

Chain 93, then work the stitch until it is square. Add the standard border and you're done.
Round 1: sc around, 3 sc in each corner
Round 2: dc around, 5 dc in each corner
Round 3: sc around, 3 sc in each corner
Round 4: (sc, ch 3, sk 1) around, (sc, ch 3, sc in same stitch) at corner

I made this using Baby Bee Sweet Delight Frolic yarn and a J hook.

Puffing along: Stitch Eighteen!

I have previously avoided this stitch because it looked extremely delicate.  Soon after starting this project, I revised my opinion.  Though there is a lacy aspect to this stitch, it is a solidly stable stitch; there are no long stretches of chains.  I liked that it was easy to know where to do each portion of the stitch.  If something was wrong, you could easily figure out where you went wrong; there was no ambiguity in this stitch.  This is also the first, and maybe only, stitch in the book to use a puff stitch.  This makes the blanket slightly bumpy.  This stitch would be appropriate for scarves, full sized blankets, or baby blankets.

Here's how to make it:
Chain 90, then work stitch until work is square.  Add this border and you're done.
Round 1: sc around, 3 sc in each corner
Round 2: dc around, 5 dc in each corner
Round 3: sc around, 3 sc in each corner
Round 4: (sc, ch 3, sk 1) around, (sc, ch 3, sc in same stitch) at corner

I made this using Baby Bee Pink Camo Too with a J hook

Marching right along: Stitch Seventeen!

This stitch is similar to stitch 3 in that it is very solid because it involves long stitches.  These also cause the fabric to twist and be difficult to work with for the first few rows, but once it is established, it becomes easy.  I came to think of this project as the starlight blanket.  The sparkle inherent in the yarn was emphasized by the stitch which pushes individual stitches into prominence.  Just as for stitch three, I do not recommend this stitch for long chain scarves because there would not be enough rows for the fabric to settle down and stop twisting.  A short chain scarf or a full sized blanket or another baby blanket work well in this stitch.  This would also be good for clothing where warmth is paramount.

Here's how to make this:
Chain 90, then work the stitch until it is square. Add the standard border and you're done.
Round 1: sc around, 3 sc in each corner
Round 2: dc around, 5 dc in each corner
Round 3: sc around, 3 sc in each corner
Round 4: (sc, ch 3, sk 1) around, (sc, ch 3, sc in same stitch) at corner


I made this using Baby Bee Sweet Delight Pomp Iris Dream yarn with a J hook.