Another Aggie Afghan

When I bugged my buddy about what colors he and his fiance liked, he wasn't very helpful.  All I got was essentially, well, we're Aggies, so maroon and white are good.  I say that isn't very helpful because all of my buddies, the people I actually make blankets for, are Aggies.  I don't want to make 14 maroon and white afghans.  That gets boring and challenging to make something unique.  But this was the first request for maroon and white, so I went with it. 

I actually had some trouble coming up with a design for this afghan.  I had already made one Aggie blanket, the 12th Man Blanket and I saw no way to improve upon it.  So, I decided to just go for simple, classic crochet.  Basically I did wide (8 rows of dc) panels of maroon separated by 3 rows of hdc in white, maroon, white.

Here's how I made it:
Chain 180
Row 1: dc in 4th ch from hook, dc across (maroon)
Rows 2-8: ch 3, turn, dc across (maroon)
Row 9: ch 2, turn, hdc across  (white)
Row 10: ch 2, turn, hdc across (maroon)
Row 11: ch 2, turn, hdc across (white)
Rows 12-19: ch 3, turn, dc across (maroon)
Row 20: ch 2, turn, hdc across  (white)
Row 21: ch 2, turn, hdc across (maroon)
Row 22: ch 2, turn, hdc across (white)

Repeat Rows 12-22, ending with row 19.  This border completes it.
Round 1: hdc around (3 hdc in corner) white
Round 2: sc around (3 sc in corner) maroon
Round 3: dc around (5 dc in corner) maroon
Round 4: sc around (3 sc in corner) maroon
Round 5: dc around (5 dc in corner) maroon
Round 6: sc around (3 sc in corner) maroon

I made this with I Love this Yarn in Aubergine and White with a J hook.

Oops! This Time for Real: Stitch Seven!

Well, I made a mistake last time I posted.  I didn't consult the book, just started typing about the next stitch, and instead of stitch seven, I actually posted about stitch eight.  So here in all its glory is the real stitch seven!

The overall effect of this stitch is to make very angular ripples, at least when you use my color pattern.  Lines of narrow holes run vertically throughout the pattern.  I like this stitch because it makes a distinct ripple pattern, but it does square off at the end, making the addition of a  border not a chore.  It's reasonably fast to work, though never totally mindless.  There are some complicated stitches, though easy to understand, care is needed to not drop loops or pull through too many loops.  Also, whenever you have to do a large number of one stitch in a single spot, counting becomes an issue. 

Although I like this stitch, I still prefer Stitch 4 from Triple Play Pattern Stitches for squared off ripples.   However, it is always nice to have another good option.  This made a nice baby blanket, and would make nice blankets as well.  I think it would make a particularly beautiful shawl, either solid colored or striped.

Without further ado:
Color Pattern:
1 row of white, (2 rows of maroon, 2 rows of white) repeated, ending with a single row of white, and a maroon border.

Chain 90, then work the stitch until work is square.
Add the standard border to complete.

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 Simply Soft yarn in Burgundy and White with a J hook to make this blanket.

And then: Stitch Three!

In the interest of trying out new color patterns, I tried this one striped in maroon and white.  I'm not overly fond of the result;  it looks a little messy and thrown together, or at least that was my impression as I worked it.  However, I think that's simply the result of the striping pattern.  If it was one color, like it is in the book, it would be gorgeous.  It's not overly complicated or difficult to do, and it grows at a reasonable pace.  I'll probably reuse this but using only one color in the future.  It would be good for scarves, shawls, baby blankets, and afghans.  I'll probably make an afghan out of it at some point. 

In any case, here are the details:

Color pattern:
2 rows of white, (2 rows of maroon, 2 rows of white) repeated, ending with 1 row of maroon.  Border is maroon.

Chain 92, then work the stitch until work is square.  Add the border and you're done.

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

I made this with Bernat Satin yarn in Bordeaux and Snow with a J hook.

Naturally next: Stitch Two!

My first impression of this stitch was not favorable.  Based on the swatch shown in the book I thought it was going to be too open, and somewhat boring on top of that.  I was pleasantly surprised when I tried it; it's actually a stitch I conceivably would use again.  It's quick, easy, and essentially mindless.  The striping pattern is what keeps it from being boring.

Color pattern:
2 rows of white, (2 rows of maroon, 2 rows of white) repeated, ending with 1 row of maroon.  Border is maroon.

Chain 90, then work stitch until square.  Add the border to finish it.
Round 1: sc around, 3 sc in corner
Round 2: dc around, 5 dc in corner
Round 3: sc around, 3 sc in corner
Round 4: (sc, ch 3, sk 1) around, (sc, ch 3, sc in same stitch) at corner

I made this with Bernat Satin yarn in Bordeaux and Snow with a J hook.

12th Man Blanket

Today is the last time this century that the date is repetitive.  12-12-12 has special meaning to Aggies because of the 12th Man.  At 12:12 central time, the War Hymn was broadcast on the radio and played everywhere. 

University of New Mexico game: September 5, 2009

In case you don't already know the history of the 12th Man here it goes:
On January 2, 1922, in Dallas, during the Dixie Classic, a forerunner of the Cotton Bowl, an Aggie, E. King Gill was called from the stands to suit up as a substitute.  Hence the phrase, 12th Man.

So basically, the Aggie football team was reduced down to 11 uninjured players.  There are 11 players on the field at any time, so if anyone else went down, there wouldn't have been anyone to replace them.  So, they called a student out of the stands to fill in as necessary.  No one else was injured, but he stood on the sideline the rest of the game, ready and willing to help his team.  Since then, the entire student section of Texas A&M stands for the whole game.  We are the home of the 12th Man.


On this most auspicious day for Aggieland and Aggies everywhere, I think it's an appropriate time to unveil my latest Aggie afghan.  I'm extremely happy with how it turned out, and I plan on keeping this one.

Here's the pattern:
Color pattern:
1 row white, (2 rows maroon, 2 rows of white) repeated, ending with 1 row of white.  The border is all maroon.

Chain 184, then work stitch 4 as written.
Border:
Round 1: sc around; 3 sc in corner
Round 2: dc around; 5 dc in corner
Round 3: sc around; 3 sc in corner
Round 4: dc around; 5 dc in corner
Round 5: sc around; 3 sc in corner


I made this with I Love this Yarn in Aubergine and White with a J hook.

Simple Christmas Tree Skirt

I recently purchased a small, about 4 feet tall, Christmas tree from a resale shop and set it up.  Back home we've always had Noble firs, so I've never had a fake tree before.  Anyway, one thing that's different about fake trees is that at least on mine, the base is all scrawny green plastic.  So as I was admiring the tree and the festive atmosphere it brought to the room, I observed the unsightly base.  The base is more noticeable than normal because I put the tree on a chair to make it taller, so the base is just a little below eye level when you're sitting down. 

Anyway, after contemplating for a few minutes, I decided to crochet a tree skirt.  I've pondered how I would go about making one before, but you really only need one tree skirt per tree, so having extra doesn't make a whole lot of sense.  Back home we use a beautiful quilted version my great aunt made decades ago.  Now I had an excuse!

Color Pattern:

6 rows maroon, (2 rows white, 6 Rows maroon) repeated once; last row in maroon

Chain 37

Row 1:  2 sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 5 ch, (2 sc in next ch, sc in next 5 ch) across (42 sc)
Row 2: ch 1, turn, (2 sc in next ch, sc in next 6 ch) across (48 sc)
Row 3: ch 1, turn, (2 sc in next ch, sc in next 7 ch) across (54 sc)
Row 4: ch 1, turn, (2 sc in next ch, sc in next 8 ch) across (60 sc)
Row 5: ch 1, turn, (2 sc in next ch, sc in next 9 ch) across (66 sc)
Row 6: ch 1, turn, (2 sc in next ch, sc in next 10 ch) across (72 sc)
Row 7: ch 1, turn, (2 sc in next ch, sc in next 11 ch) across (78 sc)
Row 8: ch 1, turn, (2 sc in next ch, sc in next 12 ch) across (84 sc)
Row 9: ch 1, turn, (2 sc in next ch, sc in next 13 ch) across (90 sc)
Row 10: ch 1, turn, (2 sc in next ch, sc in next 14 ch) across (96 sc)
Row 11: ch 1, turn, (2 sc in next ch, sc in next 15 ch) across (102 sc)
Row 12: ch 1, turn, (2 sc in next ch, sc in next 16 ch) across (108 sc)
Row 13: ch 1, turn, (2 sc in next ch, sc in next 17 ch) across (114 sc)
Row 14: ch 1, turn, (2 sc in next ch, sc in next 18 ch) across (120 sc)
Row 15: ch 1, turn, (2 sc in next ch, sc in next 19 ch) across (126 sc)
Row 16: ch 1, turn, (2 sc in next ch, sc in next 20 ch) across (132 sc)
Row 17: ch 1, turn, (2 sc in next ch, sc in next 21 ch) across (138 sc)
Row 18: ch 1, turn, (2 sc in next ch, sc in next 22 ch) across (144 sc)
Row 19: ch 1, turn, (2 sc in next ch, sc in next 23 ch) across (150 sc)
Row 20: ch 1, turn, (2 sc in next ch, sc in next 24 ch) across (158 sc)
Row 21: ch 1, turn, (2 sc in next ch, sc in next 25 ch) across (162 sc)
Row 22: ch 1, turn, (2 sc in next ch, sc in next 26 ch) across (168 sc)
Row 23: ch 1, turn, (sc, ch 3, sk 1) across 

The opening in the middle is the right size for this small fake tree, but it won't be big enough for an actual tree trunk.  To adjust it, simply chain one more than the number of sc for a round.  For example, if you've chained 37 and it's not big enough, chain 43 then check again.  If it's still too small, chain 49, or 55 etc.  Each row you add 6 sc; so you can figure out how to do the 'extra' rows if you start in a different place.

I made this using Red Heart yarn in Claret and White with a J hook.

Open Hexagons Baby Blanket

So, I tried out the Open Hexagons stitch, which is a combination of the simple shell stitch, and the 00100 shell stitch, by making a baby blanket.  I intended to make it an Aggie blanket by adding white in the border, but I decided to just have it be a solid maroon blanket.

Here's the pattern:
Chain 92, then work the aforementioned stitch until work is square. 
Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, (sk 2, 5 dc in next ch, sk 2, sc) across
Row 2: ch 3, turn, 2 dc in first sc, sk 2, (sc in dc, ch 2, sk 2, dc in sc, ch 2 sk 2, sc, sk 2, 5 dc) across, 3 dc in last sc
Row 3: ch 1, turn, sc in dc, (sk 2, 3 dc in sc, ch 2 , sk 2, sc, ch 2, sk 2, 3 dc, sk 2, sc) across, sc in last dc
Row 4: repeat Row 2
Row 5: ch 1, turn, sc in dc, (sk 2, 5 dc in sc, sk 2, sc in dc) across, sc in last dc
Row 6: ch 3, turn, 2 dc in first sc, (sk 2, sc in dc, sk 2, 5 dc in sc, sk 2, sc in dc, ch 2, sk 2, dc in sc, ch 2) across, 3 dc in last sc
Row 7: ch 1, turn, sc in dc, sk 2, 5 dc in sc, (sk 2, sc in dc, sk 2, 3 dc in sc, ch 2, sk 2, sc in dc, ch 2, sk 2, 3 dc in sc) across, sc in last dc
Row 8 : repeat Row 6
Row 9: repeat Row 5

Repeat Rows 2-9 for pattern, ending with row 5.

Add the standard 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 made this with Bernat Satin yarn in Bordeaux and a J hook.

Spaced Shell Baby Blankets

You might have been wondering what the other two examples of the Spaced Shell stitch are.  If you thought they're baby blankets, you're right!  I made them exactly the same except in the color scheme.  The Aggie blanket, was made using the half and half color pattern, and the Banana Pudding baby blanket was made using the equal thirds color pattern. The yellow, brown, and white work really well together to look like banana pudding. 

Aggie color pattern:
Work rows 1, 4, and 5 in white, and 2 and 3 in maroon, with a maroon border.

Banana Pudding color pattern:
Start with white, then brown, then yellow, changing every row, ending with a white row, and a brown border.


Here's the pattern;
Chain 95, then work stitch as described here until work is square.
Row 1: sc in 2^nd ch from hook, sk 2, (5 dc in next ch, sk 2, sc, sk 2) across, 3 dc in last ch

Row 2: ch 1, turn, sc in dc, ch 2, sk 2, (dc in sc, ch 2, sk 2, sc in dc, ch 2, sk 2) across, dc in last sc

Row 3: ch 3, turn, 2 dc in dc, (sc in sc, 5 dc in dc) across, sc in last sc

Row 4: ch 5, turn, sk 2,(sc in dc, ch 2, sk 2, dc in sc, ch 2, sk 2) across, sc in last dc

Row 5: ch 1, turn, sc in sc, (5 dc in dc, sc in sc) across, 3 dc in last dc

Repeat Rows 2-5 for pattern, ending with Row 4. 

 

Border:

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

 

These blankets were made using a J hook.  The Aggie blanket was made using Bernat Satin yarn in Bordeaux and Snow, and the Banana Pudding blanket was made using Bernat Satin yarn in Sable, Banana, and Snow.  

Shell Grid Baby Blanket

So, a while ago, I started to make a shell baby blanket, and got bored with it early on.  So I decided to experiment a little with having a little bit of a built in border.  I worked shell stitches on the top and bottom and edges of the blanket, then simply made a grid for the interior.  At the edges I did 3 dc and a sc.  If it was sc, 3 dc, then the height of the grid for that row was a dc; in the other case, where it was 3 dc, sc, then the height fo the grid for that row was a sc.  The gird therefore alternates in height, producing, I think, a more interesting effect than a plane grid.  In any case, I had made the body entirely out of white, and I wanted it to be an Aggie blanket, so I did a wider than normal border (7 rounds instead of 4) in maroon to balance out the white. 

I am quite pleased with the result of my little experiment.  However, I would caution anyone considering doing a built in border that they are much more complicated than a traditional border.  Much more thought and planning must occur.  One of the reasons I prefer crocheting to knitting is that crocheting is more free form and requires much less planning.  This undoes that a little bit.  If you only do a built in border, the final width of your project is set when  you make your chain, and you have to start and finish with the appropriate rows.  The most difficult part of this project was figuring out how to do the last couple of rows. 

Stitch Definitions:
Half of a double crochet: YO, pull up a loop, pull through 2 loops on hook

Reverse Shell: pull up a loop through dc, work half a dc around the ch 3, work half of a dc in sc, work half of a dc around ch 3, pull up a loop through dc, pull through all 6 loops on hook

Here's the pattern:
Body: (white)
Chain 98
Row 1: sc in 2nd chain from hook, (sk 2, 5 dc in next ch, sk 2, sc) across
Row 2: ch 3, turn, 2 dc in sc, sk 2, sc in dc, (ch 2, sk 2, dc in sc, ch 2, sk 2, sc in dc) across, sk 2, 3 dc in last sc
Row 3: ch 1, turn, sc in first dc, sk 2, 3 dc in sc, (ch 2, dc in dc, ch 2, dc in sc) across, 3 dc in last sc, sk 2, sc in last dc
Row 4: ch 3, turn, 2 dc in sc, sk 2, sc in dc, (ch 2, sc in dc) across, sk 2, 3 dc in last sc
Row 5: ch 1, turn, sc in first dc, sk 2, 3 dc in sc, (ch 2, dc in sc) across, 3 dc in last sc, sk 2, sc in last dc

Repeat Rows 4 and 5 until work is square

2nd to last row: ch 3, turn, 2 dc in sc, sk 2, sc in dc, (ch 3, sc in dc, ch 3, dc in dc) across, sk 2, 3 dc in last sc
Last Row: ch 1, turn, sc in first dc, (ch 2, Reverse Shell, ch 2, sc) across

Border: (maroon)
Round 1: sc around, 3 sc in corner
Round 2: dc around, 5 dc in corner
Round 3: sc around, 3 sc in corner
Round 4: (dc, ch 1, sk 1) around, (dc, ch 1, dc, ch 1, dc) in corner
Round 5: sc around, 3 sc in corner
Round 6: dc around, 5 dc in corner
Round 7: sc around, 3 sc in corner


I made this using Bernat Satin Bordeaux and Snow and a J hook.

Pushing through: Stitch Twenty-Six

So, I have tried using this stitch before and it didn't work out.  I couldn't figure out how to make the yarn not get all twisted and tangled in an unmanageable heap, so I pulled it out and did something else.  I tried it again, and had the same problem.  Then I talked to Nettie and she cleared it up for me, it is not long dc, but long sc, and that fixed everything.  I am not a fan of this stitch because even when I do it correctly, it is still tedious and is generally (in my opinion) poorly written.

This is the slowest growing fabric in the book: it takes longer to do a project in this stitch than one completely from single crochet!  It is slower and more tedious than just doing single crochet, because that at least is mindless.  The stitch itself is very tight and solid.  It actually feels thick to the touch and is bumpy.  I do not plan to use this stitch again as written.  It could be improved by replacing a sc with a chain in the places where the long stitches are supposed to go, as in stitch 21.

Recognizing the frustration that would ensue if I actually did a full baby blanket in this stitch, I decided to do a small square of it, enough to get a handle on the stitch, and then do a wide border.  This baby blanket does not lay flat, and I'm not entirely sure why.  I think that the height of one of the rows is less than that of a sc, so the initial round of the border had too many stitches.

The color pattern I used is 1 row of maroon, 2 rows of white, then (2 rows of maroon, 2 rows of white) repeated, ending with a single row of maroon.   Then I did the border in the colors as indicated.

Here's how to make it:
Chain 38, then work the stitch until it is square.  (This took me 10 iterations of the pattern.)  Then add this border:
Round 1: sc around, 3 sc in each corner (maroon)
Round 2: dc around, 5 dc in each corner (maroon)
Round 3: dc around, 5 dc in each corner (white)
Round 4: dc around, 5 dc in each corner (maroon)
Round 5: dc around, 5 dc in each corner (white)
Round 6: dc around, 5 dc in each corner (maroon)
Round 7: sc around, 3 sc in each corner (maroon)
Round 8: (dc, ch 1, sk 1) around, (dc, ch 1, dc, ch 1, dc) in each corner (maroon)
Round 9: sc around, 3 sc in each corner (maroon)
Round 10: dc around, 5 dc in each corner (maroon)
Round 11: dc around, 5 dc in each corner (white)
Round 12: dc around, 5 dc in each corner (maroon)
Round 13: dc around, 5 dc in each corner (white)
Round 14: dc around, 5 dc in each corner (maroon)
Round 15: sc around, 3 sc in each corner (maroon)
Round 16: (sc, ch 3, sk 1) around, (sc, ch 3, sc in same stitch) at corner (maroon)

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

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.

Keeping it coming: Stitch Twelve!

This stitch has an interesting look due to the boxes and zigzags that make it up.  I like the stitch but I would modify it slightly for future use.  One row of the pattern has split post stitches that I would change to being a split stitch that is not a post stitch.  In this blanket the post stitches are the first row of white in each repeat.  I don't think the post stitch adds anything to the stitch, though it does make it appear differently on each side, (shown below).  With the modification, this stitch would be good for scarves.

The color pattern I used is 2 rows of maroon, then (2 rows of white, 2 rows of maroon) repeated, ending with a single row of white.

Here's how to make it:
Chain 93, then work the stitch until it is square and add this border:
Round 1: sc around, 3 sc in each corner (white)
Round 2: (dc, ch 1, sk 1) around, (dc, ch 1, dc, ch 1, dc) at corner (maroon)
Round 3: sc around, 3 sc in each corner (white)
Round 4: (dc, ch 1, sk 1) around, (dc, ch 1, dc, ch 1, dc) at corner (maroon)

Tapping right along: Stitch Eight!

Getting back to the Aggie theme, I made this blanket in maroon and white.  This stitch reminds me of the taps that black belts (freshmen and sophomores) wear on their low quarters (highly polished shoes).  This stitch is easy to do because it is obvious where to do each component; there is no guess work.  If you like shell stitches you'll like this stitch because it is essentially a modified shell stitch.  This stitch would make a pretty scarf begun with a short chain.

The color pattern I used is 1 row of white, 2 rows of maroon, then (2 rows of white, 2 rows of maroon) repeated, ending with a single row of white.

Here are the details:

Chain 92, work the stitch until it's square.  Then add the border that is becoming routine:
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.

Now posting: Stitch Five!

This stitch is comprised entirely of post stitches.  Post stitches make fabric stretchy and also thicker.  Previously I have made dish towels and hand towels out of this stitch.  I like the finished product, but I would probably choose a different stitch for baby blankets in the future.  Post stitches are more time consuming than normal stitches because not all of the stitch goes towards making the fabric grow; some of it goes towards making the fabric thicker.  It is wonderful for towels because the extra thickness is beneficial because it means extra absorbance capacity.

The color pattern I used is 2 row of white, then (2 rows of maroon, 2 rows of white) repeated.

Here's how to make it:
Ch 90 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.

Zigzagging along: Stitch Four!

The problem with most ripple patterns is that they generally require you to count stitches almost constantly.  I had a frustrating experience with a rippled afghan fairly early on in my crocheting career and have been looking for an easy ripple pattern.  I was looking forward to trying this stitch because it appeared to fit the bill.  This stitch did not disappoint: it is now my go to pattern for ripples.  I made this entire baby blanket in only two days.  This was the quickest baby blanket to date and it is gorgeous.  Another plus is that it begins and ends with a straight row making adding a border easy and not awkward.  This stitch would be appropriate for scarves with either a long or short starting chain.

The color pattern I used is 1 row of white, 2 rows of maroon, then (2 rows of white, 2 rows of maroon) repeated, ending with a single row of white.

So here's how to make it: Ch 94 and work stitch until work is square.  Then add a maroon 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 used Bernat satin yarn in Bordeaux and Snow with a J hook to make this blanket.

Well, here we go: Stitch One!

I was not overly enthused about this stitch before I began, but the more I used it the more I liked it.  This baby blanket is my favorite so far!  Yes, I know this is only stitch one, but I've made many baby blankets before, and this tops them all.

The color pattern I used is 1 row of maroon, 2 rows of white, then (2 rows of maroon, 2 rows of white) repeated, ending with a single row of maroon.  This generated a checkered look.

The two sides are similar but slightly different, and it is a matter of opinion which is prettier.  There is a slightly puffy side, and a flatter side.  I personally prefer the flat side, but everyone else I've shown it to preferred the puffy side.  What can I say?  I'm an engineer; I never claimed to be normal.  Anyway, the puffy side is shown first, then the flat side.

 So, here are the details of how to make this:

 Ch 94, and work the stitch as directed by the book with the color pattern already described.  (I picked maroon and white because I'm an Aggie and these are our colors; choose whatever colors you like.)  Repeat the stitch until the blanket is square.  These stitches are basically the same height as width, so my finished blanket was 15 x 15 white shells.  I made the border all in maroon as follows:
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.

This stitch worked great for a baby blanket.  It would also make a gorgeous scarf.

Howdy!

I started crocheting March of last year and I absolutely love it.  I'm an engineer by day and a crocheter by night.  I'm going to post patterns I've designed that I think others would enjoy and/or find useful. 
Thanks and Gig 'Em!

-Sarah