I have been on the lookout for a pretty baby blanket crochet pattern, tried a few designs of my own, (mentioned in my last blog). I didn’t want anything overly complicated but something that at row 20 I wasn’t already tired of the repetition. So I opted for a multi colour shell pattern, with two rows of Dc ( UK terms) between colours, using a baby Alpaca/Silk mix yarn,which is heavenly to hold and work with.
I got as far as the 9th row of shells, sat back and thought nope, the colours are not doing it for me, they are lovely but not for a new born. So back to the drawing board. After much deliberation I realised that this beautiful yarn didn’t need any fancy pattern, the feel and cuddleability ( is that a word?) of the yarn is enough, so I picked up a 3mm hook and the white and started a C2C instead.
The C2C (corner to Corner) design is so easy to crochet, a great pick up put down TV project. Honestly I spent so much time looking for the ‘Special’ pattern I could have finished this by now!
The white is not a bright white and not quite an off white, but has a slight sheen, I guess from the silk content. Anyway, I’m on row 25 and its still very small, quite a few more rows to go yet!
In Between Blanket Projects
I have managed to make two little cardigans with this yarn aswell, just to get an idea of how to do them. Crochet for Baby is all new for me, my children are all grown now, and when mine were little I had no time for Crochet.
The first one I made was a simple cardigan type, just the gauge sizing with the yarn (again the Baby Alpaca, as I’m not using the colours in the blanket).
A very easy pattern just Trebles (UK Terms) worked from top down, the colour is called ‘Powder’ not pink , not beige, but very pretty. Looking at jazzing up with a few coloured buttons. Again not really one for a new born ( Did I mention I’m going to be a Granny !) I know, I know, I did, but I just like saying it! (So exciting :D) I found a pretty new born matinee style pattern on Just Crochet and tried that one too.
Aww! So cute…. drools. Again worked from top down, the pattern on the lower section is pretty too, with lots of texture, again easy but very effective, does take a fair bit of yarn, so this one was discounted for the blanket.
So enough about Baby Crochet , how about some Adult content ( Steady!)
Fashion and Inspiration for Crochet Class
Can you believe what I saw in one of our large UK Fashion Chain Stores recently………
Who said Crochet isn’t fashionable! These were plain white basic T’s with a multi colour granny square added to the pocket. They wanted £12.99 for them, how many balls of yarn could you buy for that! I am sure we all have T’s we could jazz up.
So that gave me the idea, for the subject of my next crochet class, ‘going back to basics with granny squares.’
Its surprising that after a while of getting into the groove with ripples, ribs, chevrons etc, how productive it is to go back to the basics. Many of my ladies, started with little or no crochet experience and the humble granny (erm ..no I’m not still fixating on the up and coming event!) was covered a long time ago at our early classes.
We reviewed a few techniques, such as colour change, how to stop your granny square from twisting, the False Treble Stitch (they all loved that one) and then decided on two granny square projects to have a bash at.
Isn’t this fab! its a free pattern available from www.1dogwoof.com and uses two large granny squares topped with waffle yolk. Simple design but so effective.
This is another design using the humble granny stitch but with an unusual construction. I found this in my ‘CrochetNow’ magazine issue 15. Both of these fashion tops were a big hit with my ladies, guess I will have to make both… just in the interest of research and class preparation of course! ;D
and Finally … Tatting
I follow a blog by a lovely lady called Tami https://tanglewoodknots.com why not pop over and see her lovely makes, she’s and amazing cook too! Tami recently posted about her experiences with Tatting.
Tatting is a beautiful craft, like crochet but very fine yarn and using needles or shuttles to make intricate designs, lace, jewellery etc. After ready Tami’s post, I thought yes I must dig out my supplies that I completely forgot I had previously purchased and give this a go.
These are the shuttles and yarn, shown here with a pretty tulip, one because I like flowers and two to help you see how small the shuttles are . 😀
This is how far I got! I’ve threaded my shuttle ready to go…. that was about 2 weeks ago, well its a start haha. I did find a tutorial I had purchased on Craftsy (and never watched, my bad!) so the plan is watch that first , then pick up my shuttles and create something wonderful… we can dream right!
P.S. International Diploma in Crochet swatches are back.
In my previous post, I blogged about the swatches that were submitted for part one of the diploma course. Happy to report they all came back with Excellent or Very good indeed. On to the next ones…. I really should finish the Hair Pin lace and make a start on the buttons. Jenny from Prawn and Pebble has made some lovely lace and buttons and has just completed her broomstick lace, pop over and take a look, it’s beautiful!
Until next time…….. Happy Crafting!
creative corner 