Hexagon Squares

These are going to make a really fun afghan soon!  I chose a yarn that has a really lightweight texture because I wanted this to be a really airy blanket.  When my "squares" are finished and assembled, I'll post another picture!

Materials:

G Hook

Bernat Softee yarn in Soft Peach, Antique White, Mint, and Pale Blue - Amounts will vary depending on how many squares you make/size of blanket you want.

Notes: I alternated the 3 middle colors for each square for the sake of interest, but kept the borders white and plan to assemble them all with white.  The color options are up to you, so I didn't put in the names of the colors, but will just refer to the colors as Color 1, 2, 3 and 4.  You get to choose what order to put them in.  ;)  The pattern is worked from the center out, if that helps with your choices.  I would recommend tying a small knot at the end of each round to help the yarn stay in place, as I am always afraid that changing yarns a lot will make a blanket fall apart!

Begin with Color 1:

Ch 4.  Join to form a ring.

R1: Ch 3 (counts as dc).  11 dc in center of ring.  Join with sl st in top of ch 3. (12 st)

Drop Color 1, join Color 2:

R2: Ch 3 (counts as dc).  1 dc in same st.  2 dc in each st around.  Join with sl st in top of ch 3.  (24 st)

Drop Color 2, join Color 3:

R3: Insert hook between posts of next 2 st's.  Ch 3 (counts as dc).  2 dc in same st.  Ch 1.  Skip next 2 posts.  *3 dc in next sp.  Ch 1*  Repeat to end of round.  Join with sl st in top of ch 3.  

Drop color 3, Join Color 4 (I used white for these rounds on each square):

R4: Join between 2 clusters of 3dc from previous round.  Ch 4.  Skip 3dc cluster.  *sc in sp between clusters.  Ch 3*  Repeat around.  Join with sl st in 2nd ch of ch 4.

R5: Insert hook in sp under ch's from R4.  Sl st.  Ch 3.  2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc in same sp.  3 dc in next sp.  *3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc in next sp.  3 dc in next sp*  Repeat to end of round.  Join with sl st in top of ch 3.  Tie off and hide ends. 

Lined Granny Lovies

These are so fun!  The granny stitch makes for a fast workup, and these are easy to line with fabric!  I made these and lined them with a fat quarter.  :)  The size makes them perfect for a Lovie blanket for any little one to carry around the house.  You could easily make these larger to bigger quilts.  My husband loves crocheted blankets, and I think the next one I make for him will be lined this way!

Lined Granny Square Lovies

Materials Needed: This really depends on you.  Any yarn will do, and you just need the appropriate hook size for the yarn you choose.  I used up some leftovers of Caron Simply Soft and an H Hook.

You will also need thread and either a sewing machine or a needle and some patience.  :)

Basic Granny Square Instructions:

R1:   Ch 4.  Join with sl st in 1st ch made to form a circle.  Ch 3.  2 DC in center of circle.  Ch 1.  3 DC in circle.  Ch 1.  3 DC in circle.  Ch 1.  3 DC in circle.  Ch 1.  Join with sl st in top of ch 3.  Turn work.

You may change colors here if you choose.

R2:  Sl st in ch 1 sp just made.  Ch 3.  2 DC, ch 1, 3DC in same space.  Ch 1.  *3 DC, ch 1, 3 DC, ch 1* in each sp around.  Join with sl st in top of ch 3. Turn work.

You may change colors here if you choose.

R3 and beyond:  Sl st in ch 1 sp just made.  Ch 3.  2 DC in same space.  In each ch 1 space (except corners) you will made 3 DC, ch 1.  In each corner, you will make 3 DC, ch 1, 3 DC, ch 1.

Make the square as big or small as you like.  You can even make a group of smaller squares and stitch them together to make one big square or a rectangle or whatever shape you like!

To Line Blanket/Lovie:

Choose a large enough piece of fabric to line one side of the blanket while leaving a border.  I purchased a fat quarter (18" x 22") for my blanket which measured about 19 1/2" square.  Iron your fabric flat.  Trim fabric to desired size and pin to your crochet work.  Sew using thread to match the yarn color you are sewing through.  For example, I chose pink thread and sewed through the layer of fabric and the crochet work through one of the pink lines.  This way, when you look at the blanket on the crochet side, the thread isn't easily noticed.  You can hand sew this as well, but my sewing machine is much faster.  :)  I also sewed a bit in the center.  I would recommend doing that by hand if possible.  Just sew the center circle to the fabric.  I used my machine and needed more space, so I have a square in the middle of my fabric - which is fine with me as I plan to cover it with an applique.  That is a tutorial for later!  ;)

Striped Blanket

We have a new member of our family!  My husband suggested that since I made baby blankets for all the other kids, I may as well make one for our new baby as well.  ;)  I actually have a TON of Red Heart Super Saver Yarn that I am dying to get rid of, but I just can't fathom throwing away yarn.   Some of it was given to me by friends who don't knit or crochet, but had used little bits of yarn for other craft projects, and some of it was leftovers from making about a thousand (okay, maybe not a thousand, but it sure felt that way!) pairs of legwarmers around the Christmas season.  This striped blanket is small, as it was made to fit inside my puppy's kennel with her - even though she sleeps on the couch most of the time.  However, you could easily adapt the pattern to make it as large or small as you like.

Striped Blanket

Materials:

*4 skeins of Red Heart Super Saver Yarn: I used 1 each of Orchid (Color A), Melonberry (Color B), Pink Tones (Color C), and Perfect Pink (Color D)

*H Hook

Begin with Color A

Chain 103. (Or make as many chains as you'd like the blanket to be long.)

R1: DC in 4th ch from hook, and in each stitch across.  Join Color B and drop Color A.  

R2:  Ch 3 with Color B.  DC in each stitch across.  Join Color C and drop Color B.

R3:  Ch 3 with Color C.  DC in each stitch across.  Join Color D and drop Color C.

R4:  Ch 3 with Color D.  DC in each stitch across.  Turn.

R5:  Ch 3 with Color D.  DC in each stitch across.  Join Color C and drop Color D.

R6:  Ch 3 with Color C.  DC in each stitch across.  Join Color B and drop Color C.

R7:  Ch 3 with Color B.  DC in each stitch across.  Join Color A and drop Color B.

R8:  Ch 3 with Color A.  DC in each stitch across.  Turn.

R9:  Ch 3 with Color A.  DC in each stitch across.  Join Color B and drop Color A.

R10-25:  Repeat R2- R9.  (You can continue repeating rows to make the blanket as wide as you like)

R26-31: Repeat R2-R7

R32: Ch 3 with Color A.  DC in each stitch across.  Tie off and hide ends.

As a border, Join Color A in any corner.  Ch 2.  3 SC in corner stitch.  SC around entire blanket making 2 SC stitch in the length of each DC (on what would be the top and bottom of blanket) and one SC in each DC along sides, and 3 SC in each corner stitch.

If you'd like a thicker border, you can SC around the entire blanket again, placing your 3 corner stitches in the center corner stitch of the previous row.

Chevron Baby Blanket (and a headache)

I loved these colors together and immediately thought "Chevron!"

I love the texture of this blanket!  :)

Materials:

* H Hook

*Lion Brand "Pound of Love" in Pastel Green and Antique White (1 of each)

Stitches Used:

Ch-Chain

DC-Double Crochet

DCdec-Double Crochet Decrease

Notes:

*DCdec = YO insert hook in stitch, YO and draw up a loop, YO, draw through 2 loops on hook, YO insert hook in next stitch, YO and draw up a loop, YO, draw through 2 loops on hook, YO and draw through all 3 lps on hook.

*Doing a ripple pattern can get tricky!  Here's a tip: Don't stress!  This blanket frustrated me for HOURS!  I swore I did my math wrong and rewrote it about a dozen times!  I wanted a Chevron Blanket and I could see it in my head!  I knew it could be done and I was going to do it!  

***BIG TIP: If you find that things aren't lining up for whatever reason (or for NO reason) then here's how to get yourself back on track without having to rip everything out and start over again.  At the beginning, you should have to make 3 DC's before making the valley.  This may mean putting 2 DC's in a stitch that maybe didn't require it.  I don't know why, but I've talked to other crocheters and they have all said the same thing: sometimes, that wavy pattern just gets messed up without rhyme or reason.  Also, The DCdec should start in the stitch just before the top of the first DC dec from the previous row.  The 2 DC dec's should go over the 2 DC dec from the previous row.  Here's some pictures of what I mean:

See the 2 DCdec's?  They create the valley.

The first DCdec of the working row is being worked right on top of the DCdec from the previous row.

***Another BIG TIP:  To make the peaks, the 2 DC's in the same stitch should be made in the 2nd stitch of the first set of 2 DC's from the previous row.  This means the total 4 DC's are made in the 2 center DC's of the previous 4 DC's.  Make sense?  Here's a picture:

2 DC's in the top of the peak

In between the peaks and valleys, there should be 3 DC's made.  Example: 1 DC in each of the next 3 stitches, make peak, 1 DC in each of the next 3 stitches, make valley (how to make peaks and valleys are explained in the instructions)

 Chevron Baby Blanket

(Worked in multiples of 12 + 3)

Ch 111.

R1: Work 1 DC in 4th ch from hook, 1 DC in next 3 ch, DCdec twice, 1 DC in next 3 ch, 2 DC in next ch, *2 DC in next ch, 1 DC in each of next 3 ch, DCdec twice, 1 DC in next 3 ch, 2 DC in next ch; rep from * to end. Turn.

R2: Ch 3, 2 DC in first dc, 1 DC in next 3 DC, DCdec twice, 1 DC in next 3 DC, 2 DC in next DC, *2 DC in next DC, 1 DC in next 3 DC, DCdec twice, 1 DC in next 3 DC, 2 DC in next DC; rep from *, end last rep with 2 DC in top of turning chain. Turn.

R3: Ch 3 (counts as 1 DC), 1 DC in first DC, 1 DC in next 3 DC, DCdec twice, 1 DC in next 3 DC, 2 DC in next DC, *2 DC in next DC, 1 DC in next 3 DC, DCdec twice, 1 DC in next 3 DC, 2 DC in next DC; rep from * to end. Turn.

R4-R80: Rep rows 2 and 3, creating 10 rows of each color

Daisy Square Blanket

I made my husband a blanket... and it took FOREVER.  Mainly because I have an attention problem and tend to jump between 2 or 3 projects at a time.  So, I worked on it in bits and pieces for about a year.  Yeah, like I said, it took FOREVER.  But, it came out pretty good and became his Father's Day gift.  It's one of his favorite blankets (besides his Boise State Snuggie) and he keeps it close to him.  :)  That makes me feel pretty good!  I also have a Snuggie (they make awesome Christmas gifts, seriously) but I wanted a special blanket of my own.  Since I am the only one in my household with any blanket making skills, I figured I'd better get to work.  I really wanted my special blanket to reflect the love I feel for my family, particularly for my hubby who I will be doing some snuggling with in this blanket!  So, of course, I thought of daisies!

Confused?  :)

Daisies have had a special meaning in our marriage.  They were the first flower my husband ever bought for me (before we were married) and they were part of our wedding.  My girls like to wear daisies in their hair on special occasions because they know that daisies mean something special.  Anniversaries, Valentines Day, birthdays and "Just-Because-I-Love-You" bouquets always include daisies.  The last few years, they've started to include lilies as well, but that's because we had our own special Lili come into our lives (otherwise known as our 3-year old ballerina).

I adapted the flower from a pattern I had seen once.  You could make the petals even more full, but I chose to make them easy to handle as opposed to just being really big.  Assembling the gray on the outside of the flower was a bit tricky.  It took a while to get the stitches just right to make it into a square.  In the future, I may even mess around with it a bit more because I am not convinced that I've landed on the best option yet. 

Daisy Square Blanket

Materials:

* H Hook

*Red Heart Yarn in Grey Heather, Bright Yellow and Soft White

*Yarn needle

I would recommend (for the sake of time) making up all (or a lot) of flowers at one time, then adding the gray to create the square.  It saves time from switching between 3 yarns.  When I created this blanket, I went in batches.  I made 10 centers from the yellow, then switched to white and created petals for the 10 centers.  Then switched to grey and made the square for the 10 flowers.  Make sense?  Good.  :)

Daisy Instructions: Make 1 per square. 

*Begin with Bright Yellow
Magic circle (or ch 4 and join with sl st)
12 sc in center.  Tie off.


*Switch to Soft White
Attach yarn in any sc.  *Ch 3.  Inset hook in same stitch, YO and pull up 1 loop to the same height as the ch 3.  YO and insert hook again.  YO and pull up another loop to same height.  YO and insert hook again.  YO and pull up another loop to same height.  YO and insert hook into next sc.  Pull up 1 loop to same height.  YO and insert hook again.  YO and pull up another loop to same height.  YO and insert hook again.  YO and pull up another loop to same height.  YO and pull through all loops.  Chain 3 to secure.  Sl st in next sc.*  Repeat *-* around for total of 6 petals.  For last stitch, sl st in the first DC you worked.  Tie off and hide ends.

*Switch to Grey Heather. (Now you are creating the outer part of the square)
Attach yarn on right side of any petal. { } means those instructions are done in one stitch or space.

{ch 3, dc in same st}, {tc, ch 2, tc, dc in same stitch}, tc between petals, {2 dc}, {2dc}, {tc, ch 2, tc}, {2dc}, {2dc}, {2 dc, tc, ch 2, tc, dc}, {2 dc}, {2 dc}, {dc, tc, ch 2, tc}, {2 dc}, Join with sl st to first ch 3.

ch 3.  4 dc.  {2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc} in corner space.  8 dc.  Repeat { } 8 dc. Repeat { } 8 dc.  Repeat { } 4 dc.  Join with sl st to first dc.

ch 3. 6 dc. {2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc} in corner space.  12 dc.  Repeat { } 12 dc. Repeat { } 12 dc. Repeat { } 6 dc.  Join with sl st to first dc.

Square created!

There are plenty of ways to stitch this blanket together.   I went with something very simple, with the idea of making the daisy stand out in each square.  Holding the wrong sides together, I stitched the squares together using single crochet stitches.  This gives the slight ridge you see between each square.  I am still adding to the blanket, but I plan on adding a simple border as well, though I am debating whether to add a grey border or a white border.

Just to give you some ideas, you could sc or dc around the square in yellow, then join those with the sc ridges, but using white.  That would brighten the blanket up a bit more.  You could also just use white or yellow to stitch the squares together any way you normally would.  There are plenty of ways to put this together.  You can definitely use different colors altogether and just get creative with it!

Easy Ruffled Squares

I'm so excited to get going with this blog!  This is already so much fun!  Today, I have some more ruffles for you! ;)

Here is a beautiful ruffled square.  The center square is done in one piece, then the ruffled edge is added.

Here is the square without the ruffled edge.  I plan to use both squares for a baby blanket.

Want the instructions?  Of course you do!

Easy Ruffled Squares

Materials:

*I Hook (5.50MM)
*Caron's Simply Soft Yarn in Persimmon
*Scissors

-Chain 25

-Row 1: SC in 2nd chain from hook.  SC to end of row*. Ch 1, turn.

-Row 2-28: Repeat Row 1 to *.  Without cutting the string, SC around the entire square.  Sl st into first SC.  This will leave you with the regular square above.  You can either stop here (by tying off and weaving in the ends) or continue on and add ruffles.  If you're going to add ruffles, do not cut your string yet!

To add ruffles:

-Ch 3.  2 DC in same stitch.  3 DC in each stitch around the square.  Sl st into first DC made, tie off and weave in ends.

You can sew squares together in any matter that suits you best.  :)

Here is a strip of the squares after being sewn together.  I alternated the ruffled squares with the non-ruffled squares.  After sewing all the squares in strips, there are a few options.  I think the best option would be to leave a non-ruffled edge all around the blanket.  This may mean adding a border of non-ruffled squares to the entire blanket (which means you need to make a lot of extra squares) or, when ruffling the squares, leave one side unruffled (having only 3 ruffled sides).  When all of your squares are sewn together, Use the ruffling technique to make the edging for the entire blanket.

How do you like my new "ruffle" terminology?  Non-ruffled, ruffled, ruffling, unruffled...   *giggle*

I'll let you  know when my blanket is done and how I finished it off.  ;)