I've been working on a pattern for a blanket. My friend is pregnant and I want to make her something extra-special.
I used a 5.5mm hook and double-knit yarn.
The first five rows are to create the foundation of the blanket.
4 chain and a slipstitch to make a circle.
From that, chain 3 and then make 11 double-chain to make a total of 12.
Slipstitch to join that to make the full circle and then chain 3.
That makes the first double stitch (double crochet) and the second needs to go back into the same stitch.
From then, eleven more pairs of double stitch go into the top of the previous row to make 24 double crochets.
Slipstitch and chain three as for the previous row (round).
For the next row, you need one double-stitch (the chain three) and then two double-stitches into the next stitch. The following is one double and then two doubles, all the way around which should end on two doubles to finish the row of 36 double crochets.
Row 4 - Chain 3 then one double into the next stitch and two into the following one. Follow the pattern of 1, 1, 2 all the way around to finish on 2 doubles and slip stitch to complete the circle.
Row 5 - now it gets complicated.
Chain 1 this time and put the single under the slip stitch. Create the points above the V of each double - where the pen sits in the pic above.
The whole row is going to be the same configuration all the way around.
2 double stitch, 2 chain and 2 double stitch in the same stitch, making the point.
NO CHAIN - a single crochet into the 2nd stitch along (miss one) and repeat the 2 double stitch, 2 chain and 2 double stitch in the same stitch as before.
You can carry on with the same colour if you like, it's very effective, but I've chosen to change colours. I'm using a baby yarn in white, with a sparkly thread running through it.
Each colour change, start at the bottom of one of the 12 points. Miss one stitch and attach your yarn and start crocheting doubles all the way around.
At the top of the points, you put 2 double-stitched, 2 chain and 2 doubles to continue the point.
At the bottom of the point, miss two stitches to make the decorative hole and keep the shape of the blanket.
As you go around, always make sure to use the stitch immediately AFTER the 2 doubles, 2 chain, 2 doubles at the top of the point.
Miss TWO stitches at the bottom, taking the third stitch on the 'up' to the top of the point.
Carry on around the blanket until it's the size you like.
I think this one is going to be either a throw or a blanket, so it has to be bigger than both of these... but which colour?
I'll let you know how it goes.
