OVERLARGE BLANKET
OeSiGNER: N1lleRY LuTZOW UPDATED: 09/29/2012 I have received one or two requests for a pattern for this blanket that I made for my sister for Christmas. She remarks that this blanket is incredibly warm (she lives in south FL and is never warm) and so roomy she doesn't quite know what to do with all of it in her queen-sized bed. Both of which I intended.:) Actual crochet time was only about 4 months.
PATTERN Ype: Crochet
MACERIAlS:
6.0mm/J crochet hook Red Heart Super Saver Yarn, Soft White (l skein per 6.5 squares) Red Heart Super Saver Yarn, Cornmeal (4 skeins) Yarn Needle
MEASUREMENES:
What is great about this pattern is you can make this blanket whatever dimensions you want. Simply use differing numbers of squares on both the width and the length to adjust the sizing to your liking. Gauge does not matter. The squares measure 8" x 8" and are 23 stitches wide by 22 rows long. The blanket measures 16 rows by 14 columns or approximately 10'8" x 9'4".
INSTRUCTIONS:
Stitch the entire body of the blanket by working into only the back half of a stitch rather than the whole loop so that the blanket, and any joining seams, have a 3D effect. This gives the squares their washboard pattern. This blanket is made in small squares that are easily transported. The squares were made out of the Soft White yarn. Chain 23 Row 1-22: ch 1， sc to end (Optional: If you want to keep the squares flat, crochet into the entire loop for each stitch. This will also make the squares larger.) When 28 squares have been completed, you can now join together your first 2 rows of squares. Orient two squares so that both have rows of single crochet stitches meeting horizontally and that both end in a valley (^^^ ^^). Stitch together using a row of single crochet stitches in the Soft White yarn. Repeat this process every time you complete 14 squares. Do not, at this time, worry about the vertical gaps between squares. Continue making squares and attaching via a horizontal single crochet seam using the Soft White yarn until 16 rows of squares have been completed. When you have achieved the desired length, you will now use the Cornmeal yarn to join the vertical seams. Simply repeat the process used to create the horizontal Seams, use a single crochet stitch in the Cornmeal yarn. This completes the body of theblanket.
FINIShING:
Stitch the entire border of the blanket by crocheting into the entire loop of a stitch rather than only one half so that the border lays flat. Use the double crochet stitch in the Cornmeal yarn to knit a border all the way around the blanket. Start by chaining two into your beginning stitch and then crochet a double crochet into the same stitch. Then crochet a double crochet into each stitch all the way around. Make 3 double crochets in the corner stitch to round the corner. This will produce a border 1 double crochet deep. (Optional: I originally intended to make the border 6 double crochet rows deep before continuing to finish the border with the shell stitch.) ch 2， \*dc to corner, 3 dc in corner stitch\*， repeat ＊ to ＊ end To complete the border you will need to know the shell stitch for the last row. Start at a corner stitch. ch 1, 3 sc in corner sc, [\*ch l, skip 1 sc, 5 dc in sc, ch 1， skip l sc, sc in sc\*, repeat \* to \* corner stitch; make last repeat ch l, skip 1 sc, 5 dc in sc， ch 1, skip 1 sc， 3 sc in corner sc]， repeat ［ to ] to end corner
| 3 | SC | ch l， skip | 1 | 5dc | ch l，skip | SC | ch l，skip | 1 | 5dc | ch l，skip 1 | 3 | SC |
I used 3 single crochets to turn the corner rather than a shell stitch as suggested by others. This allowed for a relaxed corner, rather than one that was tight and obviously strained. In order to arrange this, you will need to add or remove the skipped stitches. When completed, this adjustment is indistinguishable from the rest of the border.
NoTE ON ChE YARN:
Red Heart Super Saver has a decidedly scratchy feel. As a blanket it mellows out over time and becomes soft enough to use comfortably. I would not suggest using for wearable items like hats, scarves, sweaters, etc.
CARE:
ish warm; tumble dry; do not bleach; do not iron; dry cleanable I made every transition, including a foundation stitch, as a hard knot to prevent unraveling while machine washing.
