Shifting is always tiresome. Even you are moving just a couple of block away. And imagine if you have to switch countries, it just gets worse.
I will not be sharing that journey. I will save it for another chapter some other time. But what I wanted to share instead is something that many fellow crocheters might connect with. The struggle of working with different materials.
The materials in India are very different from what we get in the US; especially, the yarn. Not only the ply is different, but also the product description, the weightage are mentioned differently. I wanted to make a baby blanket.
Each ball is utmost 50 gms. Also, there are limited few stores that keep supplies because this skill is becoming obsolete.
I thought I had a fair idea of the yarn that I wanted but I still ended up buying something that wasn’t even close to what I wanted. The product description was different, the shade of grey was different from what I saw on the website.
As a result, all my plans around it went haywire. I thought to salvage it by changing the design in between or by adding something else but nothing worked out and ultimately, I had to purchase another yarn with a different tone.
At one point, I even considered quitting making this baby blanket. Had I been at 25%, I would have totally gone for it. But was way beyond that mark. I had completed 70% and I needed yarn for the remaining 30%, but the colour and texture wasn’t just matching up.
But I went ahead and completed it. And now that I have had a mismatch situation here, I have decided to keep it either with me as my home blanket or donate it as free blanket perhaps. This cant qualify for sale or even gifting purpose.
Process:
Purchase the graph Peek-A-BOO Rabbit C2C Graph at KMD Store along with other graphs.
Decide the colours that you plan to use for the blanket. Start C2C crocheting and then C2C decreasing crocheting to complete the graph. Once c2c square consumes 0.75″ – 1″ depending on the crochet hook and yarn used.
For this blanket, I have created 72 grids pixel graph for each expression of the bear. It should give 47″X47″ approximately.
This pattern requires proper counting and marking after completion of each square to avoid any mistakes.
Caution Section:-
- Print the coloured graph ( or black and white graph and mark the colours) and number all the rows and columns. Here, it is 72×72. The C2C stitch grows diagonally.
- If you have the black and white printer then print the graph and colour the blocks using colour pencils or mark S for Skin, G for Grey, P for Pink, W for White etc. so that you do not miss out the shape.
- Mark each row and column so that you know at which row you are while working.
- Also, count the number of blocks use 1 colour in that working row. Remember we work diagonally in C2C.
- Starting with ¹C2C Crochet Stitch Increasing ( focusing on the colour change) increase diagonally for 72 rows.
- Start ²decreasing C2C Crochet Stitch (focusing on the colour change as per the graph) decrease till the count reaches 1.
Edging:-
If you want to increase the size or if you like defining an edge then you can go with SC or DC row or below.
R1: Ch 1, Single Crochet (SC) around each post. 3 SC at the corners.
R2: Ch 2, Double Crochet on each SC. 3 DC at the corners or at the corner 3SC – 3DC on the middle 3 SC group.
R3: Ch 2, Half-Herringbone Double Crochet (HHDC) around each DC. 3 HHDC at the corner DC or 3 HHDC in the middle of the 3 DC group.
¹C2C crochet stitch / Increasing C2C Crochet Stitch:
- [Chain 6.
- R1: Double Crochet (DC) in 4th chain from the hook. 2 DC in next 2 chains. [ 1st corner block is made]
- R2: turn the work, chain 6. DC in 4th chain from the hook. 2 DC in next 2 chains. Slip stitch on the chain 3. (Chain 3, 3 DC) in the same chain 3 space of the previous row. [2nd row contains 2 blocks]
- R3: Repeat R2 [3rd row will contain 3 blocks. Likewise, the Row-Number will have same number blocks.]
- Continue R2 to increase horizontally and vertically up to the required number on the graph.]
²Decreasing C2C crochet stitch:
- [turn the last row. slip stitch on 1st DC, 2nd DC, 3 DC.
- Slip Stitch(SL ST) chain 3 space. (Chain 3, 3 DC) in same chain 3 space.
- Continue (SL ST, chain 3, 3 DC) in next chain 3 space.
- Repeat till the last 2nd block. SL ST in the last chain 3 space. ]
Peek-A-BOO Rabbit Pixel Art
Peek-A-BOO Rabbit Sectional Grid Graph
You can purchase this graph at Peek-A-BOO Rabbit C2C Graph. There are more C2C graphs available for purchase too at KMD Store.
Product Specifications:
Defining Dimensions:-
- Grid Graph: 72X72
- Length: 45″
- Width: 45″
Optional Alterations:-
Different ideas that can be implemented into this blanket to make it your own.
- Single Crochet (SC), Crab Stitch, Slip Stitch, Herringbone Half Double Crochet (HHDC) are all suitable for giving a perfect edge.
- Use fur yarn to bring out the border.
- You can use both the base colours and bear colour around alternatively.
- The border shouldn’t be too broad to pop out. The purpose should be to provide a clean edge.
- Add pom-pom or tassels (matching the colour with the edging or the base colour) at the 4 corners. Link to make pom-pom and tassels.
- Avoid the border and just add tassels/pompoms made of a mixture of the base colours.
- Attach flowers, beads, appliques or a bow made of crochet, plastic, suede leather, fabric etc to make it more interesting.
- Increase the total size of the blanket by adding a few rows of borders.
Remember: do not over accessorise it. This hides the beauty of the pattern itself. Believe in elegant simplicity!!
In case, you have stuck anywhere or have any queries, kindly contact me.
Peek-A-BOO Baby Blanket
Style Aisle:
- Choose the yarn colour matching with your kids’ room or their choice of animals.
- Go crazy with experimental contrast colours with your furniture to pop out a section. Make sure the interiors contain natural, neutral or earthy colours around.
- Focus on a bright selection of colour palette but not flashy.
- For the stitches or pattern to be visible clearly, choose lighter shades of yarn.
- The graphic-animals can be used for blankets or bags for kids.
- You can use both the base colours and bear body colour alternatively.
- The border shouldn’t be too broad to stand out. The purpose should be to provide a clean edge.
Materials:
- Yarn:
- Vardhman Gray – 10 Balls
- Vardhman Skin – 3 Balls.
- Vardhman White – 2 Balls.
- Vardhman Pink – 1 Ball.
- Leftover yarns
- Crochet Hook: 5mm
- Needles
- Scissors
- Measuring Tape
- Stitch Marker: My stitch markers are the mini safety pins we get from clothing tags.
- Note: Feel free to play around with different branded yarns. They should give the consistent flow of the pattern using a constant number crochet hook.
- Either go for the yarns with the same recommended crochet hook OR choose the yarn and change the crochet hooks along as you proceed with the pattern. This might be tricky for beginners.
Happy Crocheting!!!
APPENDIX
Care Instructions:
Quality Promise: If washed with care, then the elegant stitch guarantees perfection up to multiple washes. The wool quality might stretch upon multiple uses.
Purchase Here:
For Crochet & Knit patterns or pixel graphs, check out Ravelry and Etsy to purchase the ad-free, comment free, printable PDFs of my designs. Unlike the blog posts, these documents are properly indexed for easy navigation with the detailed photo gallery.
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