Granny Toddler Blanket in Purples

I managed to finish up the purple granny toddler blanket on Saturday.  I had screwed up and added a sixth row of squares and then had to frog the edging so I could undo the row of squares.  It was off kilter and I didn't like it one bit.  I like it much better with the 20 granny squares instead.  As to the particulars, I used Red Heart Super Saver yarn in Amethyst, Pale Plum, Orchid and White.  Those are the colors I had on hand and was wanting to use up out of my stash.  Plus, I needed a toddler blanket done in purples so I was killing two birds with one stone.  :)  I also used a size I crochet hook.  The pattern for the squares is my basic granny square from the August 29th post.

The Tale of the Mango Colored Yarn

Once upon a time, there were 5 skeins of Mango colored yarn sitting on a clearance shelf at Wal-Mart.  A yarn-loving, clearance-minded woman named Shelly just happened to see them and bought them up.  Shelly's niece mentioned that she would love to have an orange colored blanket for her newest child, so...the Mango yarn was called upon to assist with this request.  But, my oh my, what a journey it has been in the attempt to make this orange colored blanket.

 This is the most current state of the Mango colored yarn.  It awaits Shelly's pleasure upon the big couch.

 The Mango colored yarn was first worked into this pattern http://www.crochetspot.com/how-to-crochet-blanket-stitch/.  The progress shown was after one whole skein had been worked up.  Yikes.  The pattern is a yarn-eater and Shelly wouldn't have enough yarn to complete the blanket, even though she loved the stitch pattern and would have made a very warm blanket.  So....the Mango colored yarn was ripped out and put into a clear plastic container waiting to be used again.

 Today, Shelly spent some time cleaning the house and while she was doing that, she decided to try out this pattern http://sarahsprojects.blogspot.com/2010/05/living-room-afghan-pattern.html.  The pattern is quite pretty and even though the blanket is for a great nephew, it might pass as a bit masculine in nature.  So, Shelly sat down this evening and lovingly worked the Mango colored yarn into it's current state as shown above.  She is presently working on skein #2.

Here is a close-up view of the stitch pattern.  

So...this is the tale of the Mango colored yarn.  Updates will be given once progress is made.  :)

The "Square Peg" 8" Square - Free Pattern

Since I've been messing around with creating squares, I didn't stop with the "No Holes" Dc Square, I kept on going and made a bigger one.  I call this one the "Square Peg" Square.  Hope you like the pattern.

The "Square Peg" 8" Square - Free Pattern

Red Heart Super Saver WW yarn
I crochet hook

ch 4.
1- work 11 dc in the 4th ch from hook.  join with a sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch 3.

2- ch 3.  dc in same st.  2 dc in each st around.  join with a sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch 3.

3- ch 3.  dc in next 4 sts.  work 5 dc in next st.  *dc in next 5 sts.  work 5 dc in next st.  repeat from * around.  join with a sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch 3.

4- ch 3.  dc in next 6 sts.  work 5 dc in next st.  *dc in next 9 sts.  work 5 dc in next st.  repeat from * around.  dc in last 2 sts.  join with a sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch 3.

5- ch 3.  dc in next 8 sts. work 5 dc in next st.  *dc in next 13 sts.  work 5 dc in next st.  repeat from * around.  dc in last 4 sts.  join with a sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch 3.

6- ch 3.  dc in next 10 sts.  work 5 dc in next st.  *dc in next 17 sts.  work 5 dc in next st.  repeat from * around.  dc in last 6 sts.  join with a sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch 3.

7- ch 1.  sc in next 12 sts.  work 3 sc in next st.  *sc in next 21 sts.  work 3 sc in next st.  repeat from * around.  sc in last 8 sts.  join with a sl st to beg ch 1.  fasten off.

The Basic Granny Square

There are bunches of patterns for granny squares.  In fact, I use several different ones just for the basic granny square.  It depends on what I'm making.  I'm currently making a toddler blanket for a little girl.  I'm needing granny squares but I'm wanting them just a bit different...I'm wanting them to be more feminine....airier, if that makes sense.  In fact, is "airier" a word?  LOL  So I'm adding an extra ch between the clusters of dc's.

Here's the granny square pattern I'm using.

ch 4.  join to form a loop.

1- working in the loop, ch 3.  2 dc.  (ch 2, 3 dc) 3 times.  ch 2.  join with a sl st to the 3rd ch of beg ch 3.

2- sl st in next 2 sts and into the ch 2 sp.  (ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in ch 2 sp.  ch 2.  [work (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch 2 sp.  ch 2] 3 times.  join with a sl st to the 3rd ch of beg ch 3.

3- sl st in next 2 sts and into the ch 2 sp.  (ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in ch 2 sp.  ch 2.  work 3 dc in next ch 2 sp.  ch 2.  [work (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in corner ch 2 sp.  ch 2.  work 3 dc in next ch 2 sp.  ch 2.] 3 times.  join with a sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch 3.  fasten off.

Some lovely purple goodness to drool over.  :)

The "No Holes" Dc Square - Free Pattern

I'm one of those people that loves many types of crafting.  In fact, I love quilts but I don't make them.  

 This quilt looks like a Jigsaw Puzzle, doesn't it?  And puzzle pieces are one of the symbols of autism.  I have a family member with Asperger's, and this quilt really calls to me.  Enough that I'm going to try and create it in a crochet version.  That being said, I've been experimenting with squares.  In the end, I made up my own as I'm wanting a certain type of look...with no holes in the square, but not made with a sc stitch.

 This is the square that I came up with.  It's got a good "solid" look to it and it's about 4 1/2 inches square.

 I made several of these squares, just to be sure that the pattern was tested before posting it.  As you all know, I like to share my patterns.  So, without further ado....here's the pattern.

The "No Holes" Dc Square - Free Pattern 

Worsted Weight yarn (I used Red Heart Super Saver)

I crochet hook

ch 4.  

1- work 11 dc in 4th ch from hook.  join with a sl st to the 3rd ch of the beg ch 3.

2- ch 3.  dc in next st.  work 5 dc in next st.  *dc in next 2 sts, work 5 dc in next st.  repeat from * around.  join with a sl st to the 3rd ch of the beg ch 3.

3- ch 3.  dc in next 3 sts.  work 5 dc in next st.  *dc in next 6 sts.  work 5 dc in next st.  repeat from * around.  dc in last 2 sts.  join with a sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch 3.  fasten off.

Now, if you'd like a 5 inch square (like the one pictured above), just add another row as follows:

4- instead of fastening off yarn at the end of round 3, ch 1.  sc in next 5 sts.  3 sc in next st.  *sc in next 10 sts.  3 sc in next st.  repeat from * around.  sc in last 4 sts.  join with a sl st to beg ch 1.  fasten off.

I hope you all enjoy this pattern.  It's fairly simply and works up fast.  :)  

Fast Easy Crochet Baby Blanket

I tell you...I sit here looking at these photos and I'm thinking...I have got to get some inspiration when I'm having a project photo shoot.  Could these be any more boring?  The blanket is extremely cute and you can't see that in these photos.  I think I need to do some research and ask Small T for some tips on photography.

 In any event, this is my latest completed project (finished on Sunday).  The Fast Easy Crochet Baby Blanket.  The free pattern can be found here http://crochet.about.com/od/babypatterns/a/fast-easy-crochet-baby-blanket-for-beginners.htm .  The blanket is worked in ch and sc stitches.  That's it.  I think the stitch combination used in the pattern is also referred to as the moss stitch.

My blanket measures 33 inches wide by 41 inches tall.  I used Caron's Simply Soft yarn in Soft Blue and Chocolate.  It took 2 1/2 skeins of the soft blue and just over 1 skein of the chocolate.  I used a size I crochet hook.

I have a couple of observations to share with you in regards to the making of this blanket:

1.  If you don't like using the sc stitch, then this blanket will be boring for you.  It takes awhile to see progress.  I like projects that show results fairly quickly.

2.  If you have trouble keeping a steady tension on your projects, then this blanket might present problems.  I  noticed that I was off on my tension about 1/3 of the way through.  The blanket was getting tighter as I went.

3.  Now, a positive note....I love the whole zig zag effect created when changing yarn color.

4.  This is the perfect blanket for young children and babies as it's not full of holes for their little fingers to get caught in.

If I was asked to make this blanket again, I would do it.  I really do like it!  And it's exceptionally easy to make.

The "No Holes" Sc Square - Free Pattern

I have received an order for a baby blanket using squares with no holes.  Well, I couldn't find a pattern for such a square.  So, I made up my own.  You could use this square in several sizes and I have posted photos of what it looks like at each size.

 This is the square at 3 1/2 inches.  (Round 6)

 This is the square at 4 1/2 inches. (Round 8)

This is the square at 6 inches.  (Round 11)

The "No Holes" Sc Square - Free Pattern

Red Heart Super Saver yarn

I crochet hook

ch 2.

1- work 4 sc in the 2nd ch from hook.  join.  (4 sc)

2- ch 1.  work 3 sc in each sc around. join. (12 sc)

3- ch 1.  sc in same st.  work 3 sc in next st.  *sc in next 2 sts, 3 sc in next st.  repeat from * around.  sc in last st.  join.  (20 sc)

4- ch 1.  sc in same st and in next st. work 3 sc in next st.  *sc in next 4 sts, 3 sc in next st. repeat from * around. sc in last 2 sts.  join.  (28 sc)

5- ch 1.  sc in same st and in next 2 sts.  work 3 sc in next st.  *sc in next 6 sts, work 3 sc in next st.  repeat from * around.  sc in last 3 sts.  join.  (36 sc) 

6- ch 1.  sc in same st and in next 3 sts.  work 3 sc in next st.  *sc in next 8 sts,  work 3 sc in next st.  repeat from * around.  sc in last 4 sts.  join.  (44 sc)  [this is where it would measure 3 1/2 inches]

7- ch 1.  sc in same st and in next 4 sts.  work 3 sc in next st.  *sc in next 10 sts, work 3 sc in next st.  repeat from * around.  sc in last 5 sts.  join.  (52 sc)

8- ch 1.  sc in same st and in next 5 sts.  work 3 sc in next st.  *sc in next 12 sts, work 3 sc in next st.  repeat from * around.  sc in last 6 sts.  join.  (60 sc)  [this is where it would measure 4 1/2 inches]

9- ch 1.  sc in same st and in next 6 sts.  work 3 sc in next st.  *sc in next 14 sts, work 3 sc in next st.  repeat from * around.  sc in last 7 sts.  join.  (68 sc)  [this is where it would measure 5 inches]

10- ch 1.  sc in same st and in next 7 sts.  work 3 sc in next st.  *sc in next 16 sts, work 3 sc in next st.  repeat from * around.  sc in last 8 sts.  join.  (76 sc)

11- ch 1.  sc in same st and in next 8 sts.  work 3 sc in next st.  *sc in next 18 sts, work 3 sc in next st.  repeat from * around.  sc in last 9 sts.  join.  finish off.  weave in ends.  (84 sc)  [this is where it would measure 6 inches]

I really like this little square and I can see myself using it for many things.

DISCLAIMER:  As always, I'm sure someone else has posted a square very similar to this one.  If you have, I swear, I have not stolen your pattern.  However, if you contact me, I will post your link here on my blog directing my readers to your pattern.  

This pattern may be used to make and sell any items that you want.  However, please don't claim this pattern  as your own.  Please give credit where credit is due.  Thanks!  And I would love to see what all you make with these squares.