Ila Quinn Designs

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The Marvelous Crochet Blanket:

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I’ve been thinking about the #DecemberMAL for so long I can hardly believe it’s finally time!
It started when Kaelyn of iiiwind said she wanted to make a blanket after school ended for the semester!

I was like “Yes, genius! Let’s all make a blanket!”

I was told very sweetly by other makers that not everyone has a deep desire to make a whole blanket in the last 30 days of the year. So I opened up the choices! One other brave soul made a lapghan that has my texture loving heart swooning, I have 2 makers who designed hats for the MAL, one who designed the CUTEST seasonal coasters, two who very sweetly added textured and amazing scarfs to the list, and one very ambitious lady who made a whole cardigan!

I would not be detoured from my chosen course! And the Marvelous blanket was stitched lovingly and with great anticipation!
If you follow me on Instagram you know that yesterday, this blanket didn’t have a name. I knew it would come to me, I just had to wait! Shout out to my Digital artist for bringing up M words that lead me to the right place!

When I was designing this blanket I wanted to be very careful to play to the strengths of the yarn. Homespun is the acrylic version of a single ply. It’s fluffy and bumpy and can make gorgeous textures. But if you aren’t careful it can be easy to lose stitches or not know where to insert your hook.
I tested hook sizes, stitches, and so many different combinations until I found the stitches that were easiest with this yarn!

I use a much larger hook than recommended to make it easier to see the top loops. The hook actually wants to go into the correct place with this method!

Next, I wanted to be sure the Stitches worked well with the yarn!
I use several methods to accomplish this. Contrast in the stitches that are being worked over each other, good use of spaces and posts, and not to busy. You want to keep it workable and not overload your eyes trying to find the correct loops!

For this Pattern you will need:

1400 yards of level 5 bulky weight yarn.

I used 8 skeins of Homespun: 3 in Black (A), 1 in Lagoon (B), 1 in Forest (C), 1 in Colonial (D), 1 in Waterfall (E), 1 in Hepplewhite (F).

A 9mm hook or size needed to obtain gauge.

Measuring tape
Tapestry needle
Scissors
Blocking mats and needles (optional)

Stitches:

CC = Color Change
Ch = Chain
BpDc = Back post Double crochet
Dc = Double crochet
FpDc = Front Post Double Crochet
Sc = Single crochet
Sc-Blo = Single crochet Back loop only
Dc-Blo = Double crochet Back loop only
Tr-Blo = Treble crochet Back loop only
Tr = Treble crochet
Sk = Skip
Sl St = Slip Stitch
Yo = yarn over

Special St:

B-St = Bobble St:
1: Yo, and insert hook into the St indicated.
2: Pull up a loop, pull through 2 loops.
Repeat steps 1 & 2 four more times.
3: Yo, pull through all 6 loops on hook.
Continue with pattern as indicated.

Gauge:
9 sts by 6 rows in Dc = 4” blocked.

Notes:
If using alternate “Ch 1, Dc” Ch 1 at the beginning of rows does not count as st.
Border is worked with the body of the blanket. Each block is worked in a different St pattern along the same number of Sts, with the border rows remaining consistent along the edges and between sections.
[ ] indicates repeat.

Begin pattern:

Block 1:

Row 1: With A, F-Dc 96, turn. 96

Row 2-3: With A, Fl-Dc (alternately, Ch 1, Dc) in the first St, Dc in each St across, turn.

Row 4: With A, Fl-Dc in first St, Dc 4, with B, Ch 1, Sk 1, [Dc 4, Ch 1, Sk 1] across until 5 Sts remain, with A , Dc 5, turn.

Row 5: With A, Fl-Dc in first St, Dc 4, with B, Ch 1, Sk 1, FpDc 4, Ch 1, Sk 1, [BpDc 4, Ch 1, Sk 1, FpDc 4, Ch 1, Sk 1] across until 5 Sts remain, with A, Dc 5, turn.

Row 6: With A, Fl-Dc in first St, Dc 4, with B, Ch 1, BpDc 4, Ch 1, Sk 1, [FpDc 4, Ch 1, Sk 1, BpDc 4, Ch 1, Sk 1] across until 5 Sts remain, with A, Dc 5, turn.

Row 7: With A, Fl-Dc in first St, Dc 4, with B, Ch 1, Sk 1, BpDc 4, Ch 1, Sk 1, [FpDc 4, Ch 1, Sk 1, BpDc 4, Ch 1, Sk 1] across until 5 Sts remain, with A, Dc 5, turn.

Row 8: With A, Fl-Dc in first St, Dc 4, with B, Ch 1, Sk1, FpDc 4, Ch 1, Sk 1, [BpDc 4, Ch 1, Sk 1, FpDc 4, Ch 1, Sk 1] across until 5 Sts remain, with A, Dc 5, turn.

Row 9: With A, Fl-Dc in first St, Dc 4, with B, BpDc 4, Ch 1, Sk 1, [FpDc 4, Ch 1, Sk 1, BpDc 4, Ch 1, Sk 1] across until 5 Sts remain, with A, Dc 5, turn.

Rows 10-15: Repeat Rows 7-9 twice.

Row 16-18: With A, Fl-Dc in the first St, Dc in each St across, turn.

Block 2:

Row 19: With A, Fl-Dc in first St, Dc 4, with C, Sc in next 2 Sts, [Sk 2, 5 Tr in next St, Sk 2, Sc] across until 6 Sts remain, Sc, with A , Dc 5, turn.

Row 20: With A, Fl-Dc in first St, Dc 4, with C, Tr in next St, 3 Tr in next St, Sk 2, Sc, [Sk 2, 5 Tr in Sc, Sk 2, Sc in third Tr] across until 9 Sts remain, Sk 2, 3 Tr in Sc, Tr in next St, with A, Dc 5, turn.

Rows 21-28: Repeat Rows 19-20 four times.

Row 29-31: With A, Fl-Dc in the first St, Dc in each St across, turn.

Block 3:

Row 32: With A, Fl-Dc in the first St, Dc 4, with D, Tr in next St, Dc, [Sc 2, Dc, Tr, Dc] across until 9 Sts remain, Sc 2, Dc, Tr, with A, Dc 5, turn.

Row 33: With A Fl-Dc in the first St, Dc 4, with D, Sc-Blo in next St, Dc-Blo, [Tr-Blo 2, Dc-Blo, Sc-Blo, Dc-Blo] across until 9 Sts remain, Tr-Blo 2, Dc-Blo, Sc-Blo, with A, Dc 5, turn.

Row 34: With A, Fl-Dc in the first St, Dc 4, with D, Tr-Blo in next St, Dc-Blo, [Sc-Blo 2, Dc-Blo, Tr-Blo, Dc-Blo] across until 9 Sts remain, Sc-Blo 2, Dc-Blo, Tr-Blo, with A, Dc 5, turn.

Rows 35-40: Repeat Rows 33 & 34 three times.

Row 41-43: With A, Fl-Dc in the first St, Dc in each St across, turn.

Block 4:

Row 44: With A, Fl-Dc in the first St, Dc 4, with E, [Tr, Sc] across until 5 Sts remain, with A, Dc 5, turn.

Row 45: With A, Fl-Dc in the first St, Dc 4, with E, [Ch 1, Sk 1, Sc in the top of Tr] across until 5 Sts remain, turn.

Row 46: With A, Fl-Dc in the first St, Dc 4, with E, [Tr into the top of Sc, Sc into Ch Sp] across until 5 Sts remain, with A, Dc 5, turn.

Rows 47-54: Repeat Rows 45 & 46 four times.

Row 55: With A, Fl-Dc in the first St, Dc 4, with E, [Tr into the top of Sc, Sc into the top of Tr] across until 5 Sts remain, with A, Dc 5, turn.

Row 56-58: With A, Fl-Dc in the first St, Dc in each St across, turn.

Block 5:

Row 58: With A, Fl-Dc in the first St, Dc 4, with F, Dc in each St across until 5 Sts remain, with A, Dc 5, turn.

Row 59: With A, Fl-Dc in the first St, Dc 4, with F, Dc in next 5 Sts, [B-St, Dc 10] across until 10 Sts remain, Dc 5, with A, Dc 5, turn.

Row 60: With A, Fl-Dc in the first St, Dc 4, with F, Dc in each St across until 5 Sts remain, with A, Dc 5, turn.

Row 61: With A, Fl-Dc in the first St, Dc 4, with F, Dc in next 10 Sts, [B-St, Dc 10] across 5 Sts remain, with A, Dc 5, turn.

Row 62-65: Repeat Rows 58-61 once.

Row 66: With A, Fl-Dc in the first St, Dc 4, with F, Dc in each St across until 5 Sts remain, with A, Dc 5, turn.

Rows 67-69: With A, Fl-Dc in the first St, Dc in each St across, turn.

Clip yarn and pull through.

Weave in all ends securely.

Lightly block to finish measurements.

You did it!!! Now Squish that gorgeous blanket and make a celebratory beverage!!!

December Make Along: Interview with Sydney @Sydney.Victor.Creations

All the links in this post will go directly to the content of the person I am interviewing! Please explore their content and follow along through their various sites, shops, and emails for more amazing patterns and more!

If you click any of the photos it will take you directly to that pattern or product!

When did you start crocheting, and why?

“I started crocheting about 5 years ago. I was in school for fashion design and was always drawn to the style of crochet!”

What are your favorite items to create?

“I love creating cardigans because they are so cozy and can be worn all year round. I love creating bikini sets with lace designs because I find that style so stunning.”

Tell us about a design you are particularly proud of, and what sets it apart from the crowd?

“I absolutely love my crochet pajama set I made last year. I combined my love with lace with my love for comfort by creating this set out of Bernet Velvet yarn paired with a thin lace trim!”

Will you show us your contribution to the December MAL!

Tell us a few features of this design and what you love about it?

“This Cardigan features a beautiful color pallet that makes it stand out! It consists of DC’s, Tr’s and chain stitches to give it a really unique pattern. I love the coziness of the Bernet yarn for this pattern.It is designed to be oversized and to drape on the body nicely like a warm hug.”

Do you make other things besides yarn art? What are your hobbies or other products in your business?

“I also sew. I love creating coats, hoodies, jumpsuits! My goal is to one day replace all of my clothes in my closet with my own personal made collection ♡.”

Tell me something about you that you want other people to know, or that you wish more people understood?

“The reason I crochet is because it brings me inner peace. When ever I am crocheting I feel so calm. It’s like the whole world is on pause! I love the therapeutic benifits of this craft and I am so grateful to be apart of a community that can relate to this ♡.”

Will you show us a few of the things you have designed or made?

Make sure to follow Sydney on IG and check out her Ravelry for the Cozy Cardigan!!!

December Make Along: Interview with Teresa @FuzzyWhatKnots

If you click any of the photos it will take you directly to that pattern or product!

When did you start crocheting/knitting, and why?

“My grandmother taught me to crochet when I was 7 and it just kind of stuck with me. There was a long period in my late teens/ early 20s that I didn’t as much but I picked it back up around 30 and have been crocheting basically every day since. I taught myself how to knit when I had my daughter about 5 years ago out of determination to finally do it. You ask why…I say why not 😆”

What are your favorite items to create and why?

“Hmm, that’s a tough one. I’m very fond of 1 skein projects so hats, socks but I’m not actually sure if I have a favorite.”

Tell us about a design you are particularly proud of, and what sets it apart from the crowd?

“I’d say my Advent shawl, which is unreleased at the moment. It’s my biggest design to date and a lot went into it for many months. I think its unique approach to basic stitches is what sets it apart.“

(I had the great pleasure of testing this pattern, and I have to agree! It’s so unique and fun to make!)

Will you show us your contribution to the December MAL!

Tell us a few features of this design and what you love about it?

“This is a really beginner-friendly pattern. It’s a basic k1,p1 rib for the entire body with a different take on the crown than normal. It takes less than 1 skein of DK weight yarn (which I love) and because of its elasticity it can fit most adult-sized heads.”

Do you make other things besides yarn art? What are your hobbies or other products in your business?

“I dye wool and cotton yarn for a living but besides fiber art, I enjoy sewing although I don’t get to do it as often as I would like.“

I had the great joy of collaborating with Teresa on my Cross Stitched Beanie. Her yarn is amazing, and she dyes with such care and attention to stitchers!

Look around Teresa’s shop and pick up some gorgeous yarn and knit patterns!!! Make sure to come back and tell me what you got! I have been working on my Fuzzy What Knots yarn collection, and I’m probably not going to quit.