Do you want a cake with that crochet?

Hi

If you're in the UK you'll know the 'Duck' weather's pretty much settled in - at least for a couple of weeks. 

There's nothing for it, best to stay in and make stuff, interspersed with tea and cake.  In fact, if you're really dedicated to this approach, make the cake too. 
This is where I would post the photo of the rock cakes I made this weekend ... but we've eaten them!  We don't mess about, we're throwing ourselves into this, proper commitment is what you need!

Sam left the following comment after my last post and rather than just email her an answer I thought I'd stick the reply here :)

On the subject of crochet - can you recommend a nice,

easy crochet blanket pattern?

A friend of mine wants to make one for her first

grandchild, due early next year.

 

 

Obviously this is just my opinion but I've taught a few people to crochet this year and these are some of the patterns I've made, or the other beginners have had a go at, with pretty good results.  Here are 4 that are really easy and look lovely.

 

Most importantly, your friend really needs to sign up for Ravelry Sam, then she's good to go ...

 

 

This is the Tiramisu Baby Blanket by Alicia Paulson -
beautifully modelled by my god daughter's little boy.

The pattern is a free download on Ravelry.
The pattern recommends worsted weight yarn - I used double knit with no
problems - I just used an appropriate size hook.

It's handy if you don't know if the baby is a boy or girl because you
can make the blanket in a neutral colour and add the
ribbon of your choice at the end.

Note - the pattern is written in US crochet terms so 'sc' is UK double crochet -
and that's pretty much what you use all the way through - very simple!

 

 

This is Elmo guarding the beginnings of a Ripple Baby Blanket,
the pattern is from the brilliant Lucy of Attic 24 link here.

I have made this pattern a couple of times - funnily enough on the
second occasion for the little chap above - once he'd outgrown his baby Tiramisu
I made a Ripple for his cot.

The pattern is a bit more complicated but, once you get going, has
a real rhythm to it and is interesting enough to not get boring.
The first one I made had 4 colours and a set repeat,
the second was random - both looked fab.

Lucy explains it expertly on her blog, with a detailed
photo tutorial.
This pattern uses UK crochet terms.


 

Kenzie's Ultimate Ruffle Edged Crochet Baby Blanket

I don't have a picture of this one - and I don't want to copy the photos on Ravelry but it's worth popping over to have a look.

 

My DD is making this at the moment, it's only the third things she's

crocheted and it's looking really lovely.

 

The pattern is free - written in US terminology.

It's really repetitive and grows fast.

 

My DD is using Hayfield Baby Change DK

I don't usually pick variegated yarn but this looks
super crocheted up and makes a very
simple pattern look more complicated than it is
which is really satisfying for a beginner.

 



Bobble Stitch Blanket

You can find this pattern at Tales From Cuckoo Land blog, here.

 

I've made this before, and my DD has too - frankly no idea why we don't

have a photo. 

 

It looks far more difficult than it is - basically you're working

UK double crochet and then just adding bobbles which are

super easy once you try them - and beautifully

explained in the tutorial.

 

 

The really important thing is the yarn.  I don't think there's any point in being a yarn snob for baby blankets - they are going to be put through all sorts and will need to be washed regularly and dried fast.  On that basis I would use acrylic yarn every time. 

 

The following is just my opinion, for what it's worth:

 



Just a snapshot of my Stylecraft Special DK stash :)



 

I started using Stylecraft Special DK (as recommended by Lucy above) and it's brilliant stuff and comes in a huge range of colours.

 

I don't have a local stockist that has more than a few of the colours available so I order mine from Masons - I've always had really good service from them and their prices are good and P&P reasonable.

 

Hope that helps

 

Jacq

x