Monday, September 7, 2015

My First Pattern: The Comfy Throw



This pattern makes a blanket that is cozy and warm and airy enough to breathe. This yarn is soft, super easy care, and works up fast.

I improvised this blanket using a couple of the stitches I enjoyed using for making cowls over the winter months, using a super-soft yarn I had never used before (Bernat Blanket). I originally chained enough for it to match a much-loved baby blanket we had here, but as long as you chain it to an even number it can be as wide and as long as the lap you want to warm, the couch you want to cover, or the body you want to wrap...

Gauge doesn't really matter; nor does the hook. Using a 10mm hook makes the stitches much more open and airy than the 8mm, and I usually decide which hook I'm going to use based on the recipient.

Here’s what I do:

Ch to whatever length you desire: keep it even, Steven.

Row 1: hdc in second ch from the hook, hdc across to end, turn.

Row 2: ch 2, dc in the next st, dc in the first st (backtrack - in to the bottom of the ch 2), skip one st, dc in the next st, dc in the st you skipped (backtrack) and repeat. Dc in the last st, turn.

Row 3: ch 1, hdc in first st and every stitch across to end, turn.

Row 4 to infinity and beyond: repeat Rows 2 and 3. Finish on the row of hdc.

Finishing: hdc all the way around, with 3 hdc in the corners, for posterity’s sake.

The end.

Here is a close-up of what the pattern ends up looking like:



Every time I make one of these someone asks if they can have one too. I know it has a lot to do with the squishy comfy nature of this yarn...once you cuddle under it, you don't want to leave!

15 comments:

  1. So on the double crochet rows are you starting with 2 double crochet but ending the row with 1 and no backwards on the end. I think I am following the directions but ending with on side that is slowly getting longer

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  2. Yes, that's right about the end - you finish with one dc (no backtrack). But I suspect that the issue you are having is in how you are starting the row? I do a ch 2, then a dc in the next and then backtrack into the bottom of the ch 2 (so the ch doesn't count as a dc at all). That way there are no accidental increases and the sides stay even. I hope this helps!

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  3. Yeah my problem is the beginning and the beginning of double crochet are always starting on the same side since every other row is dc. I am doing it the way you say but it appears to be slanting outward on the side of the beginning dc. I wish I could post a picture. Thanks hopefully I can figure it out.

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    Replies
    1. How did it turn out, Karrie? Did your slants level out once the throw grew?

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  4. Can you possibly post a video on the start and stop of 2 rows?

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  5. How many rows makes a full size blanket

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    Replies
    1. It depends - My first one (bigger than a baby blanket, smaller than a throw) ate up 4 balls of the Bernat blanket. My latest - in a size meant for keeping someone cozy when watching tv (in between a throw and a twin bed size, approx) - was 70 rows when done. Hope this helps!

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  6. Lovely blanket! Yes, would like to know roughly how many skeins you used so I know to get the correct amt :)

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    Replies
    1. Thanks! I used about 6 balls for the bulk of it, and another one for the border.

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  7. Hi. Is this written in American or English crochet terms please?

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  8. Hi - love this pattern - can you tell me what this stitch is called? Am not sure if I am doing it correctly. Many thanks.

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