Friday, March 15

Granny Blanket How-To


You wanted it, you got it, folks! I'm back with my hexagon granny blanket how to. As I may have mentioned, I lost the pattern for this blanket years ago. I swear that it was in an old "Crochet!" magazine, but I can't find it and the internet has failed me. So I inspected the pieces I made years ago and played a bit until I figured it out. My new pieces are still different, but that's because when I started this blanket I had no knowledge of the magic circle and my tension left a lot to be desired. 

Above is the "evolution of a granny square!" Hah, get it? It shows each round and what pieces look like when they're joined. I'm using a J hook because I know that's what I used initially, but if I were to start again I'd probably use an H hook.

*Note: I found it easiest if I left a long tail at the beginning of each round as well as at the end so that I could really weave the ends in well with a yarn needle.

Using worsted weight yarn in the color of your choice, make a magic ring. Chain 3 (counts as one double crochet), and do 11 double crochets into the ring. Join to the top of the chain 3 with an invisible join, and pull the circle tight. Weave in your ends with a yarn needle. (this is a sea penny... and I love them!)

With worsted weight yarn in a second color, start with a standing stitch (a double crochet) in one of the stitches from the previous round. Double crochet again in the same stitch, chain 1, and do 2 more double crochets in the same stitch. Skip one stitch. In the next stitch, do 2 double crochets, chain 1, and 2 more double crochets. Repeat around! Join to the top of the first stitch with an invisible join or a slip stitch. Weave in your ends with a yarn needle. Each of the six chain spaces will serve as a "corner."

With a third color, start with a standing stitch in one of the spaces of the previous row. You can start wherever you'd like, but in each chain space (corner) you will do 3 double crochets, 1 chain, and 3 more double crochets. In each space between the double crochet clusters of the previous round (the sides), do 3 double crochets. Join to the top of the first stitch with an invisible join or a slip stitch. Weave in your ends with a yarn needle. Again, the six chains will serve as the corners. 

I mentioned that I am using the "join-as-you-go" method on this blanket. Basically, before finishing the third round of each hexagon, you will crochet it into the blanket, replacing each chain or space with a slip stitch into the spaces of adjacent hexagons. There is a much better explanation over at Attic24

I hope this made sense. It's really more of a tutorial than a pattern... To review, here are the basics: 
  • Round 1 - 12 dc
  • Round 2 - {2 dc, 1 ch, 2 dc} in every other st around = 24dc, 6ch
  • Round 3 - {3 dc, 1 ch, 3 dc} in every corner space, 3dc in every side space = 54dc, 6ch

Well... What do we think? Is this something you'd try out? 

Also... Would anyone be interested in a "how to crochet" series? Something going over the basics? 
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6 comments:

  1. This is absolutely great!!

    Love it!

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  2. Wonderful! Fabulous! Excellent job! Love this! If I ever get spare time again, I'm going to try this! I have so much spare yarn! I"m sure I could make a blanket! LOVE IT! Way to go girl! Great tutorial!

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  3. Oh, it's growing! I haven't tackled a granny square blanket yet, but I want to. You can have so much fun with colors on these. Thanks for the tutorial! :)

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  4. I would totally be into a crochet series and I would love to see video tutorials! I saw this on my Bloglovin feed and freaked out :) How many different yarn colors do you recommend? I really just love how it turned out.

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    1. Thanks so much Kimberly!! I've noticed readers saying things like, "if only I knew how to crochet," so I thought maybe that would be beneficial! And really, I can always use the practice myself. :)

      Honestly, I'm not sure how many colors I'm using exactly. My mom and I are major yarn hoarders, and have managed to purchase literally every color of Lion's Brand Vana's Choice yarn over the years, so I'm using some of each skien. I believe there are around 30+ colors, but making new, attractive color combinations is getting challenging! ;) Thank you so much for the sweet compliment! ♥♥♥

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  5. I would use the how-to tutorials! I can't read this yarn lingo :(

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Thank you so much for your interest in my post! I'd love to hear your thoughts. :)