Kizzy Blanket - FREE PATTERN

Evening! I thought I'd post the pattern for Kizzy tonight rather than waiting until the weekend. Why? Well....because tomorrow I'm heading down to Harrogate to meet up with my Tribe! Yup....tis that time of year again when all the Scheepjes bloggers meet up and then Yarndale! . Sadly, Christa won't be joining us this year....we'll miss you 😘....but I do get to finally meet Matt, Christina and Rachele! I cannot wait. Nothing has been packed....in fact some clothes are still drying!!! Think it's going to be a mad morning dash!
Ok down to business....

Let's get going and make a Kizzy Blanket!!!

There isn't a step by step tutorial for this blanket but there ain't anything too complicated so don't stress. If you get stuck with a stitch, go check out youtube! Esther (It's all in a Nutshell) has some fabulous stitch tutorials. You can find her channel HERE.

INGREDIENTS

Scheepjes River Washed Yarn (50g balls)

943 Mekong x 5 balls

962 Narmada x 2 balls

961 Mersey x 2 balls

944 Nile x 2 balls

956 Avon x 2 balls

955 Po x 2 balls

952 Rhine x 2 balls

954 Congo x 2 balls

957 Eisak x 2 balls

958 Tiber x 2 balls

946 Mississippi (does anyone else chant that rhyme when spelling this?!) x 2 balls 

3.5mm hook

4.5mm hook (for the main joining)

Scissors

Darning needle (to weave in those pesky ends!)

Blocking board/mat and pins

Plastic safety pins (optional)

Gin (oops!)

The finished blanket measures 115cm wide and 155cm long.  It weighs 1014g (how precise!!)
HOW TO....
Ok first think is to put the 5 balls of Mekong to one side. We will use that for the joining and border.  You are permitted to keep taking it out of the bag and admire the gorgeous colour....obviously! And maybe a little stroking and sniffing.....but NO DROOLING! It spoils the yarn!
First you will need to make lots and lots of granny squares. 124, 3-round squares (which will make 31 larger squares when joined together) and 32, 6-round squares. I have worked every round in a different colour, chosen at random. 
*Written in UK Terms*
Abbreviations
ch - chain dc - double crochet tr - treble crochet htr - half treble crochet trcl - treble cluster slst - slip stitch st - stitch rpt - repeat ch-sp - chain space sk - skip dtr - double treble

Basic Granny Square Pattern
 Using a 3.5mm hook, chain 4 and slip stitch into the last chain. Round 1 ch3 (counts as first treble), work 2tr into ch ring, ch2, *3tr into ch ring, ch2 rpt from *twice more. slst into 3rd chain. Fasten off.  Round 2 Using different colour yarn join in any corner and ch3, 2tr in ch-sp, ch1, *(3tr, ch2, 3tr) in next ch-sp, ch1. Rpt from * twice more. 3tr in last corner space, ch2 and slst into 3rd chain. Fasten off.   Round 3 Using different colour yarn join in any corner and ch3, 2tr in ch-sp, ch1, 3tr in next ch-sp, ch1, *(3tr, ch2, 3tr) in next ch-sp, ch1, 3tr in next ch-sp, ch1. Rpt from * twice more. 3tr in last corner space, ch2 and slst into 3rd chain. Fasten off.  
This is your small 3 round square finished. Weave in ends...do it now or you'll regret it later! Now make 123 more!!!

To make the 6 round squares just work another three round in this fashion. Working 3 trebles into the chain spaces along the sides and 3 trebles joined with a 2 chain in the corners. Don't forget to chain 1 between the trebles. It'll help you squares lie flat. You need to make 32 of these. 
Now you have all of your squares made you need to block them. 

Block the small squares to 3 inches and the big squares to 6 inches

(my homemade blocking board is covered in inch gingham so it makes it really easy to measure!)

Blocking really does make a difference!
Joining
Ok, we are going to use 2 different joining techniques.  For the small squares we are going to join them so the join is almost invisible. 
With right sides together, using a 3.5mm hook and yarn that matches one of the squares, join in one of the corner spaces. Double crochet, chain 3, double crochet in the next chain space, chain 3, double crochet in the next chain space, chain 3 and then double crochet in the corner. Fasten off.  Repeat this process with another 2 squares and then join them both together using the same method.

The back should look something like this...

And when you flip it over, it should look like this. Weave in ends. 
Once you have joined all of the little squares together you are ready to think about placement and joining. 

I made myself a chart to work out where I wanted my squares to go...

And then laid them out on the living room floor. I also took photos at this point (my cats take great pleasure in knocked over carefully made piles of squares!!!) and then piled them up in rows.
I've joined the squares using a zipper join. It's fiddly but gives a lovely neat appearance.  Dedri has a fab tutorial HERE for this method. 
Join all of the squares using Mekong yarn and a 4.5mm hook. It's important to move up hook size (or two) for this process otherwise your squares may not lie flat. 

Joining the first row is always tricky. The squares have a tendency to flap round! This is where those little plastic safety pins come in handy. Secure the corners together as above and that should keep everything in place. 

(If you are right handed you will start joining from the top left hand corner. Left handers will start from the bottom right hand corner!)

Ok now continue joining all the vertical rows and then the horizontal ones. 

Then, using a 3.5mm hook, work a row of double crochet around the edges working one double crochet into each stitch, one into the chain space and joins and one into each corner. Fasten off. 

It should be looking something like this....

Ready to make the fancy pants border???!!!

(Don't worry...it's not that tricky!)

Here's where I confess to forgetting to take photos after each border round.

*SORRY!*

Border Instructions

Round 1 Using Mekong and 3.5mm hook work a round of htr with (htr, ch2, htr) in the corner stitches. Fasten off.

Round 2 Join in first st of edge. ch1, dc in first st, *ch3, sk3 st, dc rpt from * along edge to corner (NB you will probably have to only sk2 at one point along the edges), work (dc, ch2, dc) into corner ch-sp. Continue around the blanket and join with a slst. Fasten off. 

Round 3 Join in first dc of an edge. ch3 (counts as first tr of cluster) and continue to work the trcl in dc, ch3, trcl in dc. Rpt to corner. (ch2, trcl in ch-sp, ch2) to make corner. Repeat around. Slst into top of first cluster. 

Round 4 ch1, dc in first st, ch3, dc in top of trcl, ch3. Repeat all the way around the blanket and join with a slst into first dc.

Round 5 ch1, dc in first stitch, in next dc work (tr, ch1, tr, ch1, tr, ch1, tr) dc in next dc. This makes a fan shape. Repeat along each edge until you get to the corners. the corners are as follows: (working into the corner trcl, tr, ch2, dtr, ch3, dtr, ch2, tr) dc in next dc. Continue around and slst into first dc. 

Round 6 ch 3 (counts as tr), into centre chain of fan from previous round work (tr, ch1, tr, ch1, tr, ch1, tr), tr in dc of previous round. Repeat along edge. Into corner ch-sp work (ch1, tr, ch1, tr, ch1, tr, ch1, tr, ch1, tr, ch1. Continue around blanket and finish with slst into 3rd chain.

Round 7 ch3 (counts as tr) ch1, *tr in next st, ch1. Rpt from * all around blanket and join with slst.

Round 8 ch1, dc in first st. dc in every dc and ch-sp around blanket. At the centre chain space of the fan work a chain instead of a dc to give a nice peak. slst in first stitch and fasten off. 

Weave in ends.

Now you are ready to block the blanket to make that border truly sing!

I've very firmly pinned my blanket out on the play mats I use for blocking larger projects....

Making sure that the corners are nicely defined. 

Ok so that's it! Now you should now have a lovely Kizzy blanket of your own.

Hopefully next time I'll have some pics and gossip from Yarndale!

Do drop by the Scheepjes stand (B16) and say hello if you're attending!

Til next time x

Granny Squares = Lots of Tails

Do they ever end???!!!! I'm making great progress on my Granny Square blanket, but boy! there are an AWFUL LOT of little ends to weave in. Seriously. A lot. 

This little lot is just from 20 squares. There are way more squares in the blanket. 

Sheesh!!

BUT...and it's a big but (not quite as big as my butt though!!!) I am seriously in love with this blanket. It's also the first truly random blanket I've ever made. Normally I do controlled random in that I'm a bit of a control freak when it comes to colour. 

This time I've thrown caution to the wind and have just gone with it. 

If you remember from the last post, I chose 11 colours in the gorgeous Scheepjes River Washed yarn. 

I've used 10 in the squares and the remaining colour will be used for joining and the border.

I've made lots of the little centres with each colour and then have pulled colours randomly to make the next 2 rounds. 

I love how the colours play against each other. It makes my heart sing, all of those rich colours nestled up against each other. 

I've got a healthy pile of squares now! These are the blocked ones. 

And some in the blocking process. I use a homemade blocking board that is covered in inch square gingham. Makes it so much easier than having to measure them out!
OK....now a word on blocking. I'm like a broken record on this topic! Blocking really does make a huge difference to your finished project. It gives it a professional finish and the fabric drapes much better when blocked. Don't believe me?

Check out this picture of a blocked and unblocked square sitting next to each other!

Bit of a no brainer really!!!

On account of there being soooo many squares to make for this blanket, and I also work full time, I haven't quite got to the joining stage to share with you this weekend. I'll post another update next weekend. I'm going to use 2 different joining techniques for this blanket. Nothing too complicated so it'll be a great beginner project!

Til next time x

Dot - free blanket pattern and tutorial

Hello! Today I'm going to talk through the making of Dot step by step. It's a nice and easy pattern for beginners and experienced hookers alike.  If you don't need step by step help, please feel free to skip to end where there's a written motif pattern for you 😊

It's made from Scheepjes Colour Crafter which is 100% premium acrylic and is available in 100g balls. A blanket designed to be easy care. My blanket is a cot sized blanket (34"x48") but you can easily make more squares to increase the size.

Ok let's get started!

Ingredients

Scheepjes Colour Crafter in the following colours:

Sint Niklaas x 2 balls

Malmedy x 1 ball

Den Helder x 1 ball

Bastogne x 1 ball

Terneuzen x 1 ball

Wilnis x 1 ball

Knokke x 1 ball

Charleroi x 1 ball

4mm crochet hook

Scissors

Darning needle to weave in ends

Blocking board and pins

How To

(We are working in UK English crochet terms)

Please bear in mind that I am left handed when looking at the photos 😉

Begin with your chosen coloured yarn. 

Make a magic circle (I always wrap my yarn around my fingers twice to make a secure circle)

Round 1. Working into the circle, chain 3 to make your first stitch and then work another treble crochet and chain 1. Next work 2 treble crochet stitches and chain 1, repeat this 6 more times so that you end up with 8 sets of 2 treble crochets separated by a chain stitch. 

Join with a slip stitch into the third chain of your first stitch. Now pull the tail of your magic circle tight. 

Round 2. Slip stitch into the next chain space to get you into the starting position for this round. Now we are going to make some treble clusters into the chain spaces made in the previous round. The first cluster is made slightly differently as we need to make the first stitch. Chain 2 to make the first stitch, yarn over hook and insert into the chain space, pull through 2 loops, repeat this twice more (you should have 4 loops on your hook) yarn over hook and pull through all 4 loops and chain 3. Yarn over hook and insert your hook into the next chain space, pull through 2 loops. Repeat this 3 times. You will have 5 loops on your hook (see photo above). Yarn over hook and pull through all 5 loops, chain 3. Repeat this 6 more times.

Join with a slip stitch to the first cluster.

Round 3. In this round we are going to make some puff stitches. A little fiddly but effective!

Slip stitch into the next 3 chain space. Yarn over hook, insert into the chain space and pull through, repeat 4 times so you will have 11 loops on your hook (as in photo above),  yarn over hook and pull through all 11 loops....this is the tricky bit!

It should like the photo above!

Now secure this by chaining 2. Work a double crochet into the top of the next cluster and chain 2. Make another puff stitch into the next chain space, chain 2 and double crochet into the top of the next cluster, chain 2. Repeat this for the rest of the round.

Join with a slip stitch. Fasten off yarn.  Don't worry if your circle curls up a bit at the edges, that will settle when we work the next round. 

Round 4. With the grey yarn, join in any 2 chain space. Chain 2 (counts as first half treble crochet) and work 2 more half treble crochets into the same chain space. Into the next 2 chain space work 3 half treble crochets. It should look something like the photo above. 

To  make the corner, into the next chain space work 1 half treble, 1 treble and 1 double treble, chain 1 and move onto the next chain space. Into that space work 1 double treble, 1 treble and 1 half treble. Your corner should look like the photo above!

So continue to work 3 half trebles into the next 2 sets of chain spaces and then make a corner as before. 

It should look like this! Fasten off and weave in the ends. 

So that's how you make the squares. 

For a cot sized blanket measuring approximately 34"x48" I made a total of 117 squares which when blocked measured 4" each. 

I made 17 squares in each of 5 colours and then 16 in the last 2 colours. 

Next step is to block your squares. I pinned mine to my blocking board and then gave them a good soaking with the spray gun!

Joining

Lay your squares in the order that want them to be joined. 

(Mine are unblocked for this tutorial!)

Next place right sides together and work a double crochet in the corner chain space. Chain 3 and work a double crochet in the space between the next set of 3 stitches. Repeat this to corner space. Instead of fastening of pick up your next pair of squares and repeat the process.

You should end up with a row of sets of squares joined like this although yours will be longer! Continue joining your squares like this. So on the next row you will be adding 1 square at a time to the 2 already joined if that makes sense?

You'll end up with rows of horizontal joins. Joining by using this method cuts down on joining and fastening off and ultimately doesn't have so many ends to weave in which is always a bonus!!!

Once you have made all of your horizontal joins you can start on the vertical joins using the same method.

It should end up something like this on the reverse..... 

And this on the right side! I don't weave my ends in at this point as I find it much neater to weave them into the border stitches but it's entirely up to you. 

Border

I have opted for a very simple border of linen stitch. Using the grey yarn, start by joining into a corner chain space, work a double crochet, chain 3, double crochet into the corner space, chain 1 miss 1 stitch and double into the top of the next stitch. Continue along each edge in this pattern and work a double, chain 3 double into each corner space. Join with a slip stitch. You may have to fudge a little for the first round 😉 On the next round you are going to make your double crochets into the chain spaces and a double, chain 3 double crochet into the corner spaces. Work another round in the grey and finish by working the final round in one of the colours. Fasten off and weave in your ends. 
TADA!!! Your blanket is finished!

Motif Pattern

UK English terms.

Using one of the coloured yarns, make a magic circle.

Round 1. Ch3 (counts as first tr) tr into circle, ch1, *2tr, ch1. Rep from * 6 times. Join with slst in 3rd ch of 1st st. 

Round 2. Slst into ch-sp. Ch3, 3trcl, ch3, *4trcl, ch3, rep from * 7 times. Join with slst.

Round 3. Slst into next ch-sp. *Puff st in ch-sp , ch2, dc in top of cluster, ch2. Rep from * 7 times. Join with a slst. Fasten off yarn. 

Round 4.  Using grey yarn join into any ch-sp. Ch2 (counts as htr for this group of htr only) 2htr into ch-sp, 3htr into next ch-sp, (htr, tr, dtr) in next ch-sp, (dtr, tr, htr) in next ch-sp (corner made) Rep around motif. Join with slst. Fasten off yarn. 

Weave in ends and block to 4" square. 

Joining and border made as above. 

Hope you find my instructions useful. 

Enjoy!

Til next time x