A few months ago, I actually cannot remember when! I started a gorgeous crochet sunflower blanket designed by Amy Solovay. I had searched the internet to find a sunflower blanket pattern for my daughter. Amy’s pattern was perfect. It was simplistic yet detailed. The 3D effect gave the square an additional element of intrigue. I had many questions of “how did you make the square like that”.
Though many patterns came close, they lacked the design style that Amy’s pattern had. They had too many steps or to complicated to achieve the flower look. The beauty about Amy’s pattern is that you could crochet as many or as little squares that you wanted. You could make a blanket, a pillow, a handbag or even place mats or coasters. The pattern is centered on making one square so that you can adapt it to what ever you want. I will be making some place mats and coasters as well to go along with this housewarming gift for my daughter.
And now finally I am at the stage or joining the squares and watching the blanket take shape! I can’t wait to finish this blanket, its going to be so beautiful. A field of sunflowers set in a beautiful crisp white cotton. I used Four seasons Brighton for this blanket as I found it was the perfect combination of softness and sturdy enough to hold the stitches.
I will put the link to Amy’s pattern below as I have been asked many times for the pattern. Thank you for following along on this journey with me. Catch up with you all next time.
I am still working on the stash buster granny square blanket and the Tunisian crochet block sample blanket.
Granny squares are a great way to use up left over yarn or odd colours. You can put whatever combination you like. YouTube and Tiktok or Pinterest have a vast array of ideas and patterns to choose from.
I have gone with a combination of granny squares and more solid squares. A mix of small and large squares. This gives the project an interesting look and vibrance. Also the mini squares work perfectly for small amounts of yarn you have left.
The Tunisian crochet blanket is coming along well. I have finished block 5 and commenced block 6.
Block 5 and Block 6
Block 5 is a diagonal texture stitch made up of a knit stitch and Purl stitch in alternating blocks to give a texture affect. Block 6 shows you how to add a second colour and introduces the slip stitch into the body of the crochet item instead of just casting off at the end.
I found this block difficult to start with as I couldn’t find how to do the slip stitch. I was lucky to find a tutorial on YouTube which helped and I was able to continue with the pattern.
So far this is my favourite block. The pattern is from a book called Tunisian crochet from absolute beginners to advanced, written by Dijana Warrender. It’s available on Amazon
Well that’s it for this week. Thank you for reading my posts as always. For those who celebrate I wish you all a merry Christmas and to everyone a happy new year.
When I first started to learn Tunisian crochet I really was horrible at it and thought there is no way that I am going to get the hang of this. I am glad I stuck it out and kept going until I really did get it.
There are so many more forms of crochet I would love to learn still, so far out of what I have learnt this is my favourite.
I have been working on a blanket inspired by a design from crochet designer Dijana Warrender from the book Tunisian Crochet from absolute beginner to advanced.
It’s in 100% cotton using a 4.5mm Tunisian crochet hook. I love the simplicity of this blanket and at the same time the intricate basket weave pattern.
I can’t wait to finish this and continue on this wonderful crochet journey. What is your favourite type of crochet.
Thank you as always for reading my posts. Catch up with you all soon.
Recently I wanted to learn a new form of crochet – Tunisian crochet – Its been on my to do list for a long time and finally I am able to have a chance to learn this exciting new craft. Its basically a combination of knitting, crocheting and weaving using a long crochet hook to catch the stitches and creating a number of different types of stitches. Its amazing how many different stitches you can make using this method.
Quite simply you start by making a chain as you would in normal crochet, then you turn the chain to the back and you will notice a ridge between each chain. Insert your hook into the ridge and yarn over and pull through. Instead of completing the stitch you leave it on your hook. Repeat this for as many chains you have made. This is equivalent to your foundation row in normal crochet. Then you complete what is called the “return pass” you yarn over and pull through one loop, yarn over again and pull through two loops on your hook, continuing yarning over and pulling through two loops until you get to the end. And basically that’s it. Simple and quick to start!
I bought a book on Amazon called Tunisian Crochet from absolute beginner to advancedwritten by Dijana Warrender. Its an amazing book and as suggested in the title, it is quite suitable for a beginner. It details what equipment you need to start as well as how to complete each type of stitch and as I have stated above it teaches you how to start each block. It has a number of gorgeous projects to complete using the stitch library, including a sample blanket with each square dedicated to the stitches you have learnt as well as a mobile phone case, fingerless gloves, bath mat and so much more. You will definitely be able to use your new skills in these projects. I have started on the sample square blanket and I am also making another baby blanket using the pattern for the bath matt. Below are blocks 1-3 of the sample blanket.
Block 1
Block One
Block one teaches you how to combine colours and and also some of the basic stitches. It looks complicated but once you master the art of changing colours you will enjoy making this square. The colour combinations are endless. I chose to use white, caramel and beige to compliment my living area.
Block 2
Block 2
Block 2 is a gorgeous basket weave pattern using two alternative texture stitches. When using one colour texture stitches are great to add detail and interest to the square.
Block 3
Block 3
Block 3 continues the theme of changing colours with each row using a simple stitch and what is called a reverse stitch. With the simple stitch you pass the hook through the front of the post in each chain and the reverse stitch you grab the back of the post in each chain. Similar to front post/back post in normal crochet. This creates a “3D” effect. This works well with contrasting light and dark colours.
Baby Blanket
Basket weave pattern baby blanket
This is actually a pattern for a bath matt, a customer of mine loved the pattern so much she asked if I could make a baby blanket using the same pattern. This blanket is in 100% cotton using a gold thread. It will be available for sale in the Asiki store in Erskineville Sydney, later this year.
And there you have it for now. A little look at what I have been making so far. I really like learning this form of crochet and can’t wait to learn more. What’s your favourite type of crochet? Thank you as always for reading my posts. Have a wonderfull day!
Vicky
Please note with the links I do not make any money from them, I have included them in case you are interested in reading further on the products or suppliers I have noted.
