My Crofter Blanket

It seems a good few weeks now

 since the first excitement of starting my colourful Crofter squares.

 They have now been edged and joined with cream

 and the blanket finished off with a deep straight border.

I was inspired by the lovely blanket made by
Anita Mundt
and have made my own version here

So here as promised is how I made my

 Crofter Blanket

it has 81 squares and measures approximately 115 x 115 cm

Yarn

 7 balls of cream Sirdar Snuggly DK

8 balls of Sirdar Baby Crofter DK

2 Elsie

2 Kaitlyn

2 Mimi

2 Maypole

you can buy the yarn
HERE

(Edit :: Elsie has now been discontinued, but can be replaced by Winnie) 

I am using a 3.5mm hook and UK crochet terms,

 for American terms you will find a conversion chart HERE

The Solid Granny Squares

Round 1 ~ Make a magic loop, you can follow a tutorial HERE

Round 2 ~ 3 chain 2 trebles, 2 chain

* 3 trebles 2 chain *

repeat from * to * twice

slip stitch into top of 1st 3 chain 

      

Round 2 ~ Make 3 chain for 1st treble then

 1 treble into the top of each treble of previous round

In each corner make 2 trebles 2 chain 2 trebles

So each side of round 2 has 7 trebles when complete

Round 3 ~ Make 3 chain for 1st treble then

 1 treble into the top of each treble of previous round

In each corner make 2 trebles 2 chain 2 trebles

So each side of round 2 has 11 trebles when complete

Round 4 ~ Make 3 chain for 1st treble then

 1 treble into the top of each treble of previous round

In each corner make 2 trebles 2 chain 2 trebles

So each side of round 2 has 15 trebles when complete

I made 10 squares from each 50g ball so that made 80 squares in total.

 This would make a rectangular blanket 8 x 10.

 I fancied a square blanket though

 and had enough yarn to make 1 more square 

giving me 81, which made a 9 x 9 arrangement.

If you missed the original blog post

 about the making of the squares you can read it HERE

The squares were all edged in cream and the ends sewn in.

If you missed the previous blog post about edging 

you can read it HERE

To join my squares I worked from the back

 using dc through both loops

This makes a good strong join

 and creates a nice neat look from the front

You can read last weeks blog post about the joining method

 HERE

With the blanket now in 1 piece it was time for the border.

After much procrastinating and trials of several borders,

 I finally decided (with the help of my Instagram friends)

 that the joy of this blanket is the colourful squares.

 The purpose of a border is to frame

 and in this case

 it must not detract from the beauty of the squares.

So

and I kept it simple

 with a continuation of the same rows of trebles into each stitch.

To help the border lie flat

 I did 2 trebles then treble 2 together 

all the way round on my 1st round of the border.

 This decreases the stitch count and removes any frillyness.

I am totally in love with my finished Crofter Blanket 

and it is already feeling very much a part of Patchwork House!

This yarn has been a delight to work with.

 Its is smooth and slightly finer than most DK

 creating beautiful stitch definition.

The colours in the Baby Crofter are stunning making every stitch a joy.

This blanket is a keeper and will become a family treasure.

I hope you have enjoyed the watching

and maybe fancy having a make yourself?

Happy hookin!

Heather

 X X X

Hot Water Bottle Love

At this time of year

 Patchwork House turns into a hot water bottle production line!

 Oh these little bottles of colour have proved to be

 sooooo popular!

red 

yellow

 pink

 green

 orange

cream

 or

 blue 

I make them with stripes

in pretty bright colours

man colours

rainbows

and traditional granny squares

in girly colours

bright colours

pastels

deep colours

all with coordinating buttons

flowers are popular too

but my new favourite is this

narrow stripes

with many colours and stitches

inspired by the 

as we go stripey blanket!

I'm always being asked for the pattern but sadly it's still in my head!

There is a task for another day to write it up . . .

 maybe when I've had enough of making them Ill sell the pattern!

Well keep warm my dears!

February is nearly half way through . . .

I do hope you are enjoying the lighter days.

School closes on Valentines Day

 for our much needed half term holiday

 and I am looking forward to being Mrs Patchwork Heart

 for a whole week!

See you then!

Heather

x x x

Life at Patchwork House

Welcome to Patchwork House!

I am forever changing things around

and thought you might like a tour . . . . .

I love to make

cosy corners

colourful displays

comfy seats

My treat on a Friday

is to buy myself flowers for the weekend

because

I survived the week

I want to indulge myself for the weekend

and I'm worth it!

Time for me

is sitting cosy

amongst

patchwork quilts

and crocheted cushions

I love upcycling

and you will find many things in my home

made from recycled clothes

I collect jugs

and in summer fill them with

garden flowers

My love of all things Cath

is taking over lately!

I am blessed

to have a new husband and 3 children

I love to bake for them

and make a welcoming home

Happy weekend friends

enjoy your home making

Heather

✿♥