Moroccan Tiles

Here as promised is my full blog post

 about how I made this stunning

 Moroccan Tiles blanket.

I have used 1 each of the 8 colours for the tiles

dark brown, mocha, camel, parchment,

 copper, tomato, spice and gold.

(I apologise if some of you think the parchment

 looks like duck egg in the photos, it is not!)

The joining and border colour will be walnut, allow 4 balls.

You can buy this yarn

HERE

I have used a 3.5mm hook as this suits my tension.

 Some poeple use 4 or 4.5mm.

 It is recommended that you make a sample squares first to test your tension.

I have chosen to make 49 squares and arrange them in a 7x7 square,

 but you could also use 48 and make a 6x8 rectangular blanket.

I made 1 test square at the start, to familarise myself with the pattern,

 so I then needed to make 48 more.

 This works very nicely with 8 colours so I made 6 middles of each shade.

I am using the Willow Block from the book

200 Crochet Blocks by Jan Eaton.

She explains very clearly how to make it.

As usual I worked in a production line system.

 This organised method helps ensure

 an even balance of colour in the blanket.

 If you are not familiar with this method

 you can read an earlier post about how I plan colours

HERE

So when I sit down to crochet

 I grab 1 ball of yarn and 6 middles to be used.

This also makes it very portable and easy to pack in a bag for going out.

The 3rd colours are planned in the same way,

allowing 6 of each.

Each square will be unique using this method. 

They grow really fast and 

its easy to sew the ends in as you go.

Planning is my favourite part!

I love lining them all up on the table and choosing the next colours.

If you don't have the space to leave them out,

 then simply put each ball and pile of squares

 in separate plastic bags to keep them organised.

The addition of the 4th colour

 really makes them look like tiles.

The final task is to add an extra round in the joining colour walnut.

I did uk dc in each stitch with 3 in the corner. 

Choosing mugs to match my crochet is a pleasure of mine and

 has become my trademark, its something I do automatically!

The next part of the process is to

 lay them out on the bed for the joining arrangement.

 People always write and ask how I do it.

 Well there no secret really, 

I start with 1 of each colour in each row

and just use my eye to make sure neighboring squares are not too similar.

To join my squares I have crocheted them together

 from the back using UK dc through both loops.

 If you are not familiar with this method 

you can read my step by step tutorial

HERE

this creates a strong join

 which is smooth and flat on the front

 and has a ridge on the back.

Once the blanket is in 1 piece I add a foundation row to prepare it for the border.

For this I do a round of UK trebles.This makes the border deeper, 

but more than that, it allows me to straighten out the blanket edge.

 I always find that where 2 squares meet there is slight dip in the edge. 

When I make this foundation row I use a longer stitch at this point. 

So in the 2 corners of the squares I make double trebles,

 but I do half a double treble in the first corner and keep it on the hook, 

then half a double treble in the second corner,

 then pull the yarn through both together making 1 stitch.

 This removes a few stitches from the border helping it to lie flat.

My border is number 93 from the book

Around the Corner by Edie Eckman.

This is available in my shop

HERE

Don't worry if you don't have the exact number of stitches,

 needed for the border its very easy to adapt it.

 Crochet is very forgiving and you can easily add or remove a stitch,

 in the gaps in several patterns on the first row of the border.

I always wash my blankets when complete to help settle the joins.

 This has the same effect as blocking.

 Follow the instructions on the ball band.

 I was mine in the machine with my normal soap powder

 and fabric softener at 30 degrees.

 Then I tumble dry on LOW heat. 

This makes the yarn even softer and your blanket is ready to snuggle!

My finished blanket is 130cm /51 inches square.

I hope you have lots of fun making this blanket.

remember to share your photos as you make in the 

Facebook Group

we all love to see what you are doing!

My blanket is now stored ready to gift

and I'm off to start something new!

Have a lovely hooky weekend friends

Heather

X X X

Willow block help

I have made many willow blankets over the past few years

 and they never fail to delight !

There is something very special about this beautiful block

with its intricate lace detail and crisp corners

but sadly every time I post pictures

 I get flooded with requests for help

 and cries of despair from frustrated hooksters !

200 Crochet Blocks by Jan Eaton

The willow block is by Jan Eaton

 and is pattern 189 in the book 200 Crochet Blocks. 

It is a fabulous book with written patterns for 200 blocks

 that you can mix and match to make blankets

and I highly recommend it!

(this book is written in UK crochet terms)

I have chosen to make my squares in 1 colour only

 as I think it enhances the pattern.

 I have adapted the pattern

 and just keep working in 1 colour until finished.

So now to help the many of you who say they can't master

 round 4 ! Please note this is how I make my blocks. 

Other people may have interpreted the pattern differently, 

but this works for me !

This pattern is from a book

 so I will not post pattern details here just my hints and tips.

If you buy the book it is clearly written

 and with these extra photos I hope you will manage!

Rounds 1 2 & 3 

Check you have 48 trebles in round 3.

This is important!

48 divided by 4 = 12 stitches for each side

ready to start round 4 with 1 dc in 1st stitch

5 chain

now put your hook into the bottom chain

 and make a slip stitch

this forms a little 'ear'

make a slip stitch in 1st chain

Now this is where it may start to go wrong.

We are going to make the circle into a square.

So I find it helps to calculate how many stitches will be for each side.

48 divided by 4 = 12 stitches for each side of the square

slip stitch in 1st chain complete

next you must MISS 2 STITCHES

make 2 chain

then 1dc where the needle is

miss 2 stitches 

it will look like this

miss next 2 stitches chain 2 then dc where needle is

again miss 2 stitches chain 2

then 1dc

miss 2 stitches chain 3

then 1dc

miss 2 stitches chain 2

then 1dc

(each time we miss 2 stitches)

this completes 1 side of the square

you have used 13 stitches

1 side of the square

now you will repeat that little sequence

for the next 3 sides of the square

chain 5 then slip stitch into bottom chain

when all 4 sides are done

you will have 4 'ears' 

equally spaced in the corners

4 sides complete

now for round 5

slip stitch into next 5 chain space

this will be the first corner

continue from the book

slip stitch into 1st ear

If making in 1 colour

I begin round 6 where round 5 ends

to save breaking off the yarn.

I start with 7 chain

 (2 to replace a treble then 5 for the chains)

then 1dc 3 chain 1dc in the corner etc

willow square complete

Finally I add an extra round of dc

 to each square in my joining colour

making 3 dc in each corner stitch.

When calculating my squares

 I try to make an equal amount of each shade

to ensure an even balance

 but you don't need to be too fussy about this!

I lay them out like a Sudoku puzzle

 in a random arrangement but trying to get

 only 1 of each colour in any row or column!

This is great fun!

My favourite method of joining for these squares

is crocheting the squares together from the front

using UK dc through both loops.

This creates a really strong join

 with the ridge on the front.

First I join all the rows in 1 direction.

Then in the opposite direction.

You will find a detailed picture tutorial

HERE

My blankets are made in

Stylecraft Special DK

It is my favourite blanket making yarn

as it is soft and snuggly, very affordable,

 can be machine washed and tumble dried

 and comes in over 80 wonderful shades.

Crochet Borders

Finally to complete a blanket you need a border.

It is like a frame around a picture and sets it off !

My border comes from the book

 Around the Corner by Edie Eckman

I added 1 round of trebles first to add depth

then used border 93.

(do note this book is written using US crochet terms)

So there you are !

Easy when you know how ?!

I do hope this has helped the many of you who have written to me.

It is my pleasure

 as a teacher and crochet artist to share and encourage others.

However blogging takes much time when I am not making orders.

If you have been helped or inspired by my work

please consider a small donation to support my crochet journey.

You can do this by using the Paypal donation button on the sidebar.

Many thanks

and happy hookin!

Heather

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