Modern Crocheted Blankets, Throws and Cushions (UK) E-Book

Laura Strutt

• Herausgeber: CICO Books
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2018

Beschreibung

"Laura's Modern Granny Square Crochet and More and Modern Crocheted Shawls & Wraps are big favourites of ours." Inside Crochet Crochet these colourful and stylish home accessories with 35 patterns by young designer Laura Strutt, author of the best-selling Modern Crocheted Shawls and Wraps. Laura Strutt brings you a range of new designs for blankets, throws, and cushion covers. Divided by colour theme – Bright and Beautiful, Warm and Rich, and Neutral and Natural – with modern designs, there is something for every home, whatever your decorating style. Make a rainbow granny circle blanket using rich, bright yarns, or try a chunky striped throw in soft neutrals. A wrap-around granny square makes the perfect cover for a floor cushion, while block stitch shows off bright pastels in a square blanket. Patterns are graded so you can start with something simple if you are a beginner, or select something more advanced if you are skilled with a hook and yarn.

Leseprobe

MODERN

Crocheted

BLANKETS, THROWS & CUSHIONS

MODERN

Crocheted

BLANKETS, THROWS & CUSHIONS

35 colourful, cosy and comfortable patterns

Dedication

To Ethan Wolf – welcome to the pack Wolfie!

Published in 2018 by CICO Books

an imprint of Ryland Peters & Small Ltd

20–21 Jockey’s Fields, London WC1R 4BW

www.rylandpeters.com

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Text © Laura Strutt 2018 Design, illustration and photography © CICO Books 2018

The designs in this book are copyright and must not be crocheted for sale.

The author’s moral rights have been asserted.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher.

A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

ISBN: 978 1 78249 638 0

eISBN: 978 1 78249 776 9

Printed in China

Editor: Marie Clayton

Pattern checker: Jemima Bicknell

Photographer: Emma Mitchell

Stylist: Nel Haynes

Illustrator: Stephen Dew

Art director: Sally Powell

Production manager: Gordana Simakovic

Publishing manager: Penny Craig

Publisher: Cindy Richards

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

CHAPTER ONE

BRIGHTand Beautiful

RAINBOW MANDALA

CANDYFLOSS COLOURS

SUNNY SKIES

SALTWATER TOFFEE

SUNBURST SQUARES BLANKET

DIAMOND BRIGHTS

A STITCH IN TIME

DEEP PINKS AND BLUES

PICNIC TIME

CORNER-TO-CORNER COLOUR

NEON LIGHTS

ALL THE COLOURS MANDALA

CHAPTER TWO

WARMand Rich

DARK STAR

COUNTRY COLOURS

PURPLE PATCH

WINTER PANSIES

WAVES OF COLOUR

SPIKES AND STRIPES

BEEHIVE BLANKET

AUTUMN LEAVES

ORANGE JUICE

PARALLEL LINES

PRECIOUS METALS

CHAPTER THREE

NEUTRALand Natural

RIVERBANK BLANKET

FIRESIDE FRIEND

SUMMER BREEZE

EARTH TONES

SPRING CROCUSES

MERMAID MAGIC

VINTAGE LACE GRANNY SQUARES

DIAGONAL LINES

THE SEA AT NIGHT

MANDALA MEDITATION

SIMPLE STRIPES

BERMUDA TRIANGLES

TECHNIQUES

SUPPLIERS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

INDEX

INTRODUCTION

Crocheted blankets and cushions never seem to go out of style. Maybe it’s because we are often nostalgic for these colourful creations, or because there are so many possible variations. Whether you wrap a blanket around yourself on a cold winter evening, drape a throw over your favourite armchair or cuddle up to a handmade cushion, these crocheted creations are a hug that you can keep!

Growing up with grandmothers who both crocheted, I recall a colourful childhood of blankets on their sofas, cosy comforters for us, and even mini blankets for our dolls and teddies. Like me, many are touched by nostalgia when it comes to crocheted blankets, and many of the designs in this book are inspired by the traditional techniques favoured by my grandmothers. However, when the yarns and colours are carefully selected, crocheted blankets can also offer a boho style or even a modern geometric feel, giving them a wide appeal for a variety of personal styles. Many blankets, throws and cushions can be worked with the repetition of just a handful of stitches, making them ideal for novice crocheters looking to branch out. Others feature more complex colour and stitch techniques, which will give those with more experience a bit of a challenge.

Whether you are making something to give as a gift, or to keep and treasure for yourself, I hope that this collection of colourful and creative designs will inspire you, boost your personal passion for crochet and teach you a few new techniques along the way.

Happy crocheting!

Laura

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

Crocheted blankets, throws and cushions are fabulous projects to make, whether you want to update your decor, or to give them as gifts to be treasured.

This book offers a collection of 35 different patterns, which are ideal projects for discovering new techniques and building your crochet skills, whether you’re a seasoned crochet fan or a budding novice. You can also choose from larger scale designs that require a considerable time commitment, or opt for a more modular make, which you can work ‘on the go’ to fit into your personal schedule.

TIPS AND HINTS

● Blankets and throws are often very large makes. Not only does this mean that they are a commitment in time, but they can also be hard work on the wrists. Reduce the pressure and strain on your wrists by holding the weight of the project in your lap as you work. In addition, larger makes can be off-putting due to how time consuming they are perceived to be. You can always work on them in small, more manageable sections, focusing on one colour or strip pattern repeat per session, and enjoy the process!

● Or course, you may like to change the size of these blankets, making them larger or smaller to suit your requirements. For the most part these designs can be customised by increasing or decreasing the initial foundation chain or by working more or fewer rounds or rows. Just be sure to adjust the yarn quantities accordingly before you begin.

● Larger projects also use larger quantities of yarn, and it is always a good idea to make sure that you have enough yarn before you begin. Also, try to ensure that each ball in a bulk order comes from the same dye lot, as although the shade is the same, you will be surprised at just how much variation can occur from one dye lot to the next – and it can often be noticeable on a finished piece.

● You may prefer to work with a selection of yarns already available in your stash. Substituting yarns for those used in the patterns can be done quickly and easily: simply check the yarn details given in the projects and compare them to the yarn you wish to work with. You can always work a swatch to see whether you will need to size up or size down your crochet hook to match the tension guide.

● Some of the projects, such as the Vintage Lace Granny Squares (page 98) and the Purple Patch blanket (page 56) benefit from being blocked once completed. Blocking will bring the piece to the finished measurements and will help to make a real feature of fancy stitches. In projects like Deep Pinks and Blues (page 33) blocking each individual square before seaming will help the blanket to come together more neatly. Blocking can be done by soaking or spritzing with water and pinning out to the set dimensions to dry – you can buy purpose-made blocking boards or you can use foam mats or even a bed. You can also use the steam from an iron to help block pieces, covering them first with a pressing cloth to protect the fibres. Different yarns respond better to different methods of blocking – using the heat and steam from an iron can damage acrylic or man-made fibres.

● Some of the patterns in this book – such as Waves of Colour (page 62) and A Stitch in Time (page 30) – feature lots of colour changes, leaving lots of yarn ends to weave in. On larger projects like blankets, this can take a long time at the finishing stages, so try and hold the yarn against the work when you change colours, to weave in the ends as you go (see page 125).

YARN

Blankets and throws can be made from any yarn you like – you can work with anything from hand-dyed yarns from indie spinners, mainstream brands, yarns from your existing stash or even repurposed yarns from old handknits! Of course, all different yarns will have different properties and finishes, which will have an impact on the final pieces. You may prefer to select natural fibres for small babies and children, machine-washable yarns for items you expect to have heavy use, and sumptuous blends of silk or alpaca for extra special gifts.

Alongside the composition of the fibre, the weight of the yarn will affect the finished piece too. Lightweight yarns will be much more floaty than the dense fabric created by using chunkier yarns,

A full description of the yarns – brand, style, fibres, length per ball, weight per ball, shade and amount needed – is included in each of the patterns in this book, to make it easy for you to recreate these designs at home. However, you will also find information on the tension for the project. This will not only help you achieve the look and measurements of the pieces by helping you to select the correct crochet hook to match the tension, but is also useful should you want to make a yarn substitution. The closer the yarn is in composition, style and weight to the yarn listed, the closer to the finished piece the make will be.

With larger makes, like blankets, it is often the case that these are worked on for a while then put away in favour of other makes, before being revisited. While this is often a great way to work on large-scale projects, it is wise to store them in a suitable manner. A sealed box or even a zip-lock bag will keep them away from dust and dirt, and also prevent them getting snagged or damaged while you aren’t working on them. Storing them with some dried lavender will give your WIP a fresh scent and ward off moths in the process! You may want to keep a note of the crochet hook used (if not storing it with your project) so that you won’t create any variations in tension by returning to work on a project with the incorrect hook.

EQUIPMENT

Crochet hooks: The patterns in this book indicate the size of hook to use with the yarn listed for the project. You can adjust these where necessary to accommodate yarn substitutions, or to adjust your tension. How you hold your hook is a matter of preference – left-handed or right-handed, some like to hold their hook in a pencil-grip, while others prefer to hold it in their fist like a knife. There is no right or wrong way, as long as you are able to move your wrist freely and can comfortably work neat and even stitches. See page 115 in the techniques section for further guidance.

Locking stitch markers: These can be put in position to indicate the start of a round or the position of an increase or decrease, and you can move them on as you start the next round or row.

Tapestry and yarn needles: These are used to secure the ends of the yarn at the start and end of the project and also where changing colours. For heavier weight yarns, try using a split-eye needle or even a small crochet hook to secure in the ends neatly.

Sewing needle and thread: Handy to have for securing buttons or other fastenings to finished makes.

Tape measure: Always useful for checking tension swatches and finished sizes when blocking.

Rust-proof pins: For holding your project in shape while blocking.

SKILL LEVEL

Each project includes a star rating as a skill level guide and you will find the project includes the techniques listed below:

••• Projects for first-time crocheters using basic stitches with minimal shaping.

••• Projects using yarn with basic stitches, repetitive stitch patterns, simple colour changes and simple shaping and finishing.

••• Projects using a variety of techniques, such as basic lace patterns or colour patterns, mid-level shaping and finishing.

ABBREVIATIONS

alt

alternat(e)ing

approx.

approximately

BLO

back loop only

ch

chain

ch sp(s)

chain space(s)

cm

centimetre(s)

cont

continu(e)ing

dc

double crochet

dc2tog

double crochet 2 stitches together

dec

decreas(e)ing

dtr

double treble

FLO

front loop only

foll

follow(s)ing

g

gram(mes)

htr

half treble

in

inch(es)

inc(s)

increase(s)

m

metre(s)

mm

millimetre(s)

oz

ounce(s)

patt

pattern

rep

repeat

RS

right side

sl st

slip stitch

st(s)

stitch(es)

sp

space

tr

treble

tr2tog

treble crochet 2 stitches together

yd(s)

yard(s)

WS

wrong side

yrh

yarn round hook

[ ]

work section between square brackets number of times stated

*

asterisk indicates beginning of repeated section of pattern

CHAPTER ONE

BRIGHTand Beautiful

RAINBOW MANDALA

CANDYFLOSS COLOURS

SUNNY SKIES

SALTWATER TOFFEE

SUNBURST SQUARES BLANKET

DIAMOND BRIGHTS

A STITCH IN TIME

DEEP PINKS AND BLUES

PICNIC TIME

CORNER-TO-CORNER COLOUR

NEON LIGHTS

ALL THE COLOURS MANDALA

RAINBOWMandala

This large lap blanket is a colourful take on a traditional granny design. Worked to create a giant circle, the vibrant pattern repeats play up the boho style.

SKILL RATING: •••

MATERIALS

Stylecraft Special DK (100% acrylic, approx. 295m/322yd per 100g/3½oz ball) DK (light worsted) weight yarn:

1 ball each of shades:

Silver 1203 (A)

Pomegranate 1083 (B)

Spice 1711 (C)

Saffron 1081 (D)

Lime 1712 (E)

Aster 1003 (F)

Magenta 1084 (G)

Violet 1277 (H)

Cream 1005 (I)

4mm (US size G/6) hook

Yarn needle

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Finished blanket is 145cm (57in) in diameter

TENSION (GAUGE)

First 3 rounds measure 9cm (3½in) in diameter.

ABBREVIATIONS

See page 9.

For the blanket

Using a 4mm (US size G/6) hook and yarn A, make a magic ring.

Round 1: Ch3 (counts as 1tr throughout), 1tr into the ring, [ch1, 2tr into the ring] 5 times, ch1, join with a sl st in 3rd of 3-ch. Six 2-tr groups.

Round 2: Sl st in next st, join in yarn B, sl st in ch sp, ch3, (1tr, ch1, 2tr) in same sp, *ch1, (2tr, ch1, 2tr) in next ch sp; rep from * to end of round, ch1, join with a sl st in 3rd of 3-ch. Twelve 2-tr groups.

Round 3: Sl st in next st, join in yarn C, sl st in ch sp, ch4 (counts as 1tr and ch1 throughout), 3tr in next ch sp, *ch1, 3tr in next ch sp; rep from * to end of round, ch1, 2tr in same ch sp as first sl st, join with a sl st in 3rd of 4-ch. Twelve 3-tr groups.

Round 4: Join in yarn D, sl st in ch sp, ch3, 2tr in same sp, *ch1, 3tr in next ch sp; rep from * to end of round, ch1, join with a sl st in 3rd of 3-ch.

Round 5 (inc): Join in yarn E, ch4, *(3tr, ch1, 3tr) in next ch sp, ch1; rep from * to last ch sp, (3tr, ch1, 2tr) in last ch sp, join with a sl st in 3rd of 4-ch. Twenty-four 3-tr groups.

Round 6: Join in yarn F, sl st in ch sp, ch3, 2tr in same sp, *ch1, 3tr in next ch sp; rep from * to end of round, ch1, join with a sl st in 3rd of 3-ch.

Round 7: Join in yarn G, ch4, 3tr in next ch sp, *ch1, 3tr in next ch sp; rep from * to last ch sp, 2tr in last ch sp, join with a sl st in 3rd of 4-ch.

Round 8: Join in yarn H, sl st in ch sp, ch3, 2tr in same sp, *ch1, 3tr in next ch sp; rep from * to end of round, ch1, join with a sl st in 3rd of 3-ch.

MAKE IT YOURS/ This blanket is made with a rainbow-striped design; alternatively you can work in colour blocks, but be sure to adjust yarn amounts accordingly.

Tip

The increases are worked every 5th round, and 12 groups will be added on each increase round. Keep track of the row count so as to not lose your place in the pattern.

Round 9: Join in yarn I, ch4, 3tr in next ch sp, *ch1, 3tr in next ch sp; rep from * to last ch sp, 2tr in last ch sp, join with a sl st in 3rd of 4-ch.

Round 10 (inc): Change to yarn A, sl st in ch sp, ch3, 2tr in same sp, *ch1, (3tr, ch1, 3tr) in next ch sp, ch1, 3tr in next sp; rep from * to last ch sp, ch1 (3tr, ch1, 3tr) in last ch sp, ch1, join with a sl st in 3rd of 3-ch. Thirty-six 3-tr groups.

Round 11: Change to yarn B, ch4, 3tr in next ch sp, *ch1, 3tr in next ch sp; rep from * to last ch sp, 2tr in last ch sp, join with a sl st in 3rd of 4-ch.

Round 12: Change to yarn C, sl st in ch sp, ch3, 2tr in same sp, *ch1, 3tr in next ch sp; rep from * to end of round, ch1, join with a sl st in 3rd of 3-ch.

Cont in patt as set, rep colour block patt of yarns A to I until 6 full colour reps have been worked in total and at the same time working inc round every 5th round [working one more 3tr group between (3tr, ch1, 3tr) increases on every inc round]. One hundred and thirty-two 3-tr groups.

Change to yarn A, work one more inc round as set. One hundred and forty-four 3-tr groups.

Change to yarn I, work 2 rounds in patt as set.

FOR THE BORDER

Round 1: Using a 4mm (US size G/6) hook and yarn A, 1dc in each tr and ch sp to end, join with a sl st in first dc. 576 dc.

Round 2: 1ch (does not count as st), 1dc in each dc to end, join with a sl st in first dc.

Fasten off.

Making up and finishing

Weave in all ends and block as desired to neaten.

CANDYFLOSSColours

This striking pattern is created with the simple repetition of two rows of stitches – alternating between three colours gives it a bold, modern finish.

SKILL RATING: •••

MATERIALS

Lion Brand Pound of Love (100% acrylic, approx. 932m/1019yd per 454g/16oz ball) Aran (worsted) weight yarn:

1 ball each of shades:

Pastel Blue 106 (A)