RETURN FROM DOWNUNDER

I am back...

Last cuddle with CC

from down under...  

Crochet Baby Blanket RAINBOW

Last minute DOT crochet...  yes that's right just one week before my flight to Oz I decided to make another baby blanket for my daughter's first born.

QUICK PROJECT
I decided to make it easy on myself and just get something out fast and the only way to do that was to follow Helen Ardley's pattern for a "Snuggle Blanket".

I found the pattern in her book "Cute Crochet for Tiny Tots"... this book was available in my local KENT library.

The pattern is written for Rowan Wool Cotton using a 3.5mm hook; and the measurements are 42 x 58cm (16.5 x 22.25in).
Basically it is a small blanket and made with a Rowan yarn I had already used for my other baby blanket (which I will talk about in another blog soon)....  and I wanted this blanket to be different.

YARN CHOICE
I decided to use up my stash of Bendigo Woollen Mills "Cotton 8ply"... a few years ago Bendigo carried a range of colours in this beautiful soft cotton... and of course I managed to purchase at most 2 x 200g balls in each colour.... so obviously I had a good range of colours to choose from... hence the 12 colour blanket.

Unfortunately today the same colours are no longer available; however they still provide a nice selection of 10 colours... check it out here.

IN LOVE WITH BENDIGO
From the first time I used this cotton yarn I fell in love with it... it is just so soft... and at the time when I started using the yarn there was no other yarn on the market that even came close to the softness of this cotton yarn by Bendigo Woollen Mills.

You may know this yarn by it's other name "HEIRLOOM" Cotton 8ply which is available in 50g balls.

However, buying direct from the mill is a more economical purchase and you get the bonus of 200g balls which are perfect for larger projects.

RAINBOW BLANKET
Materials:  Heirloom/Bendigo Cotton 8ply in 12 colours
I used my stash of 200g balls in each colour.
If you use 50g balls I estimate approximately 1 to 1.5 x 50g balls of each colour; depending on size of blanket, and your tension/gauge.
Hook:  4mm
Size:  86.4 x 86.4cm (34 x 34in) (excluding the edging)
Tension/Gauge:  2.5 fans/shells over 10cm (4in)
The pattern is written in British Crochet terms, but it is easy to follow and easy to convert to US Crochet terms.

and there you have it... a "simply perfect" colourful baby blanket in rainbow colours... and what's even better is .... you can wash this cotton blanket in the washing machine... on a quick gentle wash... so perfect for new mums who may not have the time to wash by hand.

All you have to do is head off to your local library and borrow the book or purchase your own copy... the book includes a good number of easy crochet projects for your baby and toddler... and all worth trying...  I myself may have to revisit this book.... I enjoyed this blanket project so much and managed to complete it very quickly... estimate about 20hrs total from start to finish... and that includes 1hr of hiding yarn ends.

GO FOR IT... GIVE IT A TRY... YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED...

Ciao, Ciao...  

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Crochet PATTERNS Drought

NO CROCHET BLOGS FOR A MONTH !

yes I have been too busy crocheting to blog

the month of May was here and now it is gone.

June is upon me 

AND my suitcase is packed for my trip "DOWN UNDER"

for the birth of my first grandchild

I am so excited... woo hoo!

however that's a story for another time,

right here and now let's focus on the crochet!

Month of May was consumed by "secret squirrel" crochet 

for DMC Creative World 

which I can't tell you about until it is published.

AND crocheting for my daughter's first baby, 

WHICH IS yet to be born 

and hopefully it will wait until I arrive. LOL

Naturally, I can't show you what I've crochet for her either

because I want it to be a surprise for her first

so you will have to wait patiently  

for the blog revealing my crochet surprise

end of June.  

Of course, once all these crocheting projects were finished, 

I managed to finish some other projects I had to put aside.

AND NOW I can START TO SHARE with you

Firstly, another one of my favourite 

the "PERFECT MAN" beanie

TRICKSTER Crochet Man Hat

SIZES:  ADULT MEN - S/M/L

SKILL LEVEL:  EASY - INTERMEDIATE

DESCRIPTION:
• Simply perfect crochet hat designed for the man/men in your life. 
• Beanie style with a texture stitch creating an art deco design in the fabric.
• Texture stitch adds extra warmth and elasticity to the fabric of the hat.
• 3D illusion
• Masculine
• Unisex
• Perfect for autumn walks in the woods or along the seafront.

YARN:  
Debbie Bliss Luxury Donegal Tweed Aran - 85% Wool 15% Angora;   OR any other similar yarn

TECHNIQUES USED:  Front and back post double crochet.

TRICKSTER Crochet Man Hat Pattern 

is available from 

Craftsy          Ravelry

you can shop at your convenience in your favourite store.

Ciao, ciao... 

I am off to enjoy the rest of my day before I fly out this evening, then I will be off-line until I land at the other end 

Tuesday morning Brisbane time. woo hoo!