Building Blocks Blanket

Look what I just found on the Crochet Today website!! I love this sweet little blanket!!

Building Blocks Blanket

Free Crochet Pattern - Bunny Slope Snuggly

It's finished!! Thank all of you so much who helped me along this designing journey!! The Bunny Slope Snuggly crochet blanket pattern is now available! As soon as I get it up on my website, you should be able to download the PDF copy there. But until then, here is the pattern and there is a PDF download link at the end of the post.

Please let me know if you find any problems as the pattern has not been "officially" tested. And as usual, please respect my copyright. Happy Crocheting!


Bunny Slope Snuggly

By Jennifer J. Cirka/Jaybird Designs

Materials

Bernat Cotton Tots, Worsted, 100% cotton, 171 yards, 100g - Color Berry Blue. 3 skeins
Bernat Cotton Tots, Worsted, 100% cotton, 171 yards, 100g - Color White. 2 skeins
Size 10 Crochet Cotton thread. Color White
7-1.5MM steel crochet hook
I/9-5.5MM crochet hook
J/10-6MM crochet hook
Yarn needle

Finished Size

One size

Gauge

10 dc x 6 rows = 4” wide

Pattern

Row 1: With larger hook and Blue, ch 102. Change to smaller (I) hook and working in back hump of ch, dc in 4^th ch from hook. [dc in next 5 chs, dc2tog over next ch and third ch (skipping 2^nd ch in group). Dc in next 5 chs, (dc, ch1, dc) in next ch.] 6 times. Dc in next 5 chs. dc2tog over next ch and third ch (skipping 2^nd ch in group). Dc in next 5 chs, 2dc in last st. Ch2, turn.

Row 2: Dc in first st (do not skip the first st) [dc in next 5sts. Dc2tog over next st and third st (skipping 2^nd st in group). Dc in next 5 sts, (dc, ch1, dc) in next ch-1 sp.] 6 times. Dc in next 5sts. dc2tog over next st and third st (skipping 2^nd st in group). Dc in next 5 sts, 2dc in turning ch. Ch2, turn.

Row 3-7: repeat row 2

Row 8: Change to white and repeat row 2.

Row 9: Dc in first st (do not skip the first st) {[Ch1, sk next st, dc in next] 2 times. Ch1, sk next st, dc2tog over next st and third st (skipping 2^nd st in group). [Ch1, sk next st, dc in next] 2 times. Ch1, sk next st, (dc, ch1, dc) in next ch sp.} 6 times. [Ch1, sk next st, dc in next] 2 times. Ch1, sk next st, dc2tog over next st and third st (skipping 2^nd st in group). [Ch1, sk next st, dc in next] 2 times. Ch1, sk next st, 2dc in turning ch. Ch2, turn.

Row 10-12: Repeat row 2.

Row 13: Repeat row 9.

Row14: Repeat row 2.

Row 15-21: Change to blue and repeat row 2.

Row 22-28: Change to white and repeat rows 8-14.

Row 29-35: Change to blue and repeat row 2. Finish off and weave in ends.

Snowflake Pattern (make 11, or as many as desired)

Round 1: With smallest hook and thread, ch4. 15dc in first ch. Join with sl st to 4^th ch of beg ch-4. (16dc)

Round 2: Ch4. (Dc, ch1) in each st around. Join with a sl st to 3^rd ch of beg ch-4. (16 dc, 16 ch-1 sps)

Round 3: Sl st in first ch sp, *ch5, sl st in next ch-1 sp. Ch3, sl st in next ch-1 sp. Repeat from * around ending with a sl st in first ch sp. (8 ch-5 sps, 8 ch-3 sps)

Round 4: *Sc in ch-5 sp. (Ch3, sc, ch5, sc, ch3, sc) in same ch-5 sp. Sc in next ch-3 sp. Repeat from * around. Join with a sl st to first sc. Finish off leaving a long tail for sewing.

Finishing

Sew snowflakes onto blanket as desired. Be sure to tack down all points.

Copyright

This pattern is for personal use only. You may not reproduce, transmit, or distribute this pattern in any form without author consent. This consists of ALL parts of the pattern including, but not limited to, images, diagrams, and text. You may print out copies for your own, personal use, but they cannot be distributed for free, sale, or through any form or any venue, including, but not limited to, photocopying or other electrical or mechanical means, recording or any other information storage and retrieval systems. All violations of this copyright are punishable by law and include fines and/or imprisonment.

© Copyright 2009, Jennifer J. Cirka/Jaybird Designs. All rights reserved.

You can now download the PDF version here:
download now

The Final Steps

Well, I am onto the final steps of my pattern writing for the ski themed blanket. Pictures have been taken and I get to deliver the blanket to my friend this afternoon. Turns out her cousin had a boy last week, so the blue will be perfect!!

I usually like to send my items off to a professional photographer for the pictures, they just turn out so much better! But since I need to keep this one close, I had to do the pictures myself.

My next step is to tech edit the pattern. I have a wonderful tech editor who usually does this, but she is busy right now. So it looks like I will be spending my day doing it. Sometime I even send the patterns out to be tested by trusted friends, but since this one is so easy, I decided to test it myself by making another blanket for my charity group.

I think I have decided to call it the Bunny Slope Snuggly.

Once it is all finished, I will send it off to be downloaded into my website and then post it to the blog. I really hope you all like it! I think it turned out super-cute and it really works up quickly. I think I made mine in about 2 days! It's a little on the small side, but perfect for draping over a car seat or stroller!

OK...back to work I go!

Name That Blanket - Update

I've gotten some really good suggestions for blanket names. Here are a two that I really like:

*Bunny Slope Snuggly
*First Tracks Blankie

Keep the ideas coming!! Today I hope to get some good pictures to use with the pattern and do some pattern testing.

Shouldn't be long now! I hope to be able to release it next week!

Name That Blanket!

Well, here it is! A sneak peek at the ski themed baby blanket. Now for what I consider the hardest part of designing....coming up with a name!! UGH!! It's always so frustrating!! And I am not a creative name maker...if it was up to me it would be called something simple and descriptive like Ripple Snowflake.

So, since I've had all my readers help since the start, it's time to help for your help again. What would YOU like this baby blanket to be called??

I can't wait to share the entire thing with you!! Soon.....

Ski Blanket Update

OK, it looks like style A won so I went shopping today for yarn! Even though my friend really wanted a bamboo yarn, I couldn't find any that I wanted to use. Most of them were hand wash only....and for a baby blanket...NO WAY! Then, the ones that I found which were machine washable, I just wasn't thrilled with the color choices.

So....I chose a super soft cotton that I think will work GREAT!! It's Bernat Cotton Tots in Blue Berry and White.

Then I played with some swatching and think I have a ripple design I like. Here is the sample swatch pic. It needs a little tweeking and I think I will add one more solid row between the lattice row. Also, I'm thinking that the blues will be all solid (so I can attach the snowflakes) and the whites will have the lattice rows. So each color section will have 7 rows...wich should give me a width of around 30".



Now it's time to work on some math to get the length I need. Ok, time to get to work! Wish me luck!

Sketch Inspiration

Well, it occurred to me today...

"Why don't I let my readers help me with the design of my ski themed blanket? And while I'm at it, I might as well write up the pattern and offer it for FREE to all my wonderful readers?"

So, what do you think? LOL!!

This weekend I came up with two design sketches. I'm going to let you all vote on which one you would like to see become my next free crochet pattern. Vote over on the left and I'll keep voting open until I get the chance to go yarn shopping this week.

For more info on what is going on, check out these posts:
Ski Inspiration
Yarn Inspiration

Blanket A:
*Rectangular blanket in a ripple design similar to the snow picture
*Thick vertical rows of blue and white stripes with white snowflakes sewn on the blue sections


Blanket B:
*Rectangular blanket done in a simple textured stitch with strips of single crochet near the top and bottom with white snowflakes sewn on
*all done in blue

OK...so go and vote! Also, feel free to leave me any comments!

Yarn Inspiration

OK, so upon talking to my friend about the Ski Themed Baby Blanket, she has given me free reign to create what I want!! Yippee and Blah!! LOL!!

Yippee because I get to play...make what I want...get creative without boundaries.

Blah because I now have no direction and have a few ideas floating around in my head!

So, I guess my next step is yarn. I know my friend really likes the new bamboo yarns....but unfortunately it is hard to find locally. It looks like these will be my choices (as long as my local shop has a decent selection of them!)


First we have the Naturally Caron Spa yarn. I really like this yarn and have used it before. I'm just not sure that the Berry Frappe is the color I want.

My local high-end yarn store has this little baby called Eden in Royal. Very pretty....and on sale for $3!! But how many of these little balls of yarn will I need to make the blanket??? And do they have enough of the same dye lot in stock?? I'm guessing NO since it is on sale...
Now, the last time I was at Hobby Lobby, I saw this yummy yarn by Patons called Silk Bamboo!! It has some pretty shades of blue....but is not machine washable. I don't think that will work for a baby blanket! BUT.................
According to their website, they have a baby version that is machine washable! SCORE!! But does my Hobby Lobby or Michaels carry it???

Looks like I may need to do some shopping!!!!! Does anyone have any experience with these yarns?? If so, I'd love to hear your opinions. Or do any of my readers have any other suggestions for yarns that I may be missing?

Ski Inspiration

So, a wonderful friend of mine has commissioned me to create a one-of-a-kind and very unique baby blanket for her cousin's new baby. It seems that the mom-to-be is a die hard downhill skier and my friend would love to have the blanket reflect that. OH....and they do not know the sex of the baby even though he/she is due to arrive in about 2-3 weeks!

Well, I'm not a skier! Tried once and failed miserably! And yes, I do live in Colorado! LOL!!

So I need some inspiration. Upon searching the web I came across these photos and below them I will tell you what runs through my mind about a crochet blanket.


So, of course when I think of skiing I think of snow....snow = snowflakes. So the first thing I do is search for crochet patterns already available and come across this fun blanket by Ellen Gromley. I really like how each snowflake is embroidered on.


Next I search for photos of people skiing. This one really spoke to me with the pattern in the snow....how about a ripple pattern for the blanket??? Hmmmmm....

What about gear?? What kind of gear do skiiers use?? Well, skis and goggles of course!! I wonder if I would be able to re-create something like this in crochet? Make them and attach them to a solid color blanket??

And color!!! When I think of skiing, I think of blue skies and white snow. Duh! But a blue blanket for a possible girl??? Well, I guess that's better than ending up with a pink blanket for a boy! LOL!!

Hope you enjoyed this trip into my designing mind! Stay tuned for more adventures in designing coming soon! Happy crocheting!

I've Been Knitting!

OK, I admit it....I've been knitting. Well, practicing is more like it. I think I did a really good job on this basketweave baby blanket! I think I may donate it to my charity group. Or maybe give it to a friend of mine who is having a baby girl soon. We'll see.

But now, after this blanket and all the dish clothes I've made...I can say that I can definitely knit a square!!! Now, to tackle knitting in the round! LOL!!