As promised, here is the lowdown on how I made the blanket for my wonderful new nephew 🙂
I intended to have a go at a ripple blanket, following the pattern from Cute and Easy Crocheted Baby Clothes by Nikki Trench, that I got out from the library (and had to renew twice as I was to slow getting started..!), but I got scared by the ripple, and decided to save my 1st attempt at it for a smaller project like a cushion cover!
So I just went with good old triple stitches instead.
I ordered some gorgeous wool from Knit With Attitude, who specialise in eco-friendly and ethical yarn. The yarn I chose was Rooster Almerino DK-I just love the colours, and had difficulty restricting myself to ‘only’ nine..!
As I started making it before the baby arrived, and we didn’t know what ‘flavour’ he would be, I tried to keep it quite neutral, but once we knew he was a boy, I used a turquiose-y blue on the edging.
Using a 4.5mm crochet hook, I did a foundation chain of 83 stitches, and then did rows of UK trebles, changing colours after each row.
If you are new to crochet, then Kat Goldin’s great blog Slugs on the Refrigerator has loads of great resources and tutorials to get you started.
I have been crocheting for a couple of years now, but only little things, and this was the biggest project I had attempted-I learned quite quickly to keep counting my stitches at the end of every row to make sure I still had the requisite number….
The pattern for the ripple blanket suggested 50 rows, but when I got to 50, the blanket still seemed very small, so I kept going until it looked a more pram blanket size-I think there were about 80 rows in the end.
For the edge, I did one round of this pattern here (just round one of the pattern) from the brilliant Lucy at Attic 24, and then a second round of Lucy’s wonderful bobble-shell edging.
As I said yesterday, it’s not the most practical of gifts, as it’s handwash only, but I did really enjoy making it, and it’s so satisfying actually finishing something!
My Make Do and Mend Year 
Looks great. One of the things I have promised myself I will learn to do this year is crochet, so I’m delighted with your blog tip for Slugs on the Refrigerator. If you have a minute to recommend any other good knitting or crochet blogs, I’d be very grateful.
Hi Bekki
Another great one is Attic 24-Lucy does amazingly in depth tutorials, with LOADS of pictures. And the colours she uses are always so lovely and cheery!
Thank you. Will look her up.
Your blanket is soo lovely! I love the colours you used 🙂
Thankyou!
That is a beautiful blanket – well done. Like you, I am a newbie hooker – and altho I keep looking at Nikki’s Ripple, I haven’t mastered it yet [I bought myself the book on offer from the Book People, as our library didn’t have it in stock] I DO like your choice of colours- I’m sure babies do not always want to be draped in pastel shades!! blessings xx
Thankyou! Do let us know if you attempt the ripple…!
Stitch markers are a godsend for counting stitches! If you attempt a ripple, do use stitch markers, slip one in on either each of the decrease or the increase stitches all the way down the row and slip them up every row. Trust me, my first ripple was a trapezoid because I didn’t use stitch markers. The dog likes it, though. She doesn’t care that it looks silly.
Great tip, thanks Mary! Will try and hunt out some stitch markers!
Hi Jen
Lovely job on the blanket! 🙂
I’ve been crocheting forever…and am happy to offer reassurance on the ripple. Once you get into the flow of it, you’ll really enjoy ‘rippling’ along. Maybe try a scarf first, as it’s a bit less formidable. Lucy gives another winning tutorial with her ripple guidelines on Attic24.
And – congratulations to all!
Lynda
Brilliant, thankyou for the reassurance! I’ll take a look at Lucy’s guidelines
What a beautiful blanket, I believe when I make things I think about that person as I am stitching, so every stitch contains a little bit of love weaved in. I am sure the new baby will feel wrapped up in love!
What a lovely sentiment!