Ballymoney Blanket. By Melanie Thomassian aka Wee Yarn

Transcription

1 Ballymoney Blanket By Melanie Thomassian aka Wee Yarn The Ballymoney Blanket is an easy modular crochet make that s perfect for baby and will become a much cherished, heirloom piece, handed down through the family. MATERIALS Yarn: DK weight Yarn 1009 metres/1104 yards in total Shown In: Katia Basic Merino (50g = 120 metres/131 yards, 52% Merino Superwash 48% Acrylic) Shade 12 Grey x 10 balls Hook: 4mm/US G/6 Notions: Yarn needle TENSION/GAUGE 18 st x 11 rows to 4 in / 10 cm in Treble Cochet SIZE The baby blanket size as pictured is 40 by 30 in/102 x 76 cm, although you can make it whatever size you prefer. Each square measures approximately 7 by 7in/18 x 18 cm. The border depth is also flexible, so can be made as thick or thin as you like NOTE The pattern is written using English Crochet Terminology. 1

2 STANDARD CROCHET ABBRIEVIATIONS Rnd: round Ml: magic loop Tr: treble crochet Dc: Double crochet Htr: half treble crochet Sl st: slip stitch St: stitch Ch: chain Sk: skip Sp: space Rs: right side Ws: wrong side Yo: yarn over Magic Loop Hold the end of your yarn between thumb and forefinger. Wrap the yarn clockwise around three fingers and hold both strands in place with your thumb. Insert the hook under the yarn that s wrapped around your fingers and grab the strand of working yarn to draw up a loop. Yarn around hook and pull through this loop. Alternatively, if you d rather not make a Magic Loop, then you can always crochet 4 chain, join with a slip stitch and work into the centre. Double Treble Dbltr Yo hook twice. Insert hook into the next st. Draw through a loop (four loops on the hook). Yo, pull through first two loops only (three loops on the hook). Yo, pull through two loops only (two loops on the hook). Yo, pull through last two loops. Instructions for Star Motif Square PATTERN Rnd 1: Make a magic ring. Into it, work 3ch (stands as the first tr). Work 15 more tr into the ring and pull yarn tail to close. (16tr) Rnd 2: 4ch (stands as first tr and 1ch). Work (1tr, 1ch) into each tr around. (16tr,16ch) Rnd 3: 3ch (stands as first tr). *2tr in ch space, 1 tr in next tr*. Repeat around. Join with a sl st to top of 3ch. (48tr) Rnd 4: Ch1. Work *dc in next st, ch2, skip 2tr, dc in next st. Ch 2, skip 2 tr, dc in next st. Ch 4, skip 2 tr, dc in next st. Ch 2, skip 2tr* Repeat from * to* around. Join with a sl st into the first dc. (4 ch-4 spaces, (corners), 12 ch-2 spaces, 16dc) Rnd 5: Ch 1. In ch-2 space, work 5 tr *Dc in next ch-2 space. [5tr, ch2, 5tr] all in ch-4 space, dc in ch-2 space, 5tr in next ch-2 space * Repeat from * to * around. Finish a dc in the final ch-2 space, sl st into the same st as the beginning 1ch. (68 sts) Rnd 6: 7 ch (the first 4 stand as a dbtr). *Dc in the 3 rd of the 5tr cluster, 3ch, dbtr in the dc of previous round. Ch 4 (dc, ch 2, dc) in corner space, ch 4, dbtr in next dc from previous round, 3 ch* Repeat from * to * around, omitting the final dbtr, and join with a sl st into 4 th of 7 ch. (8dbtr, 12dc, 20 ch sp) 2

3 Rnd 7: 3ch (stands as a tr). *3tr in 3-ch space, tr in next st (dc), 3tr in 3ch space, tr in next st (dbtr). 4tr in 4-ch space, tr in the dc at the corner, (2tr, 2ch, 2tr) in corner space, tr in next dc. 4tr in 4-ch space, tr in next st*. Repeat around, omitting final tr, and join with a sl st to top of initial 3ch. (92 tr) Rnd 8: 3 ch (Stands as a tr). Work a tr into each tr around, and (2tr, 2ch, 2tr) into each corner space. Join with a sl st to top of beginning 3ch. (108 tr) Rnd 9: Repeat round 8 (124 tr) Fasten off and weave in ends. Instructions for Circle Motif Square Rnd 1: Begin with a mc. Ch 1. Work 16 tr into the circle. Join with sl st to first ch. Pull yarn tail to close the ring. (16 tr) Rnd 2: In each st work *ch 1, tr* repeat from *to* around. Join with sl st to first ch. (16 tr, 16 ch sp) Rnd 3: In each ch 1 sp work *ch 1, 2 tr* repeat from *to* around. Join with sl st to first ch. (32 tr) Rnd 4: *Ch 2. Dc in ch sp (first dc is to left of 2 tr of previous rnd). Ch 2. Dc in ch sp. Ch 2. Tr in ch sp. Ch 4. Tr in ch sp* repeat from *to* around. Join with sl st to first ch. (4 ch 4 sp (corners), 12 ch 2 sp) Rnd 5: Ch 1. Work 3 tr in each ch 2 sp, and [3 tr, ch 2, 3 tr] in each corner sp. Join with sl st to first ch. (60 tr) Rnd 6: Ch 1. Tr in each st around, and [2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr] in each corner sp. Join with sl st to first ch. (76 tr) Rnd 7: Repeat rnd 6. (92 tr) Rnd 8: Repeat rnd 6. (108 tr) 3

4 Rnd 9: Ch 1. htr in each st around, and [2 htr, ch 1, 2 htr] in each corner sp. Join with sl st to first ch. (124 htr) Fasten off, weave in ends. Instructions For Joining Squares For the baby blanket size, there are 10 star motif squares, and 10 circle motif squares. You will join your squares using a dc join along the rs of the blanket hold two squares with ws facing each other to do this, and work from right to left. You can join horizontally or vertically first, it s up to you, just make sure you are joining a star motif square to a circle motif square, and vice versa. When you come to the corners of each square, use a sl st to join rather than a dc, as this will pull the join tighter, and prevent large gaps. Here is my video tutorial, if you need help with the dc joining method >> XHL638 Instructions for the Border Begin by joining the yarn anywhere along the blanket edge, with rs facing you. Rnd 1: Ch 1. Tr in each st around, and work [2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr] into each corner. Join with sl st to first ch. Rnd 2-3: Repeat rnd 1. Repeat rnd 1 additional times, if you prefer a thicker border. For the Picot Edging Rnd 4: Dc in first st. *Ch 3. Sl st same. Dc next 3 sts* repeat from *to* around. At each corner work a dc into the corner st, then ch 3, sl st into ch sp. (Continue with repeat pattern as before, working a dc in next 3 sts after corners). Fasten off, weave in ends. 4

5 Finishing While it s really tempting to skip this part, please, please don t! Blocking is such an important step in making your heirloom blanket look so much more professional. It ll also help to restore symmetrical balance to any misshapen squares, it ll set your stitches, and it ill enhance the drape of the fabric overall. If you have a favourite method for blocking, go ahead and use that. But if not, here are some instructions on how I do it: Step 1: Lay down a thick blanket, or towel, so that you have an area larger than your project. Step 2: Place your project on top, and smooth as best you can. Spray the piece all over with water. Step 3: Using a measuring tape, find the longest and widest points and place a pin in the corners at these points. Next, place pins about 1 apart along one edge you can use a ruler to help you keep it straight, if necessary. Step 4: Then, pin the opposite side, being sure not to stretch it more than your longest/widest length. Repeat until you have shaped and pinned all four sides down. Step 5: Spray the whole thing again with water, and get it pretty wet this time. Leave in place until completely dry. Once it s dry, you can remove the pins, and you re beautifully blocked piece is complete! Melanie Thomassian is a crochet designer who now lives in Canada but grew up in Northern Ireland. She has always loved to create, but it wasn t until 8 years ago that she finally picked up a hook and taught herself to crochet. When she moved to Canada in 2015, she started designing her own crochet patterns and opened her WeeYarn Etsy store. She enjoys all aspects of the designing process, but what really makes her excited is seeing other people creating their own beautiful pieces using a WeeYarn pattern. For behind-the-scenes photos and current projects in the making, check out her Instagram or Facebook pages, or visit her Etsy store to view her crochet patterns. 5