A Special-Tie

crocheted tie

Father’s Day is upon us again and we are all looking for a way to crochet something wonderful for Dad. Well, that’s pretty hard to do. I know that the men in my life have all the caps and scarves and fingerless mitts they want from me. They will graciously receive something like a laptop cozy from me, but they don’t really want one, do they? And, I have never seen a crocheted tie that any man would wear, until now. This one is quite the winner. I’d make it in different colors, but it’s pretty smart looking. I think Dad might actually wear this one – and that Junior might try to steal it. Kara has the free pattern for you here.

The only other crocheted item I can think of that a guy might really enjoy getting is one of these. You can get the free pattern here.

paracord survival bracelet
http://www.craftown.com/Survival-Bracelet.html

Some of the ‘Survival Bracelets’ use hardware. You can find many different pictures of them online. The idea is that the paracord in them, which has a test strength up to 500 lbs, can be accessed by ‘unweaving’ the bracelet to use the rope or cord if you need it to get out of a tough spot. Since most of our fathers and husbands aren’t of the spelunking or mountain climbing variety, the appeal may be more to the appearance than the reality. But, that’s okay. A little extra paracord never hurt anyone, right?

This Free Shock Wave Crochet Lap Blanket Pattern from Mary Maxim looks like one of those wonderfully satisfying projects that gives big cozy payoff without fiddly detail. Mary Maxim lists it as a free download, designed as a crochet afghan/lap blanket, with a finished size of 45 x 50 inches.

What immediately stands out is the yarn choice. The pattern is made with Bernat Blanket Extra Thick, using 5 skeins, and calls for a U.S. U/50 (25 mm) crochet hook. That is gloriously chunky territory, which usually means fast progress and lots of squishy texture. If you are in the mood for a project that feels substantial in your hands and grows quickly row by row, this one definitely has that appeal.

Mary Maxim describes the blanket as having a beautifully textured, plush, soft finish and suggests it as a project for home décor or gifting. Based on the materials and oversized hook alone, that sounds about right. This feels like the sort of blanket you make for curling up on the couch, draping over a chair, or giving as a practical handmade gift that will actually get used instead of folded away “for best.”

The pattern is marked Easy, and the listed stitch requirements are straightforward: chain, repeat, double crochet, single crochet, and slip stitch. That makes it sound approachable for confident beginners and very appealing for anyone who wants a relaxing crochet project without too much counting drama.

I also think the lap blanket size is a smart one. Not every crochet blanket needs to become a giant commitment that takes over the lounge room and your will to live. A 45 x 50 inch blanket is a useful, manageable size for gifting, for wheelchairs or reading nooks, or just for keeping on hand for chilly evenings. That practicality gives this pattern extra appeal. The usability point is my own take based on the finished dimensions Mary Maxim provides.

At the moment, the pattern page shows no reviews, so there is not much customer feedback to go on yet. Still, if you enjoy easy crochet blanket patterns, super chunky crochet throws, or quick lap blanket projects, this one looks like a solid freebie to save.

My overall take? This looks like a fast, cozy, beginner-friendly crochet blanket pattern with plenty of texture and instant-gratification energy. Very much the sort of project you start because it looks easy, then keep going because the yarn feels ridiculously soft.

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