Crochet

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Crocodile Stitch Giveaway WINNER!

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The winner of this book is Laurel with this entry:

zipcode is 11791
I would design a fish using the crocodile stitch for the scales. A tropical colorful looking fish with a beaded accent on the top portion of each scale.

There were so many great, creative ideas!  You crocheters have lots of good ideas.  Hope to see some of the designs you suggested worked up into the projects you envision.  My second favorite idea was to use the Crocodile Stitch on a toddler’s bottom – like Rhumba Pants on a little girl.  Could be cute on a boy too done in the right yarn.

Here’s the idea I’ve had but have yet to work on:

Using those styrofoam cones as a form to make a Christmas Tree, I’d use three different size 10 threads work up three strands of Crocodile Stitch to wind around the cone.  Last Christmas, I used this idea with three different strands of worsted weight yarn in a fan stitch.  I used dots of hot glue and straight pins with brightly colored heads (for the lights on the tree) to secure the lengths of crochet to the cone.  They turned out nicely.  So, I share this idea with you in hopes that you or I or someone will actually use it.

If you are still lacking in ideas to use the Crocodile Stitch, please read all the entries for the contest then get your own copy of this fun book.

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Shock Wave Free Crochet Lap Blanket Pattern

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.