FELTING YOUR CROCHET

Uniquely Felt by Christine Williams as seen on Amazon.com.

Felting (or fulling as it’s properly called) is not just for knitters. It works fine for crocheted fabric too! I’ve blogged about felting before, but I ran across a book recently that will be extremely helpful to you if you felt or want to learn how.

This book, Uniquely Felt by Christine White includes 46 felting project, covering wonderful topics like nuno felting and cobweb felting. But one of the most useful things in this book is the charts of different wools. Wools from different animals and different breeds within the same species will felt (or full) at different rates. You may never have heard of some of these wools – Delaine, corriedale, Saxon, Lincoln, Romney, etc. But, if you want to get hte most out of your felting, you’ll want to be able to predict some of the felting possibilities. So, the yarns named above are some of those that White lists in the ‘Fine and Medium-Fine Wools’.

There is still more information to be had in this book. It’s really a full course in wools and their various traits. Such a book is a useful tool to anyone who is adventurous in crochet or knitting.

The books is an oversized 310 pages published in 2007 by Storey with ISBN 9781580176736. It contains numerous color pictures to accompany each project. Projects include beginner projects, hats, nuno, cobweb, needlefelting, 3-D seamless felting, working with large garments, and community resources. It’s available new and used online.

This Free Whip It Up Crochet Blanket Pattern from Mary Maxim looks like pure comfort crochet. It is a free download for a crochet afghan, and Mary Maxim describes it as a beautifully textured blanket with a plush, soft texture designed to be worked up quickly.

The yarn choice is what really sets the tone here. This pattern uses Bernat Blanket Extra Thick, with 5 skeins and a U.S. U/50 (25 mm) crochet hook. That puts it firmly in the jumbo-yarn category, which usually means fast progress, chunky stitches, and that lovely instant-gratification feeling where the blanket actually starts looking like a blanket very quickly. Mary Maxim lists the yarn as weight 7 jumbo.

The finished size is also generous at 52 x 60 inches, so this is more than a tiny lap throw. It sounds like a proper snuggle-on-the-sofa blanket, and one that would make a nice gift as well. Mary Maxim specifically suggests it as a throw for home décor or as a thoughtful handmade present.

Skill-wise, this one looks very approachable. The page lists it as Beginner / Easy, and the stitch requirements are simple: chain, double crochet, repeat, single crochet, and slip knot. That makes it a good option for newer crocheters who want a chunky blanket project without too much fuss, or for more experienced crocheters who just want something relaxing and cozy on the hook.

I also think this is the kind of pattern that has strong appeal for anyone who likes fast, useful projects. Jumbo yarn blankets are not subtle, but that is part of their charm. They feel squishy, dramatic, and very giftable. Sometimes you want a delicate heirloom project, and sometimes you want a big soft blanket that feels like crocheting with a cloud. This one definitely leans toward the second category. That last part is my take based on the listed materials, size, and description.

Have you read?