Crochet

Patterns, projects and techniques

Vintage Doily Crochet Blanket

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you make this exquisite afghan!

Handmade doilies can be had for less than $1 at most thrift stores and flea markets.  I often find myself rescuing them when I am perfectly capable of crocheting my own.  I just can’t resist the allure of the knowledge of the hours and love that went into making most of them.  However, I don’t have enough table tops to adorn with all of them.  I’ve actually started stashing doilies in a drawer in my living room so I can change them out seasonally.  This is quite the coup for the design challenged homeowner like me!

I’ve blogged before about what to do with doilies.  Read some of these previous posts by clicking here and here. You can also use the Search box to other doily-related articles I’ve written.  OR, you can make an ‘instant heirloom’ like the one made by Dottie Angel.  While you’re drooling over this blanket and cursing me for giving you another WIM that requires joining, scroll down to see Dottie’s excellent tutorial.  You might stop cursing me and start sending me fan mail.  But, send it to Dottie.  It’s her idea.  I’m just the messenger…..

BTW, while it’s not my business to tell you how to spend your time or $$, please don’t take the time to crochet a lovely afghan then ‘adorn’ it with those Dollar Store doilies.  They’re made of inferior materials, pumped out for pennies, and don’t represent the art of crochet in a very nice way.  Far better to crochet a few yourself as you can see I’ve done by pictures in some of my previous posts or ‘adopt’ some like I have also done.  Kindly honor the crocheter with your time and the love in each stitch.

I actually think this idea would look great if a few of the other squares were crocheted with a pattern like this.

Looking for more Doily Crochet patterns to make? Check these out on Etsy.

Would that be too busy?

Comments

  4. This is a beautiful idea! I also have seen lots of pretty doilies appliqued onto clothing as well. Very pretty!

    I don’t buy the “Dollar Store” doilies either, for the same reason. I DO buy direct from people in foreign countries who are the crochet artist, mainly on eBay. I love to help support them in their craft when I can. Same with ladies who make handcrafted jewelry. I crochet and I make jewelry but isn’t it nice to buy something someone else made now and then for a change!

Have you read?

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.